For those seeking an extraordinary travel experience, the opportunity to traverse the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana awaits with the Explorations Company. In June, this renowned luxury safari and adventure specialist invites a select group of up to eight friends or family members to embark on an exclusive seven-day walking safari alongside Botswana’s San Bushmen.
Led by two of Africa’s most esteemed private guides, Ralph Bousfield and Aleksandra Orbeck-Nilsen, this remarkable safari promises an immersive journey into the heart of the Kalahari, coupled with unprecedented access to the cultural legacy of the San people, who have maintained a symbiotic relationship with nature for millennia.
As participants trek across the vast salt pans, the guides will impart their profound knowledge of the landscape and its inhabitants, ranging from the minutiae of insects to the majestic elephants that traverse the region. Walking alongside the Bushmen, travelers will perceive the environment through their perspective, witnessing firsthand the craft of bow-making, beadwork from ostrich eggs, and the mesmerizing trance dance of the San people, providing profound insight into their culture.
Evenings are spent in comfortable camps, offering opportunities for sunset game drives to observe nocturnal creatures such as aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, porcupines, and honey badgers. With luck, encounters with the elusive black-maned Kalahari lion may also grace the journey.
Beyond the exploration and cultural immersion, this expedition is a testament to responsible tourism. By partaking in this adventure, participants contribute to the support of the San people and their sustainable livelihood initiatives, as well as the conservation of wildlife in the region. It is an unparalleled opportunity to make a meaningful difference while embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.