7 days - botswana
a short flying adventure allows you quick escape into relaxed wilderness

Days 1 & 2: I start this trip in the Limpopo Valley. I spent glorious years fulfilling the epitome of childhood escapades in this region. We land on the new and impressive Limpopo runway - the air is warm and dry. Driving to the rustic tented camp exposes an ancient world of rolling faraway hills, abundant wildlife and elephant signs everywhere: football sized droppings, wind blown footprints and bark stripped mopane trees. Late afternoon game drives blend into exciting night drives, with nocturnal life being highlighted and captured by a powerful spotlight. Mountain biking is offered as a fun activity.

Days 3 & 4: We take-off early for the heart of the Okavango Delta. My charted flight takes us over the largest salt pans on earth which, when filled with water, become the natural home to thousands of pink flamingos. The flat dry featureless terrain below suddenly transforms into a lush green oasis. The trees are big and graceful. The ground is soft white sand and there are random pans of crystal clear water scattered everywhere. The more you look the more you suddenly see - insects, birds, spotted cats, big animals, small animals and spoor everywhere. An unobtrusive camp rests quietly and peacefully in this abundance.

Days 5 & 6: We fly out of the lush Delta area and land on the Selinda runway where solitary palm trees dominate a flat hazy horizon. The wildlife catalyst is a lazy, twisting Linyanti River snaking its way through a parched dusty landscape. Our base, a welcoming tented camp, is on a small wooded island of tall trees and palms. There is a traditional wild dog den nearby, and cheetah's silently patrol the surrounding golden grassy plains. On a previous trip two young male lion, sleeping in the shade of my aeroplane's belly, delayed our departure for the next destination.