Experience the Wilderness of Africa on the Okavango Delta, Botswana

If you're dreaming of spotting the local wildlife up close, but aren't totally sold on the idea of joining the tourist herds, Botswana is the place for you. Here, the government keeps strict tabs on the tourist numbers, so you won't be met with long lines of safari jeeps at the waterhole.

There might be fewer tourists, but there are probably more wild animals to see than in other parts of Africa – in fact, Botswana has the greatest elephant population in Africa.

The Okavango Delta in the northern part of Botswana is probably one of the most fascinating and wildest places on Earth.

Emptying out onto the savanna, this enormous abundance of water enables unique fauna and flora to develop, all connected by small waterways that wind around remote islands bursting with wildlife – making a boat safari an ideal way to see this lush terrain up close.

Perched on the edge of a waterway, in the heart of the Okavango Delta, the &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is an extraordinary hideaway. Situated on a diverse, wildlife-rich, private Big Five concession, it has exclusive traversing rights over a vast 55,600 acres of land.

The lodge offers game drives so guests can see the local wildlife in their natural habitat. With a bit of luck and a good eye, you might also spot the animal that this extraordinary lodge is modeled after – the elegantly curved pavilion with overlapping roof tiles is reminiscent of the armored body of a pangolin.

Compared to other, traditional lodges, this resort is especially inventive as its style almost seems to merge with the surrounding nature. The building seamlessly fuses with the canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees, and all 12 of Sandibe's suites, each with a fire pit and pool, float on wooden platforms like the nests of the local weaver birds.

Talk to one of our travel curators now to start planning your incredible wildlife adventure.

Copyright images: &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge