Botswana Okavango Delta Safari Camps
Abu Camp, a premier safari camp, is situated in a vast private
reserve of 400,000 acres in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp is
located in a grove of magnificent hardwood trees on the edge of a large lagoon
with a resident school of hippo. An imaginative use of canvas and pole has
created a unique style of tent which is high, wide and blend in well
with the natural surroundings. Each of the six beautifully furnished tents has a
private bathroom and an elevated teak deck sculpted around one of the lofty sycamore
figs or jackal berry trees.
Pathways link the tents with the main lounge and dining area. A well-stocked
bar provides drinks and cocktails for post-safari sundowners around a camp fire
while most of the meals are taken al fresco on the deck. Nearby a
secluded plunge pool enables guests to cool off and relax. With its shady trees
and views overlooking the tranquil lagoon, Abu Camp is a haven of peace and
seclusion.
Abu Camp gives guests the
extraordinary privilege of being part of an African elephant herd, including
riding and walking with them through the bush — possibly the ultimate elephant
educational safari with a chance meet each individual and to understand the
complex behavior of the largest land mammal on earth. These
elephant encounters provide magical moments and being with them allows a closer
approach to other animals. Abu also offers morning and afternoon game drives,
night drives and nature walks to view the abundance of fauna and flora in the
area. During the seasonal floods, guests are invited to take to the waters in
the mokoros, the traditional poled craft used in the delta.
Note: Abu Camp will be closed for renovations January 1, 2010 and will open later that year.
Chitabe Camp has all the classic Okavango Delta scenery
to be enjoyed — open floodplains, waterways, marshlands, dry acacia and mopane
woodland, riverine areas and open grasslands. In this fascinating mix diverse
and prolific wildlife can be seen, from elephant to impala and lion to wild
dog. The camp is situated in a private concession area on a beautiful island.
In contrast with the areas further north, this area is a fascinating mosaic of
mopane and acacia bushveld, riverine forest and the perennial delta hosting
diverse wildlife and birds.
Chitabe's eight spacious tents are built on elevated wooden decks amongst the
trees. Each tent has twin beds, a private bathroom and an indoor as well as an
outdoor shower. The thatched dining area, pub and lounge area are built on
raised decks to provide superb views across the floodplain, and a pool allows
guests to cool off in the heat of the day.
The multiplicity of habitats by which Chitabe is surrounded means there is an
abundance of wildlife to be seen, including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard,
cheetah, giraffe, zebra, tsessebe and impala. Wild dogs are also occasionally
sighted. Night drives provide opportunities for guests to see nocturnal mammals
such as civet, serval, genet, porcupine and aardwolf. Activities include day
and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks and spectacular bird
watching. The camp also has two elevated hides located in the reserve, one of
which is within walking distance. Guests can experience a "sleep out"
under the stars in full comfort and safety.
Chitabe Lediba is an intimate private camp, located on
the same island as its larger sister, Chitabe Camp. Being in the same area
means it offers the same diverse array of habitats that are all in close
proximity and the prolific wildlife that lives here. Neighboring the Moremi
Game Reserve in the southeast of the Okavango Delta, Chitabe consists of
multiple habitats, from savannah to tree-filled islands and floodplains. All
this makes for amazing wildlife sightings.
Chitabe Lediba is small and just right as a private camp for small groups or
families; its two family units have adjoining bedrooms and private bathrooms.
All five spacious tents are built on raised decks. The bathrooms are
complemented with an outdoor shower "with a view." A dining area,
lounge and pool have glorious views over the surrounding floodplains and a
small lediba (remnant lagoon that has become a waterhole), where animals come
to drink during the day.
Morning and afternoon game drives explore the area and its denizens, the
evening drive usually returning after dark so as to get a chance at spotting
the shyer nocturnal animals such as genet, civet, serval, porcupine and
possibly aardwolf. Game drives take place in the same area as Chitabe's guests,
so the viewing experience is identical. Wildlife seen here includes elephant,
buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah. Wild dog are also sometimes found in the
area. Guests should also see zebra, tsessebe, giraffe, kudu and impala. Two
hides can be used as a "sleep out" experience as well as a game
viewing platform during the day.
