Leadership Trails Botswana

8 Days

What you will learn

You will develop your stronger and your less developed leadership skills by guiding your fellow learners in the bush. Being out of your comfort zone offers great learning potential. You will learn to follow before you will learn to lead in the bush. When walking in the bush we carry a rifle with us for safety reasons. In order for you to lead walks, we will also teach you basic rifle safety.

You will also learn basic knowledge about safety, group control and off course nature and animal behavior. Plus skills such as:

  • Leading bush walks in a Big 5 area
  • Driving a 4*4 vehicle through any kind of terrain
  • Bush leadership skills
  • Navigating using terrain, animals, sun, moon and stars
  • Tracking animals
  • Necessary survival skills.

One of the highlights is a two day walk including a sleep out in the bush in your sleeping bag by a campfire while taking turns being on guard.

Where you will stay

Our training takes place in our own private concession in the famous Okavango Delta.  Our camp is situated in the South Eastern part of the Delta on a tongue of permanent land even during the floods. This makes our camp year round accessible by vehicle. Our concession area is 40,000 hectares or 400 square kilometers: an area of roughly 20 by 20 kilometers. It is unfenced and in direct connection with the rest of the Delta: a true wilderness.

Our tented camp has been set up along the seasonal Xwapa river (depending on rainfall in Angola it flows from April to October) and is also unfenced. During the day we share it with the birds, monkeys, snakes and elephants and during the night hippo’s, hyena’s, leopard, lions, honey badgers and porcupines sometimes visit or walk trough. It is interesting to see their tracks in the morning – like reading the morning paper. In this area we are the only people allowed. As long as we follow the ethical and safety rules for being in the bush we are completely free to do as we please.

Where you will sleep and eat

You will be sharing tents with 2 participants (single occupancy has a 15% surcharge). Our tents are new and measure 4*3 meters plus an 3*3 ensuite area with a bucket shower and a toilet.

We have our own chef and staff that will cook all our meals unless we want to do a BBQ ourselves. Coffee, tea and water is available all day. Wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks are available at sundowners and in the evening. All food and drinks are included.

Overview

Itinerary

• Arrival at Maun Airport at around 14.00 hrs.
• Pick up by guide and facilitator
• Shopping for drinks and other small personal items
• Drive into the Okavango Delta and into camp
• Welcome to camp and camp rules an safety
• Guided drive with sundowner and personal introduction
• Dinner and drinks by the camp fire, program next day

• Wake up, breakfast and plan for the morning
• Guided drive to the East and back to camp: drive a 4*4 game drive vehicle, explain territory and ecology, animal identification and behavior
• Rifle safety instruction and practice in camp
• Lunch, rest and plan for the afternoon
• Guided walk from camp: walking and navigating in the bush, tracking most common tracks, animal and PDA identification and approaches
• Dinner and drinks by the camp fire, program next day

• Wake up, breakfast and plan for the morning
• Guided walk the Westside across the river and back to camp: crossing river in mokoro or by boat, walking and navigating in the bush, tracking most common tracks, animal and PDA identification and approaches
• Rifle safety instruction and practical test in camp
• Lunch, plan for the afternoon
• Guided drive South East along the river, walk there, drive back to camp: drive a 4*4 game drive vehicle, explain territory and ecology, walking and navigating in the bush, tracking most common tracks, animal and PDA identification and approaches, test navigation – back to vehicle last 3 km
• Dinner and drinks by the camp fire, program next day

• Wake up, breakfast and plan for the morning
• Guided drive to Shooting Range
• Rifle range shooting practice: set up range and range safety instructions, rifle safety instruction, basic rifle instruction, practical training, (team) competition
• Lunch: BBQ at Shooting Range
• Self drive to South East along the river: drive a 4*4 game drive vehicle, explain territory and ecology, animal identification and behavior
• Self walk in the South side and back to vehicle: walking and navigating in the bush, tracking most common tracks, animal and PDA identification and approaches
• Dinner: Sundowners and leftovers by the vehicle next to the river
• Self night drive back to camp
• Guided explanation of stars and constellations
• Drinks by the camp fire, program next day

The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 4 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.

The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 4 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.

The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 4 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.

• Wake up and pack your bags
• Breakfast and goodbye to the staff
• Guided drive from camp to Maun
• Last lunch together
• Handing out certificates
• Check-in for flights

The following is included

  • Transfer from Maun to camp and back
  • All accommodation and facilities in camp
  • Vehicle and fuel
  • Guiding and training/coaching activities
  • All meals and drinks in camp
  • Usage of books and other educational materials

The following is excluded

  • All flights
  • All accommodation outside of camp
  • All food, drinks and personal expenditures outside of camp
  • All ammunition at the shooting range - will be charged per use
What should I bring regarding my health?

