• February 11, 2025

Fam Report: From Wilderness to Elegance – Botswana to Cape Town with Belmond (Part 1)

Fam Report: From Wilderness to Elegance – Botswana to Cape Town with Belmond (Part 1)

Fam Report: From Wilderness to Elegance – Botswana to Cape Town with Belmond (Part 1) 1024 676 micebook.

Paul Evans, founder of eveology, shares his highlights from a very special African adventure with Belmond to Botswana and Cape Town (part 2 to follow)…

One of the most challenging decisions in late 2024 was declining one of the most amazing invites of the year. Due to a diary clash, I reluctantly turned down a December invitation to what was billed as the ‘Ultimate African Adventure’ with one of my favourite brands, Belmond. However, when weeks later, my diary opened up, remembering the invitation, and as subtle as a brick, I sent a breezy, cheeky hint of new availability should a late place come available.

The sun was shining on me. Could I justify six nights on the ground and a night flight on each end? We’re into a record-breaking fam of nine days travelling. If honest, it took a whole nanosecond to justify, as I booked my travel jabs appointment, ordered some safari gear and accepted the kind invitation quicker than a cheetah chasing a screaming Pumbaa.

Our travel itinerary was to take us from the enchanting Belmond Savuti Elephant Camp and the serene Eagle Island Lodge in Botswana to the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.

With our effervescent host Perrine Chapelain from Belmond and a ‘dazzle’ of event buyers from Seven Events, Black Book, The Collective by BCD Meetings & Events, søster, Yellow Fish and Strata, we all boarded in London Heathrow for our 11-hour overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Southern and Eastern Africa are long-haul destinations that are a planner’s treat. While a night flight at each end does eat into precious time, for some clients, the little time difference and early morning arrival / late departure at the end means one can jump into the programme with no jet lag and maximise time on the ground.

Feeling relatively fresh after a long flight and snooze, we arrived in Johannesburg with time to get to know our fellow travellers whilst enjoying the shops before our onward flight to Maun, Botswana and the gateway to its prime safari destinations of Chobe and the Okavango Delta. Following an easy scheduled flight to Maun, a final leg via light aircraft to the private airstrip of our first destination.

Day 1 – 3

Savuti Elephant Camp: The Heart of the Wilderness

If a place is a little more challenging to get to, it’s likely to be more memorable. Tourists, event planners, and groups tend to favour easy access but brush that aside as some places are worth the effort. Discovering luxury, style and adventure in Botswana was no exception.

The Belmond properties in Botswana are small and exclusive. Forget big groups and events. Think of small exclusive VIP experiences, private buyouts for superstar performers and chairman retreats. With just 12 tented rooms in each of their safari properties, these are really suited for more intimate experiences. Or if you have a group happy to split and endure some distance (approx. 45 min light flight apart), a rotation of the two properties would enable an event to 24 rooms / 48 guests with some shared, well-orchestrated experiences.

Nestled in the Chobe National Park, the first Belmond Savuti Elephant Camp is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. This luxurious camp offers an intimate encounter with nature’s giants, the elephants. The camp is renowned for its eco-friendly design and conservation commitment, ensuring visitors experience the raw beauty of the African wilderness while minimising their environmental footprint.

Greeted with a glass of bubbles in the open bush, within minutes of landing, African newbies in our team were anxiously taking in this new, unknown environment, with ‘wow & wild’ being the order of the day. For several group members, it was a first-time, exciting experience on an African safari and the continent. What a place to start! Undoubtedly, this would be a tough act to follow as we were starting at the very top.

As if on cue, following a vibrant welcome choir of lodge staff, as we disembarked our safari vehicles from the airstrip, we were drawn to its teak terrace for the most spectacular of welcomes to Africa.

From the moment you arrive at the camp, you are enveloped by the sights and sounds of the wild. The camp’s elevated tents provide panoramic views of the Savuti Channel, where elephants were waiting for our arrival. It was simply breathtaking and the first of many emotional highlights (especially for the delightful Sian from Yellow Fish, who teared up frequently as the trip unfolded).

