Botswana Mobile Safaris and Birding Tours
Letaka Safaris is a citizen-owned safari company which is based in the wild wetlands of the Okavango Delta offering Botswana mobile safaris and birding tours. We have been operating safaris in Botswana since October 2000 when we started off as a small two-man operation which has grown to become one of the most successful mobile safari companies in Botswana. The founding directors, known locally as the Letaka Brothers, have over 40 years of combined guiding experience and have been guiding mobile tented safaris in Botswana since the mid-90’s.
Letaka Safaris has also been featured in the Nat Geo Wild series Safari Brothers with 6 episodes already shown in the USA. #safaribrothers!
Botswana mobile safaris allow you to see Africa through the eyes of the early explorers. Our camps are set up in exclusive wilderness sites that are far from the madding crowd and allow you to enjoy nature’s intimacy in an idyllic setting. Mobile tented safaris allow you to explore the vast wildlife areas with the same group and the same guide throughout your journey thus ensuring continuity and camaraderie not found in a fly-in, fly-out lodge holiday.
When our advance team arrives to set up camp for you, it is in the pristine wilderness where there is no sign of the hand of man, and when we leave it is only footprints that offer a short reminder that you were ever there. As such, the wildlife is not scared by your presence but treats this as any other part of their territory. Our tents are not elevated on decks above the animals, presiding over the wilderness, but rather totally immersed in it.
Letaka Safaris are passionate about birding which is why we are recognised as the leading Botswana birding safari operator. Our birding safaris are all led by professional birding guides who use our many years of experience to ensure that you get the best out of your birding holiday. From our base in the Okavango Delta, our regular bird-watching safaris explore Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique.
Mobile safaris in Botswana are without a doubt the best way to experience one of Africa’s last unspoilt wilderness areas, so pack your bags and book that flight!
Starting From USD 3,445 / per person
Starting From USD 4,815 / per person
Lion
This for many African travellers is the “must see” mammal. With a massive Africa-wide population decrease there is no better time than now and no better place to see lion than Botswana.
Bat Eared Fox
This extraordinary canid belongs to a taxonomic group all of its own because they are so highly specialized. Found only in the very dry regions of southern and eastern Africa, these foxes specialize in feeding on insects which they locate with their ridiculously large ears.
Black Lechwe
The black lechwe occurs only in the Bangweulu swamps of northern Zambia and their herds that number in the thousands are a real feature in this birding paradise. As with all lechwe they are well adapted to aquatic environments and rely on the swampy terrain for safety.
Wattled Crane
The iconic wattled crane is one of several globally threatened birds to occur in the wetlands of the Okavango and Bangweulu. Their elaborate courtship dance on the open floodplains is nothing short of spectacular. The survival of this bird goes hand in hand with the conservation of these wetlands.
Luapula Cisticola
This understated little beauty is an abundant but often overlooked species mostly due to people’s fear of trying to identify the little brown birds! It occurs only in large wetlands in south-central Africa and the Okavango and Bangweulu swamps are excellent places to see this bird.
Coppery-tailed Coucal
The Okavango Delta is the easiest place to see this large, heavy bodied coucal. As with most coucals, it spends its days foraging in the dense undergrowth feeding on a huge variety of small vertibrates and invertibrates. It is despised by most other birds for its chick eating habits.
African Elephant
Of all the African animals it is the elephant that most people find truly remarkable. It is not only the enormity of the animal but also the social interaction and the parallel with human behaviour and social structures that people find so fascinating.
Cape Buffalo
Cape buffalo occur throughout savannah Africa and are in many areas the preferred food for lions. However they are also one of the most dangerous animals for any predator to hunt and referred to by many as “black death”. The epic battles between lion and buffalo are nothing short of spectacular.
Leopard
This is without doubt Africa’s most successful predator occurring in almost every habitat type and able to adapt to almost any diet. However there are few better places to see this highly elusive cat than northern Botswana. Despite their abundance, finding these kings of camouflage can be a real challenge!
African Wild Dog
Also know as a Painted Wolf, this is one of Africa’s most endangered and remarkable predators.
