SANCTUARY BAINES CAMP – OKAVANGO DELTA

Sanctuary Baines’ Camp is set on a vast private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. With its vast and diverse wildlife species the Delta is one of the premium destinations in the world for a wilderness safari experience.

A highlight staying at Baines Camp is that you are able to experience walking with two orphaned elephants in the bush – Sanctuary Retreats works closely with the non-profit charity Living with Elephants and invite you to explore Africa from an elephant’s perspective!

The camp is small and intimate with just 6 suites and was named after the 19th century explorer and painter Thomas Baines. It is eco-friendly and was built using only commercially grown wood with over 150,000 recycled aluminium cans incorporated within the walls to provide insulation.

LOCATION

The camp is located in the private a private concession in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana. Access is by a 15 minute light aircraft from Maun to Baines Airstrip and then a 10 minute transfer to camp.

CAMP

This is Sanctuary’s smallest camp with just five suites set on elevated platforms in the tree line with wooden decks that offer expansive views over the permanent water of the Boro River and a lagoon teeming with life.

The suites have a luxury bedroom with ensuite facilities, hairdryer, ceiling fan, in-room safe, minibar and private viewing deck. The four-poster beds are fully mobile and can be wheeled out onto the private wooden deck to enjoy a night under the stars overlooking the shining waters of the Boro River. Wi-Fi available in the rooms.

The camp is raised above the permanent water of the Boro River while wooden walkways connect the main areas and luxury rooms. The swimming pool and the wide wooden deck that surrounds the main dining and sitting area is the perfect place to relax inbewteen game drives and watch the wildlife. Electricity supply is solar energy, with a back-up generator system.

The camp welcomes children 6 years and older and the friendly guides offer special children’s activities. These include teaching the art of poling a mokoro, a local dug-out canoe commonly used in the Delta. It is propelled through the shallow waters of the delta by standing in the stern and pushing with a pole in the same way as punting. Find water and identify edible plants in the bush. Learn how to make rope out of natural materials.

WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES

Game drives (day & night) – Famed for its big cat and bird population, the Okavango Delta is a peaceful haven where animals have been protected for decades and know they will not be disturbed. At Baines’ Camp you have the opportunity to see animals up close with your expert guide on morning and evening game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles.

A night game drive is brilliant to see some of the nocturnal animals you can’t see during the daytime. The concession has a diversity of landscapes with desert, dry savannah, lagoon and swamps. During higher water levels game drives will be combined with motorised boating excursions. (Night drives are seasonal, depending on water levels.)

Guided Walks – find out how to track and follow the most elusive of animals in the Okavango. With the camp being set in a private concession you have the opportunity to get very close to wildlife on foot in perfect safety with one of our guides.

Mokoro and motorised Boating – one of the best ways to see the wildlife around Sanctuary Baines’ Camp is in one of the locally made dugout canoes known as mokoros. These used to be carved from ebony but are now made from commercially grown wood and fibreglass to protect the fragile environment of the Okavango. In one of these traditional boats you will be poled around the waterways and lagoons that make up the delta with your guide looking for crocodiles, hippo, small frogs and flowers – and also getting a view of the plains game from a new angle. This gentle and informative mode of safari is unique to the river Bushmen – three different tribes who made the Delta their home. The camp also has motorised speedboats that can be used when the rivers are in flood – all water based activities are seasonal and based on the water levels of the delta.

Living with Elephants Interaction – an extraordinary treat available at this camp is the opportunity to go walking in the bush with two semi-habituated elephants. Jabu and Morula are elephants that were orphaned nearby and adopted by Doug and Sandi Groves. The elephants ‘take’ guests on long walks whilst foraging in the area in absolute safety. They will show you how they look for food, strip leaves from branches with their trunks and take showers in the lagoons. This activity includes a leisurely paced walk with two semi-habituated elephants observing and interacting with them and a picnic lunch in their company.

Bush Skills Adventure – learn what it takes to survive in the delta from those who grew up in the area. Our local expert guides are ready to share their knowledge and expertise. By day put your bush skills to the test while at night indulging in the luxuries of camp. The Bush skills adventure is perfect for a father and son weekend away or for a family who wants to experience a real learning adventure. The activity is available at no extra cost to a minimum of four and a maximum of six guests. In the case of two guests wanting to do the activity a private vehicle would need to be booked and paid for when making the booking. We suggest guests stay at least three nights in order to experience all the activities in this program. Learn how to:

Pole a mokoro, make traditional spears for fishing and how to catch fish in the delta (catch and release basis), track and identify animal footprints, find out how to identify and find edible plants (seasonal), learn how to make rope out of natural materials, find water in the bush, construct and place traps to catch wildlife (theory practical only), palm nut harvesting, build a shelter, navigate by the stars and sun and weave a basket.

Scenic Helicopter Flights – these scenic flights involve flying west towards the permanent delta to see areas which are unreachable by vehicle or boat to appreciate the sheer enormity of the Okavango Delta. There is the option of the doors being removed for unrestricted photographic opportunities. Choose between 30, 45 or 60 minute flights in a one turbine Bell Jetranger helicopter with 3 seats. This activity is offered on a year round basis. Being a personalised activity, it’s up to you what time of day you would like to do the activity however we would recommend early morning and late afternoon as this time usually provides the best light for photography. Preferred flight times can be requested on booking.

SANCTUARY BAINES CAMP IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 6 YEARS AND OVER. APRIVATE VEHICLE MUST BE BOOKED FOR CHILDREN AGED 15 YEARS AND YOUNGER. CHILDREN AGED 15 YEARS AND YOUNGER ARE NOT ALLOWED ON WALKING SAFARIS. HOUSEKEEPERS ARE AVAILABLE TO BABYSIT CHILDREN WHILST YOU ARE ON AN ACTIVITY – CHILDMINDING IS CHARGED AT A NOMINAL FEE WHICH IS PAID DIRECTLY TO THE CHILD MINDER.