Hey First name / friend!

 

Right now I am sitting in the Maun airport in Botswana, after visiting 9 safari camps in 8 days.  Botswana is a high quality, low density destination, so the lodges and camps are all incredibly special.  The game viewing has been like nothing I have ever seen.. every drive was an adventure.  If you follow me on social media you have hopefully seen all the photos. 

 

That said, December is NOT when you visit Botswana, I knew it was going to be hot, but 10o + for over a week has been tough to take.       

 

My favorite thing to do when I am on my way home from a trip is to plan the next one.   In case you're thinking "It's too early to think about it!”, let me just say—I agree as a fellow human, but as your trusty travel guru, it's never too early to start planning. 

 

Don't wait until spring chaos rolls around to figure out where you’re going. Start dreaming about the late summer trip you deserve.  Scroll on to see two unforgettable ideas for September 2025—and of course, Botswana makes the list. 

 

 

Spend a week on a yacht to explore medieval towns, turquoise waters, and sun-drenched islands along Croatia’s stunning coastline. Late Summer in Croatia means warm waters, lively but not overwhelmed  coastal towns, and peak conditions for island-hopping.  The heavy crowds of June, July and August have returned home. 

 

⛵️ Why stay on land when you can see Croatia from the water?  a week to explore the country's hidden coves and picturesque islands like Hvar and Vis.

 

🍷 Pair our sailing with local food and wine experiences. Indulge in oyster  tastings in Ston, and sip Plavac Mali wine at the waterfront vineyards.

 

🏰 Step back in time with a walking tour. Wander through Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town and Split’s Diocletian’s Palace.

 

I have a small group yacht trip organized for September. Sound intriguing? Shoot me an email or reply here and I will send you the details. 

Ok, so I am here now  and i can not WAIT TO COME BACK for the flood 

season!!!  And more reasonable weather.

 

Every spring, heavy rains in Angola send floodwaters south to Botswana. Due to a shifting of Teutonic plates, a “ dip” in what was a portion of the Khalhari Desert created the Okavango Delta, one of the worlds greatest wetlands.   As the flood waters work their way south, arriving in June, the Worlds 1000th Unesco World heritage site is created.   The region fills with water and even more wildlife.  It does not last long though, the sandy soil drains, so by fall the dry conditions are back.   Peak times to visit, May and September for High Shoulder Season; June, July, and  August for Peak.   Weather is temperate.  

 

 

A front row seat on the water Stay at a luxury tented camp or lodge overlooking lush wetlands, where dramatic river crossings can be viewed from your doorstep.  The camps range from simple but luxe, to straight out of Architectural Digest.   More to come on my visit later. 

 

Explore the waterways by Mokoru. this was one of my favorite experiences this week.  See the flora and fauna from eye level, as you silently glide thru the channels in the Botswana version of a gondola. 

 

See the Big Five.  Very few things in life are a sure thing, but seeing all of the Big Five, often in a single day, can happen in the Delta.   Morning and afternoon game drives with talented and knowledgeable guides are what's on the agenda.  

I will write about the Delta Rhino in a future post. They are not supposed to be in the Delta but a few are.  

Already set for next year? I'd love for you to forward this to someone who might be considering a getaway 😎