It’s time for a new adventure! We leave Namibia behind and cross the border at Mohembo to Botswana. Soon after we arrive in Shakawe and it’s time to check in at Askiesbos Samochima Bushcamp, a stay we had heard good things about and were really looking forward to! We arrive at the Klipsop farm, where the camp is located. From the moment we enter the grounds, we are immediately overwhelmed by a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. We drive in the shade of majestic trees and you imagine yourself in a fairytale forest, located on the edge of the Okavango Delta. As soon as we park the car and get out, we hear all kinds of birds around us. This is very promising, what an entrance!
The owners are unfortunately absent this weekend, but they made sure we are in excellent hands! Chef Tito and the camp guide Johane welcome us kindly and show us the way to our luxury safari tent with a spacious terrace / deck overlooking the Okavango panhandle and a small flowing river. The tent is nicely decorated and has everything we need. There is a bathroom with a bath. There is also an outdoor shower with a beautiful view, wonderful! The prices for this stay are very affordable and we are (positively) surprised about what you get for it. It all looks quite luxurious! Check for the current prices.
There are several safari tents that you can book and you can also camp with your own vehicle/camper. In the middle of the camp there is a covered (outdoor) area where food – breakfast, lunch and buffet dinner – is served. There are large lounge sofas where you can relax and enjoy the view and the sounds of nature. There are several books that you can leaf through while the birds sing their songs to you and the vervet monkeys are playing in the tall trees. What a lovely place! There is also an outdoor bar where you can grab drinks. You write down what you take and pay for it later when you leave. In front of the bar you can sit around the campfire and enjoy the ‘Bush TV’, while overlooking the Okanvango Panhandle!
"Bush TV" is a humorous term for gathering around a campfire in the wilderness to enjoy nature's entertainment, such as stars and wildlife. It refers to the simple yet captivating experience of the outdoor setting.
Askiesbos Samichima Bush Camp is small-scale and intimate and that really creates a feeling of peace and space. You feel that people really come here to enjoy this peace. It feels like you’re in some kind of fairytale forest with the Okavango Delta just a stone’s throw away. We are impressed with this camp and we look forward to explore some activities.
Sunset Boat Trip and Early Bird Walk: An Adventurous Encounter with Nature in Botswana!
Later that afternoon it’s time for our first (sunset) boat cruise with our guide Johane. As soon as we are on the water, Johane tells us all about the biodiversity in this area. We tell him that we are very interested in birds and that we would really like to see the Pel’s fishing owl. This special owl is seen with some regularity in this area, so Johane tells us that he will do his best to find it, but of course without guarantees. He takes our preferences into account and allows us time to photograph various bird species before moving on. We enjoy the beautiful views, the stunning nature, the many (diverse) kingfishers, crocodiles and so much more.
The sun slowly begins to set and the sky changes into a spectacular palette of colors. What a magical sunset! We are in awe; it almost looks surreal! It’s slowly getting dark so it’s time to sail back to camp and have dinner. Unfortunately we didn’t see the owl, but that doesn’t matter at all, we appreciate everything we see along the way and realize once again what a privilege it is to be able to make a trip like this.
A delicious buffet dinner prepared by Tito, the chef, awaits us at the camp. Everything appears wonderfully appetizing and well-presented. We look back on a wonderful day with a plate full of food. We get in early, because the next morning we have a guided bird walk planned with Johane. That means getting up early!
The next morning we are awakened early by the grunting of the hippos and the coffee is already waiting for us. As soon as Johane arrives it’s time to go for a walk. We look for all kinds of birds on the terrain. Along the way, Johane tells us all about the area and about the Klipsop farm where the camp is located. Walking around we get an idea of how big it actually is. We walk through forests, but also past meadows with horses. Along the way we see the fresh trail of a large python and of course spot all kinds of birds.
A World of Opportunities: Discover the Diversity of Activities in Askiesbos Samochima Bushcamp
Askiesbos offers a wide range of varied activities, including nature/wildlife experiences and cultural explorations. Some examples include:
Horseback Riding: Explore the enchanting Okavango Plains on horseback or through the local village, with custom rides. Experienced local guides even give riding lessons to children and talk about how they live together with nature in this World Heritage Site.
Basket Weaving: Discover the art of palm leaf dyeing, pattern design and weaving of beautiful Okavango baskets while visiting a local home.
Mokoro poling: Experience the vast plains and overwhelming nature up close as you glide quietly in a traditional mokoro (canoe).
Tsodilo Hills Excursions: Explore the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 4000 rock paintings of animals, humans and geometric designs. These hills have unique religious and spiritual significance to the local people and provide a fascinating look at human settlements throughout the ages.
Boat Cruises: Enjoy sunset cruises with hippos, crocodiles and countless birds. The Okavango is also a top destination for anglers, so take the opportunity to fish for a variety of species. You will also be amazed by the colorful sunsets and beautiful cloud formations.
In addition, many more cultural activities and excursions are available, such as visiting a traditional village, star gazing, insect identification, traditional blacksmithing, donkey cart rides, paper making, traditional pottery, and much more.
For the more adventurous, there is also an exciting option for a helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, which gives you a unique perspective on Botswana’s wild landscape, wildlife and communities. Read more about all activities here!
An Special Encounter with an Exceptional Bird!
After the hike with Johane we decide to do nothing for the rest of the afternoon and just relax. There is excellent WiFi available so we take a moment to contact our family & friends at home and enjoy the views. Joost decides to use the outdoor shower and after a few minutes I hear him calling: ,,Cynthia, Cynthia, come quickly! I see a bird I don’t know!” He quickly got dressed and he points out a very striking bright green bird, sitting on a low branch a little further away. I immediately suspect which bird it is, but can hardly believe it. Quickly I grab my bird book and binoculars.
It turns out to be the bird I suspected: the Narina Trogon. Wow! Very special and how beautiful she is, it turns out to be a female. Joost quickly grabs his camera while I keep a close eye on the bird. She stays fairly close and occasionally jumps to another twig. Fortunately, Joost can take a few photos before she flies further into the forest!
A little later we tell Johane that we have seen this bird and he can hardly believe it. Such a special sighting. We also speak to another guest and tell about the Narina Trogon. His jaw drops and he tells us he – a real bird watcher – has been looking for this bird for more than 15 years! Somewhat enviously he looks at our photos. “I think I will go for a little walk through the woods,” he says with a big wink and a big grin on his face!
These are moments that make us so happy! We decide to do another sunset cruise with Johane, who knows, maybe we will be even more lucky and we will find Pel’s fishing owl. Johane sails a lot further than the day before, hoping that we will find the owl. He sails all the way to a tree where he has seen the owl before. Unfortunately! Pelly – as we named the mysterious owl – is not home today!
We do see a Long-crested eagle (African black hawk-eagle), which we and Johane had not seen before. What a cool bird of prey! We take some photos and sail back to camp under a brightly colored painting of the setting sun. Once again we really enjoyed a beautiful boat trip, and Johane is such a nice and pleasant guide with a lot of knowledge!
We go to bed early that evening, because the next day we (unfortunately) have to leave and a long drive to Maun awaits us. We really enjoyed this beautiful stay, the fun and educational activities, the lovely staff and the amazing views. Natural beauty and magical sunsets are guaranteed when you stay here! We will therefore absolutely recommend this place to anyone traveling near Shakawe – on the edge of the Okavango Delta. In the future we certainly hope to return to Askiesbos Samochima bush camp to discover even more! And maybe Pelly will be home by then 😉
Look here for more information about Askiesbos Samochima Bush Camp!
