Exploring Botswana's best for World Wildlife Day

Having worked with Wilderness for 19 years, Chitabe guide Odumetse Modikwa, says there is never a dull moment doing what he loves. 'A safari is an adventure like no other and every safari is unique to its location. Nature is fascinating in that there is so much to watch and learn. There is a lot to discover when one appreciates everything from birds, and large and small animals, to plants and insects.'

He says that many guests come to Chitabe expecting predator-prey encounters and this wildlife-rich section of the Okavango Delta does not disappoint. When reflecting on some of his most memorable sightings he recounts a moment when an old lioness had an encounter with a honey badger. 'I did not expect the encounter to last long. The lioness tried to kill the badger, only to realise that the badger was more powerful than her. The whole fight went on for at least 45 minutes, with the badger winning the fight and the lioness going away with lots of wounds inflicted by the badger. This was a special sighting for me and my guests since it was something I myself have never experienced.'

In fact, if Odumetse could choose to be any animal for a day, it’s the honey badger. 'For its size, the honey badger is always underestimated by large predators. It is a brave, strong and fearless animal.'

Indeed, here at Wilderness Chitabe, in the heart of the Okavango Delta, guests can bear daily witness to fearless creatures engaged in mesmerising predator-prey dynamics. It’s all about the delicate balance of life in the wild and experiencing nature's untamed beauty at its best. 

After more than 14 years of guiding for Wilderness, Yompy Diye Kennetseng became General Manager at Mokete in June 2024, and still guides whenever he can. ‘Guiding here is fascinating, as there is such a variety of ecosystems – from wetlands and open grasslands, to mixed woodland, Mopane bushveld and acacia savanna. This brings with it an incredible biodiversity of aquatic and arid species – avian, reptilian and mammalian. And then there’s the sheer quantity: mega herds of elephants and buffalo, antelope species like tsessebe that you won’t see anywhere else, zebras, and even small species like warthogs come in impressive numbers.’

For Yompy, the buffalo-lion interactions stand out in the drier months. ‘Multiple kills in one setting! That’s out of this world.’

At Mokete, guests should expect the unexpected, says Yompy. ‘They need to let Mother Nature blow them away. And they should take the time to visit the village and interact with the local people, or chat to our staff - most of whom come from the community that owns the land we operate on.’

Tapologo Gaothobogwe, a Wilderness Botswana guide for 10 years, who has spent a significant amount of time training at King’s Pool, says that interactions with elephants will also be some of his favourite safari encounters. He loves studying elephant behaviour and appreciates how Wilderness plays a part in ensuring that the ancient migratory paths for these animals continue to remain open. 'I am a true believer in free movement of every animal and letting nature take its course,'  he says.

For Taps, as he’s fondly known to staff and guests, working at Wilderness is an opportunity to nurture and grow his passion for conservation, while creating opportunities for everyone to experience these iconic wild places. 'I believe every day is a learning opportunity in the wild, and nothing gives me greater joy than to discover nature through my guests’ eyes,' he says.

At the end of the day, no one sums it up better than Ebineng Rabosigo, another guide at Wilderness Chitabe: