Botswana : Okavango Delta and Moremi
One of the worlds unique natural wonders, the Okavango Delta is formed by rains falling over 1,000 km away in Angola and spilling out into the desert many months later to form a huge inland delta of lagoons and channels, palm fringed islands, papyrus beds and fertile flood plains. All manner of wild life is supported in this unique wetland. For the bird lover the delta is a paradise with over 550 species recorded and for the fisherman tiger fish and bream can be caught. The northern section of the delta is permanently flooded therefore activities are water based. You will be punted silently down the waterways by expert 'polers' in your 'mokoro' canoes, gliding peacefully amongst the reeds and papyrus enjoying the solitude and spotting birds and maybe hippos, crocodiles or the rare sitatunga antelope. The southern section of the park is seasonally flooded and there are a number of permanent islands, which are inhabited by a variety of game. Here you will go out on foot or in 4 wheel drive vehicles to find the big cats and elephants, buffaloes and zebra to name only some of the animals you will see. Luxury camps have been built in this water wilderness and in the bordering, game rich Moremi National Park where a mobile camping safari is the best way to explore the area.
Chitabe
Chitabe is set in on an Island in a 28,000-hectare private conservancy next to the Moremi game reserve. The area is made up of a variety of habitats, which include waterways and marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine areas, open grasslands and seasonally flooded plains. This is the area where National Geographic Society recorded its footage for its documentary on Wild Dogs. The island is arguably one of the most beautiful in the Delta.
Chitabe is set up on decks with raised walkways joining all the buildings. There are 8 raised tents all with views across the grasslands, extremely comfortable and well appointed, with both indoor and outdoor showers. There is also a small plunge pool to cool down in in the heat of the day.
The staff here are excellent, extremely friendly and welcoming, with excellent food and professional guiding. With plenty of nice surprises nothing is too much trouble. As it is outside the park you can go walking safaris as well as day and night game drives. After the rains there are water activities near by but is more of a land based camps with, as ever in the delta, excellent birding and a couple of hides one of which you can sleep in overnight. It's a lovely camp and I don't think I have visited a friendlier one.
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| pool | on safari | sitting room |
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| tent interior | tent exterior | wild dogs |
Chitabe Trails Camp
Chitabe Trails Camp is situated on the same Island as Chitabe however the camp is run separately with its own camp manager and guides. This camp is ideal for small parties who are looking for their own private camp, as well as those individuals who prefer an even smaller camp. Surrounded by ancient ebony, leadwood and sausage trees, Chitabe Trails has five ground level, spacious and luxuriously appointed East African style tents with en-suite facilities and an outdoor shower, which overlook the floodplain.
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| aerial view | the camp | tent |
Footsteps Camp
Footsteps Camp is the only true walking camp in Moremi Game Reserve within the Okavango Delta, with only 3 tents it is also one of the most exclusive. This northern part of the reserve has large islands surrounded by permanent water, time is spent exploring on foot with excellent guides, they share their invaluable experience pointing out spoor of animals, birds, medicinal uses of the plants and the abundance of game. The walking is at a leisurely pace and distances covered do not exceed 5 km during any activity. Due to the diversity of the ecosystem, it is not necessary to cover large distances to have a rewarding experience.
Ker and Downey have made minimal impact on this fragile environment, while every need and comfort for a thoroughly enjoyable visit is provided. This is a camp for people who want a true bush experience, where the water is heated on demand, game wanders freely through camp and the food and service is some of the best in Botswana.
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| camp | sunset walk | tent |
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is located in the Okavango Delta, just outside the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp has five small meru-style tents accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Each ensuite tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains.
This camp is in a true water wilderness area, from April to October (when the water is at maximum levels) the camp becomes a small island and the activities are water based, spending much of your time exploring the surrounding waterways or fishing. This is a prime area for wetland bird species, including Wattled Cranes, Pels Fishing Owls as well as greater and lesser Jacanas. Game viewing from motor boats, Mokoros (canoes) or on foot will allow you to observe this wildlife rich area of Africa in most natural way maybe even seeing the shy Sitatunga.
In the dry season wildebeest and zebra wander the floodplains and in the woodlands to the west, Elephant and Buffalo. Lions, Cheetah, Leopard and Wild Dog are occasionally sited. Activities at this time of year range from game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles during the night and day to walking safaris and water levels permitting mokoro trips.
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| bathroom | a Jacana bird | sunset |
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| tent interior | view from the air | view from the water |
Jao Camp
Jao Camp is found in the Jao Reserve of the central Okavango Delta, on a small heavily wooded island. At one end there is a permanent water supply bringing wildlife close to camp; Lion, Cheetah and Leopard, Tsessebe, Red Lechwe, Zebra and Wildebeest are regularly seen.
