Desert and Delta Safaris: About the Company

Desert and Delta Safaris Philosophy

Botswana - an unrivalled African experience, is provided by Desert and Delta Safaris - a company whose roots are embedded in the country. Desert and Delta's philosophy is based on providing the best possible safari experiences through the ownership of Botswana's finest locations and properties.

The company was founded in 1982 by Jessie Neil, an American citizen, based on this simple philosophy when she opened Camp Okavango and Camp Moremi. Since then the company has continued this extraordinary vision by acquiring other uniquely located properties representative of the different eco systems that makes Botswana such an exceptional safari experience.

Desert and Delta Safaris now owns and operates six properties in total, all located in diverse areas of the country and are managed by teams of dedicated professionals determined to show you the best the country has to offer.

It is our pleasure to invite you to experience the best that Botswana has to offer. Whether you are an individual or a family, a first time visitor to Africa or a veteran of travel to the continent, Desert and Delta Safaris has something unforgettable to offer you.

On behalf of all the people of Botswana, we look forward to welcoming you to our beloved country.

Environmental Policy

Every aspect of our operation is monitored in terms of environmental impact, and we work hard to maintain high standards of environmental care. Our food waste is composted on site, and any combustible litter is burnt in a controlled area. All glass, plastic and cans are stored in animal proof cages and removed by road to Maun.

Batteries and waste oil are stored and packaged separately. Our primary wastewater flows into septic tanks and grey water into purpose built soak aways. The septic tanks are pumped empty by a truck when necessary. Our energy requirements are met by a diesel generator, which is housed in a sound proofed room built from fire resistant materials. The exhaust runs through an underground drum in order to reduce emissions, and we limit our running hours as much as possible in order to reduce noise pollution. Our hot water and kitchen stoves use gas, which is brought to camp by road in 48kg cylinders.

These policies are backed up by an on going training programme that our guides take part in which is run by Veronica Roodt, Botswana specialist and author of several publications including the Shell Moremi and Chobe maps. This training focuses on identification of and interaction between the flora and fauna of the area, as well as conservation ethics within Moremi.

Building on their existing knowledge and experience, the courses enhance guide's understanding of the whole Delta ecosystem and the uniqueness of the area.

We believe that our guests can also play an important role in the conservation of the areas that they visit. The Okavango delta is one of the world's most beautiful and pristine wilderness areas. By visiting here, you are creating employment and economic opportunities for local people, based on the sensitive use of their natural resources.

In so doing, you are helping to prove that conserving resources makes good economic sense. Please take care to respect this unique environment during your stay. The guides will help you to make sure any litter is taken back in the vehicle to camp and disposed of properly. Your guide has also been instructed not to drive off the designated roads.

This is a contentious issue within Moremi and over the last few years many new dirt tracks have been established leading to excessive damage and disturbance to local flora and fauna. It is vital for the sustainability of the area that vehicles keep to the marked routes, this is especially important when taking into account the recent heavy rains. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks view this offence very seriously, and guides stand to lose their licence and therefore their livelihood if they are caught off road.

Please also keep noise to a minimum whilst on game drives and boat activities. This not only enhances your enjoyment of the area by allowing closer and more natural sightings, but it also ensures that we cause minimum disruption to the wildlife.

By working together to conserve the wildlife areas of Botswana we are ensuring that guests such as yourselves experience an exclusive and undisturbed view of the animals and birds that they see, as well as maintaining the pristine beauty of the area for future generations.