With an attempt to kill ratio that puts lion, leopard and cheetah all to shame, they take the crown as hunters or hunting dogs of the African savannah. Threatened by shrinking habitat and encroaching humans, the future of this species is unsure.
Letaka Safaris has partnered with Okavango Guiding School to offer nature guide training courses in the Okavango Delta for international tourists not wanting to pursue a career in guiding but rather to gain a deeper understanding of Africa’s ecology and to learn the primal skills of tracking and survival. These courses focus on conservation through education and offer the African visitor the chance to train alongside career safari guides.
Okavango Guiding School sponsors one young aspiring individual from local communities to train free of charge on each of these courses. By bringing career opportunities to the communities, we create conservation ambassadors that in turn help to reduce poaching and increase the awareness of the need to conserve from within the communities.
Enchanting Northern Highlights
Birding Safari in Botswana: Northern Wings
In August of this year, my wife and I visited the Northern Highlights. It was an incredible experience! It was our second trip to Africa (and Botswana), but our first on a mobile tented safari, which was far less expensive. Our tour guide (CJ) was fantastic; he was both lively and informed. We witnessed a lion murder a zebra, which was then (violently) snatched by a hyena. We saw a wide variety of animals, including 13 leopards (excluding dogs, which was a pity - I noticed from the images that others were more fortunate). We had (several) hyenas in the camp overnight, as well as elephants in the camp at night and at lunch. The camp meal (prepared by KK) was outstanding. Over the course of the 10 days, we were always in awe of his ability to prepare fresh, delicious food. The other guys were also fantastic, being extremely attentive, helpful, and hardworking. The lodging is simple, but that's part of the experience (though those who can't live without their 5-star hotel amenities may struggle). Our only little complaint (we're approaching 70) is that one of the transfer days is very taxing for older bodies. But the remainder of the journey is worthwhile, so just bear it and get on with it! Letaka mobile tented safari is a fantastic alternative (supplement?) to the more pricey "glamping" camps found on private concessions. After the intensity of Letaka, we went to one of those to "cool down." Both have their place, but I think Letaka was more enjoyable overall because it is what it is - simple, raw, honest, and intense!
Northern Highlights
Birding Safari in Botswana: Northern Wings
We traveled as a family of seven on CJ's Northern Highlights in September of this year. We had the most incredible time, which was made much better by CJ and the rest of the team. We appreciated the casual camaraderie that developed in camp and on the twice daily safari excursions, and the attention to our comfort and safety was second to none. KK was our chef, and he couldn't have done a better job with his varied and delicious food, which easily accommodated vegetarians and one vegan. Thank you so much, KK, for your culinary perfection. (And it was all done in a camp oven!) Neems was our waiter, and he made the finest gin and tonic I've ever had, and he had it cool and ready for us when we arrived at camp - wow, Neems, you're the best. Kubo arrived at at the right moment, with our shower water at precisely the perfect temperature! Kubo, go! CJ was incredible; he knew exactly when and where to be, including the hyena den, which we will never forget, and we appreciated his patience. We love you, CJ, and we'll see you again! With this tour, Letaka has hit the jackpot - no detail was overlooked, great camping locations were found, and nothing was too much trouble - even flying in some "bubbles" for a birthday party... We hope the lads are still having fun with their football!!
Fantastic Safari with Letaka
The Three Rivers Southern Africa Safari Tour
Everything was better than advertised.
Go on a fantastic safari!
Botswana Tented Safari: Northern Highlights Tour – Northbound
Rainbow Tours in the United Kingdom helped me book my trip, and they were fantastic. Shelley was quick to respond to my never-ending queries and showed no indications of exhaustion! Prior to departure, the information supplied was good.
Letaka organized the safari and it far beyond my expectations. Cisco, Dreams, and Two Metres made a fantastic camp team; Dreams cooked delicious food over a wood stove, and our tents were clean and cozy. The camping portion of the vacation was made more enjoyable by their care and attention.
CJ, our tour guide, was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgable, but he also seemed to have a feel for where the animals may be and the ability to forecast their behavior, allowing us to move ahead of them and wait for them! As a result, we acquired some fantastic shots. I always felt comfortable, but I also felt that the animals were cherished and respected, and that they were safe from human intrusion (as far as a jeep with eight people passing by would allow at least). We were barely detected by the predators. Every wildlife sighting was stunning, with reptiles and amphibians in limited numbers but plenty of birds and mammals.
