Stanley's Camps
Location
Set in an amphitheatre of ebony and sausage trees on the southern tip of Chief's Island, Stanley's Camp sits amidst 260,000 acres of untamed and untrammeled African bush. Bordering the southern section of the famous Moremi Game Reserve this private concession is located by definition in seasonal delta. That said, the high water regimes of the past 4 years, has seen water in residence year round.
The area is home to a wide variety of big game including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog?
Accommodation and Facilities
Stanley's is a small luxury camp consisting of 8 classic styled safari tents. The delicately appointed tents exude classic Africa; hand crafted beds dressed with the finest linen, antique furniture individually selected and oriental carpets that give a delightful glimpse at colonial Africa.
Each unit offers en-suite facilities and a private balcony. Electricity is supplied by a combination of silent packed generator and battery system allowing 24-hour power supply.
The main building is raised on decking and offers expansive views over the surrounding floodplains. The structure has been built into the existing treeline, its main support being a large sausage tree.
Game Viewing & Activities
Game viewing in the area is extremely good with excellent numbers of predators and plains-game on offer. The area houses one of the largest buffalo populations in the Okavango Delta, which, in the dry season, can concentrate into a herd in excess of 2000 head.
Game-drives are conducted in open vehicles, which offer unencumbered views. The vehicles have been custom built and offer individual seating. Game drives are conducted early morning and late afternoon or as otherwise requested. The accompanying professional guides are among the best in Botswana.
Walking activities are offered throughout the year and are conducted with firearms.
Mokoro (dugout canoe) activities are also offered 12 months of the year, as are night game-drives. These are usually combined with the afternoon activity.
Elephant Activities (additional cost) the emphasis on this activity is on education. Please note that there is no riding offered. The main objective is to initiate a relationship between the guests and the elephants. The activity is offered in two sessions: 1.) "Meet the Herd" and 2.) "Join The Herd ".
Elephant Activity at Stanley's Camp
The description below sets out the only Elephant Activity available. This takes place in the morning starting at 08h30 ending with a picnic lunch in the bush at midday. The maximum number of guests on this activity is 8. If a group exceeds 8, a second session may take place where group 2 will meet group 1 for lunch and thereafter enjoy the interacting with the elephants in the afternoon. The elephants are looked after and managed by Doug and Sandy Groves , through their foundation Grey Matters. The elephants are Jabu (male), Thembi and Morula (both female).
Rates on request.
Preparation for new comers to the session:
Outline briefing at camp by camp Manager
Signing of GM indemnity forms
JOIN THE HERD
Duration: +- 4 hours in the morning
Outline: Full introduction, foraging walk, and picnic lunch
Orientation:
Guests arrive by vehicle at one of several alternative prearranged venues.
Elephants are feeding nearby but not obviously visible
Elephant host meet guests, outlines day ahead, gives safety instructions for elephants and wild animals, reassures regarding radio communications, protection, first aid, and refreshments.
Chaperone guests to elephants as a group.
Introduction:
Summaries of each elephants' history.
Point out elephants' individual physical characteristics.
Highlight the elephants' personalities.
Encourage the guests to recognize the elephants as individuals and relate to them on a personal level.
Invite our guests to come up and touch each of the elephants.
The elephants enjoy interacting with guests and many structured channels have been devised for this. We believe personal interaction between the elephants and the guests is essential in developing the guests sense of bonding and kinship with elephants e.g. Guests can lead an elephant while it gently rests its trunk tip in their hand. Guests are also, invited to experience an elephant kiss. Thembi gently pinches the skin of the guests offered cheek while making kissing noises. During the course of the morning there are on-going discussions with guests and numerous themes are explored. We discuss physical elephant sensory systems, ecology, management and conservation issues, the basis of our relationship with the elephants, intelligence etc.
Foraging walk:
Guests will have become comfortable in the presence of the elephants and are ready to start the morning's adventure. We explain to our guests that we will be walking at a leisurely pace with the elephants, observing their behaviour, getting personally acquainted with them, and discussing a few elephant issues. Questions are encouraged. Interaction helps us to understand who the guests are and how best to tailor the information to meet their needs. Some examples: medical people are interested in anatomy and physiology; engineers seem particularly interested in the skeletal system; physiologists and teachers are particularly interested in elephant learning, behaviour and personalities, others are interested in more emotional aspects. The elephants stop to feed and while reviewing feeding strategies guests observe how the elephant's trunk, feet and tusk work together to allow amazing versatility in feeding.
During the walk other animals are encountered and are often approached relatively closely, due to the presents of the elephants. Discussion on other animals, birds, the vegetation and relevance to elephants takes place as we go along.
Picnic:
We reach our picnic spot, under large shaded trees, by a lagoon before the hottest part of the day. A set table waits in the shade. Guests are offered a seat and a choice of cold refreshments. They relax awhile before brunch. Brunch is a luxurious affair with wine etc. The elephants are fed pre-cut fodder close to the table so their presence can be enjoyed. While guests relax in the shade after brunch, we bring our bull, Jabu, over and we have him demonstrate a number of vocalizations on cue. We explain the different noises that include rumbles, screaming, squeaking and trumpeting and their significance. Our elephants produce many vocalizations. By this time the elephants are usually eager for a swim in the lagoon. Guests watch from the cool of the shade or go down to the waters edge for a closer look and enjoy the amusing display of energy. A vehicle then arrives to collect the guests and ferry them back to the lodge.
