Read 5 traveller reviews of Footsteps

If you're keen to do some walking in Botswana, then Footsteps Walking Trails should be at the top of your wish list! The guides here are very experienced, and with them you'll usually head off for a walk in both the morning and another in the afternoon. Each lasts for three to four hours. These are not route marches, but opportunities to explore the environment and wildlife with an expert guide.

Footsteps is a very simple and rustic camp, currently located on the edge of a beautiful hippo-filled lagoon (the camp is fully portable and tends to be moved to a new location every couple of years). The tents are set-up in the shade of a lovely forested area and the camp takes a maximum of six visitors at once, who sleep on proper twin beds inside insect proof tents with sewn-in floors. Each tent has a private bucket shower and long-drop toilet, and wash-stand outside the front. Again, these are simple and functional rather than in any way stylish.

Footsteps has a full bar and laundry service, and a dedicated chef, who prepares excellent fresh meals to a high standard.

A few nights' stay here will give you an authentic taste of the bush – the area is notable for the diversity of wildlife present, although walks tend to focus on learning about the small things, rather than getting too close to the big things! Both wild dog and lion are often seen in the area and also a variety of plains game including kudu, tsessebe, zebra, giraffe and impala. If you wish, you can also go on game drives, and mokoro, depending on water levels.

Note that family groups, with children as young as seven years old, can hire the whole Footsteps camp, including the services of one of our favourite guides, Paul, who specializes in guiding children. (You'll sometimes see this reffered to as Footsteps' “Young Explorers Club”.) Activities will then be much more varied - from making bows and arrows to cooking on a fire.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 3 safari tents

Season: 1 April to 30 November

Ideal length of stay: 2 or 3 nights – and it's often combined with a few nights at its sister-camp, Shinde, in the same area.

Central facilities: The main area is a simple open-sided canvas tent which has a nice view over the lagoon. There is a dining table where meals are eaten, and there is a small well-stocked bar in the corner with a large cool box containing lots of ice! There is also a mini-library. To the front of the main tent is an area where a fire burns each evening, and where everyone sits round to discuss the day's sightings and events. There is even a small viewing mound with a couple of comfortable chairs, also overlooking the lagoon.

Geographics

Location: Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana

Directions: This camp uses the Shinde airstrip which is about a 25 minute flight from Maun. The camp is about a 40 minute game drive away (although the journey can take up to an hour and a half when water levels are high).

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The chef cooks good, fresh food – aptly justifying the label 'wholesome'. All the hot food is cooked in a ground oven, which makes the good standards here all the more remarkable

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Included, save for champagne and premium brands.

Special interests

Family holidays: Footsteps offers a programme designed for families which ensures that even the youngest guests are not bored. The guides teach children to identify animals and their tracks, to learn bush skills like cooking on a fire, to make bows and arrows, and fishing. The emphasis is on learning to understand and respect the natural environment. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for Family holidays

Walking: Footsteps is primarily a walking camp, which employs excellent experienced walking guides. Walks tend to focus on the small things and you will learn about the plant-life, how to read the tracks and signs left by animals, and all about the Delta's fascinating ecosystem. Wherever possible you will keep a respectful distance from the big game! - See more of our suggestions of the best places for Walking

Wildlife: The dominant predators in this area are lion and hyena (although you will generally be trying too avoid these while on foot!), and there are good numbers of game, including impala, lechwe, tsessebe and giraffe. Lone bull elephants are also found most of the year, whilst breeding herds migrate here towards the end of the dry season. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife

Children

Attitude towards children: The camp runs a special programme called “Young Explorers”. See the link on the right hand side of the page for further details.

Age restrictions: The camp will accept children who are 7 years of age and older, but special considerations may be made on application.

Activities: See “Special Interests”.

Generally recommended for children: Recommended for children who are 7 years of age and older.

Notes: Children love Paul – who is a great guide here, and who usually runs the 'Young Explorers' trips! He's a real hit!

Central communications

Communications: For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact. Communication with main camp is via radio.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: Footsteps can arrange medical evacuation in an emergency. The camp's staff includes a first-aid trained member, and a full medical kit is kept on site.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Guests are escorted after dark. All walks are carried out with an armed guide.

Fire safety: There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen area.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: Included.

Money: No money or travellers' cheque exchange facilities are offered. There are no safes in the rooms.

Accepted payment: There is no curio shop and everything is pre-paid so there is no need for any payment on location.

^ Top of page