Some great news from Botswana - balloon safaris in the Chobe Region, over the Seloko Plains are operational. The Seloko Plains is a vast concession situated 45 minutes south of the town, Kasane. It is an important wildlife corridor, extending from Zimbabwe to join up with, the Chobe National Park, and the Kasane Forest Reserve, forming part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. The diverse habitat incorporates large tracts of forest which open up into wide open grassland plains, making it perfect for balloon safaris.

Operations are seasonal due to the soil type in the concession becoming impassable during the wet season. The Ballooning season finishes on the 30th September 2021 (thereafter on an annual basis).
 
Visitors have a variety of accommodation options available in the Kasane area, or can opt to overnight in one of the Camps closer to the flying area. A one night’s stay-over prior to the balloon safari is necessary for optimal enjoyment. Transfer vehicles collect guests in the Kasane Area and will transfer them to the launch site.

A flight of approximately an hour explores the reaches of the wilderness of the Seloko Plains and is concluded with the traditional bubbly celebration overlooking the vast savanna plains. Breakfast at a five star camp rounds off the experience before guests are transferred back to Kasane.
 
 Operational Dates:           Concludes 30 September 2021
 2022 Season:           01 May to 30 September 2022
 
Cost: USD 395 per person
 Valid 2021 & 2022 
(Minimum of 4 guests – These can be booked from different sources)

No matter where you are travelling from you will need to leave your destination with a printed original negative PCT test certificate, obtained 72 hours before departure from your home country.

A Rapid Antigen test is required on arrival at Maun Airport, free of charge, to all incoming passengers. You will also be screened for Covid 19 symptoms here. This Rapid Antigen test will take place in a tent, before you enter the Airport building. Once you have taken you test, it will take 15 minutes to get your results. If negative, you will proceed into the arrivals area.

Be prepared to wait for your test results under the shade of a corrugated iron room – in often very hot conditions, so have some water with you, if possible.

Any visitors showing Covid 19 symptoms will be required to undergo a PCR test, and possible isolation and/ or quarantine for 14 days (for your own cost).

On arrival travellers will need to complete a traveller locator form – providing accurate contact information whilst in Botswana so that the local health authority can contact you if necessary, within 14 days of arrival.

Upon leaving Botswana you will need to go for a PCR test 24 hours before departure. There are two options:
Do the PCR test at Maun Airport, booking is essential (available 08.00 to 18.00 Monday to Sunday). Results will be available within 24 hours.

Book in-camp testing, where a qualified practitioner will fly into camp to conduct the required PCR test. This needs to be booked 36 hours in advance. Online booking is essential. Minimum 2 people. Guests are liable for all PCR testing costs. This is available for Okavango Lodges.

The test can also be obtained in Kasane, but only Monday to Friday (08.00 to 15.30).

We can assist with the bookings for the tests for departure from Botswana.

Please note that this information is liable to change/ update at little or no notice.

In this trying year of 2020, some good news.

We now have official notification of the opening, today, 09 November, of Gaborone, Maun and Kasane Airports to commercial traffic.

On 01 December,  the following land borders will re-open: Kazungula, Ngoma, Ramokgwebana, Martin's Drift, Ramotlabana, Tlokweng, Mamuno, Pioneer and Mohembo.

Francistown Airport is also due to open on 01 December.

All arrivals will need to have a negative Covid-19 Certificate with them, for a PCR test which is no older than 72 hours. All arrivals will also be screened for Covid-19.

At present we are not sure when Air Botswana itself is due to start flying again, but Airlink (based in South Africa) has advised that they will start their daily flights to Gaborone on 16 November and their flights to both Maun and Kasane on 30 November.

The latest news from Botswana is that the Okavango River water levels remain above normal, and much higher in comparison to the past four years. This is due to excellent rainfall over most of the country and in turn indicates that the floods are going to be very good this year.

This comes as a huge relief to the country, its people and wildlife.

Image and information courtesy of Belmond Safaris.

Introducing the Helimokoro option at all Under One Botswana Sky camps.

At an additional charge, you can enjoy a guaranteed helicopter/mokoro excursion from all Under One Botswana Sky Camps (Gunns Camp, Moremi Crossing, Rra Dinare, Mma Dinare and PomPom).

This little adventure combines the thrill of a spectacular helicopter ride above the wilds of the Okavango with the serenity of the Delta’s most iconic activity, a mokoro safari.

Departing at dawn from any Under One Botswana Sky camp, you will enjoy a 15-minute flight, before the helicopter lands on the southern fringes of the wetland.

Out here, there's always water - but first, coffee (or tea)! Tucked under the pilot seat, a secret flask of coffee reveals itself. 

Your Motswana poler glides the craft gently past waterlily pads, upon which African Jacanas lightly tread. The best thing about this sort of boating? There’s absolutely no engine noise. The mokoro guides use a long stick or pole (hence the term poler), called an nkashi to propel the vessel through the water instead.  They expertly (and safely) skirt the distant hippo pods, spot Openbill Storks strutting their stuff and if you're lucky, perhaps even seek out an elephant crunching on the river reeds. Two blissful hours are over in a flash and before you know it, you’re heading back to the helicopter.

Now that the sun is out – as is the wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for buffalo, elephant, and Red lechwe. It’s another fifteen-minute flight back to camp, enjoy every second.

Priced at US $ 435 per person (for 2020).