I believe that travel is one of the greatest adventures of life and, having lived in Africa for over 30 years, I never fail to be amazed by the very special moments one can experience while traveling on this continent.

My “work” as a tour operator, designing itineraries to suit discerning travellers, never fails to uplift my spirits and urge me to travel more.  Over the last few years particularly I have traveled a lot, as my company has a policy of not sending our valued clients to places we have not personally vetted.

On a recent visit to Botswana I discovered a real gem – the elephant experience at Stanley’s Camp in the Okavango. The Okavango, in Botswana’s northwest, is a 6,000-square mile inland delta, the largest of its kind in the world. The delta’s lagoons and islands shelters huge numbers of wild animals, including elephants, hippos, impalas, cheetahs, water buffalo and abundant avian life that some claim provides the best bird watching on earth.

The camp itself was simple but wonderful, with great staff and great food, all in the middle of the bush. I have laughed many times when I’ve told people they will be sleeping in a tent and they have said, “We don’t do camping.”  Well, take it from me (and I’ve been to lots of camps in Botswana), these tents are luxury – usually about 8m x 4m (26 ft. x 13 ft.) in size, raised off the ground and with lovely en suite bathroom facilities and private decks overlooking the bush. You get all modern conveniences, and sleeping in a ”tent” makes it all the more exciting when you hear lions roaring in the night!

This particular camp offers a unique experience: walking in the bush with three elephants that are used to humans. The camp owner, Doug, has been working with these giants for many years and they are both very obedient and really love people. The “Walk with Elephants” interaction involves an approximately two-hour gentle walk in the bush with the animals while Doug tells you all about their habits and personalities, and demonstrates their features. You’ll feel their skin, tails and feet, look in their mouths to see their amazing molars and really get to know them. You also get to lead them by the trunk! But you do not get to ride them, as that wouldn’t be natural. 

It was an awesome experience for me and I believe that all travelers who are interested in wildlife would be “wild” for this unique opportunity.  At the end of the walk you are treated to a lovely picnic lunch while the elephants wander off to eat some more of the bush, supervised by Doug’s lovely wife Sandy.  You may ask, “Were you scared?” The answer is, “Yes, I was very nervous at first,” but, with Doug’s calm love, deep trust and long experience with these great beasts. it became impossible not to relax and enjoy the absolute thrill of this incredible up-close adventure. I left my new friends – Jabu, Marula and Thembi – feeling very privileged to have experienced such a close and emotional encounter with elephants.

The elephants walk every morning with their devoted “father” whether or not there camp guests come along.  It’s not at all commercial and you really get to grips with elephants and their life in the Botswana bush. 

Doug also runs courses for the local community schools, where the kids come camp for a few days (yes, in very basic tents) and learn to appreciate elephants, wild animals in general and the importance of conservation in Botswana. By expanding awareness of and the possibilities for eco-friendly tourism, the camp makes a great contribution to the future well-being of to the rural population.

An added attraction at Stanley’s, and one which I was unable to try due to weather conditions and time, is hot air ballooning over the Okavango. I spoke to the pilot, who has been “flying” balloons for 14 years, and it sounds like a very exciting adventure, indeed. He tells me that watching the dawn from 1,000 ft in a balloon, then descending to 500 ft to do aerial game viewing, is a must-not-miss experience, especially in the Okavango. Having seen some videos of his flights, I firmly believe him.

Botswana is marvellous and there are wonderful camps in different parts of the Okavango and nearby Chobe National Park that can make for a memorable holiday. The cherry on the top is Chobe’s proximity to the spectacular Victoria Falls, a definite “must see” at least once in your life.