We have a comprehensive First Aid kit in camp, on board our vehicles and on walks; we cannot however cover everything, if you have any medical problems or existing medical conditions please bring enough medication and inform us of these problems as soon as possible.

Do I need vaccinations?

We do not know what you have already been vaccinated for. So for vaccinations, please consult your local GP or health provider.

Do I need to take malaria pills?

Our camp is in a malaria area. Although it is very remote and therefore very unlikely for malaria to occur, it is better to be safe than sorry. We suggest you speak to your local GP or healthcare provider and take the action he/she recommends as there are various differing ideas about what prophylactics to take, if at all. Some of the prophylactics can cause side effects such as nausea, headaches and a lowering of your resistance to the sun and it is important to bear in mind that malaria can be contracted despite taking tablets. We provide insect repellent but you are welcome to bring your own and please use them liberally, especially in the warmer months.

What is the weather like?

Summer (October – April) is hot in the middle of the day, sometimes as high 40 degrees Celsius in October, our hottest month, but this is uncommon, becoming cooler but still warm at night. The average day time temperatures are in the mid 30’s dropping to the low 20’s during the night. Botswana is a summer rainfall region and late afternoon showers can be common from December to April.

Winter (May – September) can go below 0 degrees Celsius at night but during the day it warms up substantially to about 25 degrees Celsius. Early morning game drives and on an open vehicle and the first hours of the walk can be quite chilly (particularly in July and August when scarves and warm hats are recommended). Dressing in layers is the best way to deal with the varying temperatures during the winter months, and a windproof jacket is a good idea.

What clothing should I bring?

Bring along a good jacket, scarf, gloves and woolen or fleece headwear if you are travelling in winter. It can get quite hot during the day so light summer clothing is also a must. The best was to deal with winter is to dress in layers.
If you are travelling in summer, a good sweater (jumper) is recommended, as it can get rather cool as well as a light raincoat. Light trousers and a cool long-sleeved shirt in the evenings in summer will help protect you from the mosquitoes. For the remainder bring light cotton clothing.

For walks it is recommended that you bring neutral or camouflage colored clothing (beige, khaki, olive, stone etc.) but when travelling in the vehicle, most colors are fine – light colors generally being cooler. Dark blue and black clothing are not recommended. Bring clothing that can be hand washed easily and dried quickly.
Bring some good walking shoes and quick drying sandals (with sturdy soles to protect you from the large thorns, ‘Keen’ is a good brand) as you may need to get your feet wet on walks and mokoro or boating activities. You may get opportunities to swim, so bring along a swimming outfit. Don’t forget your sun hat!

Can I drink the local water?

Although Botswana’s water is generally safe to drink, we supply filtered water. It is important to remember to drink enough water while on safari. If you are traveling in the summer months you should bring rehydration salts to add to your water. One sachet per person per day will be sufficient and will prevent any dehydration problems. Rehydration salts are available in most pharmacies in powder form, which is the most suitable for travel.

Are all food and drinks included?

In Camp all meals are provided; please inform us if you have any special requirements or if you are allergic to any food. Water, tea and coffee and soft drinks are available all day. Wines, beers, spirits are available at sundowners and in the evening.

Are there any limitations for luggage?

On safari we prefer to travel light. If possible restrict to hand luggage only. Otherwise duffel/soft bags are preferable, as these pack easier into aircraft and vehicles, hard cases are not recommended.

Do I need to bring money?

Since your training is prepaid, you will not need to travel with much cash. Botswana currency is in Pula (P) and Thebe(t). Pulas can be collected with your credit- or bank-card at the ATM in Maun before departure to the bush. The best denominations to bring to Botswana are Euro and US Dollars.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping of our staff is optional and the amount is entirely up to you.

What are necessary items to bring?

Binoculars are a must for safari. 10*42 is an ideal magnification, but any will do.
A camera with extra rechargeable batteries.
A good torch, handheld or better: head torches with 3+ LED units (Petzl, Black Scorpion are good brands)

Is there electricity in camp?

As it is almost always sunny, we run on solar power. We have adequate electricity in camp and charging facilities for local, USB and European plugs. USA clients should bring converters to South African or European plugs.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Leadership Trails Botswana