Kwando Safaris

Kwando Safaris is a Botswana-based safari operator owned by John Mynhardt. The company runs 12 camps in remote concessions across Botswana, allowing guests to book a comprehensive safari circuit, including the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats region. The company strives for minimal environmental impact, utilising solar power and energy-saving technologies. The majority of the staff are citizens of Botswana, and the company is committed to recruiting from local communities whenever possible. Kwando supports various grassroots initiatives and charitable trusts, including the Lady Khama Charitable Trust and Mummy’s Angels, which works to empower mothers of newborn babies.

The Kwando ethos is rooted in traditional safari, where remote wild settings and warm hospitality take precedence. The camps are extremely comfortable, delivering the full Botswana experience yet without quite reaching the luxury heights of Singita or Wilderness. That said, Kwando pricing is moderate by comparison, making the properties a more affordable high-end option. Kwando camps encourage a ‘digital detox’, so be prepared to disconnect and switch off your devices! There’s an exceptionally high level of guiding, and game drives are accompanied by both a professional wildlife guide and a tracker. There’s also a fully flexible approach to safari, so guests are never restricted by rigid schedules and mealtimes. Kwando is an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts, as it has a long history of guiding professional photographers and film-makers. As a truly homegrown business, Kwando really is all about Botswana. The head office is in Maun and staff are hired locally. The company is also a member of the Pack for a Purpose initiative and can advise guests on any useful items to bring as aid donations for the Mummy’s Angels project.

Lebala means ‘wide open spaces’. One of the best big game camps in Africa, it’s authentic rather than stylised, with classic safari experiences as its priority. It has a strong reputation for excellent guiding.

Located in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Splash Camp is situated around a pan that attracts a diverse range of wildlife. With high standards of guiding, this is a very good option for the Okavango's private reserves.

A relaxed camp overlooking a permanent lagoon, Kwara Camp offers a superb wildlife experience, including frequent predator sightings on day and night game drives. The camp is best suited to adult guests as the minimum age is 18 years.