WINGS OVER WILDERNESS

A luxury fly-in safari to Botswana is a voyage into the essence of Africa

- SONJA PIONTEK

From the moment our small safari plane, a Grand Caravan EX, touches down on a remote bush airstrip surrounded by acacia trees, it is clear that this journey will be unlike any other. As we step off the plane, we are greeted by our private guides and the camp team. Their genuine hospitality makes us feel at home. The surrounding landscape unfolds before us in a spectacular tapestry of wetlands and wildlife, immersing us in the untamed beauty of the delta.

Our adventure begins at Duba Plains Camp. Nestled in a 33,000-hectare private reserve, it greets us with understated elegance and an intimate connection to nature. Our large canvas tent, adorned with carefully selected furnishings and vintage décor, opens onto a private deck with our own little pool overlooking the delta. It feels like a sanctuary that balances top-level comfort with the raw beauty of the wilderness. As we settle in and explore the camp, we realise how attention to detail is evident in the personalised service and the exquisite culinary delights crafted by the Relais & Châteaux chef and his team.

The four different camps we have chosen for this adventure are in remote parts of the Okavango Delta, which means that getting from camp to camp is done by safari plane or helicopter. All this is organised with local aviation partners Mack Air and Helicopter Horizons as part of our booking with Great Plains Conservation, one of the world's leading safari companies. The fly-in aspect adds a thrilling dimension to the journey as each flight offers a new perspective on the delta's breathtaking landscape.