Botswana safari

A unique opportunity to track & study lions in the wild! The Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas on earth and one of Africa’s most beautiful and unique wetlands, supporting a profusion of wild animals. For Africa as a whole, and in the Delta in particular, the single greatest attraction for safari-goers is the lion. The second largest of the world’s cats and by far the largest of Africa’s carnivores, lions could be considered Africa’s most formidable predators based on size alone.

Unfortunately, it is this attribute that makes them the least able of Africa’s cats to survive outside large conservation areas. As carnivores at the top of the food chain, lions are a key component in the Okavango ecosystem and an extremely valuable resource that needs to be carefully managed.

Any impact on lion populations has widespread implications that affect many other prey and predator populations and also the conservation management of both predator and herbivore populations.

In 1997 Christiaan and Hanlie Winterbach, two experienced wildlife biologists, set about constructing a scientifically sound, long-term ecological monitoring programme and lion research project in a Wildlife Management Area in the south-western part of the Delta.

Working closely with Christiaan and Hanlie, we offer you a unique opportunity to join their small team to track and study these magnificent creatures-up close and personal-in some of the wildest places in Southern Africa, a Delta packed full of magnificent wildlife and birdlife.

Note: Price includes UK flights, all accommodation, all transport and transfers, all meals from the research camp, all activities and transport for the surveys, services of the two researchers throughout your stay, all meals and mosquito repellent whilst on camp. A substantial proportion of the cost supports the ongoing lion research programme on which you participate.

Field expertise

Christiaan and Hanlie Winterbach have set up and co-ordinated the lion surveys since their inception in 1995 under the guise of Tau Consultants (already members of the World Conservation Union), in co-operation with the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Having worked and studied in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa, Christiaan, a zoologist, will offer you privileged insight into the world of this great predator. He will reveal their fascinating lives, whilst Hanlie, a botanist, will be able to help you relate the ever-changing flora to the web of life that exists in this extraordinary landscape. A large percentage of your money is paid directly to the camp enabling them to continue their vital work.