Grant Truthe, with his vast knowledge of Botswana, leads private mobile camping safaris to the wildlife reserves of Moremi, Khwai, Savuti and Chobe. When visiting each area. You will be based in one camp set up on a private camp site from where you will go out each day and explore by 4WD vehicle. Boat, mokoro (dug-out canoe) or walking safaris may be possible in some areas – speak to us about these options. Grant was born and bred in Botswana, speaks the local language fluently and has been guiding for over 20 years.
Having two young children of his own, Grant's a particularly good guide for families, and there is no age limit for his mobile safaris. These safaris are private - once booked, your trip is guaranteed to be exclusive; we will not ask you to mix with other travellers. Because each mobile camp is all yours, and Grant is your personal guide, activities and timings can be planned exactly to suit your group.
A mobile camping safari is a great way to experience Botswana's wildlife areas – it is a bit of an adventure and allows you to get close to nature (whilst still enjoying quite a good level of comfort). We highly recommend at least a three-night safari with Grant as part of longer trip to Botswana; and this can easily be combined with stays at lodges either before or after your mobile safari time here.
At the heart of each mobile camp is a cosy dining tent which has one open side - it is set up to provide shade and sheltered dining in the unlikely event of rain. In front of this you will find the camp fire, where directors' chairs are set out. This is the place where you will meet for breakfast and for drinks in the evening. There is a cool box in this area which contains a selection of drinks for you to help yourself to.
Away from the main area, nearer the tents, are a couple of long drop loos and separate bucket showers which are shared by the group/family travelling together. Hot water can be requested for showers at any time.
Three to five camp assistants (depending on the size of your group) take on all the camp chores. Meanwhile the camp chef prepares excellent fresh three course meals over the fire, which you'll enjoy at a candlelit table set with linen, crockery and glasses – the meals we ate on our last mobile safari with Grant were as good as those found at many top lodges. All this affords you the undivided attention of the guide as you explore each area.
In conclusion … We like these safaris! – A trip with Grant offers first-class guiding coupled with a pretty comfortable camping experience – no sleeping on the floor here! Some would argue that this is how a safari in Africa should really be experienced. The game viewing can be very good, but you will also learn about the smaller things too – the eco-system, fish, birds etc. Come here to relax, see animals and find out more about this Botswana's best wildlife areas.
Food quality: The food on a mobile safari with Grant is very good and all the more so when you consider that it is all cooked over an open fire.
As an example, when we were last on safari in September 2010, dinner on the first night we had a tasty salad, followed by a flavoursome Portuguese chicken stew accompanied by rice, green beans, carrots, cauliflower cheese, finished off with a lovely cinnamon apple crumble. On our second night we had a delicious sweetcorn soup with freshly baked bread, then a perfectly cooked beef fillet with sautéed vegetables, fresh salad and potatoes, then a chocolate cake. On our final night we started with bream that we had caught on the afternoons fishing outing, then beef stew with miele pap, chakalaka (both African specialities) and a selection of vegetables. Pudding was fruit trifle. Good quality red and white South African wine is also served with dinner each evening. (Let us know of any specific wine choices you have and Grant will try and get these for you!).
For our early breakfasts around the camp fire, before our mornings activity, a selection of cereal, porridge, yoghurt, fruit, toast and spreads were laid out for us to help ourselves to, along with coffee and tea.
On returning late morning from our activities, a hearty brunch was always served. Along with choice of fresh salads, coleslaw and some newly baked bread, over our two lunches we were offered spaghetti Bolognese, bacon, sausage and cheese omelette and macaroni cheese, we also had a refreshing fruit salad to finish.
All delicious! You certainly won't go hungry here!
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Outdoor Dining
Room service: No - this is the bush!
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Drinks are included with the safari. However, due to limited cold storage, your drink preferences will be requested and noted before you depart.
Children
Attitude towards children: Grant whole-heartedly welcomes families, and there is no age limit for his mobiles.
Age restrictions: There is no age restriction as such, but parents must be aware that there are dangerous animals in the area, and proper supervision of any children remains their responsibility.
Activities: Grant can usually arrange car seats and cots for young children, and also baby-sitting for an hour or two in the evening to allow parents some time to relax around the camp fire. These services must be requested in advance.
Generally recommended for children: Yes, certainly, although please note that children remain the responsibility of their parents, and must be closely supervised. Most of the camps in Botswana are unfenced and dangerous game can wander through at any time.
Central communications
Communications: No mobile reception, no phone, no email! Consider yourself out of contact.
TV & radio: Certainly not!
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Grant is first aid trained and there is a comprehensive medical kit kept in camp and on the game vehicle. In the event of a medical emergency you will be transferred back to the nearest doctor in Maun.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A limited laundry service is included.
Savute safari - a privilege to experience
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This was pretty close to the classic African safari experience. The basic style of the camp would probably have been recognisable to anyone going on a safari 60 or 70 years ago. Although I was very p...
Santantadibe Mobile Camp review
Santandadibe—this is where we part company. On the bright side, Grant and his mother Daphne were just plain enjoyable to be with and the food was “the best” of the four camps, which I found amazing c...
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Private Mobile Camp. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Private mobile camping homepage Click through to our 'Wild about Africa' section on mobile camping safaris for fulll examples of safari which run with Grant.