In the furthermost remote reaches of the Okavango Delta
lies Duba Plains, an unobtrusive camp surrounded by expansive seasonally
flooded plains and shaded by tall ebony, sycamore fig and mangosteen trees. It
is in an area famed for lion prides and buffalo herds and was the setting for
Relentless Enemies, an award-winning National Geographic documentary. Duba
Plains is a small, intimate camp on a tree-filled island in a
private 30,000-hectare concession known as the Kwedi Reserve.
Accommodation is made up of six roomy tents with private bathrooms, outdoor
showers, and verandas overlooking the floodplain. The thatch-roofed lounge,
dining room and bar areas are raised on platforms along with a swimming pool,
all providing a beautiful view.
Apart from good numbers of lion and buffalo,
herds of elephant feed on the islands and hippo concentrate in deeper channels.
Tsessebe and blue wildebeest dot the plains, while red lechwe are found on the
wetter floodplain fringe. Duba Plains is known for
the titanic clashes between buffalo and lion,
and classic game drives track down the truly enormous buffalo
herd to see if any lion are also headed in that direction.
Birdlife is also abundant and impressive, with many Okavango specials such as
the rosy-throated longclaw, slaty egret and wattled crane. A variety of
activities include day and night game drives, often tracking the buffalo herd
or various lion prides around the concession and leisurely nature walks. Mokoro
trips are also possible in times of good floods, usually only between May and
September.
Jacana Camp is an island wonderland set in a wilderness
area densely populated with amazing wildlife and teeming birdlife. It is a true
Okavango Delta water camp, where explorations by mokoro provide an idyllic
connection to a bygone era that allows silent and tranquil passage along the
channels. Situated on Moremi Game Reserve's boundary, in the private Jao
Concession, Jacana Camp is surrounded by the seasonally inundated Okavango
floodplains and the papyrus swamps.
The camp’s five tents are built on wooden decks to accentuate the views
overlooking the floodplains. Each tent has a private bathroom which is enclosed
but roofless allowing for showers by starlight by dappled sunlight and shade.
The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off the midday heat. The main dining
area is on an elevated platform between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and
surrounded by dense wild date palms. There is a cozy bar and lounge with an
area for an open fire under the stars.
Activities include mokoro trips and walking safaris all year round, as well as game drives when the floodwaters have receded, generally between September and May. There are two platform hides in the concession. The camp is set in one of the most densely populated wetland areas for sitatunga and red lechwe. All the big animals can be found regularly in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. The birdlife is abundant; enthusiasts can spot Pel's fishing owl as well as African and lesser jacanas and a host of other Okavango specials such as the slaty egret, African pygmy goose and western banded snake eagle.
Jao Camp, a premier safari camp, lies in the southern side
of the plains, an area with beautiful islands fringed with riverine forests.
Located on a large, remote island bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, the camp
has varied habitats ranging from waterways and lagoons to dry Kalahari grasslands
and open floodplains. This luxury camp is a tranquil base for a wonderful Okavango experience.
Jao Camp has nine spacious and
beautiful tents built on raised decks with spectacular views over the
floodplains. The twin-bedded canvas and thatched tents are situated beneath a
canopy of shady trees and have private bathrooms and additional outdoor
showers. In addition to the lounge and dining area, there are two plunge pools
and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars, complemented by wines from the excellent
wine cellar. There is also a
spa with a wide range of massage therapies. Mokoros, boat trips, fishing, nature walks, day and night game drives and birding are usually on offer all year round due to the abundance of wildlife in the area. There are two platform hides in the concession. Huge herds of red lechwe can be seen, followed by their primary predator, lion. Other typically seen animals include elephant, buffalo, leopard, tsessebe, zebra and wildebeest, hippo and crocodile. Many bird species are resident such as Meyer's parrot, African harrier hawk, black egret, coppery-tailed coucal, malachite kingfisher, hamerkop and black crake.
