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 greatest 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 vegetation, 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 Website and one of many Seven Pure Wonders of Africa, the Delta is among 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, houses, and shacks of city give method to a patchwork of scrub, bushes, bushes, cattle kraals, and dried up waterholes. Flying over the Buffalo Fence, a fence constructed within the Eighties to maintain buffalo away from home cattle, the panorama modifications. Recreation footpaths and animal highways seem, pods of hippos will be seen within the waterways, households of elephants stand beneath bushes, and the brilliant 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 direction of the earth, a car 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. Exterior on a personal deck, there’s a small shaded space, with a plunge pool – very important to cooling off from the warmth of the day. Loos have each indoor and out of doors 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 out of doors tub!  Two household villas add to the choices, with their separate rooms linked by a walkway.

The luxurious doesn’t cease with the bedrooms. The primary 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 reduce glass, and there’s a sunken seating space round an out of doors 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 comfy chairs on the deck, and after dinner settle in by the firepit and watch the celebs overhead whilst you hearken to the grunts of hippos or the sound of elephants coming to drink. For these searching for one thing additional, there’s a wine cellar, full with sommelier.  For meals, an artfully thatched, conventional boma, harking back to a chicken’s nest, provides a country various to dinner within the major eating space. The primary lodge additionally serves as a ‘residing museum’ and is stuffed with a set 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 reward store. Amongst all this glamour although, it’s value noting that in step with their sustainable-principles, however with out dropping give attention to exclusivity and magnificence, Atzaró Okavango has been constructed making use of recycled supplies and is totally powered by photo voltaic.

The luxurious doesn’t cease with the bedrooms. The primary 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 reduce glass, and there’s a sunken seating space round an out of doors 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 comfy chairs on the deck, and after dinner settle in by the firepit and watch the celebs overhead whilst you hearken to the grunts of hippos or the sound of elephants coming to drink. For these searching for one thing additional, there’s a wine cellar, full with sommelier.  For meals, an artfully thatched, conventional boma, harking back to a chicken’s nest, provides a country various to dinner within the major eating space. The primary lodge additionally serves as a ‘residing museum’ and is stuffed with a set 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 reward store. Amongst all this glamour although, it’s value noting that in step with their sustainable ideas, however with out dropping give attention to exclusivity and magnificence, Atzaró Okavango has been constructed making use of recycled supplies and is totally powered by photo voltaic.

As you’d anticipate from a camp of this sort, the vary of facilities and actions are many and distinctive. When you fancy a exercise, head to the fitness center, the 20m swimming pool, or go to the yoga deck.  If searching for some pampering, there’s a wellness spa providing a variety of remedies, and specialising in among the greatest massages I’ve ever had. 

Atzaró is a safari lodge in any case and as a lot of your day can 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 recreation, making for thrilling viewing alternatives.

Out one morning, not ten minutes from camp, we sat silently at the back of the sport drive car. 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 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 loss of life of their child appears imminent, the mother and father race in 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 assemble up their child, whereas the embarrassed cheetah slinks quietly within the background, surreptitiously reuniting along with his brothers.

Other than pleasure stuffed morning and afternoon recreation 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 mild tempo of mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions. All actions are provided on a personal foundation, so you’ll be able to keep your solitude and never must share your private area with strangers.

Atzaró Okavango is a very luxurious safari lodge, that can captivate you with its lavish design, beautiful views and superb wildlife experiences. In every single 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 sublime fusion of latest design and conventional African appeal, it’s actually simple to settle into the luxurious life-style that’s Atzaró Okavango.

Okavango Gin

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

Okavango Gin has been created by a gaggle 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 sturdy 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 a completely 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. Prime 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. Places, seasons, transfers, logistics, and extra, all must be taken under consideration. What can be vital 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 longer term.

Mahlatini is a Zulu phrase that 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 Workforce Chief, “We’re all the time searching for new methods to make a distinction, and we frequently try to reduce our ecological footprint.”

Atzaró Okavango presents 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 shifting 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 just isn’t climbing or touring she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides journeys usually in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, and takes climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro quite a few occasions a 12 months.