Okavango Delta
Jewel of the Kalahari
Described as the 'Jewel of the Kalahari', the Okavango Delta is a tranquil and isolated oasis set in Botswana's harsh and arid desert - widely considered one of Africa's best safari destinations with its extraordinary diversity of fauna and flora. The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest and most important inland wetlands, covering 16000km2, with 2500 species of plants, 65 fish species, 20 large herbivore species and over 450 species of birds.
The Okavango Delta provides a true big five safari experience, with vast herds of elephant, buffalo and hippo making this fertile region their home, as well as numerous antelope, giraffe and zebra, along with lion, leopard, cheetah and crocodile. The Delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as red lechwe, sitatunga, wild dogs and wattled crane. This area is a popular destination for bird watchers, with over 450 species recorded, including many Okavango specials and numerous migrants during the summer months.
There is a wide variety of accommodations on offer in the Okavango Delta which caters for various budgets and interests. However, the Botswana Government is anxious to avoid the mass tourism that has been allowed to spoil other areas of Africa. Therefore, they have a strict policy where only a minimum amount of beds can be sold in the Okavango Delta to help protect the fragile ecosystem.
As the Okavango Delta is an exclusive destination, it remains relatively wild, unpopulated and untouched.
Abu Camp
Abu Camp derives its name from Abu the elephant, who appeared in several films and was brought to Africa from the USA by his trainer, Randall Moore. Abu Camp became renowned as the elephant experience camp, but subsequent ownership has the focus shifting to conservation rather than interaction. Abu Camp provides the best in luxury safari accommodation, impeccable service, and an extraordinary safari and wildlife experience in one of the largest and most diverse private reserves in the Okavango.
Baines Camp
Baines' Camp, situated on a private concession in the Okavango Delta, is superb for game viewing and bird watching. The area is home to a wide variety of big game, including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog.
Camp Okavango
Camp Okavango is a unique and exclusive camp within the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site. Camp Okavango offers guests a year-round water wilderness experience in arguably the finest wilderness wetland in the world, renowned as a haven for rare species such as the elusive Sitatunga antelope and the Pel's fishing owl. The luxury and style of Camp Okavango blend effortlessly into this wilderness and is the ideal base from which to discover the beauty of this wetland ecosystem.
Chiefs Camp
Named after Chief Moremi of the Batawana tribe, Chief's Camp is situated on the northeastern tip of the famous Chief's Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, where the floodwaters generally infiltrate in June or July and remain for 4 to 5 months. Chief's Island is considered to have the finest game viewing in southern Africa, home to the big five.
Chitabe Camp
Chitabe Camp borders the Moremi Game Reserve in an area containing a fascinating combination of open floodplains, wooded islands and a perennial delta hosting a wide variety of wildlife. Chitabe Camp has been operational since 1997 and has developed an outstanding reputation for loyal, dedicated staff and superb guiding. Although located in the Delta, Chitabe is a land-based camp renowned for its wild dog population.
Chitabe Lediba Camp
Chitabe Lediba is a smaller version of the main Chitabe Camp, built just a few hundred metres away on the other side of the same island. The same style of tents and furniture, as the main camp, is used and game drives take place in the same area as Chitabe's guests, so the viewing experience is identical. Chitabe Lediba is an intimate camp in the Okavango Delta which is ideal for small groups and families.
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains is built on an island in the Okavango Delta, shaded by large ebony, fig and mangosteen trees and surrounded by expansive plains which are seasonally flooded. Duba is highly recommended for guests interested in predator interaction, as it is known for the titanic clashes between buffalo and lions. It was the setting for 'Relentless Enemies', an award-winning National Geographic documentary that records the classic interaction between the two species.
Eagle Island Camp
Situated on the island of Xaxaba and surrounded by Illala Palms, Eagle Island Camp overlooks a lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the Okavango Delta. This area offers high quality wildlife viewing with prolific birdlife and mammal sightings. Well known at the Eagle Island Camp is the romantic Fish Eagle Bar, where guests can enjoy a drink or dinner while enjoying a spectacular sunset over the African wilderness.
Footsteps Camp
The Footsteps camp is in a remote part of the Okavango Delta and is home to two perfect family-friendly adventure safaris in the Okavango Delta; 'Footsteps Across the Delta', a walking safari, and 'Young Explorers ', a specialist family safari.
Jao Camp
Jao Camp is situated in the Jao Reserve, an area of 60000 hectares in the Okavango Delta. Built on a densely wooded, oval-shaped island, the design of Jao Camp is remarkable. Jao is the perfect destination for excellent game viewing and a sophisticated safari experience.
