Welcome to Ulinda Safari Trails
Jane Bettenay – Director and Head Guide of Ulinda Safari Trails was the first woman in Zimbabwe to obtain the world renowned Zimbabwe Professional Hunter and Guides Licence, in 1989. Jane came to Zimbabwe from Australia on a photographic holiday, in 1981. She loved it so much she emigrated later that year. She started guiding on her own photographic safaris in Zimbabwe in 1995 and opened a company in Botswana in 1997. Jane is an avid and award winning wildlife photographer. She attained her Full Botswana Guides License in 1995.
All photos used on this site were taken on safari with Jane, so give a true idea of what you may encounter on safari in Botswana. Jane specialises in providing the best photographic opportunities to her clients. Ulinda Safari Trails specialises in small (up to 6) safari parties. This allows us to provide individualised itineraries and personal service throughout your trip. The intimate group size allows for conversation with your guide and allows us to ensure your satisfaction and cater to your requests wherever viable.
The Landcruisers and the Unimog are ideal for serious naturalists and photographers, where we limit the number of guests idelly to 4 only per vehicle.
We can offer large groups (up to 12 people together, or 18 as a special request) a discounted safari, depending on site availability. The sites normally used have restrictions on number of people in each area, and have to be applied for well in advance.
Our customised Toyota Landcruisers are used for most Safaris and are fitted with a pop up roof, long range diesel tanks, 40l Engel Freezer, a snorkel for water crossing (important in the Khwai/Moremi area’s) and only carry a maximum of 5 people in the back. The Unimog takes 7 people in the back and has a removable canvas roof and a 300l water tank in addition to it’s 60l Engel Freezer.
Itineraries are customised to suit the needs and interests of individual groups. Jane also will advise on seasonal and local conditions even considering the moon’s phase when planning trips. Tours can include Chobe, Savuti, The Panhandle, Mababe and Khwai Community Concession areas (where walking and night drives are allowed), Moremi Game Reserve, The Okavango Delta, Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans and the Northern Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
We also do short safaris of 2 days or more to Moremi, Savuti, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Nxai Pan, starting from and returning to Maun.
Safaris can start and/or finish in Kasane (transfers from Livingstone in Zambia, and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe are easily arranged) and Maun. We sometimes have set itineraries that people can join at certain times of the year, e-mail us to check if you want to join a confirmed safari, or look at our “Safari’s With Spaces” section.