Adelle’s Journey Through Botswana’s Desert & Delta Camps

There’s a moment during a Botswana safari when everything shifts. For our safari expert, Adelle Bell, this moment occurred somewhere between the parched beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans and the verdant green of the Okavango Delta.

One moment, she was watching hundreds of zebras kick up dust across ancient salt flats; the next, she was gliding through the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta.

This is the magic Adelle discovered while exploring Desert & Delta’s camps – a journey that took her from one extreme to another, revealing the full spectrum of Botswana’s wild heart.

Where Zebras Rule: Leroo La Tau Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans

Adelle’s adventure with Desert & Delta began at Leroo La Tau camp, perched on the banks of the dried-up Boteti River in the Makgadikgadi Pans.

The river hasn’t flowed for about eight years, leaving behind an arid, desert-like landscape. This is desert country, where the land stretches endlessly and survival seems impossible – yet life thrives here in the most spectacular ways.

“Just the landscape, the dryness, the way the animals survive there – it was absolutely magnificent,” Adelle recalls.

The zebra migration was in full swing during her visit. Watching the stallions fight and interact was mesmerising; it was a behaviour she had never witnessed before. Elephants wandered through in impressive numbers, attracted to the waterhole in front of the lodge, completely at ease in this harsh environment.

“My best experience was witnessing the zebra migration. Although I’ve seen plenty of zebras in my life, at Leroo La Tau there were hundreds. That was amazing. And seeing the male zebras, the stallions, how they fight… I’d never seen it before. I’ve seen elephants and I’ve seen lions; I’ve seen everything. But that was amazing for me,” she shares.

Into the Forest: Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve

From the Makgadikgadi Pans, Adelle flew to Camp Xakanaxa in the Moremi Game Reserve, and suddenly everything changed. Mopani woodland envelopes the lodge, creating a cathedral-like forest feel.

“Going from Makgadikgadi to Moremi in the Okavango Delta, where you’ve got loads of water and it’s green and lush – that transition from dryness to lushness was absolutely beautiful,” she shares.

Here, waterways weave between lagoons and riverine forest, allowing guests to experience both land and water safaris – a rare combination that captures the essence of Botswana. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal elephants wandering through the woodlands, while motorboat excursions along the Khwai River offer a quieter way to watch hippos, herons, and lechwe moving gracefully through the reeds.

For Adelle, what made Xakanaxa stand out was the balance between comfort and authenticity. The lodge retains that “classic safari” charm but with the attentive service and warm, familiar hospitality that Desert & Delta is known for.

The Favourite: Xugana Island Lodge

If there was one place that captured Adelle’s heart, it was Xugana Island Lodge, a jewel among the Desert & Delta camps. Situated right in the Okavango Delta, this recently refurbished lodge is gleaming with fresh energy. Everything about it felt special – from the spotless accommodations to the incredible setting on the river.

“It was really my favourite lodge. It’s just recently been refurbished, so it’s very clean and neat,” she says.

But the fire pit? That’s where the magic happens. “You have to go down a walkway and it’s built right on the river and you sit on there. It really is lovely.”

Imagine sitting under African stars, the sound of water lapping beneath you, sharing stories with fellow travellers while the Delta breathes around you. That’s the Xugana experience.

Taking Flight: Camp Okavango

The helicopter transfer from Xugana to Camp Okavango became an unexpected highlight of Adelle’s journey. A short helicopter ride – doors off, wind in her hair – took Adelle to Camp Okavango. Fifteen minutes soaring above one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems is something she encourages her clients to experience.

“My helicopter flight was a huge surprise and is something that I would really coax my clients to participate in! It’s really such an experience, especially with the doors off,” she says.

Camp Okavango continued the water-based magic with motorboat safaris and mokoro excursions. No game drives here – you’re in the heart of the Delta, where water dictates everything. Adelle visited Gadikwe (Jerry) Island, a birding paradise.

“In every tree there’s a different species of bird – it was a cacophony of bird sound! For an hour that we sat there, just watching and floating around, it was beautiful,” she remembers.

