Magashi

There are six guest tents at the camp and each is a canvas tented accommodation on its own elevated deck with an elevated walk way that connects to the main area. Each tent comprises en-suite facilities with an indoor shower, single vanity basin and separate toilet as well as an array of other amenities such as a wardrobe, luggage rack, writing desk and chair, hat and coat stand, easy chairs, seating area, mosquito net, electronic safe and tea and coffee making facilities.

Multi-plug adaptor charging facilities for mobile devices are also provided as is a pedestal fan for complete comfort during the hottest of days at the camp. The mini bar that is in each tent makes the stay all the more luxurious as does the outside deck with its own seating area. Other amenities include bathrobes, slippers, liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, insect repellent, shower caps, vanity kit with cotton tipped swabs and cotton balls, tissue dispenser, washing powder (for smalls), umbrella and room spray.

Magashi Camp is fully inclusive, providing all meals, snacks and drinks at no extra charge.

Game drives are available both in the morning and the afternoon at the camp, revealing the wildlife and scenery of the region in all its glory. A highlight is spotting the desert-adapted elephant. The natural cycle of rainfall will dictate the seasonal movement of wildlife in the area which will affect what guests are able to witness during their trip.

Guests will be able to experience boating in eight-seater swamp cruisers. This activity is an excellent way to witness the creatures that thrive amongst the water such as water birds and other aquatic animals of Lake Rwanyakazinga.

The area of Akagerea is renowned as one of the best birding areas in the world and guests can view an array of wildlife. More than 500 species of birds have been recorded in this area.

The photo hub is an Olympus camera experience dependant on camera availability.

Wilderness Safaris created their own trust in 2003; this is an independent entity that fund-raises for money to be put into various conservation projects. This engages with projects which can be beyond the scope of the areas in which Wilderness Safaris operate, ensuring that “conservation is a driving force in reaching more people, wildlife and places.”

The Jao Concession and the University of Botswana have created a committee hoping to “encourage better engagement between local communities and the Jao Concession, specifically regarding curbing poaching and overfishing.” A total of 25 different projects are funded by the trust annually, the past 10 years has seen the trust finance more than 100 different projects throughout 8 different countries in Africa. Whilst Wilderness Safaris contributes to these projects logistically, the trust “is involved financially in the projects, supporting research, habitat management and community upliftment.”

Wilderness Safaris aim is that if the camps ever needed to be moved they could do so without leaving an imprint on the land. All Wilderness Safari camps are built in the most eco-friendly way possible. To reduce their carbon footprint and to help them become carbon neutral in their operations, they invest in new technologies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Wilderness Safaris has partnered with Pack for a Purpose – a non-profit organisation that provides travellers with up-to-date information about required supplies for community-based projects. All guests are welcome to contribute to the essential needs, for instance, items may range from stationary, relevant books and texts, children’s clothing and toys, or inflatable balls and pumps.

This is an educational programme created by Wilderness Safaris which aims to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders by teaching them life skills and environmental issues. This programme aims to “create a network of learning sanctuaries that uplifts and cares for our children and conserves the planet.” Great numbers of children are involved in these programmes – 2,500 children attend rural, school-based clubs per year; more than 300 children per year are granted a scholarship which pays for their education and Wilderness Safaris and their partner destination host annual camps, which more than 500 children attend.

Wilderness Safaris serves to protect and conserve the land in which they operate. The continent of Africa is unique, with over 1000 different mammal species, fauna and humans living side by side. With a commitment to ecotourism, they are helping to conserve biodiversity. Currently, Wilderness Safaris helps to protect over 2.5million hectares of African wilderness and in 2015 they were awarded a medal by the government of Botswana for Meritorious Service to the country. One of the ways they try to protect the environment is by making sure their camps have a light footprint. Trying to achieve “purposeful luxury” their camps are all built with environmentally-sensitive architecture. Understanding the fragility of the wilderness they operate in, they make sure they minimise any negative impact they might have on the environment and the camps are thoughtfully placed in locations where they don’t take away from the wilderness of the area.

Wilderness Safaris have a commitment to community engagement in the areas surrounding their camps. Through community employment, Wilderness Safaris currently have more than 100 staff members from local communities throughout their camps, and with the average staff member supporting 7 other people each, 700 further people benefit. Community partnerships can also help to protect and conserve the land. Wilderness Safaris Damaraland Camp is located in the Torra Conservancy, and through community work and ecotourism they protect around 350 hectares of land within the Torra Conservancy. As a result of this protected land the wildlife is prospering and “‘problem animals’ are now seen as a resource that can bring money into the community via ecotourism.”

Elephants serve as a keystone species that have a large effect on both the environment and ecosystem in which they live. There exists a disparity in elephant populations throughout Southern Africa, whereas some countries fear ever dwindling populations, others are faced with the contrasting issue of untamed, ever growing numbers of elephants that, in uncontrolled quantities, can cause detrimental effects to the environment. Through the hard work of Wilderness Safaris, ambassadors of elephant conservation, a total of seven elephants have been successfully reintroduced into the wild, providing valuable data to local researchers and conservationists. Several elephants have remained in the Abu concession, and cause much delight all round when their wanderings bring them close to camp.

A host of Wilderness Safaris lodges operate on entirely 100% sustainable solar energy. By utilising the abundance of sun inherent to the area, it is able to supply a consistent source of energy that is used to power the camps many facilities, negating the need for diesel powered generators that are detrimental to the surrounding wilderness and environment.

Wilderness Safaris works in partnership with Save the Rhino Trust and three separate Namibian conservancies to help conserve and protect the rare species of the desert-adapted black rhino. These rhinos play a vital role in shaping the landscape of Africa, by grazing lawns and vegetation they help protect plant biodiversity and keep the plains hospitable to other herbivore species. Without them, whole ecosystems would begin to die out. Wilderness Safaris Desert Rhino Camp works specifically in partnership with Save the Rhino Trust and acts as rhino monitoring post, as well as a camp, to help increase rhino security in an otherwise unmonitored area. Due to an increase in recruitment, Wilderness Safaris and their partners have “dramatically and sustainably increased the range of desert-adapted black rhino in the north-west.”

Wilderness Safaris has partnered with the Lion Recovery Fund along with other ecotourism operators to launch the Lionscape Coalition. Established in 2017 by the Wildlife Conservation Network, The Lion Recovery Fund works alongside the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in order to help re-establish lion populations. Due to habitat loss/fragmentation, poaching and human and wildlife conflict, lion populations have halved in numbers within the last 25 years. The Lionscape Coalition is an initiative that encourages ecotourism competitors to collaborate to show their dedication to conservation and restoring lion habitats.