Dinosaurs on Safari

Dear Advisor Partners,

I once read a great article in National Geographic Traveler magazine about Botswana being the last frontier, written by Costas Christ, whom many of you may know. I thought the article accurately explained what Botswana was evolving into at the time, and while that narrative usually morphs with each year, the essence remains. I gravitated towards this article, first because I have the privilege of calling Costas a close friend, and second, because I thought he was right back then, and his conclusions remain correct today.

The phrase ‘the last frontier’ has many connotations and interpretations from unchartered to unknown, and so much more. It is this idea that makes Botswana so special. One such example is Mashatu Reserve in the northern Tuli Block, far from the cluster of safari camps surrounding the northern sectors of Botswana. You see, when you go on safari, the usual curriculum centers around game drives, culture, and landscape. Here, with archaeological findings such as dinosaur footprints dating back over 50 million years ago, or evidence of the Mapungubwe Dynasty from the 1200AD period in rock art and stone tools, it means so much more. All this and I haven’t even gotten to the wildlife part of the experience which can be seen by horseback, mountain bike, or even in photography hides. Some of the clips in this week’s video are from the Euphorbia Villas, where we just had guests a few days ago.

Another example is in the spillways of the northern sector, west of Chobe or the private reserve that makes up the marshland between the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti, where endangered lions roam near the water, exhibiting very different behaviors compared to those in East Africa, as proof that Darwin’s theory of evolution does in fact work. Speaking of lions, did you know while there is one main species of lion, Panthera Leo, there are actually several subspecies (2 that are officially recognized) that make up the world’s lion population? It’s a fun fact I love dropping at cocktail parties over the years, so if you hear me say it, pretend to be entertained, please?  Botswana is about close encounters, from meerkats in the flats, hippo near your mokoro, the elephant just a few meters away on your walking safari, to that leopard that just walked in front of your vehicle. You have to work a little to see the wildlife here, and when you do, oh boy are you close.

The last frontier awaits, maybe it’s time to chart your uncharted. Enjoy this week’s video.