There are 9 extremely comfortable rooms, raised on wooden decks above the lush palms below. Each room has thatched roofs with canvas walls and en-suite facilities including an indoor and outdoor shower. They also have a "sala" (outdoor bed) for midday siestas demanding wonderful views over the flood plains. There is a dining, sitting and bar area and a small swimming pool.
During your stay at Jao Camp you can participate in both land and water activities (Mokoros, boating, walks, game drives and night drives), depending on the fluctuating levels of the Okavango's floodwaters. From October to March the waters subside and enormous open plains are the highlight and game viewing is at its best. During the rest of the year the water levels rise and the savannah areas become covered with water, and the majority of activities are water based.
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| elephant | main area | pool |
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| saddle bill stork | tent exterior | tent interior |
Kwara Camp
Kwara is located in the remote northern part of the Okavango Delta within the private Kwara concession. The camp fronts onto a huge floodplain, adjacent to the permanent water of the Delta and is backed by extensive bush.
No trip to Botswana is complete without a visit to the Delta, the shimmering and unique watery jewel in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Kwara encompasses a wide diversity of habitats, ranging from the clear Delta waters with reed-lined lagoons and channels, to open grasslands, mopane woodlands and palm-fringed islands.
The eight luxury safari-style tents are built on raised decks, within a grove of ancient African Ebony trees. Resident hippos will serenade you year round from the water on the floodplain in front of the camp. Each tent has its own viewing deck, private en-suite facilities including hot and cold running showers, flush toilets and modern amenities.
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| bathroom | boat | honeymoon bathroom |
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| lounge from the water | mekoro | tent interior |
Mombo
The Mombo Camps are situated on the northern tip of Chief's Island in the centre of the Moremi Game Reserve, perhaps one of the most exclusive year round wildlife destinations in Africa. The excellent wildlife at Mombo has made this area Botswana's top wildlife documentary location, frequently visited by National Geographic and the BBC. Large concentrations of wildlife often surround the camp and Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and all the major predators are common in the region. A large pack of Wild Dogs frequents the area around the camp and has been successful in raising many litters in recent years. There is also the possibility of seeing both black and white rhino since their recent reintroduction to the area.
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| birds | leopard | lion |
Mombo Camp
Mombo Camp itself has 9 amazingly comfortable rooms, they are enormous with half the room being a bathroom and then there is also an outside shower area. They all have large decks with an outside bed (Sala) on which you can take your afternoon siesta but sadly cannot sleep on at night! The guest's rooms and the walkways that connect the rooms to the living area are up to 2m off the ground, allowing game to wander freely through/under the camp - but at the same time allowing for guest safety. Walking to breakfast if you are quiet you can look down on buffalo or we were woken in the night by a buffalo using our walkway as a scratching pole! The camps living area overlooks the open plain in front of the camp and there is a plunge pool for relaxing in the heat of the day.
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| buffalo | elephant in camp | fire |
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| raised walkways | rhino | room interior |
Little Mombo
Little Mombo is a gem of a luxury bush camp as there are only 3 luxury tented en-suite rooms in the same style as the larger Mombo Camp. Each room has a open air day bed for your siesta or you can cool down in the heat of the day by the pool. The rooms are connected to the main thatched living area by elevated wooden walkways. Little Mombo is one of the premier camps in the Okavango; its enormous rooms are very comfortable but maybe slightly 'over the top'. The game viewing, however, is exceptional all year round.
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| eating area | pool | room interior |
Okavango Horse Safaris
The Okavango Horse Safaris operate in the southern area of the Okavango Delta, a vast inland delta, abundant with game and a maze of papyrus, floodplains and woodland, providing interesting riding country. The owners, Barney and PJ Bestelink ensure that each riding safari is tailored to the group. On horseback you can venture further into the delta and get closer to the wildlife than you could do by any other means, it is perhaps the closest you can get to nature.
There are 50 horses all cared for by PJ and Barney, who know and school each one individually, with this knowledge they are able to match horse and rider perfectly. The horses are all between 14-17 hands and a mixture of Thoroughbreds, Boerperds, Arab, Anglo Arab, and Saddlebred. This is one of the most magical riding experiences that you can have, imagine yourself cantering alongside the elegant motion of a giraffe or mounted high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of zebra, wildebeest and lechwe and the breathtaking excitement when your silent progress along game trails used only by the animals brings you upon a herd of buffalo or a family group of elephant.
The main emphasis is riding but there are other activities, which make a welcome rest from the saddle, some afternoons are kept free for this purpose. Other activities include guided walks, game drives, night drives, sundowners drinks and mokoro canoe trips.
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| dining room | elephant | sunset |
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| horses | riding in the water | riding with wildebeest |
Sandibe
Set in the eastern Okavango Delta, amongst seasonal flood plains, palm forests and acacia woodland Sandibe Camp overlooks a permanent papyrus waterway. The camp is built to a traditional African design accommodating guests in 8 well-spaced brick and thatch private bungalows with en suite bathrooms. The main sitting and dining area has a viewing deck, which allows extensive views over the flood plains and into the forest beyond. There is a plunge pool to cool down in during the heat of the day and a gallery stocked with clothing and African Art. Activities include daily game drives, bush walks and water levels permitting, mokoro trips.
