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The Long-crested Eagle Safari, Martial Eagle Safari and Tawny Eagle Safari are all
tailor-made, private safaris to Botswana. Tailor-made safaris have the flexibility to change locations in
response to local conditions (late rains, flooding, game concentrations, etc.), to give you the best possible
experience. Private safaris allow you, and your group control over the length, timings and choice of daily
activities as well as the full attention of your guide.
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We give three trip options to Botswana here just to show you what is possible and to help you start planning
your ideal private mobile safari.
The Long-crested Safari does not include the cost of air travel to/from the UK. We have set this itinerary up
this way, allowing you to choose to make this your only experience of Botswana, or to combine it with a
fly-in safari. See our
Expert Africa brochure
and talk to us for more information on this.
The three safaris we suggest here are led by Grant Truthe, who was born and bred in Botswana, has vast
knowledge of the area, speaks the local language fluently and has been guiding for almost 20 years. Having
two children of his own, he’s a particularly good guide for families.
Each of these safaris spends time at the Santantadibe mobile camp. As this is a private reserve area, it is
possible to off-road (drive off the regular tracks) to reach less accessible game, explore slowly on a guided
walk or search for nocturnal animals on a night drive – activities which are not allowed within Botswana’s
National Parks. Santantadibe is an area Grant grew up in. He now leads private mobile camping safaris to this
beautiful and wild part of the Okavango Delta.
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Whilst on one of our Eagle Safaris, you’ll stay in spacious walk-in 3 x 3 metre dome tents, with
comfortable camp stretcher-beds, bedrolls, bed linen, duvets, towels and a small side table with a reading
lamp. Private canvas hand basins are set up outside each tent. There’s a separate enclosure with a bucket
shower that is filled with water at your chosen temperature when needed, and an enclosure with a long-drop
toilet.
A large marquee tent with sides that can be rolled up provides shade and sheltered dining in the unlikely
event of rain. Two well-trained camp assistants take on all the camp chores, allowing you the undivided
attention of the guide as you explore the area. The camp chef prepares tasty, fresh, three-course meals over
the fire; dinners are served at a candle-lit table set with linen, crockery and glasses, with choice of red
or white wines.
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Activities, depending on the area, might include walking safaris, fishing and bird-watching trips, canoeing
adventures (dependent on water levels), and 4WD safaris (including night drives) using custom-built, open
vehicles giving excellent all-round visibility. Cold drinks are available while you’re travelling.
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The day usually begins with tea or coffee and biscuits, before you set off on your early-morning game drive.
You’ll have a coffee break halfway through the morning and then return to camp for a full brunch before
taking a siesta during the hottest part of the day. Before your afternoon drive you’ll have a snack of fresh
bread or cheese board, with fruit and cake. If you’re outside Botswana’s national parks or game reserves on
safari (inside which night drives aren’t allowed), the guide often takes a spotlight and you stay out after
dark to look for nocturnal wildlife. Activity timings are all flexible, depending on the interests and
priorities of your group. If something exciting crops up, stay with it for as long as you need!
Grant will take bookings for a minimum of two and a maximum of ten visitors on any one safari. Once booked,
your trip is guaranteed to be exclusive; you are not asked to mix with other travellers. This makes it a
great option for families, couples and small groups. Children of all ages are welcome, which is very unusual
in Botswana.
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All drinks are included with the safari. Because of limited cold storage, your drink preferences will be
requested and noted before you depart. A basic laundry service is included where possible.
The safari options here are just three possibilities among many. Talk to us about visiting a Bushman
settlement in the Ghanzi area, bird-watching at Lake Ngami or camping in the shade of the Tsodilo Hills...
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This page can be downloaded from our Downloads Page
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