Safari Trackers Botswana was recently established by Jaco Oosthuizen to take care of our newly founded ventures in one  of Africa’s most awesome safari destinations while we are also rekindling past relations on other concessions, in order to offer you a wider variety of species and opportunities.

We have all been very excited since the Botswana Government announced that tourist hunting will reopen, but of course a lot of effort had to be made to get to this point where we actually negotiated to obtain and develop our own concessions.

We will be focussing predominantly on hunting concessions in the central-western side of Botswana.

Once again, you are dealing with the owner-operators directly who will ensure as per usual that your interests will be taken care of in every aspect of your safari with the usual care, which you have grown accustomed to with Game Trackers Africa.

We’ll be looking forward to welcome you yet again to another exciting destination in one of Africa’s last, remaining free-range hunting destinations where we’ll proudly boast some of Africa’s finest elephant and leopard hunting, amongst some awesome opportunities for excellent plains game hunting in truly wild remote areas.

LOCATION:

NG 4

Botswana is a land locked country of some 220 000 sqm in the center of Southern Africa plateau with general altitude of around 3000 ft above sea level.  Gabarone is the capital of Botswana.

NG4 tourist hunting area situated, in the heart of the traditional Bushmanland, due East of Namibia – on the popular migration route to Namibia’s world renowned Bushmanland community based elephant hunting areas.

NG 4 – Xai-Xai is the most important village in the area, subsequently the hunting areas will be referred to as Xai-Xai, a San word meaning ” Popular place of Visitors”.

It also hosts the world famous Gcwihaba Caves which is also declared a World Heritage Site.

The Chief also resides in this village, due North of the hunting area and the community board is also based at Xai-Xai.

Xai-Xai, situated west from Maun and Southwest of the Okavango Delta, is easily accessible from Maun by road or charter flight if preferred (1.5-2 hours). It will be a 4.5 hour drive from Maun (382km).

The total size of the area comprises of 420,000 ha (4200 sqkm) with a perimeter of 471 km (294 miles).

Xai-Xai is bordered by Namibia in the west, NG 3 in the north, NG 9 in the east and Ghanzi ranches in the south, south of the Kuke Veterinary cutline. The nearest town for basic supplies is situated about 280 km/175 mi from Xai Xai.  Most supplies for your safari comes directly from Maun.

HABITAT & WILDLIFE:

Most of the country/terrain is very flat, coupled with very poor sandy soils and limited explorable minerals, with general marginal dry climate in the Western part of Botswana, the area does not lean itself very much to commercial farming, making tourist hunting the biggest generator of foreign revenue to the local communities.

The general vegetation is predominantly characterized by low tree and shrub savanna coupled with Kalahari woodland forests.  These consist mainly of Manketti tree forests in the north west, with sparsely spread Apple Leaf trees in between, Acacia trees are also very prominent, including the ever impressive Camel Thorn tree, Marula forests to the south in the slightly more hilly country on the Namibian border provides a safe haven for elephants later in the season.

Baobab trees completes the typical African Bushveld picture, complimented with other species such as Buffalo Thorn, and the ever important Silver Cluster leave which makes out a very important part of elephants diet, together with the Marula tree forests.

The Aha Hills are located on NG 4, as well as the Gcwiahaba valley which boast a fossil river with six independent hills.  There is rocky outcrops spread through out the entire concession, natural springs also occur which secure permanent water through out the year. Water sources are also complimented with boreholes. Natural Pans are also filled with rain water which typically lasts well into the hunting season after an average raining season.

The Southern and South Eastern parts of the area consists of a relative fair amount of savanna grasslands, and less hills, while more red soil type sand dunes in the North West which are sparsely grassed over.

The vegetation is perfectly orientated to provide the perfect habitat for the following species which you will be able to hunt (please note all species are quota restricted):

• Elephant
• Leopard
• Southern Greater Kudu
• Cape Eland
• Kalahari Gemsbuck
• Ostrich
• Duiker
• Steenbuck
• Warthog and Baboons

Other Species that can be arranged for hunting on nearby private land:

• Blue Wildebeest
• Zebra
• Impala
• Giraffe
• Red Hartebeest
• Waterbuck 
• Springbuck 

Elephants are generally huge in body, to the point that one has to be very careful in not underestimating the size of tusks, big tuskers are most likely to be encountered.  When Citizen licenses where issued recently several good bulls were taken which we were able to research; sizes varied between 48 – 78 lbs, in a short space of time, many other big bulls have been spotted at waterholes at night time during patrols.  We believe with enough effort and given the history of big tuskers taken in the Namibian Bushmanland, you will have enough reason to successfully  hunt your dream tusker in this area on what promises to be an extremely exciting and traditionally challenging hunt.

In general, since these areas have not been hunted in the last 10 years, one can certainly expect awesome specimens of all the species available.  However, traditionally these areas were also known for the monster tom leopards taken here, as well as kudu well into their 50’s/60’s. Gemsbuck of 40+ inches amongst huge bodied Cape Eland and other awesome species such as steenbuck and duiker – this promises to be a totally awesome and rewarding hunting experience.

TRAVEL:

Your arrival city will be Maun in the Northern part of Botswana. Generally the easiest way is to fly thru Johannesburg, but alternatively, arriving to Windhoek (Namibia) could be an option too.  Most likely airlines to use these routes would be SAA, KLM, Qatar, Emirates and Air Botswana.

Visas are currently not required for Citizens from the USA, Spain, Italy, UK, Australia and Mexico. Please contact us for more details.

MEDICATION:

• While Botswana is generally perceived to be one of the safest places in Africa to travel, however it has to be noted that the following vaccines are recommended, but not regarded as compulsory; Hepatitis A & B
• Yellow fever
• Typhoid 
• Cholera

Malaria is considered low risk in Xai-Xai and most of Botswana it is considered being more prevalent in the northern regions in the Delta.

RIFLE INFORMATION:

Maximum of 3 rifles per hunter and 50 rounds per caliber.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

Long terms plans are being developed with close collaboration with the local communities as we are establishing the need.  Kind contributions from clients in this regard would be greatly appreciated as we all work hard together to contribute towards the fight against human-wildlife conflict and protecting our hunting heritage for our children and grand children to enjoy.

ANTI-POACHING:

While the country of Botswana has a pretty clean record in terms of combatting poaching her wildlife, we are obliged to intensify this battle to not only secure sustainable hunting opportunities and management programs, but also further justify our proclaimed mission of hunter’s conservation efforts and conservation funding thru utilisation.  Pamphlets regarding voluntary contributions will also be distributed in camp for clients consideration.