Barclay Stenner Private Mobile
Barclay Stenner is a private mobile safari operator offering exclusive tailor-made safaris in the Okavango Delta area.
Barclay Stenner is an owner run operation offering guests an immersive mobile camping experience across Botswana, with a particular focus on the western Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta region. There are two levels of camps (Explorer and Regal) but whichever you choose, your safari includes exclusive use of the fully serviced camp and is led by an experienced professional guide backed up by a small team of friendly staff. One of the owners, John Barclay or James Stenner is guaranteed to guide a ‘Regal’ booking. There is a slightly adventurous element to their safaris, as the camps are fully mobile and set up in the middle of the bush, and animals can and do wander through camp, day and night. However, this is one of the reasons you choose a mobile camp, because it gets you close to nature and immerses you in the wilderness. Further highlights are the camp exclusivity (and therefore flexibility) and the quality of the guiding and personal hosting. These safaris are just perfect for families with older children and small groups of friends wanting to truly connect with nature whilst also having a lot of fun and creating wonderful memories.
Regal Rig
The hexagonal accommodation tents are very comfortably furnished with carpets, rugs and curtains and include an outdoor verandah and chairs, large gauze windows, double or twin beds, bedside tables and lighting, hanging wardrobe, luggage rack and vanity. Open air en suite facilities include a flush toilet, bucket shower and basin (water for which is provided in jugs). Meals are served in a small tented central area which also includes a library and lounge area and central charging facilities.
Explorer Camp
The circular, light-weight accommodation tents have open air en suite facilities including a ‘bucket’ shower and long drop toilet. There is a small central mess tent with a bar, tea and coffee station and where meals are served.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – No
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – No
Habitat & Wildlife
Whilst Barclay Stenner can operate their mobile in any of the big game areas of Botswana (including Chobe National Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve) their main focus area is the more remote western section of Moremi Game Reserve, in the heart of the Okavango Delta.
The Okavango Delta, including the Moremi Game Reserve, is a stunning wilderness area comprised of open plains, permanent water channels and lagoons, papyrus swamps, palm islands, riverine, savanna and mopane woodland and extensive flood plains. It is home to all kinds of African wildlife from elephants, hippo, giraffe and buffalo to the full range of predators and nocturnal species. Birding is fantastic.
Activities
Activities focus on game drives with your private guide and vehicle, though boat cruises on the Okavango Delta can be incorporated when staying in the Moremi Game Reserve. The itinerary is completely tailor-made according to the number of nights you wish to spend with them and the conditions at the time of year. Guests booking the Regal Rig will be personally guided by either John or James. On longer itineraries it is possible to add an overnight excursion to their Island Camp, offering an exclusive delta experience (included in the Regal Rig price, at an additional cost for the ‘Explorer’ level). Accessed only by boat, this adventurous fly camp is based on the edge of a beautiful lagoon, where you can enjoy sleeping ‘under the stars’ in simple mosquito tents, with basic facilities including a changing tent, bucket shower and long drop loo.
Seasons
Mobile safaris operate year round and there are many factors to consider when deciding when to travel. However, April to early November is generally the dry season when mobiles are easiest to operate.
There is no official minimum age limit for children to participate in a Barclay Stenner private mobile safari, but as there is no family-specific accommodation, parents would need to share a twin with a child or, ideally, children would be old enough to take their own tent. Mobile safaris tend to be more suited to families travelling with teenage children who are comfortable with and can enjoy the adventurous nature of the experience.
All guests pay a conservation, community and reserve fee when booking a Barclay Stenner safari and this goes to Kalahari Research and Conservation Botswana, securing funds that are crucial to protecting over 30,000 square kms of wildlife habitat and supporting the communities within.