Back to Dry Land: Savute Safari Lodge, Savuti

The final stop on Adelle’s Botswana safari adventure was Savute Safari Lodge in the Savuti area of Chobe National Park, and the contrast couldn’t have been more dramatic. After days in water-rich landscapes, she emerged into open savannahs and dry landscapes. The wide-open spaces offer incredible visibility, making every game drive a theatre of wildlife drama.

At Savute Safari Camp, you can often find elephants wandering past the decks, with the camp’s timber-and-thatch suites providing comfort amid the wilderness. Evenings bring communal dining under the stars.

What Makes a Desert & Delta Safari Special?

Throughout this journey, certain truths became crystal clear to Adelle. The value proposition is remarkable – the price for what you receive during a Desert & Delta experience is exceptional. Each property features 11 rooms plus one family room, ensuring an intimate experience without feeling too crowded.

But it was the people that really made her experience extraordinary: “With all the Desert & Delta properties that I’ve visited, the staff are really humble and so knowledgeable.”

According to Adelle, Desert & Delta has some of Africa’s best guides.

“What really stood out to me was the hospitality, the friendliness, and the knowledge of the guides – they were magnificent. Nothing was too big for them.”

Adelle’s Insider Tips for Your Botswana Safari

As someone who’s been working with Desert & Delta for years, Adelle has learned what makes a safari truly exceptional. Her advice? Don’t miss a single activity.

“Don’t miss anything. Do everything,” she insists. While it’s tempting to skip that early morning game drive in favour of sleeping in, as Adelle puts it, “You might just miss something on that game drive that you’re never ever going to experience again.

“Participate in all the activities that they have to offer. They are included in the package price. So do them!” she advises.

You can always nap during the afternoon break, but you can’t recreate that moment when a leopard crosses your path at dawn or elephants come down to drink at sunset.

A Home Away From Home

The communal dining experience particularly impressed Adelle. Forget stuffy formal dinners – this is about gathering around a large table with fellow adventurers, sharing stories over food that’s healthy, hearty, and delicious.

“The style of dining is communal dining. So, you all sit at a nice big table and you’re chatting while enjoying lovely, home-cooked food.”

It’s comfortable, it’s social, and it perfectly matches the relaxed safari atmosphere.

As Adelle puts it, “Very much a home away from home.”

The Best Time to Visit

Adelle travelled in September, during the dry season (June through October), when wildlife viewing is at its peak. “The best time to go is in the dry season,” she confirms.

However, Botswana rewards visitors year-round. The wet season brings exceptional birding opportunities and different wildlife behaviours. Shoulder season offers excellent value while still delivering incredible experiences.

More Than Just a Safari

This journey was completely different from her previous safaris – less rushed, more contemplative.

“This one was, to me, very relaxing. I just gained more insight into what our guests are experiencing.”

The emotion she hopes future travellers take away?

“Gratitude that they are able to have come and experienced what Africa has to offer. Just a sense of gratitude that they could come to Africa.”

It’s the feeling of watching the landscape transform. It’s the sound of hundreds of zebras thundering across ancient pans. It’s sitting around a fire pit built over the river while stars emerge overhead.

It’s Africa at its most authentic, most comfortable, and most unforgettable.

Adelle’s Final Verdict

“We’ve been dealing with them for so many years and they haven’t let us down,” Adelle says of Desert & Delta. “I can’t talk more highly about them.”

These camps welcome every type of traveller – honeymooners seeking romance, couples celebrating anniversaries, retirees ticking off bucket list dreams, and birding enthusiasts chasing rare species. The versatility, combined with exceptional value and genuine hospitality, makes them stand out in Botswana’s competitive safari landscape.

Ready for Your Botswana Adventure?

Adelle’s journey through Botswana revealed something special – a combination of value, expertise, comfort, and an authentic wilderness experience that’s hard to match.

Ready to experience the magic of Botswana for yourself? Contact us today to start planning your safari and let our Safari Experts’ experience guide your own journey through one of Africa’s most captivating destinations.