Beyond the Baobab

19/02/2026

Every year, as the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop in Central Africa, the call of the Southern Carmine Bee-eater migration beckons.

With their striking carmine plumage, gracefully elongated tail feathers, and unmistakable chirps, Carmine Bee-eaters set the sky ablaze at the end of July, as they journey across the continent by the thousands.

For a few short months, the skies belong to them. One of Botswana’s most elegant seasonal wonders✨

19/02/2026

10/02/2026

COME ALONG WITH ME | Shinde Camp

Shinde is a treehouse-style camp, built beneath the shade of ebony and mangosteen trees, overlooking a permanent lagoon.

What makes this area special is the way environments blend. Waterways, islands, and open plains come together here, creating habitat for a consistently wide variety of wildlife.

The design feels authentic and understated — classic safari style that’s friendly, intimate, and quietly elegant.

Evenings are relaxed and unpretentious — dinner by firelight, with the sounds of the Delta carrying across the lagoon.

A classic camp that does the essentials exceptionally well.

Filed away for future safaris.

02/02/2026

This was taken in early January at Chitabe Camp — a cheetah perched on an anthill, using the height to scan the area for potential prey.

There’s a common misconception that Botswana is only worth visiting in the dry winter months. Yes, June is popular, but the green season tells a very different story. You might get the odd thundershower, but they’re usually short-lived. The air stays warm, the light is dramatic, and the skies clear quickly.

And it’s also the season of new life. Cubs, calves, and pups, everywhere you look.

Cheetah sightings in the Delta are rare, and this was the first time I’d seen one here. It was one of the standout moments of that trip, and a reminder that travelling outside the peak months often comes with its own rewards.

If you’re open to a little rain, the green season can be extraordinary.

27/01/2026

COME ALONG WITH ME | Xugana Island Lodge

Xugana is all about water.

Days here unfold slowly, moving by boat through open channels and narrower waterways, with the Delta very much setting the pace.

One of the highlights was visiting Jerry’s Island — an experience that stands out even if birding isn’t your main interest. The sheer concentration and variety of birdlife is remarkable.

Hippos and crocodiles are a constant presence, and viewing game from the boat gives you a completely different perspective to land-based safaris.

One evening, the team set up a private dinner on the deck that extends out over the water. This was easily the highlight of our stay.

Filed away for future safaris.

20/01/2026

COME ALONG WITH ME | Savute Safari Lodge

From our room, the view looked directly onto a watering hole — where elephants came to drink, play, and move through the area during the day.

Days here are spent out on game drives, covering wide areas and letting sightings unfold naturally.

One morning, we stopped to watch a Kori bustard performing its mating call — chest inflated, calling across the plains. It’s an unusual and memorable thing to see.

We also came across a mature baobab, a reminder of how old this landscape really is.

This is Savute at its own pace — expansive, land-based, and untamed.

Filed away for future safaris✨

16/01/2026

COME ALONG WITH ME

I live in Botswana and personally visit the lodges, areas and experiences I recommend.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing on-the-ground lodge visits — what it really feels like to be here, beyond brochures or second-hand information.

This is how I design safaris: first-hand, considered, and from here.

Come along with me over the next few weeks✨

12/01/2026

This is green season in the Delta. Fewer vehicles, fresh landscapes, and some of the most rewarding wildlife moments🦁🍃

08/01/2026

At Beyond the Baobab, we don’t just recommend camps — we personally visit them. 🌿
Our founder, Kristy, is on the ground every few months, searching for hidden gems, experiencing the camps firsthand, and meeting the people who truly make a safari unforgettable.

This is Aaron, our guide at Chitabe — witty, wonderfully warm, with a brilliant eye for photography and an exceptional feel for the bush. It’s guides like him that turn a great safari into something truly special.