The best parts for me were: camping in the bush with no other groups or camps nearby, which made it feel like a true adventure; seeing virtually nothing man-made for entire days on game drives; only having seven guests on the trip; the variety and number of animals we saw (including four of the Big 5); CJ's tireless efforts to find animals; and Botswana's incredible beauty.
Amazing safari with Letaka
Botswana Tented Safari: Northern Highlights Tour – Northbound
Not long back from Letaksa's 10 day Northern highlights safari NH5 starting in May. This rates as one of the two best trips we have ever been on, up there with the Galapagos, although the two are, of course, somewhat different despite being wildlife based. Back to the Safari, we were fortunate that with only three of us we had more room to spread out in the vehicle. Our guide, Matambo, was second to none with his tracking skills finding us some unforgettable moments. Every day we said over dinner "How can he beat today?" The next day he did, with everything from a leopardess with her cub to lions, with just about everything else in between. On our last morning, just after sunrise, we watched four lions, which Matambo found the previous evening after everyone else had given up, eating their wildebeest kill. A great way to finish and we would vote him Guide of the Year if we could! I have to say, however, that we spent quite a bit of time "off track" which, whilst exhilarating and getting results, does need some effort as it can be a bumpy ride, as well as dodging branches and bushes. That said we wouldn't have had it any other way! The camp organisation was second to none. Always welcomed back with iced tea and a cold flannel to wipe away the dust. The tents were comfortable with an enclosed "bathroom area" with shower, plus comfortable beds. Good food, different every day, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the camp. All cooked on an open fire or bush oven including bread and cakes, my wife was impressed! With morning coffee/tea whilst out in the bush, and afternoon tea before heading off on the afternoon drive, we didn't go hungry! We are certainly glad that we picked a mobile safari with Letaka, as opposed to staying in a lodge. We were closer to the action with early starts and late finishes each day increasing the number of animal sightings. The sounds at night were great too with all sorts of game quite close. Daytime included an elephant alongside our tent picking up seed pods during an afternoon siesta. Thanks to all at Letaka for making this trip very special. If you are looking for a safari then look no further!
Wonderful Experience
Okavango Miracle Rivers Safari, Botswana
What amazing adventure! Normally, I would choose a more luxurious vacation, but because Botswana is so expensive, we opted for a mobile safari instead. Expect nothing short of a five-star hotel experience, but you'll get a lot in return. I'll begin with the guides. Matambo and Robson were our guides and we were in a party of nine. Robson was in charge of our vehicle for the majority of the trip, and he is in a class by himself. We've been on several safaris and have never met a guide like Robson. He not only showed us how to locate animals (understatement: he is a superstar at it), but he also taught us how to do it. We've learnt a lot about nature listening (the morning notebook), monitoring impala and zebra behavior, and tracking footprints. Aside from that, he's a hoot. Robson is the best tour guide I've ever had. Viks, the cook, prepared delicious food. A change of towels and bedlinnen once over the 10-day trip would be recommended as a modest enhancement. Nothing, however, compares to the sound of elephant ears flapping directly next to your tent during a rainstorm.
Wow! Unparalleled thrills!
Botswana Blooming Desert Safari Tour
Letaka Safaris comes highly recommended from me. The only option is to give it five stars. Everything was first-rate, yet never overdone, from our guide CJ to our camp team of Mmula, Kabelo, and Buncy (I hope I spelt their names correctly!). CJ is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide. His tenacity in both finding the animals and getting us into the best possible viewing locations is inspiring. He's also a nice, witty, and enjoyable person to be around. Mmula was our cook, and he prepared hearty and amazing homestyle meals, snacks, and treats for breakfast, lunch, supper, and tea time every day, in the middle of the hot and dusty wilderness. Kabelo and Buncy were always prepared with gin and tonics, cool towels, cool drinks, hot showers, insect repellant, and other necessities. And they took great care in all they did. Thank you CJ! Thank you Mmula! Thank you Kabelo! Thank you Buncy! We had a very special time.
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