The hot air ballooning safari season has kicked off at Vumbura Plains and Little Vumbura camps in Botswana's Okavango Delta. From April 1 until October 14, 2018, guests who visit these areas will be able to experience Wilderness Safaris' hot air balloon safari, which offers a bird's-eye view of the 148,263-acre Vumbura Concession.
A maximum of eight guests can enjoy a hot air balloon safari at any one time, ensuring a personalized journey. After approximately 45 minutes in the air, guests will be met with a celebratory glass of champagne upon landing, before returning to camp for brunch. Guests can make the excursion a full “air safari” by taking a scenic helicopter flight to or from the balloon launch site (or both). This offers more of an opportunity to explore the Delta in search of wetland species.
The balloon safari and helicopter flights add to the list of activities on offer at Vumbura, including mekoro (dug-out canoes), boating, game drives and nature walks led by Wilderness Safaris guides. The Vumbura Concession comprises a varied mix of mopane, acacia woodland, floodplains and permanent swamp. Key mammal species include herds of elephant and buffalo, sable, zebra and wildebeest. Cheetah, spotted hyaena, lion, leopard and wild dog can also be seen.
Vumbura Plains is composed of 14 rooms, while Little Vumbura is a six-tented camp; both are bases from which to explore this wilderness area. The camps are also committed to Wilderness Safaris' "4Cs:" Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation.
The Vumbura Concession is leased from five villages, through the Okavango Community Trust in a partnership that ensures that the benefits of ecotourism are shared with its neighboring rural stakeholders—this forms part of Vumbura's Purpose, which is ultimately tied in to Wilderness Safaris' vision: “To conserve and restore Africa's wilderness and wildlife by creating life-changing journeys and inspiring positive action.”
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