ECO-Safaris

The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world and one of last true wilderness areas on earth. To help preserve the pristine beauty of this place, we are providing environmental monitoring each season to the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks. By joining our Eco-Safari, you will have the opportunity to work alongside our highly knowledgeable qualified guides, and ecologists who are top specialists in their fields. Evening presentations, collation of day's information and talks will help to deepen your understanding and knowledge of the Delta. You will be helping to contribute to the long term conservation of the life giving waters, animal habitats, expansive floodplains, Mopane forests and seasonal grasslands of the most magnificent animal sanctuary in Africa.

Participating in the 5 day ecological monitoring experience would add an exciting and educational extension to your horseback safari. The Eco-Safaris are aimed at people who wish to actively participate in the conservation of the Okavango Delta and learn more about the flora and fauna that together form this totally unique eco-system. A large component of these safaris will be conducted from horseback. We use this environmentally friendly way to move through the Delta only leaving hoof prints in areas that are not accessible by or too sensitive for vehicles. Depending on the season, we will also utilise vehicles, motor boats, mokoro's (traditional dug out canoes - we now use fibreglass for environmental reasons), and on foot along with armed guards. Both riding and non-riding guests would be welcome to join these safaris. Over time this study will contribute to understanding the seasonal and long term changes to our concession and the Delta as a whole. The Eco-Safaris are planned to coincide with seasonal and flood changes as the vegetation and movements of the animals change dramatically over these periods.

December - March

During green season, the flood should have ebbed to low levels, allowing us access to areas that were previously unreachable. Depending on the conditions and water levels, we would be doing our observations on foot, by vehicles or horses. It is unlikely we would be using boats at this time of the year. Excellent wild flowers, lush green foliage and dramatic afternoon thunderstorms offer fantastic photo opportunities. Birdlife is prolific and it is peak breeding season for many colourful migrant bird species. In March, the fruits of the Marula attract the bull elephants in search of their favourite meal and rutting season begins for the impalas.

April - July

Floodwaters from Angola, slowly make their way down to the Delta, reaching their peak around July. The floods bring with them hippos, crocodiles, and buffalo congregate in large herds along the river areas. Breeding herds of elephant increase in density as they visit permanent water, and the highly endangered Wild Dogs, start searching for den sites. We enter into a very different study period. We will use this time to look more carefully at the aquatic side of the systems. Most of the work will be done out on our rides. We will also be able to venture out on boats, mokoros, and on foot, keeping vehicle use to a minimum.

August - November

As we move in to the warm dry season, the flood recedes, the vegetation dies back and game numbers increase. This is the ideal time to do game counts as visibility is excellent and animals congregate around the quickly evaporating waters.

Calving season begins in November and this is an important part of our herbivore monitoring. This is a very interesting time to observe herbivore - predator interaction. As the herbivores synchronise the birth of their young, the predators move into a time of plenty.

The Carmine Bee Eaters return for summer, along with the first migrant birds and the storks begin nesting.

Monitoring

Ecological monitoring can be described as an environmental audit. We live in an ever changing world even without the threat of global warming. Long term monitoring provides baseline data to evaluate changes, develop strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies.

Our monitoring focus on three main components: vegetation (fixed point photos), herbivores (transect counts) and carnivores (track counts). Our aim is to contribute monitoring data to collate with other environmental organisations in Botswana.

Vegetation

The vegetation changes in response to the seasons, local rainfall, varying flood levels and herbivore density. We use fixed point photographs in a variety of habitats to capture a visual record of vegetation change over the short, medium and long term.

Herbivores

Transect counts along specific routes using horses, boats and vehicles provide data to calculate animal densities and determine population age structures. Local herbivore densities and species composition can vary considerably in response to local vegetation conditions.

Carnivores

This is where traditional tracking skills meet technology. The large carnivores leave evidence in the form of tracks that tell us the species and sex of the animal. From the number of tracks we can estimate large carnivore densities, even for elusive species like leopard.

Data Analysis

Herbivores may move into or out of areas in response to local conditions. Local conditions may also impact on the herbivore breeding success. Over time we can determine local trends of the herbivores. The visual records of the vegetation provide some background to understand the herbivore population trends.

The track counts provide data to estimate carnivore population densities in different habitats and assess population trends over time.

The data will be summarised in a survey report and compiled in an annual report. These reports are submitted to the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks and will also be available to our camp guests.

The Ecologists

Christiaan and Hanlie Winterbach have been involved with lion research and ecological monitoring in Botswana since 1995. They are founder members of the African Lion Working Group (affiliate of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group and the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission), and have been members of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group since 2002. This husband/wife team of ecologists have been key collaborators to develop the Botswana Predator Management Strategy.

Evening Presentations

1. Introduction
2. Herbivores of the region
3. Carnivores
4. Swamp Cats
5. Summary

The duration for Eco-Safaris is 5 days and depending on the number of participants the groups might be split to maximise data collection. There will also be opportunities for regular rides and activities during these safaris.

Eco Safari Dates for 2011

11 Jun to 16 Jun 2011
8 Aug to 13 Aug 2011 - fully booked
10 Oct to 15 Oct 2011

The above dates are blocked for Eco Safaris only but are based on a minimum group size is 4 participants. The cost of joining an Eco Safari would be GBP 250.00 per person in addition to normal safari rates. This is a conservation supplement and will go towards the research and monitoring project.

Other dates would be available on request. Please contact our reservations office.