Almost nothing beats the hot safari scenes in the Boteti whilst the rains build up. As we approach the end of the dry season, life is buzzing at our local watering holes with the migration, days are full of action and we’re offering some unique and rather exciting activities. Read on to find out more!
A SADC SPECIAL WORTH CELEBRATING
We’re celebrating Botswana's Independence in style!
Don’t let your regional clients miss the opportunity to witness the incredible zebra migration in all its glory at these special rates created just for them.
Valid Dates: Friday, 27 September to Wednesday, 2 October 2024. Contact MoelaSafari Reservations for rates and all necessary information: reservations@thelandstravel.com.
MIGRATION NUMBERS ARE GROWING
The zebra and wildebeest migration numbers are increasing each day as the spring temperatures soar after a very brief winter and long dry season here on the Boteti River. Lots of other wildlife species including elephant, giraffe, antelopes and predators are also concentrating at the waterholes making them places of great fun and action for guests.
The second largest zebra migration in Africa numbers about 50,000. Their dry winter range is mainly in the Boteti River area. They move to the Makgadikgadi salt pans to give birth to their foals and breed as soon as the rains break in November and stay there until the following dry season, normally from about May, when they head back to the Boteti River which Moela overlooks and where guests have front row seats to the action!
EXPERIENCE THE MAKGADIKGADI PANS LIKE NEVER BEFORE
One of the most extraordinary adventures we offer is the Makgadikgadi Pans Sleep Out. The experience begins with an early lunch at the lodge before embarking on a thrilling drive across the expansive salt pans to arrive at your camp set up. Before getting settled in for the night, guests are taken out to scout for the whereabouts of the most adorable and entertaining wild meerkats which they’ll visit the next morning. Once back at camp, and as the sun begins to set, you'll enjoy sundowners followed by a starlit dinner, where stories from the day are shared with our knowledgeable guides and local San Bushmen—moments that will be etched in your memory forever. Afterward, drift off to sleep under a blanket of millions of stars, feeling the profound peace that only such a remote and beautiful place can offer. And there are no sounds where there is no life in the middle of the vast dry salt flats. Sleep is so very peaceful.
We can only access the pans in the dry winter months, July to October, so cozy bedrolls on groundsheets just below the cold wind are a very welcome bare necessity, especially the hot water bottles.
The next morning, wake to the crisp, cool air and the enticing aroma of fresh coffee as the sun rises over the pans. It's a moment that makes you wonder—where else on earth would you rather wake up? A gorgeous breakfast is set up as the sun climbs higher, and before heading back to camp, guests will go and pay one last visit to the meerkats as they’re bathing themselves in the morning sun. This entire experience truly stands out as one of the greatest highlights of any Botswana safari. Have a look at what your guests have to look forward to here!
The rest of the days spent at the lodge are as busy or relaxing as you want. There is as much wildlife activity seen within view of Moela Safari lodge decks as there are on the game drives. And walking with the San group in the cold mornings is the best way to warm up.
How to get to the magical salt pans, you ask?
Guests spending enough nights with us will have the time to take a leisurely drive to the pans with a glorious bush lunch along the way. The drive is 4 hours by safarivehicle. And, what’s better, is that guests staying four or more nights also have the opportunity to take advantage of our “Sleepout Special”, and can enjoy this entire experience for free on one of their evenings. (This offer runs from 1st July to 15th October in both 2024 and 2025, making it the perfect addition to your stay.)
For those looking for a more luxurious experience, the option to pay for a supplementary helicopter flight in and out of the pans is also available. The flight is a short and swift 20 minutes!
If you’d like to enquire about a last minute adventure to the pans via helicopter OR vehicle, there’s still time! Please contact Moela Safari Reservations for rates: reservations@thelandstravel.com.
INTRODUCING WABONA NGANDE - CHIEF OF KHUMAGA - A VITAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND THE MOELA TEAM
We do our best to maximise benefits to the community of Khumaga and liaise with the chief directly to manage our relationship with them on their land.
The chiefs, who are expected to know everything that happens in their Chiefdoms and who are trusted by their fellow villagers are the best way to get information and education through to as many people as possible, therefore our relationship with Wabona Ngande is extremely important.
A brief insight into the chiefs journey to his current position:
“My grand father, Kgama Phaphadza, was born in the late 1800’s from around what is now Gweta Village. He lived a nomadic life with his family back then, covering parts of the Okavango Delta as far as Xaxaba down to Gweta and Khumaga… Probably following the zebra migration.
Around the early 1900’s he settled around Khumaga on the other side of the Boteti River which is now Makgadikgadi National Park as a pastoral and arable farmer. It is said during ploughing season he would move his livestock to Bushman pits over Phuduhudu village to spare his crops from the livestock.
In 1921 my father, Ngande Kgama was born as the first child to Kgama Phaphadza and his third wife, Sebe Kgama.
In 1965 my father joined the Botswana Democratic Party as Bechuanaland protectorate canvased for its first general elections to gain independence from the British colony. Khumaga was established then, as people gathered in one place for the elections.
After the victory of the Botswana Democratic Party, my father was rewarded a voluntary position as the overseer or headman of Khumaga by the Ba-ga-Mmangwato Chieftaincy without any form of established salary or pay.
In 1976 he was then officially reinstated as Kgosi over Khumaga as the settlement was gazetted a village. This allowed him to start earning a salary after 10 years of voluntary work.
On November 28th 1981, I was born the second child to my father and his second wife - Gosetsemang Ngande. After completing my secondary school in 1999, I joined the Botswana Police Service in 2003 and over the years, acquired some certificates in Business, Public relations and Computer studies.
I eventually resigned from the Botswana Police Service in 2020 after 17 years and started commercial farming which I stopped in 2023 after some consultations from the village that I was to assume the position as the Kgosi of Khumaga.”
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