Botswana tourism waterhole Newsletter
Natural Selection Welcomes “The Jackal & Hide” In The Greater Okavango Delta To Their Portfolio
Natural Selection are delighted to welcome The Jackal & Hide into the family as of 1st January, 2019. Previously known as Pangolin Khwai Camp, the intimate, tented retreat offers an authentic Delta experience and brings visitors back to the basics of what a safari is all about. Whilst Pangolin Khwai previously only specialised in tailor-made photographic safaris, The Jackal & Hide will be open to all wildlife enthusiasts. For 2019, the camp will continue to provide a resident photo guide and specialised photographic vehicles for professional and amateur photographers alike, alongside the many guest activities on offer.
The Jackal & Hide is located in the Khwai Private Reserve, a 200,000-hectare area of pristine wilderness in the Greater Okavango Delta region. The reserve is bordered by Moremi to the south, Savuti to the north and the Khwai Community Reserve to the east – in other words, in the middle of some of the most famous and iconic game-viewing areas on the continent. The landscape is truly iconic of the Delta: vast floodplains and sprawling grasslands meet patches of forested enclaves and through it all runs an intricate network of channels and lily-filled waterways. It’s one of the most well-managed private concessions in the area with very few other vehicles (and people!) around. A safari at The Jackal & Hide will be a true wilderness experience.
The varied habitats of Khwai support an equally impressive cast of animals and all the stars of the wildlife show are present – as well as a few extra. The wetlands and rivers host impressive quantities of hippos and crocodiles, whilst on dry land, big cats lurk along treelines and sometimes right through camp. Sable, roan, impala and kudu dot the grasslands, alongside giraffe and zebra, an abundance of elephant and buffalo, and of course, the occasional jackal. The birdlife is fantastic and guests can expect everything from giant eagle owls to lilac breasted rollers. Khwai also has an excellent reputation for the rarer species of the African savannah including wild dogs, serval cats, honey badgers and the elusive pangolin.
Guests at The Jackal & Hide will be treated to a different activity every day. Classic game drives are available year-round and yield fantastic sightings of the wildlife, and for a different perspective on the natural world, mokoro safaris and boat trips are on offer. Guests will also have the chance to spend time in some of the incredible ground-level hides in the reserve for seriously up close and personal wildlife encounters. For 2019, guests of Pangolin Photo Safaris will continue to be hosted by the resident photo guide and be able to make use of state-of-the-art cameras and specially-adapted vehicles.
At the camp itself, guests can expect a relaxed and carefree atmosphere. With only 8, Meru-style tents, it’s an intimate camp with an emphasis on hospitality, comfort and a touch of Natural Selection quirkiness. Each room is a cosy retreat from the elements and all have wonderfully large King-size beds (that can also be twins), writing desks, cool ensuite bathrooms and private verandas with views across the shimmering grasslands. At the main area, a sunken lounge and fire pit take pride of place. Located just in front of a favourite grazing spot for zebra and elephant, it’s a fabulous wildlife-watching base during siesta time, or, indeed, at any time of day. Under the thatch, the bar, lounge and dining areas are subtly stylish, dotted with sunny cushions and black and white artworks, and by early 2019, a swimming pool to sink into between activities.
Dave van Smeerdijk, co-founder of Natural Selection, says: “We liked the name The Jackal & Hide as it personifies the quirky and fun nature of our brand – and the fact that our guests will have access to the best ground-level hides! The Jackal & Hide complements our existing properties in the Khwai Private Reserve and offers a back-to-basics safari experience for an extremely affordable price. We are also proud to continue our support for the Khwai Development Trust and the surrounding communities.”
Rates at The Jackal & Hide start at US$ 450 per person per night based on two sharing. The rate is inclusive of full board accommodation, house drinks and all safari activities.
About Natural Selection
Natural Selection may be a new safari company, but its roots in the African safari business run deep. Devoted to the simple premise that safari tourism, when done right, can be an incredibly powerful tool for conserving and protecting Africa’s last great wild places. As such, Natural Selection partners with local communities and governments to help protect and even expand protected areas and critical wildlife habitat through the development of gold-standard ecotourism projects across Southern Africa. Natural Selection donates 1.5% of its turnover revenue annually to conservation. This deep commitment to conservation is matched only by our devotion to providing our guests with truly extraordinary safari experiences.
Portfolio:
Meno a Kwena, Jack’s Camp, San Camp, Camp Kalahari, Mapula Lodge, Sable Alley, Hyena Pan, SkyBeds, Tuludi (opening July 2019), The Jackal & Hide.