Okavango Delta
The world’s largest inland delta is the holy grail for safari-goers, a magnificent combination of wetland (explore by boat or wooden mokoro) and dry islands (game drives and walks) which attracts one of Africa's most exciting concentrations of wildlife and birds. It is the 1000th World Heritage Site. The scenery flying in to your camp is breathtaking. Most camps are tented, and only some have pools and a/c. Botswana.
Best time: The delta fills with water from May to September which attracts the wildlife (this doesn’t coincide with the rains, so you also have clear skies, and mild winter temperatures). There's a secret season from December to January after the rains.
Access: Charter flight to your camp from Maun (1 hr) or Victoria Falls (1 hr)
Combine with: Chobe & surrounds
I recommend these camps
&Beyond Nxabega (9 tents-en-suite) Newly refurbished with chic lux tents on raised platforms. Remote setting on the water but with good land based activities too. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Member of &Beyond. Child friendly. $$$$$.
&Beyond Sandibe (12 suites) &Beyond’s Botswana flagship – remarkable design inspired by pangolin scales is winning awards. Incredible wildlife bordering prime Chief’s Island. It’s a land camp though, no water activities. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Member of &Beyond. Child friendly. $$$$$.
&Beyond Xudum Okavango Delta (9 suites) Suites with plunge pools and aircon, and a rooftop level under thatch for chilling out and admiring the view. More a water camp, similar to nearby Xaranna. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Member of &Beyond. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Abu (6+2 tents-en-suite) Meet & interact with Abu’s famous elephant herd. Top-notch camp with airy, very generous canvas and wood suites, camp has lovely library and study. Both game drives and water activities offered, but it’s quite far from the pans. The new private villa is completely separate. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Chief’s (11 suites) Contender for Okavango ultimate – supersized pavilions with private pools, top notch dining & wines, superb location with water and land activities. Recently completely refurbished. Close to Mombo. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Sanctuary. $$$$$.
Chitabe (8 tents-en-suite) Some say the game here rivals legendary Mombo. Camp being rebuilt to include library, lap pool, lounge and gym. Shares island with smaller Chitabe Lediba. Only land activities. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Chitabe Lediba (5 tents-en-suite) More intimate than neighbouring Chitabe, same island with awesome game viewing. Refurbished camp has comfortable family units, wonderful hosts. Only land activities. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Duba Expedition (6 tents-en-suite) A great adventure on a wooded island connected to a great wildlife area by bridges. Beautifully decorated & lined tents, on wooden decks, simpler than sister camp Duba Plains. Moving site in 2018. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Great Plains Conservation. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Duba Plains (7 tents-en-suite) Newly rebuilt camp with private pools, wine cellar and they got it spot-on; spacious rooms aren’t pretentious but filled with warm old furnishings and carpets. Cooking over the fire, lovely library for idling away the down-time. Headed up by photographers who have chosen camera equipment for you. Guiding is exemplary. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Great Plains Conservation. $$$$$.
Jao (9 tents-en-suite) An elaborate treehouse-styled central building has a gym, wine cellar, and pools; tents with vintage fittings have salas for afternoon naps. Game drives and water activities. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$$.
Little Machaba (4 tents-en-suite) Similar in elegant 1950s style to sister camp Machaba (they share the same island) – lovely vistas, unfussy and well priced. Khwai area is known for incredible wildlife. Land & water activities. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Classic Safari Africa. $$$$$.
Little Mombo (3 tents-en-suite) The ultimate small camp in Okavango’s top game viewing floodplain – this camp has legendary status, being even more private than adjoining Mombo. Only land-based game viewing, exceptional predators. Currently closed for renovations – we’re all waiting to see how it looks. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$$.
Machaba (10 tents-en-suite) Some call this new kid on the block the Okavango’s best kept secret – elegant 1950’s style camp, water and land activities. There are 2 family tents. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Machaba Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Mombo (9 tents-en-suite) One of Africa’s greatest camps, currently closed for renovation. This and adjoining Little Mombo are famed for ultimate game viewing in the Okavango – especially cats. Only land activities. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$$.
Vumbura Plains (8+6 tents-en-suite) Gracious contemptorary twin camps, indulgent tents have sunken lounges, plunge pools & salas. Close to Vumbura. Game drives and water activities. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$$.
&Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta (9 tents-en-suite) Stylish and serene, private plunge pools and a/c will keep you comfortable. This is more a water camp with boats and mokoros, game drives are limited. Similar landscape to nearby Xudum. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Member of &Beyond. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Baines’ (5 suites) Small & romantic camp raised off the water on stilts, has star baths and sky beds. Water rides, game drives, walks and elephant interactions. Next to Stanley’s Camp. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Member of Sanctuary. $$$$$.
Gomoti Plains (10 tents-en-suite) Recently opened, elegantly done tents with decks around. Sister to Machaba Camp, but in a private concession. There are 2 family tents. Water and land activities. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Jacana (5 tents-en-suite) Quintessential water camp on stilts in a remote location – explore the channels by boat or mokoro to see the wealth of waterbirds, or do game drives. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Kadizora (10 tents-en-suite) Recently renovated, this plush camp in a remote area is the only one in the delta offering hot air ballooning. Water and land activities. Okavango concession north, Botswana. $$$$.
Kwetsani (5 tents-en-suite) This remote, refurbished camp has elevated tree-house tents with views and elegant furnishings; it has perfect combo of land and water activities. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Little Tubu (3 tents-en-suite) Intimate tree-house style camp in traditional African camp style, marvelous area for game. Adjoins Tubu Tree. Game drives and water activities. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Little Vumbura (6 tents-en-suite) Remote camp on a secluded island, excellent for sable and wild dog. Renovations have increased the size of rooms, it’s now an extremely comfortable camp. Close to Vumbura. Both game drives and water activities. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Okuti (7 tents-en-suite) Fresh design with curved roofs, in a beautiful & prime game area, but there are public vehicles. Next to Xakanaxa. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Ker & Downey. $$$$$.
Pelo Camp (5 tents-en-suite) Simple style camp, on a beautiful island deep in the Delta – emphasis on water activities (boat and mokoro) and walking. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Sanctuary Stanley’s (10 tents-en-suite) Upgraded with larger tents. Furnished with antiques, hammocks on the balconies overlooking the floodplains. Water activities and drives, walk with elephants. Next to Baines’ Camp. Okavango concession south, Botswana. Member of Sanctuary. $$$$$.
Seba (8 tents-en-suite) The ideal Delta family camp; guides are expert in handling kids. Simple but comfortable camp with views, tribal-inspired décor. Game drives and water activities. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Tubu Tree (8 tents-en-suite) The Delta’s original treehouse camp has been refurbished; famous for leopard but all-round excellent game. Adjoins Tubu. Game drives and water activities. Okavango concession west, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Xigera (10 tents-en-suite) Deep in the Delta on appropriately named Paradise Island, this is a water camp with a zen vibe. Sometimes game drives are possible but it’s more about exploring by boat and wooden mokoro. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$$. Read more.
Xigera is a classic Okavango “water camp” which means it’s surrounded by waterways which make it serenely beautiful, with giant trees and birdsong, elephants walking through the camp, and opulently green. Xigera is a real gem.
Xugana (8 suites) On the largest permanent water in the delta, and it’s all about water activities at this simple but well crafted camp. Okavango concession north, Botswana. Member of Desert & Delta. $$$$.