Morning and evening game drives provided opportunities to witness a plethora of wildlife, from lions and leopards to zebras and antelopes. The knowledgeable rangers shared their insights into the behaviour and ecology of these magnificent creatures, making each safari an educational and exhilarating experience.

Despite its remote location, the camp does not compromise on comfort. Each tent is elegantly furnished and features a private deck, air conditioning, and an en-suite bathroom. The communal areas include a lounge, dining tent, and swimming pool, all designed to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings.

Following our first evening game drive, we enjoyed a gourmet dinner under the starlit African sky, accompanied by the distant calls of the wild and a surprise performance of camp staff dancing with a chorus of traditional African songs.

Highlights: the spectacle of elephants upon arrival at the watering hole; stunning game drives with spectacular sightings, sundowners in the dunes and a surprise bush brunch at the end of a morning drive. Pure magic.

Day 3 – 5

Eagle Island Lodge: A Sanctuary of Serenity

A mere 45-minute light aircraft flight away, our onward adventure moved to the Okavango Delta, home of Eagle Island Lodge, a place that offered a contrasting yet equally captivating experience. This lodge is set on a private island within one of the world’s largest inland deltas, providing an oasis of tranquillity amidst the lush floodplains and crystal-clear channels.

Rumoured to be where Harry and Megan fell in love (although I’ve read of several lodges staking claim to this fact), the lodge has superstar appeal yet is far too discreet and stylish to drop names and confirm or deny.

While we visited during the dryer months, with no water on the floodplains, it was easy to imagine the spectacle of the wet season and abundant wildlife. Not that we were short on wildlife experiences: a pack of wild dogs at a kill, a dazzle of zebras, a pride of lions. We tested our collective nouns while in awe of each new sighting.

The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife. Guests can explore this pristine paradise through mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) excursions, boat safaris, and guided nature walks. The Delta’s waterways are teeming with life, from hippos and crocodiles to a dazzling array of bird species. The lodge also offers helicopter flights, providing a breathtaking aerial perspective of this natural wonder, as we discovered by a surprise heli flip over the Delta during our stay.

Eagle Island Lodge epitomises luxury in the wilderness. The spacious tented suites feature plunge pools, outdoor showers, and private decks with stunning views of the Delta. The lodge’s restaurant serves delectable dishes inspired by local flavours. Guests can unwind at the Fish Eagle Bar, where sundowners are served with a backdrop of spectacular sunsets over the Delta.

Highlights: The surprise helicopter for an epic flight over the Okavango Delta. Waking up at sunrise, drawing back the curtains to discover an elephant a few feet away slurping water from my private plunge pool. A stunning, surprise private dinner set up on the lodge’s private airstrip under the African starlit sky. All breathtaking.

After our spectacular four nights and two lodge experiences, it was time to move on and experience a new, modern face of Africa. Onwards to Cape Town, South Africa. More to follow.

Quote, Unquote. A few words from my fellow travellers ….

“Loved Botswana! Each property is designed to immerse guests in the natural beauty of Botswana while offering top-tier amenities. For incentive groups, the intimate size of the lodges fosters a sense of exclusivity and connection. The personalised service, incredible dining experiences, and the chance to witness Africa’s iconic wildlife make it an extraordinary reward for top performers”

Joe O’Connell, CEO, Blackbook

“Top tip … visit in June when the Delta floodwaters are at their peak, and experience unique water-based activities such as a Mokoro canoe safari. The exchange rate also makes South Africa a cost-effective option, and the variety of activities, landscapes and experiences you can enjoy in one trip is unrivalled – from spotting an abundance of wildlife across the vast plains of Botswana to the incredible views from Table Mountain and the rolling hills of the wine region, Africa has it all”

Rachel Ryder, Team Manager, Experience Design, The Collective by BCD Meetings & Events

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