Hartley's Safaris have had an operational base in the Okavango Delta for over 26 years as David Hartley owned Xugana Island Lodge, Xugana Mokoro Trails and Tsaro Elephant Lodge. Operating our own camps served to focus much of our business in Botswana, providing us with an in-depth knowledge of the many camps and very different areas.  Through our various experiences and those of our clients we have developed a special affection for this magnificent country.  Botswana's policy on tourism has always been one of high cost and low density in order to preserve the very fragile ecology of the Okavango.

Botswana can be divided into three very different habitats each offering quite different safari experiences. Firstly, the Okavango Delta offers a "delta experience" in a remote 15,000 km2 wilderness of crystal clear water, papyrus lined channels and small palm fringed islands where one enjoys the beauty and serenity of the scenery, incredible bird life, mokoro trails, fishing and bush walks on the many islands. Secondly, the Moremi and Chobe National Parks, and Selinda and Kwando Reserves, offer a "big game experience" where open grassland savannah and acacia woodlands attract large numbers and a great variety of mammals, which makes game viewing spectacular! Thirdly the relatively unexplored Kalahari Desert offers a "desert experience" of stark landscapes with huge skies and big horizons, with fascinating life systems able to endure extreme desert conditions. This tends to appeal to those who appreciate solitude and isolation.

The safari world in Botswana has a highly organised system of flying guests by scenic low-level light aircraft flights from camp to camp in order to include a variety of areas and experiences in any itinerary. This affords incredible aerial views and adds tremendously to the holiday. The permanent camps are small, accommodating between 6 and 24 guests. They vary in style and comfort with fixed facilities (plunge pool etc) and offer morning and afternoon activities with local guides. We recommend spending at least three nights in any one particular area, so a 2-week itinerary would include 4 destinations. For second timers we would highly recommend a private mobile safari with a professional guide. Here camps are pre-erected at private HATAB sites and are fully staffed. The real advantage is that you have one on one contact with a specialist guide and the day's activities are co-ordinated around your own special interests. These are highly informative trips and are cost effective for 4 or more guests. The most economical way of visiting Botswana is by joining a small group on a set departure mobile safari between Maun and Victoria Falls but camp duties are often required. Fully equipped Landrovers can be hired on a weekly basis for self-drive camping safaris. Although walking safaris and night drives are not allowed within the National Parks, there are several camps situated on their own concessions where these are possible.

International access is best via Johannesburg (to Maun) or Harare (via Victoria Falls to Kasane) and itineraries can be easily combined with South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe or Zambia.