Discovering luxurious within the wild at Atzaró Okavango

The model new Atzaró Okavango Camp lies within the game-rich southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and is finest described as a spot the place journey, eco-consciousness and indulgence meet.

The Okavango Delta

The Okavango River yearly discharges 11 cubic kilometres of water into the dry sands of the Kalahari, creating one of many largest wetlands on the planet. A maze of greater than 16,000 km² of waterways, lagoons, shallow channels, reed islands and grassy floodplains, the Delta is dwelling to huge concentrations of wildlife, with over 1,000 species of crops, greater than 480 species of birds, 130 species of mammals, and quite a few species of reptiles and fish. Formally declared UNESCO’s 1,000th World Heritage Web site and one of many Seven Pure Wonders of Africa, the Delta is likely one of the most biodiverse wetlands on the planet and undeniably Botswana’s emerald crown jewel.

Atzaró Okavango

Because the helicopter rises into the air it leaves behind the bustling little airport of Maun. The buildings, bars, properties, and shacks of city give solution to a patchwork of scrub, bushes, timber, cattle kraals, and dried up waterholes. Flying over the Buffalo Fence, a fence constructed within the Nineteen Eighties to maintain buffalo away from home cattle, the panorama modifications. Recreation footpaths and animal highways seem, pods of hippos could be seen within the waterways, households of elephants stand below timber, and the intense blues and greens of the Okavango start to look. All too quickly the define of a lodge takes form and because the helicopter descends in the direction of the earth, a automobile arrives to move us to luxurious.

Overlooking a seasonal lagoon, with a river alongside one facet, and surrounded by lush palm islands and vibrant delta vegetation, Atzaró Okavango is a very fashionable camp.  8 palatial, tented rooms are linked by raised picket walkways main off the central space. All have air con and followers, and voluminous, romantic, mosquito nets, draped across the beds. Outdoors on a personal deck, there’s a small shaded space, with a plunge pool – important to cooling off from the warmth of the day. Bogs have each indoor and outside showers and baths, and the place one bathtub is gorgeous, two is pure decadence! Think about recognizing wildlife whereas having fun with a bubble tub in your outside tub!  Two household villas add to the choices, with their separate rooms linked by a walkway.

The posh doesn’t cease with the bedrooms. The principle thatched lodge space has vaulted ceilings and a big open lounge, with antiques, leather-based Chesterfield sofas, and conventional Kuba (mud) cloths, embellished with embroidery, applique, and patchwork. The bar is detailed with woods, velvets, and minimize glass, and there’s a sunken seating space round an outside firepit with views overlooking the seasonal lagoon. Take high-tea on the commentary deck, sip pre-dinner drinks on the bar, or sit on one of many snug chairs on the deck, and after dinner settle in by the firepit and watch the celebrities overhead when you hearken to the grunts of hippos or the sound of elephants coming to drink. For these in search of one thing further, there’s a wine cellar, full with sommelier.  For meals, an artfully thatched, conventional boma, paying homage to a chicken’s nest, provides a country different to dinner within the major eating space. The principle lodge additionally serves as a ‘dwelling museum’ and is full of a group of intricate and conventional artworks, collected from all around the continent – ought to one thing particular catch your eye, related, solely commissioned items can be found to buy within the present store. Amongst all this glamour although, it’s value noting that according to their sustainable-principles, however with out shedding concentrate on exclusivity and magnificence, Atzaró Okavango has been constructed making use of recycled supplies and is totally powered by photo voltaic.

The posh doesn’t cease with the bedrooms. The principle thatched lodge space has vaulted ceilings and a big open lounge, with antiques, leather-based Chesterfield sofas, and conventional Kuba (mud) cloths, embellished with embroidery, applique, and patchwork. The bar is detailed with woods, velvets, and minimize glass, and there’s a sunken seating space round an outside firepit with views overlooking the seasonal lagoon. Take high-tea on the commentary deck, sip pre-dinner drinks on the bar, or sit on one of many snug chairs on the deck, and after dinner settle in by the firepit and watch the celebrities overhead when you hearken to the grunts of hippos or the sound of elephants coming to drink. For these in search of one thing further, there’s a wine cellar, full with sommelier.  For meals, an artfully thatched, conventional boma, paying homage to a chicken’s nest, provides a country different to dinner within the major eating space. The principle lodge additionally serves as a ‘dwelling museum’ and is full of a group of intricate and conventional artworks, collected from all around the continent – ought to one thing particular catch your eye, related, solely commissioned items can be found to buy within the present store. Amongst all this glamour although, it’s value noting that according to their sustainable ideas, however with out shedding concentrate on exclusivity and magnificence, Atzaró Okavango has been constructed making use of recycled supplies and is totally powered by photo voltaic.