Kwetsani, one of the most remote
camps in the Okavango, is situated on an elongated island heavily wooded with
palm, mangosteen and fig trees. It is an intimate yet luxurious camp raised on
wooden decks above the lush vegetation. The vast open floodplains provide some of the
most stunning scenery of the region, beautiful islands fringed with riverine
forests.
Six beautifully furnished 'tree-house' chalets, each with its own private
bathroom, provide guests with open, airy accommodation of thatch, wood, glass
and canvas. The dining room, lounge and pub area, situated under a cool
thatched roof, looks out over an enormous floodplain that is often dotted with
lechwe, wildebeest and other plains game. Guests can watch the animals from the
pool or the privacy of their rooms.
Kwetsani offers excellent land and water activities dependent on annual flood
levels. There are two platform hides in the concession. Guests can view
wildlife by mokoro, explore palm-fringed islands on foot, or experience
outstanding game drives by day or night. Lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah,
tsessebe and red lechwe are among the major game attractions at Kwetsani, while
hippo, sitatunga antelope and crocodile reside in the deeper permanent
lily-filled lagoons of the area. Nocturnal animals such as porcupine, aardwolf,
serval, large spotted genet and lesser bushbaby can be observed on the night
drives, water levels permitting. Excellent birding in the area offers
enthusiasts unparallel opportunities to spot rare species.
Little Mombo, another premier safari camp, is an extension of Mombo, sharing the same
island as the larger camp in the Moremi Game Reserve and matching its high
standards. It offers the same abundant big game viewing — some of the best in
Botswana — and overlooks a floodplain that is a beautiful setting for a variety
of wildlife. A raised walkway links it to Mombo Camp, but distance and size
combine to create an intimate luxurious camp that looks out over floodplains
and together with Mombo Camp, provides some of the best game viewing in
Botswana.
The camp, built under a shady canopy, has three luxurious and spacious rooms
under canvas, each with a private bathroom and an outdoor shower. A sala, large
veranda and lounge area all provide ample place to relax and enjoy the view.
Little Mombo has its own dining room, kitchen, lounge and pool overlooking the
open plain in front of camp. Larger groups can also book out some of the rooms
in the main camp.
Activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles to
view the high concentrations of plains game and all the predators — including
the big cats — with lion sightings being particularly good. Guests can also see
leopard, large herds of buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, white rhino,
spotted hyena, southern giraffe, blue wildebeest and Burchell's zebra. As it is
generally in Okavango Delta, Little Mombo also offers excellent birding.
Little Vumbura is a small camp hidden on a pretty island
surrounded by the floodplains and deep, clear channels for which the Okavango
is famed. Mokoro, boating and game drives take advantage of the plethora of
both habitat and wildlife. It is located in the same region as its sister camp,
Vumbura Plains.
The camp has six beautiful tents shaded by the canopy of
an ancient Okavango forest. Each tent is large and roomy and has private
bathrooms. A plunge pool for cooling off and a reading area overlook the
floodplains and a star deck leads off the dining area.
Little Vumbura is surrounded by water and lying close to large rivers, thus
water-based activities are a focus with mokoros traversing the floodplains
under the guidance of experienced polers, and motor boats the permanent
channels. Game drives in open Land Rovers allow guests to get close to animals
in the savannah areas. Walks around the islands are an opportunity to enjoy
Africa from a different perspective. Game viewing is consistently good all year
round with lion, leopard, elephant, sable and buffalo along with extensive
plains game providing an excellent all-round wildlife experience in this remote
corner of the delta. Little Vumbura is part of a community participation plan
bringing the communities that live around the Okavango Delta into the tourism
mainstream.
The premier safari camp Mombo is renowned for having what
is arguably the best big game viewing in Botswana. It lies on the northern tip of
Chief's Island, the largest landmass in the Okavango Delta. The sheer numbers
and variety of large mammals in this area, all year round, defy description:
from elephant and buffalo to tiny steenbok, followed by their predators in
equal measure: lion, leopard and cheetah. Located within the Moremi Game
Reserve, the camp is built
under large shady trees and overlooks an open floodplain alive with wildlife.
