Back when Tawana was a twinkle in our eyes and a vast tract of land, there were excited whispers among those in the know about how epic the game viewing here would be. Indeed, those who went up for the build inundated us with photos, rarely of the progress, mostly of the incredible sightings they were already getting. This isn’t just another great game area, Tawana’s wildlife is becoming legendary.
You don’t go out and search for the wildlife here, it’s all around you, immersing you in this wondrous ecosystem and the creatures that inhabit it. Animals move through camp, along the river and its banks, across the floodplains. There’s an ease to it; you simply find yourself in the middle of it.
But why is this such a productive area? In large part, because of the Gomoti River. “Tawana sits on a peninsula into the Gomoti River,” notes private guide Peter Allison. “Waterways hit the peninsula and deposit abundant nutrients, which draw the wildlife.”
Indeed, the river flows right in front of camp, and being one of the more consistent, fast-moving water sources in this part of the Delta, it pulls in species such as elephant, hippo and predators – not occasionally, but reliably.
Tawana is positioned within the Moremi Game Reserve, it’s surrounded by renowned areas, including the neighbouring Chitabe and Sandibe concession (NG31) and Qorokwe (NG32) to its west – all part of the same ecosystem, with wildlife moving freely between them.
From Tawana you’ll see the animals on your wishlist – lion, leopard, African wild dog, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and even cheetah, which are rare in much of the Delta but show up here with some regularity. But it’s the unexpected sightings that’ll really forge a place in your heart and memory. Civets around camp as you sit down for dinner. Pangolin on a dark night. Aardwolf trotting across the landscape in broad daylight. These are the sort of sightings that go far beyond any checklist.
That wildlife-watching build team we mentioned earlier? Well they did a great job. Tawana is well thought through. From each room, you look out over the Gomoti River and floodplains. The suites are comfortable, with shaded decks and plunge pools that make it easy to slow down. The main area is just as relaxed, with elevated decks and quiet places to sit and see what strides before you.
Don’t take our word for it though, Tawana is the talk of safari towns across the continent. “In over 30 years of guiding, firsts are rare,” explains Peter. “Tawana gave me three in just a few days – two of them in camp. You can talk about good game viewing anywhere, but Tawana is different. It delivers consistently. I can put my hand on my heart and say – it absolutely pumps.”
You won’t need to invest a lot of effort here. Even on a short drive close to camp, it’s possible to encounter all of it. There’s no need to push far or force the experience. It comes to you. And that’s what defines Tawana. It’s not about where it sits on a map. It’s about what happens there. And what happens there, consistently, is exceptional.
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