About The Trip

A Safari Day the Wilderness Dawning Way

Guests are usually met at the airport in Maun, Livingstone or Johannesburg and transferred to the starting point of their safari. They are flown or driven to their first camp, lodge or guesthouse from where the safari commences.

Typically two game drives a day are experienced. In Game Parks, the morning game drive leaves at first light, when predator activity is expected. We return for brunch as the day starts heating up. The hottest part of the day is spent at leisure ... siesta time! Our afternoon activity departs after tea, usually around 4pm, to return in the early evening

Game drives and activities vary from one trip to the next, depending on sightings and animal activities. Generaly, we drive quite far and slowly to absolutely maximise game-viewing potential. Should we be moving from one camp (or guesthouse) to another, a short drive is taken in the morning and we drive through game areas to our next camp, where lunch is served.

Quality Safari Guides

We strongly believe that the single most important factor on any safari holiday is the quality, patience and experience of the professional guide. All our guides are passionate about Southern Africa and the environment in which we operate. An attitude which is reflected in all our safaris is the responsibility the guide has been given in showing guests the diversity of our subcontinent. We realize that for many people, a safari is a holiday of a lifetime and this is therefore a resposibility which our guides do not take lightly. Over the years, we have built up an enviable reputation for the recruitment, training and development of local guides, who are acknowledged to be the best in their field. All Wilderness Dawning Guides are fully licensed by either the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Botswana, The Department of Tourism South Africa and the relevant authorities in Mozambqiue, Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia. All our guides have a deep appreciation for the wilderness and wildlife that lives there. Most importantly, our guides display a love for the region and its people. On our safaris our guests are enriched with the guide's knowledge and gain a new perspective on the country they are visiting.

Safari Age Restrictions

Although many destinations and therefore our scheduled departures are suitable only for children aged 12 and older, tailor-made camping and lodge safaris can be arranged through Wilderness Dawning for families with younger children. We specialize in Family Safaris with guides who have chosen to do these safaris due to their will to instill a love, appreciation and understanding for Southern African with young travelers. Please contact us for specific details and our expert opinion. There is no upper age limit, although a reasonable degree of health and fitness is required.

Seasonality

Southern Africa has a temperate climate. It is a great destination all year round depending on what experiences you require, or what your particular interests are.

Summer months are November to March. This is the rainy season - with rains building up gradually during the day resulting in thunderstorms. Some roads do become impassible during the rains. Although not regarded as a prime game viewing period all the migrant bird species have arrived and landscape phototgraphy is at its best. Game is generally dispersed.

From April to June, days are hot with cooler nights and game viewing improves as wildlife starts to concentrate around waterholes and the bush starts thinning out.

From July to August (winter) game viewing is near its best, days are dry and hot and nights cool.

September to October are the hottest months and game viewing is at its prime. although the bushveldt is extremely dry.

What to Bring on Safari

Soft luggage is recommended along with a daypack. Clothing should be lightweight, dull, khaki or green coloured and comfortable. Easily washable fabric is advised as laundry can be washed during midday hours. A warm jacket is essential throughout the year (for morning game drives). Comfortable walking shoes are ideal. Sturdy sandals will also be useful. Take a swimming costume and towel. For sun protection take along-sleeve light shirt, a hat, high-factor sun cream and sunglasses. A quality torch with spare batteries is essential. Take your own toiletries as none are privided locally. High quality binoculars are essential for effective game viewing. Take a camera with zoom lens for photography. If you bring a video or digital camera, please remember to bring a 12 volt charger for connection to our vehicle. There is a maximum weight restriction on our vehicles of 12kg luggage per person.

Safari Vehicles

Robust 4WD vehicles are essential for travel in Botswana due to the variable conditions of the tracks within protected areas. Wilderness Dawning operates specially-modified Toyota Landcruisers that accommodate either 8 or 12 guests.

All vehicles have an open roof and sides (with roll-down weatherproof canvas, or in some cases, windows that fold down) and thus offer the best game-viewing opportunities. They also come equipped with first aid kits, a fire extinguisher, individual bucket seats with seat belts and a cooler box for beverages.

Our guides are in 24-hour radio, cellphone or satellite phone contact with our operations bases in Maun or Johannesburg.

We carry out twice-yearly risk management assessment of our procedures and operations to ensure maximum client safety and due care.

Camping Equipment

Wilderness Dawning offer an above-average level of comfort whilst camping. Our tents are 3 x 3 meter dome-type, big enough so that someone can stand inside. We also have tents that accommodate families that are 5 x 5 meters in size and are compartmentalized. These tents are made from durable rip-stop canvas and have sewn-in ground sheets.

They come equipped with sturdy camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, pillow, pillow cases and sleeping bags or duvets.

Other equipment used on safari to enhance our guests comfort are camping basins, wash stands, hot water bucket showers and water-based flush toilets (just like home!). Safari style fold-up chairs and six foot tables are provided (all meals eaten from the table).

Water supplies for drinking and washing are carried in the back-up vehicle in 200 litre water tanks, although some guests do prefer to purchase bottled mineral water.