Accommodations consist of nine spacious tents raised up off the ground, with
breathtaking views over the plains. The sala, long veranda and lounge area all
take advantage of the vistas. Bathrooms are private, with indoor and outdoor
showers. The main living and dining area is under thatch, there is a boma for
delicious dinners under the stars and a plunge pool to relax in on a hot day.
Large concentrations of plains game occur in front of the camp and guests may
view a variety of animals without even leaving the veranda. One often finds
animals wandering past, right under the rooms! Activities at Mombo Camp mainly comprise
morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles. These drives explore
the savannah and floodplains and are exciting with prolific sightings of lion,
leopard, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, spotted hyena, southern giraffe, blue
wildebeest, Burchell's zebra and large buffalo herds. Black and white rhino
have been reintroduced with outstanding success to the area, thanks to the
Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Programme.
Seba Camp, set in the lush riverine forest in the heart
of the Okavango Delta, has two distinctive features: it has been constructed as
a family-friendly camp offering parents the opportunity to introduce their
children to the magic of the African wild and it is also the base of a most
fascinating elephant research project.
The camp has been designed to blend in with an ancient forest of
majestic hardwood trees like the sycamore fig and leadwood, all overlooking a
perennial lagoon with its prolific birdlife and resident pods of hippo.
It has eight well-appointed and spacious elevated tents, each with a private
bathroom and a deck on which to relax and observe the passing wildlife. The two
family suites have two connected bedrooms. There is ample space for children,
including a tree-house. An elevated deck has its own small swimming pool and a
sandpit. Paths lead to the secluded swimming pool and the dining and bar area,
which also offer beautiful views.
Here a number of elephants which were released back into the wild have formed their own herd. The interaction between these and the wild herds in the area provides rich fodder for research teams. There is a seasonal abundance of game in the area including giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, tsessebe and lechwe. Lion frequent the greater area and herds of buffalo are occasional visitors. For bird enthusiasts, some 380 different species are found in the region. During winter, thanks to the high water levels, Seba is transformed into a water camp, with water-based activities taking precedence, such as mokoro, motorboat excursions and fishing, as well as walks and the usual game drives.
Tubu Tree is a small camp built on the western side of
Hunda Island, in the Okavango Delta's Jao Concession. Generally a
water-inundated area during the floods this is the largest stretch of dry land
in the area, so Tubu Tree usually has the most diverse game viewing experience
within the concession. It is surrounded by diverse habitats ranging from dry
Kalahari sandveld to mopane and riverine forest on the edge of permanent
waterways, ensuring spectacular animal encounters.
The camp is built in traditional style with five tents on raised wooden
platforms, allowing great views over the floodplains. Each tent has a deck, a
private bathroom and an outdoor shower. The main dining and lounge areas and
pool are also on raised platforms and an outdoor pub area lies under the canopy
of a large marula tree.
Wildlife seen here includes elephant, lion, Burchell's zebra, red lechwe,
southern giraffe, tsessebe, and blue wildebeest on the floodplains. Kudu,
impala, leopard and bushbuck are also seen in the forested areas. The variety
of bird life is impressive with dry-land species seen on the large islands and
all the wetland birds seen on the floodplains and waterways. In the winter
months, the water levels rise and the floodplains become covered with water,
permitting water activities. During this season — normally May to late
September — boating, fishing and mokoro trips are offered. Throughout the year
day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, as well as guided walks are
available. There are two platform hides in the concession.
Villa Okavango, a premier camp, is a luxurious private home in the heart
of the Okavango wetland wilderness. This is the place to escape the modern
world yet still enjoy all the Delta has to offer in secluded splendor. The
villa has been designed to offer a family or a maximum of two couples the
experience of enjoying a luxurious home in a wilderness setting. Set amid a
grove of ancient trees it has an elevated teak deck that houses the spacious
and airy living area.
There are two large bedrooms with private bathrooms, one
with a magnificent four-poster bed and the other with two sumptuous sleigh
beds. The dining and lounge areas are furnished in a colonial-baronial style.
