Running a mobile safari company in Botswana offers guests an authentic, immersive experience in pristine wilderness areas like the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and the Central Kalahari. The setup emphasizes mobility, comfort, and safety in unfenced, remote sites, blending traditional camping with serviced luxury. Camps are fully portable, packed into supply vehicles, and erected by staff to minimize guest participation while maximizing wildlife proximity. This model suits small groups (2–12 people), with itineraries of 4–15 nights, often starting/ending in Maun or Kasane.
Key principles:
- Private and Exclusive: Camps are set up in remote, unfenced bush sites for your group only—no shared facilities.
- Serviced vs. Participatory: Most are fully serviced (staff handles setup, cooking, and chores); some offer "adventure" options where guests assist with tents.
- Sustainability: Low-impact design uses eco-friendly materials; waste is packed out, and sites are left pristine.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Ideal for families/groups of 4+, with rates around US$360–500/person/day (all-inclusive, excluding flights).
Essential Equipment and Components
A typical setup includes tents, communal areas, support vehicles, and amenities tailored to Botswana's hot, dusty climate. Everything is lightweight and durable for off-road transport.
1. Accommodation Tents
- Type: Walk-in Meru-style or dome tents (3m x 3m) for privacy and space. These are canvas-walled with mesh windows for ventilation and wildlife viewing.
- Capacity: 1–2 guests per tent; up to 6–12 tents for larger groups. Family options combine two tents.
- Comfort Features: Cot beds with linens, pillows, and duvets; battery-powered fans or lanterns; en-suite "bush bathrooms" (screened areas with bucket showers using hot water and long-drop toilets).
- Quantity: Scaled to group size (e.g., 4 tents for a family of 4–6).
- Mobility: Collapsible frames; packed in duffel bags for easy loading.
2. Communal and Service Areas
- Mess/Dining Tent or Gazebo: Open-sided (4m x 4m) for shaded meals; includes foldable tables, camp chairs, and lanterns. Staff sets up a mobile kitchen with gas burners and open-fire grills for bush cooking.
- Fire Pit: Central for evening gatherings, storytelling, and warmth; surrounded by log benches.
- Luggage Storage: Lockable trailer for excess gear, left in Maun if needed.
3. Vehicles and Logistics
- Game Viewer: Custom 4x4 open-sided vehicle (seats 6–8) for drives, with tracker chairs, cooler, and shade canopy.
- Supply Vehicle: Separate truck/trailer for gear, water (3L/person/day), food, and staff. Carries generators for charging devices.
- Team: Guide (wildlife expert), camp assistant, chef, and optional driver (3–5 total). They scout sites, erect camp ahead, and handle relocations every 2–3 nights.
4. Amenities and Safety
- Power/Water: Solar panels or small generators; hot bucket showers; purified drinking water.
- Food/Drinks: All-inclusive meals (fresh, open-fire cooked; caters to dietary needs like vegan). Includes juices, wine, and a cooler for extras.
- Health/Safety: First-aid kit, anti-malarial advice, wildlife protocols (e.g., no walking alone), and emergency satellite phone. Tents have guy ropes for wind/storm security.
- Extras: Binoculars, field guides, star-gazing mats; optional fly-camping (ultra-light tents on islands for 1 night).