Traveling to Abu's Camp entails a 20-minute ride in a bush plane from Maun, a frontier town in Botswana on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The delta, which many consider Africa's lost paradise, is the largest landlocked waterway in the world and a wildlife mecca.
Abu's Camp is nestled in a forest grove surrounded by the delta's waters. There are five luxury tents, styled to have an open-air feel, but with all the creature comforts travelers expect: full beds, flush toilets and hot showers. This is a high-priced, upper-crust African getaway complete with white tablecloths, fine South African wine and three gourmet meals a day.
Though the cuisine is impeccable, the real adventure of Abu's begins in the early morning as the sun rises over the delta. Most of Moore's elephants stand almost 13 feet tall, giving many travelers the high-rise jitters at the trek's outset. However, the saddle seats quickly become merely a window to an extraordinary world, as guests experience Africa from an elephant's point of view.
"You get a combination of the adrenaline rush, the excitement (of) finding a lion, finding plains' game and getting into an interaction with them," said one British guest. "And, there's also the quiet, there's a pace that leads you to a softer appreciation of Africa and the wilderness."
There are no roads, no land rovers and no other human intruders to break the elephant's rhythm. The Botswanan government granted Abu's Camp a half-a-million acre private concession, further ensuring you'll see no one but those from the camp and your elephant transport during your stay.
"Elephants are magical animals and the opportunity to be with an elephant family, to be close with them everyday, to walk with them, to interact with the youngsters, it's something that is irreplaceable and it's completely unique to Abu's," another guest remarked.
Unlike many safaris, with an elephant escort it's possible to traverse the landscape free from fear of attack. The elephants provide protection and guide guests to magical sites, often taking their human passengers into the river for an afternoon swim.
The usual stay at Abu's is five nights and the maximum group is 10 guests. It's part of Moore's effort to create an intimate atmosphere, with limited distractions, as his guests experience the untamed African wildlife from a rare and exhilarating point of view.
Explore Inc. is the U.S.-based company that arranges trips to Abu's Camp in Africa. The experience doesn't come cheap: it costs $1,000 per night including meals, drinks, daily laundry and activities. For more information, call (505) 820-1218.
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