Antiques abound throughout and there is an informative and absorbing library of
natural history books. The villa has its own staff, and a resident chef will
prepare excellent meals as and when they are required, adding to the exclusive
atmosphere. A resident butler is also on hand. The outdoor area is also
designed for total relaxation; from the peaceful swimming pool to the high,
expansive deck allowing guests to view the tranquil lagoon and the surrounding
landscape with its prolific birdlife and passing wildlife. A resident guide is on hand with an open, comfortable 4x4 to conduct morning and evening game viewing drives. During the wet season, guests can enjoy the numerous waterways by mokoro, the traditional poled craft used as transport by the local people.
Vumbura Plains is a luxury camp situated in a private
concession in the extreme north of the Delta. The concession includes a wide
variety of habitats, diverse wildlife and an enormous traversing area of 130
000 acres. This position encompasses such a wide variety of habitats and
species that it has representatives of just about every animal that occurs in
the Okavango biome.
The camp comprises two separate seven-roomed satellite camps, each with its own
raised dining, lounge and bar area tucked beneath a canopy of cool, shady,
indigenous trees and with a magnificent vista across the floodplains. If you're
expecting a classic safari-style camp, Vumbura Plains breaks all those
expectations. Each large, luxurious room is raised off the ground on wooden
decks and each comprises a bedroom, lounge, shower and bathroom – with an
indoor and an outdoor shower. Each room also has a plunge pool and a sala, a
comfortable area to relax, watching the waving grasses of the floodplain.
Vumbura Plains offers both land and water activities, principally nature
viewing in varied habitats in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks, mokoro trips and
boat excursions. While exploring the spectacular ecology of this area, one can
enjoy close-up viewing of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and buffalo along
with all the plains game. Birding is fabulous here with immense species
diversity and mind-boggling numbers. The Vumbura area is possibly the only area
in the Okavango where one can see red lechwe inhabiting the fringes of the
waterways and sable antelope inhabiting the dry countryside on the same game
drive.
Nestled in a magnificent riverine
forest, Xigera Camp epitomizes the Okavango Delta. The camp is located on an island in the
heart of the delta in Moremi Game Reserve, a true wetland paradise surrounded
by deep channels and lush riverine vegetation.
The camp consists of ten luxuriously furnished tented rooms each with a private bathroom and an outdoor shower. Raised on wooden platforms and walkways, each tent offers superb views of the seasonal floodplain and lagoon and a feel of living in the midst of a riverine forest. Meals and evening drinks are enjoyed in the lounge, pub and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel or under the stars in a traditional African boma. For hot days there is a small plunge pool in which to cool off.
Guests are sometimes treated to close-up views of lion or leopard using the
footbridge connecting Xigera's island to the next! Permanent water year-round
allows an unparalleled variety of activities such as mokoro trips, game
drives and motorboat outings; being the only camp in the area ensures total
privacy. When water levels permit, usually from September to April, game drives
are an attraction. Xigera is a delight for birdwatchers, with Pel's fishing
owl, African skimmer, slaty egret, wattled crane and a host of raptors, other
water birds and colorful kingfishers to be seen. An abundance of wildlife
includes red lechwe, lion, spotted hyena, and leopard and the highest density
of the rare sitatunga antelope in the delta.
Moremi Under Canvas is a seasonal camp opening in September 2010. The camp season is between September and December each year. Bordering the Okavango Delta, it is located in Moremi Game Reserve that was declared a national park by the indigenous BaTawana in 1962 in order to protect the area from that time rampant and destructive hunting. It now supports a great diversity of wildlife in a vast variety of ecosystems ranging from lily-covered wetlands and vast floodplains to open grasslands and thick forests; this is one of the most beautiful and diverse areas of Botswana. Game moves freely along ancient migration patterns, and you can follow the elephant routes by the striking 65-foot tall real fan palms – elephants love the fruit and spread the seeds in their dung along the way.
Moremi has semi-permanent camps, moved every five or six days ensure a new area to explore and the least impact on the fragile nature.
