Addicted to safari adventures, I head to Botswana in southern Africa, ready for some up-close-and-personal game encounters within the remote Okavango Delta’s desert, savanna, wetlands and saltpans – one of the last remaining pristine wilderness areas left on Earth. As the largest inland delta in the world, the region is dense with animal and bird life. Botswana, unlike its neighbours, bans trophy hunting, and its zero-tolerance approach to poaching makes it a (mostly) safe haven for its wildlife.

Through my working relationship with Sydney-based Classic Safari Company, I’ve been invited by the founders of Great Plains Conservation, renowned National Geographic explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, to mentor the chefs at their bush camps, Duba and Zarafa, in enormous private concessions in the delta. While their focus is firmly geared to wildlife conservation, the company works closely with local communities to provide employment and raise awareness and conservation education to protect their natural habitat.

Our first stop is Duba Expedition Camp, set among the secluded wetlands in the heart of the delta. With only six tents, decked out in true expedition style on raised decks overlooking a lagoon and flood plains, it feels immediately intimate, restful and relaxed. It’s nothing for wildlife to meander through the camp, and the sight of an elephant herd grazing by the water or hundreds of water buffalo passing by becomes commonplace.

Before venturing forth on early morning game drives, we start the day with tea at sunrise by the fire pit. Breakfast is served in the bush. When we stop, the front grill of the Jeep opens out to create an impromptu table and our guides set up plates of toasted granola, fresh fruit, yoghurt, scones, savoury muffins, fruit bread and baked eggs. Zebras grazing nearby seem unfazed by our presence. Back at camp, lunch is served family style – shared plates of vegetable salads, corn fritters with avocado salsa, a vegetable frittata, turmeric chicken curry and grilled chicken thigh fillets with chilli jam. Cakes and biscuits are made fresh each day. The chef advises guests before the afternoon game drive of what’s on offer for dinner, a choice between three main dishes that could include beef, lamb, roast chicken, duck or locally farmed bream. Flavours are fresh and punchy, the preparations simple and appealing – a shift away from the traditional heavy bush food.

After a few days, we fly 25 minutes north to Zarafa Camp in the Selinda Reserve, near Chobe National Park. The four generously appointed tent suites offer spectacular views of its stunning waterfront location, and a sophisticated style makes this even more exclusive. We are treated to a bush dinner on our last night, a magical setting around a raging fire pit under the stars and a waxing moon. It all appears so effortless, but we know how hard the staff work to create these magical memories for us to carry away.

Our game drives are thrilling, with sightings of zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, wildebeest – you name it. Botswana is home to half the world’s elephant population, and I swear we see many of them. Eventually, we must leave, a tad dusty, but happy and well-nourished, and with the heartbeat of Africa deeply embedded within.