Nicola Russell

After nearly 30 years of low flows, interspersed with occasional average flows and then the highs of 2008 and 2009, this wetland is receiving a record inflow in 2010 - a hugely important event for the biodiversity of the Okavango and northern Botswana in general.

The flood is an eagerly anticipated annual phenomenon. The level of each year's flood is primarily dependant on rainfall in the catchment areas in Angola as well as rainfall over the Delta itself and there is a distinct short and long term cycle to the inflows and flooding patterns of the Okavango and associated river systems.

It sometimes feels as though we are bombarded with choice when it comes to holidays at home and abroad. With a seemingly endless selection of vacations, all with pros and cons (and many with clever marketing strategies), it can be difficult to decide which is most suitable for our individual needs. In order to make the right selection it is important to decide what you would value the most in your trip - would it be relaxation, luxury, scenery, culture, activity or education?

This can be a difficult call, and unsurprisingly, most people want to fit as many positive experiences into their holidays as possible.

Children in the West have access to all manner of comforts, electronic gadgets and privileges that it would be easy to forget that in so many areas of the World the most basic rights and amenities are not present - regular meals, clean water, shelter, a childhood safe within a family. For children to step out of their comfort zone on a family safari would be an eye opening experience for them to see the "other" side.

Many people have different expectations from a safari to the African continent - some enjoy relaxing in five star accommodation with spas, world class dining and fine wines whilst others want to totally immerse themselves deep in the bush. Either experience will afford high quality game viewing but the latter most definitely provides a real sense of Africa "unplugged".

A family safari in Africa is a fabulous way to engage a young child's mind, teach older children about nature and that the world is their oyster, and to spend quality time with teenagers before they fly the nest.

A client's first questions are what areas are Malaria free? Will a safari be suitable for my family? When is the best time to take a family safari given that we are restricted to school holidays? All of these questions can be easily answered with a quick telephone conversation with one of our directors who have young children themselves and who have been on safaris many times.

Safari holidays in Africa can take many guises. A luxury safari might see you off on a Botswana safari to a high class Okavango safari camp, a walking safari might take you to Zambia to a rustic yet very comfortable camp in the South Luangwa, or for a more traditional style luxury safari holiday you might choose Kenya perhaps similar to the outline below.

A luxury safari evokes many different images for different - superbly comfortable accommodation; five star service and world class cuisine; private vehicles and safari guides; exclusive game viewing. Many locations in Africa are ideally equipped to deliver a luxury safari in the most remote and far flung hideaways and Botswana is no exception.
Most of the safari camps in Botswana are typically situated on very large private concessions and there are strict policies in place to ensure a minimalistic impact in the environment by limiting the number of visitors allowed at any one time.

A safari holiday in South Africa is one of the most traditional safari destinations. With the Kruger Reserves and Cape Town to explore this type of safari holiday has plenty to offer. Luxury safaris of this nature are suited to first time safaris and family safaris and they are best crafted by a specialist operator who will listen to your ideas and apply their knowledge.

For safari traveller's looking for a different type of luxury safari holiday in Africa, other than the usual game viewing destinations, they might choose Malawi for a safari vacation. The northern lakeshore up to the escarpment at the most northern point of the lake offers a more cultural safari vacation with a varied array of accommodation and scenery.

This article outlines what you would expect from a luxury safari in Africa. Botswana safaris combine well with South Africa and are also perfect for family safaris with children of teenage years. African holidays come in all shapes and sizes and there for it is best to talk to a specialist operator before finalising your plans.

Days 1 to 3 - Nxabega Tented Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

On arrival into Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport connect with the scheduled Air Botswana to Maun in order to commence your luxury safari.