There are five double or twin bedded tents, all equipped with private bathrooms and hot bucket showers. Well-used animal trails meander past and through the camp bringing surprise thrills with unexpected visitors, and the air is filled with sounds of birds through the trees. At night, a drink at sunset with fellow guests and a simple but delicious meal cooked on an open fire will round up the day.
The reserve was named after Tawana chief Moremi and now supports a great diversity of wildlife, a fabulous variety of birds and one of the largest populations of the endangered African wild dog. Dense riverine forests are home to shy leopard and deep lagoons are inhabited by hippo, while the semi-aquatic red lechwe and sitatunga antelope can be seen wading the shallows. Buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal can all be spotted on the floodplains and among Moremi’s drier areas. A birdwatcher’s paradise, the rich and diverse habitat of the reserve is home to a surprising diversity of birds, with almost 500 species, from water birds to forest dwellers.
Nxabega Tented Camp is set in a private concession of 19,800 acres to the southeast of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the centre of one of the most unique regions in the world, the Okavango Delta. Renowned for its lush waterways and abundant wildlife, the Okavango is home to a number of aquatic and land species. From under a canopy of African ebony trees, the camp faces out over expansive lagoons and channels in the riverine forest of the southern part of the delta.
With gorgeous Okavango views, nine tented suites are strung out on either side of the handsome thatched guest areas of the camp. Burnished teak floors and a lofty roof frame the sitting and dining areas. Enjoy private bush dinners, breakfasts in bed, cocktails on a river island or a walking safari with al fresco picnic.
Raised on wooden platforms, the spacious tented suites let in the sights and sounds of the African bush. Escape the heat of the day with a dip in the pool or take in the sun on the broad viewing deck looking out over reeds and floodplains. In your room large spinning fans keep the heat at bay and a spacious ensuite shower with burnished teak floorboards refreshes and renews. The private wooden decks invite you to contemplate the water’s edge and watch for wildlife.
The Okavango Delta is home to a large number of species, including semi-aquatic species, such as the elegant red lechwe and the shy sitatunga. Families of hippo hide in the deeper channels and lagoons, while the unique Delta environment supports many minute but beautiful species, including multicolored frogs and incandescent dragonflies. The area supports the continent’s largest surviving concentration of elephant and buffalo, while roan and sable antelope roam the open woodlands. Nxabega means place of the giraffe and these elegant animals are abundant in the surrounding areas. The nocturnal leopard hides inside the riverine thickets. With an incredible wealth of species, the Okavango is a haven for birding enthusiasts including the elusive Pel’s fishing owl, the fish eagle, the endangered wattled crane and the African jacana.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
Sandibe Safari Lodge is set in a private concession of 105 square miles of remote wilderness in the southeastern Okavango Delta on the southern border of Moremi Game Reserve. The site for the lodge was chosen for its extraordinary beauty, the prime location on the permanent water and the proximity to the game-rich grass plains. Lush waterways create a home to a great number of both aquatic and land species, and predators from Moremi cross over to Sandibe concession. Blending seamlessly with its surroundings, the tranquil beauty of Sandibe Safari Lodge surprises not only guests but even attracts the occasional wandering animals. The sounds of Africa lull and soothe travelers – listen to the sound of elephants splashing in the quiet waters, baboons chattering and a myriad birds calling in the trees.
Sandibe has eight cottages with private bathrooms and outdoor showers. All cottages have elevated viewing decks which are also perfect for intimate candlelit dinners. Gentle breezes drift through window screens and the outdoor shower is great for stargazing. Cool off in the swimming pool or enjoy the hammocks slung in the dappled shade. Relax over scrumptious meals in the dining room while animals wander only a few feet away and enjoy the cozy shelter of the fire-lit boma as thousands of stars light up the African sky.
