In this article we look at what experience to expect from a safari at Mokete Camp. What makes Mokete such a unique place for a safari.
Mokete Camp is a new safari gem located in the relatively undiscovered Mababe Depression. For decades the 2 main regions to visit on a Botswana safari have been the Okavango Delta and The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. There is now a very strong reason for adding a safari to the Mababe with a stay at Mokete Camp on to your Botswana safari itinerary.
The main reason is that the Mababe is completely different from the Okavango Delta and Linyanti. In some parts its endless plains reflect more a Serengeti safari than being in Botswana in Southern Africa. On the fringes of the open plains are the woodlands area which is more typical of South African. In the middle of the open plains lies the wet marshlands. The marshlands are the lifeblood of the area. They were created when tectonic plates shifted in 2013 and the Khwai River was diverted to flow into this area. Since this happened there is now a year round permanent source of water and with rich grazing, the wildlife have be drawn to this area and have flourished.
There are buffalo herds in their thousands. They leave the sanctity of the wooded areas and trek along the open plains. The movement of so many animals unearths large clouds of dust that can be seen from miles away. The dust is a welcome sign for Mababe’s resident lion prides. Their favourite meal is buffalo and on a stay of 3 nights or more at Mokete Camp one is likely to encounter buffalo and lion interaction. Seeing the buffalo and lion interaction is one of the highlights of a stay at Mokete Camp. In fact it would be a highlight of any safari as seeing these two adversaries in battle is an amazing sight to witness. As the open plains can be quite swampy during the wet season from November to March, this will inevitably impact on seeing lion and buffalo interaction as the wet soil will make it very hard for a vehicle to traverse the open areas and so game drives may be limited to the drier parts and woodland areas. However, from June to November this should not be an issue and having the chance to see lion and buffalo interaction make visiting Mokete a must on any Botswana itinerary during this time.
Mokete Camp is only accessible at present by helicopter and this is another real highlight of a safari to Mokete Camp and the Mababe. Along with massive herds of buffalo there are also big herds of elephant, sable & roan antelope and tsessebe. Giraffe are also quite prevalent and seeing them stride over the short grasslands is also a highlight of a safari in the Mababe. Seeing the huge herds, particular the main buffalo herds, from the air is amazing and rivals a hot air balloon in the Masai Mara for that sheer …Wow experience.
Seeing wildlife from the air is a great safari experience. Especially when the herds are this big.
Mokete Camp itself consists of 9 tents. There is a waterhole behind camp and the tents look out over the plains in front of the camp. The rooms are spacious and luxurious and being open fronted allows for game viewing from the inside of your room. Elephant are also ever present in the dry season and seeing them in and around camp is another great safari experience at Mokete Camp.
The area around Mokete Camp is not without its downsides, as the roads are quite bumpy, especially when trying to reach the marshlands and in the dry season it is exceptionally dusty. Seeing the wildlife on the way and once you get to the wetlands makes it worth having to deal with the dust. The wet season will be a lot more challenging to do game drives, as some areas will be inaccessible due to the vast areas of mud that will be created. Animals may also be harder to find and the huge herds of buffalo will have water within the woodlands and so no need to venture onto the plains where they know lions are waiting for them.
In summary the Africa Uncovered team feel that Mokete is a “must include” on any safari itinerary to Botswana, especially during the dry season. As the Mababe is so unique it really does compliment both the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti
For further information or for assistance in booking the excellent Mokete Camp, please contact an Africa Uncovered Travel Expert and start planning your dream safari to Mokete and Botswana now!
