ALAN MCSMITH SAFARIS
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      • OKAVANGO LEADERSHIP TRAIL
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      • Umlani specialist elephant safari
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OKAVANGO LEADERSHIP TRAIL / BOTSWANA

​5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS
​MOREMI GAME RESERVE

Impactful encounters of personal transition and ecological connection. Exploring the interbeing between ourselves and the natural world … and our fundamental co-dependance. These are the keystones on which to build new systems that change our deeply flawed rules of engagement with the planet, with those of circular purpose. 

Our restorative encounters in the wild can help translate these new rules of engagement, and integrate them into our belief systems. By slowing down and re-calibrating. By reconnecting with trees, insects, lions or elephants, not through the eyes of a scientist or consumer, but through the eyes of a human being. One who’s heart beats with the rhythm of the planet.

​Perhaps its only by first re-writing our own stories that this existential transformation can occur. It is not in our hands … its in our hearts.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

DAY 1: Arrive in Maun and charter flight to out tented base camp
DAYS 2-4: Depart by traditional dugout canoes camping and walking on Chief’s Island, Moremi Game Reserve
DAY 5: Return to base camp by canoe.
DAY 6: Charter flight back to Maun.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tracking and stalking big game on foot
Small and exclusive, maximum of 8 people
Walking and use of traditional canoes only
Camp wild from a basic tented fly-camp, fully sustained and off the grid
​Travelling light

Introduction to the walking culture on trail, the solitude, silence and value of situational awareness
​
Cross the comfort boundary: this is a vital component to a wilderness experience
Understanding our impact on the environment and the need for ecological humility.
​
Introduction to trail lore and safety procedures when encountering big game.
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​CORE ELEMENTS

The 5-night trail explores the exquisite wilderness areas of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana. It has all the elements of a classic foot-safari: camping out of a remote fly-camp, the excitement of tracking and stalking big game on foot, and rejuvenating solitude. The Leadership Trail however, offers more than this.
Not about conventional scientific knowledge or traditional leadership training, the trail gently guides you through an empowering discovery of self and of the logical connections we share with the natural world.

The following are examples:

TRACKING

Learning about the signs animals leave is highly enlightening and inspiring. Tracking beetles or antelope is one thing, but big game is another, as this awakens all avenues of perception. Your senses become alive! This is the origin of lateral and circular thought patterns, and encourages you to ‘look outside the box’ and assimilate information that is not normally not obvious. It promotes a return to ’the indigenous self’.

​Tracking is a functional and conscious method of energising the sense of intuition which is largely dormant in modern society.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

The art of paying attention, the foundation to all observation and understanding. The presence or sounds of lion or elephant deepened by the silence, sharpen our senses, awakening our in- stincts. This can be highly energising. It not only promotes crucial life skills and survival techniques, as well as ‘reasoning in the moment’. Deep observation skills and attention to intuition come to the fore. Discover more about the intrinsic partnerships of ecology, the operating system of the earth. And how we are still connected to it.
​

SOLITUDE

Downloading, or the road back to the self. This is very powerful in wild places without artificial interferences. Solitude is the building block toward inner dialogue as well as awakening deep observation skills based on animal sightings, encounters, dialogue with the group, and ecologi- cal interplay.
​

Non-motorised travel and pristine landscapes provides deep meditative states, yet we are still highly alert to signals around us. Being on foot, exposed and vulnerable, is essential for the process of awakening ecological and social humility.

​
​The wilderness experience is both humbling and 
inspiring.

​It is restorative in nature, awakening our p
otential to integrate more social and

​ecological responsibility in our lives.


Feel free to connect to discuss more

contact us

          CONTACT US

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ENQUIRIES

SARAH MCSMITH
WHATSAPP: 0027 (0) 76 183 2040
EMAIL: info@alanmcsmith.com

SPECIALIST GUIDE

ALAN MCSMITH
WHATSAPP: 0027 (0) 83 472 4783
EMAIL: ​wild@alanmcsmith.com

HEAD OFFICE

AMS SAFARIS & SERVICES CC
PO Box 1565, Hoedspruit, South Africa
WEB: www.alanmcsmith.com

 IN COLLABORATION WITH
​

Elephants Alive is an established NPO located close to Hoedspruit SA and have been monitoring elephant ecology in the region for 18 years. They continue to break ground in promoting and developing a harmonious existence between elephants and people.
RHINO SAFARIS
Rhino Safaris is owned by long-time colleague Rhino Grohmann. Specialising in German speaking tours and safaris, Rhino continues to deliver meaningful and masterfully hosted safaris. Rhino has teamed up with AMS to support elephant conservation with ELEPHANTS ALIVE by pledging a percentage of safari costs for safaris to Timbavati and Klaserie.
AMS has been using Umlani as a Timbavati safari base for over 20 years. Owned by the Schiess Family, Umlani has clung onto its authenticity and philosophy, and continues to offer meaningful safari encounters, minus the bling!
Footsteps in a long- standing operation/booking office for Oddballs and Delta Camps, bases for our Okavango Delta wilderness trails.
BushLife Experiences is a Dutch based safari operator who understand the finer things of safari life ... small groups, adventurous activities and unpretentious destinations. We do great work together!


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​INDUSTRY AFFILIATION

  
​
​WILDERNESS IS NOT A PLACE, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE. THEN THERE ARE ELEPHANTS.



Banner Wildlife Photography ©Jens Cullmann: instagram or  www.jenscullmann.de ​
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©Alan McSmith Safaris 2021

Design by OLD BULL
  • WELCOME
  • ABOUT
    • WHERE WE GO
    • WHY & WHO
    • ARTICLES
    • ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER VIDEO EXPLAINED
    • CONNECT
    • Terms & Conditions
  • NATURE & LEADERSHIP
  • SAFARIS & TRAILS
    • RESTORATIVE LEADERSHIP TRAIILS >
      • OKAVANGO LEADERSHIP TRAIL
    • FLAGSHIP ENCOUNTERS >
      • Umlani specialist elephant safari
      • UMLANI safari
      • OKAVANGO WILDERNESS trail
      • DESERT ELEPHANT safari
      • ZAMBEZI LEGEND safari
    • SPECIAL DEPARTURES >
      • Umlani specialist elephant safari
      • Okavango wilderness trail
      • 2022 Private Wilderness Experience
      • Sound safari with Derek Solomon
    • SAFARI-SHOP
  • TAKING OUR LEAD FROM THE WILD: CONVERSATION TOUR '23
  • MEDIA