Keeping Cool in the Bush

Pru Allison
December 09, 2024

The action heats up quickly on safari, and so do the temperatures. This is particularly true in Botswana where the summer months of October, November and December can see the mercury rising well into the forties, making staying cool a necessity. “But why travel during the Summer if it’s so stifling?” we hear you cry; the answer is simple, the game viewing is nothing short of spectacular.

As the temperatures soar, the water availability depletes and the animals find themselves forced to gather together around the remaining water sources. This presents guests with the opportunity to see great diversity of species in one place and it also provides predators with somewhat of a buffet. Expect action to ensue. It’s not only the wildlife watching that’s top notch during the summer months, so too are the sunsets which conjure some extraordinary opportunities for keen photographers.

Fortunately we’ve spent many a moon sweating in the bush, so when it came to establishing camps of our own we were determined that our guests should remain cool and serene during their stay with barely a bead of sweat in sight.

What better way to escape the heat than with a dip in the pool? We can’t think of any and that’s why all of our camps have swimming pools and those who are lucky enough to check in at North Island Okavango, Tawana, Tuludi, Jack’s Camp, Jack’s Private Camp or the family suite at Duke’s or Duke’s East will get their very own private plunge pool to take a paddle in.

We’ve also installed some rather marvellous over bed cooling systems that create your very own uber-comfortable microclimate at Jack’s Camp, Jack’s Private Camp and Duke’s East. Tawana, North Island Okavango, Tuludi, Sable Alley and Thamo Telele meanwhile all have air conditioning in place to zap the heat away. Those who like things a little more old school though will be pleased to hear that all our lodges have ceiling or floor fans in the rooms.

In case you’re still nervous about getting a bit hot under the collar, we spoke to some of our safari-seasoned team members to glean their top tips on dodging the summer heat in Botswana.

“Drink water, drink more water, put some ice in the water, drink it, eat the ice, then do it again. You can’t drink too much so drink some more,” deadpans our Head of Sales and Private Guide Peter Allison. “Take a kikoi, wet it, wring it out, lie under it – the evaporation gives a sensual chill. Drink more water. Bush pools are freezing, even in the greatest heat. Get in! Then nap outside so the breeze reaches you. Are you drinking water?”

Private Guide and Sales Rep Kyle MacIntyre takes the kikoi trick a step further, “wet the kikoi and your shirt in the sink before you go on game drive,” he advises. “You’ll be cool for the entire drive. I also recommend getting into the swimming pool before you get into the vehicle so your whole body’s cool.”

“You’ll need to keep wetting that kikoi or it’ll be dry in about two seconds,” grins our Communications Manager Jules Hadley. “Dress in light clothing, always use the fans and air con, stay hydrated with ice water (or cold beer) and always wear a hat.”

So there you have it, the tried and tested methods that’ll make you the coolest cat in the bush this summer.