Renowned for its abundant wildlife, the areas surrounding Sandibe Lodge are home to a large number of species, including many predators, as well as a number of species adapted to the semi-aquatic lifestyle, such as the elegant red lechwe and the shy sitatunga. Lion prides, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog may be encountered, while families of hippo hide in the deeper channels and lagoons. The area supports the continent’s largest surviving concentration of elephant and buffalo, while roan and sable antelope roam the open woodlands. Leopards are fairly common throughout the Okavango, particularly in dense riverine forest. With an incredible wealth of species, the Okavango is also a haven for birding enthusiasts.
Xaranna Delta Camp
Xaranna Delta Camp is set in a private wilderness concession of 61,800 acres to the southeast of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the centre of one of the most unique regions in the world, the Okavango Delta renowned for its lush waterways and abundant wildlife. In the midst of crystal clear waters, surrounded by a mosaic of papyrus and reed beds, Xaranna provides an exceptional water experience. With sweeping views opening up onto a permanent lagoon, this serene and isolated camp combines the best of what the Okavango has to offer. Glide silently on a mokoro, exploring the mosaic of islands nestled among a labyrinth of channels and enjoy exciting wildlife sightings. During the high-water months, the camp is only accessible by a boat.
Xaranna enjoys luxurious solitude on its own delta island.
It is a delightful, airy camp with just nine sleek safari tents that combine canvas and timber. All the tents have sweeping views across the channels and a romantic sala. The tents are equipped with air-conditioning, fans, room safes and hairdryers. A private bathroom promises the luxury of a deep, warm bath, and a refreshing shower waits either indoors or al fresco open to the elements. Lull your senses with a quiet contemplation while watching the waters of the Okavango from the cooling comfort of your own plunge pool. Share stories over the flavors of delicious meals in the open-sided dining room or give in to the romance of African nights spent around a roaring fire under starry skies in the open air boma.
Guests can experience guided walking safaris, interpretive game drives and traditional mokoro excursions. Lion prides, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog are occasionally encountered, while families of hippo hide in the deeper channels and lagoons. The area supports the continent’s largest surviving concentration of elephant and buffalo, while roan and sable antelope are occasionally spotted in the open woodlands. Leopards occur throughout the Okavango, particularly in dense riverine forest. Apart from the more commonly encountered predators, the Okavango is also a stronghold for the endangered African wild dog, although sightings of this rare animal are relatively uncommon. With an incredible wealth of species, the Okavango is also a haven for birding enthusiasts.
Xudum Delta Lodge
Set in a private concession of 62,000 acres, the Xudum Delta Lodge is surrounded by a number of permanent river channels and lush vegetation of tall papyrus, grasses and ferns. Floating rafts of water lilies and other aquatic plants dot the deep lagoons, giving shelter to families of hippo and Cape clawless otters while the riverine forests hide predators and shy antelopes. Southeast of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, this area is a haven for game drives on open 4x4 safari vehicles, mekoro canoe adventures on the channels and birdwatching.
Nine split-level safari suites feature large bathtubs and romantic al fresco showers. Each suite has a private plunge pool and a rooftop deck with magnificent delta views – while away the afternoon in your own large double lounger watching the wildlife on the lagoon banks go on about their daily activities and the resident hippos cool off in the water. All suites are also equipped with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, fans, room safes and hairdryers. An intimate refuge, Xudum Delta Lodge was designed with privacy in mind. The lodge’s open interactive kitchen provides tantalizing meals – watch the chefs at their art and pitch in you like. The dining room has sweeping views and the open fire pit is the place to linger at night.
Morning, evening and night safari drives bring you close to the big game on the floodplains and the islands. Elephants are fond of the tall fan palms, which also are the favorite nesting sites for many bird species. The area supports the continent’s largest surviving concentration of elephant and buffalo, while roan and sable antelope roam the open woodlands. Lion may be sighted near Xudum and, although predominantly nocturnal and difficult to spot, leopards are fairly common throughout the Okavango, particularly in dense riverine forest. With an incredible wealth of species, the Okavango is also a haven for birding enthusiasts. One of its most sought after species is the huge but elusive Pel’s fishing owl, which roosts in the densest evergreen thickets. A quintessential African sound, the haunting call of the fish eagle can often be heard echoing over the channels.