“Big 5 Safari” with Visa only, trip to Angola and a walk in the mist

Pristine Wilderness: Botswana has successfully mastered the “hands-off policy” in conservation. Botswana’s wilderness is incomparable and unique in Africa! This is largely due to the “high cost – low impact” tourism that minimizes or even eliminates the unsightly side effects of tourism. A visit to Botswana’s national parks is akin to a good investment, as visitors can experience an incredible wildlife undisturbed and “real,” with the desired distance from the typical African tourism hustle.

Our clients are in search of the “real experience,” and we know this, which is why we keep our eyes and ears open to where the true Africa can still be experienced.

Although the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers is perhaps the most famous spot for viewing a wide variety of animals, these sightings are often shared with other visitors. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the observations at the confluence are indeed breathtakingly diverse, it might not be the ideal experience for everyone.

A fantastic wildlife experience with game drives and a stay within the wilderness of Chobe National Park should be pursued in the northwestern part of Chobe. Here, it is possible to venture into wildlife-rich areas very early, away from the usual hustle around Kasane. Lions, leopards, elephants, and numerous other mammals are regularly seen here, but it is often overlooked that reptile and bird photography is also absolutely top-notch in this fear-free atmosphere! It might sound strange, but a fear-free environment plays a significant role…

For us at Leaflove Safari, as nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts ourselves, a few conditions are extremely important, no matter the cost! We expect a protected, “fear-free” atmosphere for the wildlife. This is beneficial for our well-being, optimal for wildlife observations, and yes, it is the only way to get good wildlife photos. The leopard should be able to eat its prey leisurely, even under observation, rather than feeling the need to hide it from us.

The local population should be supported. The local guide should know what he’s talking about and be able to share his area with knowledge and enthusiasm. We want to learn something! We like to stay in lodges that, even if a bit more expensive, create a good number of future-oriented jobs, resulting in friendly staff. The accommodation should be at least good. Anyone who doesn’t sleep well, can’t wash properly, and doesn’t have a quiet, welcoming retreat—in other words, a good room—won’t be able to fully enjoy their safari. Good food is also essential!

Two fundamental requests have come to us in recent months: Despite many impressive wildlife moments, some guests wanted to enrich their stay with the desert-dwelling elephants and big cats in the fantastic landscapes of the northwest. There was a desire to spend more time in Botswana, to enjoy the protected areas of Chobe, Savuti, and Moremi—meaning the Okavango Delta—for at least a few days.

It took a while to finally find “the right one!” But I think we’re on the right track now and can offer our customers a wonderful time at a realistic price.

The Wildlife Big 5 tour, available as a guided individual trip and also as a self-drive tour, has now been perfected with add-ons based on suggestions from recent trips. Anyone interested can now enhance this already fantastic wildlife tour with wonderful wilderness loops.

Since the small group tour Wildlife B5 – Slow & Natural for 2025 is already sold out, I have organized another tour of this kind for May & June 2025 upon request. Please let me know early if you are interested, as this is a very popular travel time and we want to remain fair with reservations.

In July 2025, there will also be another Join-us small group tour Diverse Namibia to the highlights of Namibia. Take a look, it is a really excellent tour and, as always, well guided.

Visa Now Required for Namibia Enthusiasts!

Africans often feel they are treated unfairly. While this can be understood from a historical perspective, it can also be addressed realistically… it’s a matter of perspective. The fact is, Europeans find it easy to travel the world, but the world doesn’t always find it as easy to reach Europe and other Western countries like the USA.

For Namibian citizens, obtaining a visa for Schengen States or the USA is not just a significant hurdle; it feels like an intrusion into their personal space. It’s no surprise that they might feel envious of “the West”…

Namibia believes it is not being treated on equal terms and no longer wants to remain in a position of submission.

Starting April 1, 2025, all Schengen States will require a visa for Namibia. This can be obtained at the border for N$ 1600 per person, which is approximately € 85 today.

We’re still hoping for an online system… what doesn’t exist yet, could still happen!

When asked for my opinion on this, I can only say: “I understand, but it’s still frustrating. What gives?”

Swakopmund City Tour and Coffee Chat on Nature

Nikola Fahrbach quickly gets to the point and introduces shifts in everyday thinking. Recently, our esteemed guests have been enjoying what are arguably the best city tours in Swakopmund. While it’s common to expect explanations of the old buildings, given Swakopmund’s rich colonial architecture, flipping through the travel guide can be quite tedious.

What’s unexpected is encountering pure passion for topics related to people, history, and natural themes. It’s easy to find yourself thinking, “I need to look that up again,” or realizing that you’ve misunderstood things entirely.

With several roasteries in Swakopmund, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a quick espresso under the palms. When it comes to green hydrogen in Namibia, Nikola immediately mentions numerous super-endemic plants that might be disregarded during the construction of the massive wind turbines, as they grow everywhere… albeit small, succulent, and inconspicuous. Since such a large-scale project has never been built before, Namibia is to be used as a “guinea pig,” as it is said to benefit the country’s prosperity. If the project fails, it would be a great loss to the extremely sensitive biodiversity in the area.