KANANACAMP, NXABEGARESERVE, CENTRALOKAVANGOKanana Camp is set in the Nxabega Reserve near the Xudum River. The area is dotted withfig, palm and waterberry trees, providing valuableshade and lookout points for predators, whogather to spot their prey on the floodplains.Kanana has eight en suite safari tents which canbe opened up completely, giving a lovely airy feelduring the heat of the day. Outside on theshaded veranda there are a couple of safari chairs,ideal for sitting with your binoculars and a book.The camp is built around a large tree with stepsdown to a sandy boma where a fire blazes atnight. Activities from Kanana include mokoro trips,boating, walking and game drives.The Central OkavangoThe Central Okavango has some of Africa's mostbeautiful scenery. There are deep blue channels,emerald-green floodplains and palm islands. Thewaters are covered in thousands of flowers, withcarpets of orange riverlilies, pink waterlilies andwater lettuce. Tiny reed frogs cling to papyrus andin open lagoons only the flick of a hippo's ear orthe corrugated back of a crocodile stirs the water.The waterways are home to some spectacularbirdlife. As the mist rises from the water in theearly morning it is possible to see little bee-eatersperched in fluffy groups on the papyrus. Malachite,pied, woodland and pygmy are just some of thekingfishers you may see, whilst on the floodplains,wattled cranes, saddlebilled storks and slaty egretscatch tiny silver fish and frogs. From the deep channels, squashed reeds indicatea hippo track leading up to the dry land of a palmisland. Here you will find elephant, giraffe, zebra,tsessebe, bushbuck and baboon. At night, fruit-bats squeak and bushbabies leap in the trees. The Central Okavango is spanned by the MoremiGame Reserve as well as private reservesincluding the Jao, Xigera, Nxabega and XudumReserves. These have a number of small campsranging from luxury chalets to tree top houses. All offer a variety of activities including gamedrives, walks and night drives, but boating andmokoro (dug out canoe) trips are the highlights.30Mokoro trip in the Central OkavangoArriving at Kanana airstripElephant in the OkavangoLilac breasted rollerKanana Camp

NXABEGAOKAVANGOSAFARICAMP, NXABEGARESERVE, CENTRALOKAVANGOFlying into the Nxabega Reserve, you see thedeep winding Bora River and twinkling channelscrisscrossed with a network of hippo paths.Though you won't spot it from the air, NxabegaCamp is tucked into the riverine vegetation,overlooking a shallow channel. There are tentents, spaced well apart in the trees, eachcontaining beds with fluffy duvets, desks withporcupine-quill lamps and big white candles forlighting at night. Food is particularly good atNxabega with dining outside under the stars.Whilst game drives are possible it's the boat andmokoro trips that are the highlights of a stay here,accompanied by an expert guide to help youexplore the Xou Lagoon and perhaps even try a spot of fishing.XIGERACAMP, XIGERARESERVE,CENTRALOKAVANGOXigera is built in one of the most beautifulcorners of the Okavango. The camp issurrounded by deep water and offers mokoroand boat trips as well as walks and drives onnearby islands. There are eight spacious tents withlarge beds, rush matting on the floors, woodenwardrobes and en suite bathrooms with indoorand outdoor showers. The rooms are built withina shady grove and overlook a floodplain and awaterhole which is frequented by elephant,lechwe, buffalo and lots of birds. Meals areenjoyed in an open-sided dining room with views of the river. There's a plunge pool for hotafternoons and a roaring campfire at night. In anarea with no other camps, Xigera is an ideal basein the heart of the Okavango.XUDUMDELTALODGE, XUDUMRESERVE, CENTRALOKAVANGOXudum Delta Lodge offers privacy and exclusivityand is one of the most luxurious properties in theDelta. The nine split-level safari suites have largebedrooms with king-sized beds and bathroomswith bathtubs and outdoor showers. A privateplunge pool and a lofty viewing platform offermagnificent Delta views. During your stay atXudum you can enjoy walking safaris and gamedrives. Night drives are good for spotting owls,civet, wild cats and bushbabies. As the lodge is ina permanent water area you can enjoy wateractivities all year round. Sit back and relax as you are gently poled through the lily and reedwaterways in a traditional mokoro.www.audleytravel.com/botswana ?01993 838 530 ?Botswana31Nxabega Okavango CampXudum Delta LodgeXigera CampFrog on a lily padBOTSWANA