Wilderness Dawning is a privately-owned safari company based in Maun, Botswana and Johannesburg, South Africa.
A Safari Day the Wilderness Dawning Way
Guests are usually met at the airport in Maun, or Livingstone and transferred to the starting point of their safari. They are flown or driven to their first camp 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. Generally, we drive quite far and slowly to absolutely maximize game-viewing potential. Should we be moving from one camp to another, a short drive might taken in the morning and we drive through game areas to our next camp, where lunch is served.
Game drives and activities vary from one trip to the next, depending on sightings and animal activities. Generally, we drive quite far and slowly to absolutely maximise game-viewing potential. Should we be moving from one camp 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
At Wilderness Dawning 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 Botswana 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 country. We realize that for many people, a safari is a holiday of a lifetime and this is therefore a responsibility, 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 outstanding in their field. All our guides have 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 generally suitable only for children aged 8-10 and older-(this is not set in stone!),we can tailor-make camping and lodge safaris. These can be arranged through Wilderness Dawning for families with much younger children. We specialise in Family Safaris with guides who have chosen to do these safaris due to their will to instil a love, appreciation and understanding for Southern Africa 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 photography 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 a long-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 provided 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. Please download our Pre-Departure Information available on this site.
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 9(Scheduled) or 12 guests (Tailormade)
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 and SERVICED Camping
Wilderness Dawning offer an above-average level of comfort whilst camping. Our tents are 3 x 3 meter dome-type-with En-Suite Facilities. They are big enough so that someone can stand inside. These tents are made from durable rip-stop canvas and have sewn-in groundsheets. They come equipped with sturdy camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, pillow, pillowcases and duvets. Other equipment used on safari to enhance our guests comfort are camping basins, washstands, hot water bucket showers and water-based toilets. Safari style fold-up chairs and large tables are provided (all meals eaten from the table). Our great back-up staff does all the cooking, cleaning and setting-up and breaking camp, so the difficult aspect of camping is taken away! This setup allows our guests to get as close to nature, wilderness, plants and animals as possible. The essence of what we do is not to insulate guests from the very things they have come to see. In many cases, the camping aspect of our safaris are what guests remember most, due to the use of our private sites which allow our guests closeness to the wild.
Office Hours: Mon – Fri: 08h00 – 17h00 / Sat: 08h00 – 13h00
Email: reservations@wildernessdawning.com
Call: Chrisna: +(27) 72 879 2947 / Call Craig: +(27) 84 805 4459 +(267) 73 893 617