As you’d count on from a camp of this sort, the vary of facilities and actions are many and distinctive. Should you fancy a exercise, head to the gymnasium, the 20m swimming pool, or go to the yoga deck.  If in search of some pampering, there’s a wellness spa providing a spread of therapies, and specialising in a number of the finest massages I’ve ever had. 

Atzaró is a safari lodge in spite of everything and as a lot of your day will likely be spent searching for out the wildlife of the Delta, location is essential. The realm of the Okavango that has been chosen to construct the lodge has excessive concentrations of sport, making for thrilling viewing alternatives.

Out one morning, not ten minutes from camp, we sat silently behind the sport drive automobile. 5 cheetahs lay camouflaged within the grass earlier than us. We’d seen these similar cheetahs the earlier afternoon, resting in a patch of shade.  This time although, they’re on the prowl. A pair of unsuspecting warthogs and their singular child seem. The cheetahs’ heads flip in unison, testing the brand new arrivals. Abruptly, pandemonium. One cheetah heads in the direction of the warthogs, eyeing up the piglet for a snack. The opposite 4 get to their toes and stand watching, earlier than spreading out to nook the household. Breaking right into a run the primary cheetah closes in on the infant. We collectively maintain our breaths. Unbelievably, within the face of the charging cheetah, the warthog mother and father stand their floor. Simply because the dying of their child appears imminent, the mother and father race in the direction of the approaching cat, who skids to a halt in a cloud of mud, turns tail and streaks off in the wrong way, pursued by the pair of irate, snorting warthogs. The mother and father return, victorious, to collect up their child, whereas the embarrassed cheetah slinks quietly within the background, surreptitiously reuniting together with his brothers.

Apart from pleasure crammed morning and afternoon sport drives, visitors at Atzaró can exit on strolling safaris (with an armed information) or birdwatching. Seasonal water ranges allowing, there are boat journeys and sundown cruises, catch-and-release fishing and the chance to benefit from the light tempo of mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions. All actions are provided on a personal foundation, so you possibly can preserve your solitude and never need to share your private area with strangers.

Atzaró Okavango is a very luxurious safari lodge, that may captivate you with its lavish design, attractive views and superb wildlife experiences. All over the place you go on this fashionable camp, be it sipping a drink from the bar overlooking the lagoon or dipping your toes in your personal plunge pool, there’s a way of relaxed luxurious right here. With a chic fusion of up to date design and conventional African allure, it’s actually simple to settle into the posh way of life that’s Atzaró Okavango.

Okavango Gin

Atzaró‘s in-house mixologist Percy is a grasp of cocktails. On our manner again to camp after a sport drive, we discovered Percy and his ‘cellular sundowner station’ below a tree on the sting of the floodplain. Whereas there was any beverage you may consider on supply, the star of the present was undoubtedly Okavango Gin.

Okavango Gin has been created by a bunch of like-minded naturalists, safari guides, botany fans and hospitality specialists, who all share a love for the wilderness of the Okavango Delta. A mix of pure Okavango water, coupled with the robust citrus flavours of Marula fruit and the distinctive flavour of Mopane seeds, has created a vibrant, up to date, small-batch manufacturing gin, that’s distilled in an entirely off-the-grid premises, close to the agricultural village of Tsutsubega, about 20km from Maun.

Percy’s cocktail of alternative, FRENCH 75

60ml Okavango The Sentinel gin
35ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
20ml Easy Syrup
Recent Lemon to Garnish
Dry Glowing Wine

Technique

Add gin, lemon juice and easy syrup to a shaker half-filled with ice. Shake for 20 seconds to mix. Pressure right into a fluted glass. High with glowing wine and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Planning your Okavango travels

Planning a luxurious safari isn’t any simple feat, particularly if it’s your first time. Areas, seasons, transfers, logistics, and extra, all need to be taken into consideration. What can be necessary when planning your safari is to take action with an organization that really cares in regards to the vacation spot and about preserving it for the long run.

Mahlatini is a Zulu phrase which means ‘lover of the African wilderness’, so who higher to plan the logistics of your journey to Atzaro Okavango than Mahlatini, a bespoke, luxurious journey firm, specialists in creating memorable adventures, who’ve been placing collectively African journey itineraries for over 20 years. On the core of Mahlatini’s ethos is handpicking companions and properties that share their dedication to defending their atmosphere, conserving wildlife, and benefitting native communities – within the phrases of Gary Warnock, the corporate’s Sustainability Crew Chief, “We’re at all times in search of new methods to make a distinction, and we frequently attempt to minimize our ecological footprint.”

Atzaró Okavango affords an unparalleled mix of luxurious and journey, offering an unforgettable expertise that immerses you within the breathtaking magnificence and wealthy wildlife of the Okavango Delta.

Sarah Kingdom

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, earlier than transferring to Africa on the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and information, journey author, yoga instructor, path runner, and mom of two. When she will not be climbing or touring she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides journeys often in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, and takes climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro quite a few occasions a 12 months.