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| pool | room | 'mokoro' canoe |
Shinde Camp
Shinde Camp is in a stunning private concession in the northern Delta with a large floodplain in front of camp scattered with antelope grazing close to camp and giraffe and elephants browsing in the background. Often you will be met at the airstrip by just a mokoro and taken into camp through the silent waterways of the Delta, a preferred choice to a noisy vehicle.
There are 9 tents in the camp and 1 honeymoon suite, which is raised on stilts and at the end of camp for a more private stay. There is a small central pool to relax in the heat of the day, made private by the surrounding reeds. Game is able to walk freely through camp and at night you can hear the soft grunting of the Hippos as they graze the lawns around the tents!
For small groups (six people maximum) looking for a more exclusive stay there is the Enclave which has 3 tents and a private eating area separate from the main camp. The enclave has good views out over the marshy delta and the rooms are kept cool by a fine mist that is sprayed from the ceiling.
Activities vary on the time of year but you can chose to fill your days with walking, game drives, mokoro trips, boat trips or sample some of the legendary tiger fish, bream, and pike fishing.
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| accommodation | elephants | boma |
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| dining room | private dining | tent view |
Stanley's Camp
Stanley's Camp is situated in a 260,000 acre private concession, thus affording guests absolute exclusivity. There are 8 classic styled ensuite safari tents that transport you to early 19th century Africa. The main building is raised on decking and offers extensive views over the surrounding floodplains. The camp is carefully blended into the existing tree line, its main support being a large sausage tree.
Stanley's Camp offers some excellent game viewing in the Okavango, including the rare and elusive wild dog. A completely unique Stanley's feature is an educational experience with a group of semi-habituated African elephants. Spend a Half Day walking with the elephants and observing them up close in their natural environment. Other activities available at Stanley's Camp include mokoro canoe excursions, exclusive bush dinners, and both day and night game drives, walking safaris with an armed professional guide.
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| bush walk | elephants | main camp |
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| tent interior | view from tent | walk with elephants |
Tubu Tree Camp
Tubu Tree Camp is situated in the Jao Reserve, an area of 60,000 hectares, in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Tubu Tree is a traditional style tented safari camp built on to raised wooden platforms to take best advantage of the beautiful view over the floodplains. The camp sleeps a maximum of 10 guests in 5 large and comfortable tents.
A variety of habitats ensure diverse and interesting game viewing, as well as spectacular birding. Wildlife seen here includes Elephant, Lion, Zebra, Red Lechwe, Giraffe, Tsessebe, and Wildebeest on the floodplains. Kudu, Impala, Leopard and Bushbuck are also seen in the forested areas.
Tubu Tree Camp offers both land and water activities, depending on the fluctuating levels of the Okavango's floodwater. Game drives with experienced guides in open 4 x 4 vehicles during the day and night, as well as walking with an armed guide. When the flood is in, boating, fishing and mokoro trips are also offered. Full day adventurous transfers by mekoros can also be undertaken during the flood season, to transfer to Jacana Camp that is a water camp in the eastern area of the Jao concession.
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| aerial view | dining | elephant in camp |
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| tent exterior | tent interior | walking safari |
Xigera Camp
The camp is situated on Paradise Island within the Moremi Game Reserve. It is the perfect water and land activity camp, with game drives, foot safaris, mokoro and boating trips. The bird life is exceptional and stalking the sitatunga antelope by mokoro is an experience to be remembered. The camp, set in a shady grove accommodates a maximum of 16 guests in comfortably furnished rooms with en suite showers and flush loos. Meals are taken in the dining room alongside the sitting area and bar, which are under canvas. The Xigera swimming pool is the clean flowing river next to the camp.
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| main mess tent | 'mokoro' canoe | entrance to the camp |
Abu Camp
The camp is hidden in an ancient riverine forest bordering the Moremi game reserve and consists of five luxurious tents with mahogany 4 poster beds and en suite bathrooms with copper or porcelain baths, each one is raised on a teak deck overlooking a lagoon. There are game drives, night safaris, guided walks and mokoro trips.
The highlight of the camp is the full or half day Elephant safaris.The elephants carry two persons and are accompanied by younger elephants who provide endless interest and amusement as they frolic around. One advantage being part of the elephant family is that it allows you the unique opportunity to approach and to interact with a wide variety of game, by blending in with nature. With the minimum stay of 5 nights and 6 days the atmosphere at Abu's camp is that of an exclusive house party created each week for 10 guests.
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| luxurious bathroom | bedrooom | Abu camp |
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| river | elephants | hippo pool |
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