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is set on a heart-shaped island on the Jao Flats, and the density of date palms gives Jacana the feeling of a tropical island. Jacana Camp is a true water camp in the Okavango Delta that offers mokoro and walking safaris all year round; guests can hope to see elephants, lions, leopards, sitatunga, red lechwe and buffalo. The Pel's fishing owl is a favourite amongst birders, as are the greater and lesser jacanas.
Kanana Camp
Kanana (Setswana for paradise), is centrally situated on a private concession in the Okavango Delta. This area is home to a diversity of species, including many migratory bird species. Remote and beautiful, Kanana offers a great variety of land and water activities in the spectacular Okavango Delta. Dependent on the annual floods, the level of water transforms this dry camp into a true water experience.
Kwara
The environments found near Kwara are large lagoon channels lined by papyrus, shallow floodplains, mopane woodlands and dry, open scrub. Guests can enjoy a diverse wildlife experience all year-round, but the focus is definitely on the water. Gliding along in silence of a mokoro dug out canoe through crystal-clear waters or visiting the famous Godikwe lagoon are highlights at Kwara.
Kwetsani Camp
Kwetsani Camp overlooks a large floodplain and is built into a deep thicket of mangosteen, fig and palm trees. Accommodation is in tree houses which are raised three metres off the ground on stilts and linked by wooden walkways. Kwetsani offers superb land and water activities - with much of the focus depending on the water levels from the region's annual flood.
Little Vumbura Camp
In the same concession as Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura offers the same quality of safari in the Okavango Delta, but in a very different set up to its larger sister. Situated on a beautiful island in a private reserve in the north of the Delta, Little Vumbura, as its name suggests, is much smaller than Vumbura Plains; a truly authentic safari camp.
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
Meaning “Place of the Giraffe,” Nxabega is known for its elegant tented accommodation with breathtaking views of the Okavango Delta. Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is an intimate, luxurious camp which offers the experience of water and wildlife on twice-daily game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, mokoro and powerboat excursions.
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is built within a forested area of the Okavango Delta, next to a permanent waterway, the Santantadibe River (from where the lodge gets its name) - a deep, wide channel leading to several beautiful lagoons. Sandibe is surrounded by an abundant array of wildlife throughout the year.
Seba Camp
Seba Camp is situated in an ancient riverine forest with majestic hardwood trees and overlooks a perennial lagoon in the Okavango Delta with prolific birdlife and resident pods of hippo.The main area consists of two open-sided wooden structures, one of which houses the dining room, and the other contains the lounge area. Both buildings are decorated with traditional Botswana basketwork and other local artifacts. A small library is set in the lounge area. In front of the dining area, there is a small, well-stocked bar andin the central area the camp fire, which burns in the evening.
Shinde
A well-established Okavango Delta camp, Shinde is built on a beautiful lush palm island on the edge of the Shinde Lagoon. Shinde has all year round water making it a great base for all water activities on offer being Mokoro and boat trips. Surrounded by open plains, the camp provides good sighting for elephants and wild dogs.
Stanleys Camp
Set in an amphitheatre of Ebony and Sausage Trees on the southern tip of Chief's Island, Stanley's Camp accommodates only sixteen visitors. Stanley's offers some of the best game viewing in the Okavango Delta, including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah and the elusive wild dog.
Tubu Tree Camp
Tubu Tree Camp is a traditional style tented safari camp built on raised wooden platforms. Tubu Tree Camp offers both land and water activities, depending on the fluctuating levels of the Okavango Delta's floodwater. Diverse vegetation ranging from dry Kalahari sandveld, through to mopane forest and riverine forest on the edge of permanent waterways and floodplains, ensures incredible game viewing.
Vumbura Plains Camp
Split into two main camps, North and South, this luxury camp has a total of fourteen rooms, all raised on wooden platforms and connected by a raised wooden walkways. Vumbura Plains Camp offers both land and water activities in a 60 000-hectare private concession that has a spectacular variety of habitats and a great diversity of wildlife.
Xugana Island Lodge
Xugana Lagoon, widely accepted as the most spectacular permanent water site in the Okavango Delta, has Xugana Island Lodge taking full advantage of this location. The permanent Delta is a world of crystal-clear waterways winding through vast reed and papyrus beds, tranquil lagoons and wooded islands. Xugana Island Lodge is in a perfect location to explore the magnificent wildlife that inhabits the Okavango Delta.
Xigera Safari Lodge
Xigera Safari Lodge is situated on one of the Okavango’s key waterways and is surrounded by picturesque papyrus swamps, seasonal floodplains, and wooded islands and is renowned for its very high density of sitatunga antelope.Xigera Safari Lodge can accommodate up to 24 guests in 11 standard suites and a 2 bedroomed family suite, each well equipped with full bathroom and outdoor shower, separate private lounge area as well as a private deck offering unhindered floodplain views.