Sandibe Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana 

At Sandibe, you can experience the ever-changing miracle of the Okavango Delta on your doorstep. Sandibe Safari Lodge is set within a 270km˛ private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in one of the most beautiful parts of the Delta.  Located near the perennial Santantadibe Channel, the lodge lies between permanent water and grass-swept plains where herds of elephant, buffalo and topi (tsessebe) wander amid many predators.  Rolling plains stretch into the distance, etched with the silhouettes of palm trees, mud-castle spires of giant termite mounds and ancient Baobabs. The lodge, constructed according to strict environmental principles, was opened in 1998 and has become a firm favorite..  WILDLIFE Sandibe is flanked by channels of the permanent Okavango Delta that run in to the adjacent Moremi Game Reserve, the only declared conservation area in the Delta. Coupled with the diversity of Chobe National Park to the east, the region offers more than 160 mammal, over 500 bird, 38 amphibian, 157 reptile and 89 fish species. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the Okavango Delta is the complete absence of hills and rocks - the landscape is as flat as a lake.  This has led to the formation of the Delta, as the water entering in the north has no clear course to follow. Animals most likely to be seen are kudu, impala, giraffe, prides of lion and hippo.  Characteristic species also include the magnificent red lechwe antelope, buffalo and leopard.  There are also rare species such as sitatunga antelope and wild dog.  Bushbuck are a feature of the lodge surroundings.  Fruit bats visit fig trees after dark. Elephant engage in seasonal movements in this southern part of the Okavango Delta.  Over 1000 elephant move through the area, with breeding herds averaging thirty in number.  Sandibe is an excellent base for sightings of small predators, with night drives regularly finding serval, caracal, honey badger, African wild cat and African civet. Two prides of lion are resident in the area and the occasional cheetah may be seen, while shy leopards frequent the thicker bush areas.  SEASONS During the dry winter months from May to September, countless wild animals are drawn to this oasis.  The channels start to shrink towards the end of October before the cycle starts again with the summer rains November to March. The Okavango is at its most impressive in July and August, as the floodwaters from the summer rains in the highlands of Angola have seeped south through the channels and when the water is at its deepest.  The rainwater from the hghlands pass through this vast network of narrow waterways, lagoons of the Delta where over 90% of it evaporates, but not before it has brought life and sustenance to the wildlife and people of the Okavango. Best Time To Travel:  All year round.  An ideal time to visit Botswana would be from April to October when the days are sunny and cool to warm.  The peak times to view game are August, September and October.  The best time to view flooded areas are June to September/October.  The optimal time for water lilies is August/September.    FACILITIES The lounge and dining areas are in the heart of the camp, tucked under a soaring canopy of trees.  Shaded decks slung with hammocks afford views across the watery labyrinth and grassland.  Sandibe has a shaded swimming pool and well stocked curio shop.  The communal areas face into the sunset. Sandibe also offers elegant bush breakfasts, bush dinners under a star studded sky. No. of Bedrooms Each of just eight deluxe thatched cottages is positioned to capture the presence of special trees and natural features such as a vast termite mound, a river inlet or an age-old elephant crossing point.  The cottages have en suite bathrooms, open showers and private decks.  The elevated game-viewing decks of each cottage overlook the Santantebi River. The spacious rooms are decorated in a rich fusion of ochre and tactile textiles like silk and leather, and feature woven mats, copper and rough-hewn wood.    Activities Game Drives:  Guided day and night game drives in open Land Cruisers. Interpretive Walks:  Interpretive bush walks are in the care of a local San (Bushman) guide.  This is a rare opportunity to learn traditional bush skills like making rope from the indigenous grasses, how to construct traps, light fires using friction sticks, and how to track animals. Adventures:  In addition to the usual river cruise, you can go on a mokoro (dugout canoe) trip poled by an experienced guide, who shares his knowledge of the environment.