Okavango Delta Camps & Lodges
Experiencing this unique wetlands paradise in the midst of the Kalahari Desert is the best reason to visit Botswana. The view of the Delta from the skies above as you fly into your camp’s airstrip is an awesome one. It’s here that you will be able to safari by boat and mokoro in addition to day and night game drives.
Abu Camp
Elephant back safaris are the highlight activity offered here. Guests have the opportunity to spend time learning about the planet's largest mammal, walking with with the resident herd and riding atop them through this private reserve in the heart of the Delta. This is an intimate elephant education safari experience, provided in a safe and secure environment. Abu also offers day and night game drives, and mokoro safaris. The luxurious, en-suite tents have private viewing decks with breathtaking views overlooking a lagoon.
Villa Okavango is a private villa located on the other side of the lagoon which can accommodate four guests or a family with children. Complete with pool and resident butler, this is the ultimate, exclusive bush style accommodation. Elephant activities are more limited for private villa guests.
June, 2009 Update: Under the guidance of Michael Lorentz, well-known specialist guide, there is now an emphasis on walking and tracking with the elephant herd which provides a more interactive experience for guests.
June, 2010 Update: Abu Camp is scheduled to reopen this month after the first phase of refurbishment of the main area. The guest tents are scheduled to be refurbished between October, 2010 and April, 2011.
Chitabe Camp
Chitabe is built on elevated wooden decks beneath a lush tree canopy in a private area that is bordered on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve. The dining area, lounge, pub and pool areas overlook the surrounding flood plains. Each East African style tented room has en-suite facilities with flush toilet and shower plus an additional shower outside. The bathrooms can be completely separated from the bedrooms with two sliding doors which are hidden behind the headboard. Daytime game drives give you the opportunity to see lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, elephant, zebra, buffalo, hippo and African wild dogs; while night drives provide sightings of the rarer nocturnal animals. Many of Chitabe's staff have been there since its inception and their pride and loyalty give this camp its friendly atmosphere and reputation as the "Soul of the Delta." Chitabe and Chitabe Lediba camps are owned by Dave and Hélène Hamman who have managed a number of Botswana camps. Their passion is the endangered African wild dogs and they co-produced the book, "Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog," the definitive book on this species.
June, 2009 Update: The tented rooms, main area and library have had a recent facelift.
Chitabe Lediba Camp
In Setswana the word "lediba" means pool or lagoon. This smaller sister camp, just down the way from Chitabe main camp, looks over a water channel. This is very comfortable 5-tented camp has recently been renovated onto new elevated walkways. The en-suite facilities have flush toilets and showers with an additional outdoor shower that overlooks the floodplain. There are two family suites and a honeymoon suite which make this camp ideal for groups who desire an exclusive camp experience. Chitabe and Chitabe Lediba camps are owned by Dave and Hélène Hamman.
Chitabe Walking Trails
Those looking to go "into the wild" can opt for a two-day walking safari which is tailored to suit the group's physical abilities and interests. An armed guide informs and leads the group through the different habitats of the Delta. Nights are spent sleeping out at elevated hides under mosquito nets and the starry sky. Chemical toilets and hot bucket showers are also provided. Meals are cooked on an open campfire and served by your camp staff. The nighttime stillness is punctuated by nocturnal sounds of Lions roaring and the whooping calls of the Hyenas. This is the real African safari experience you won't soon forget! The Walking Trails is offered during the dry season (May to November) when deemed safe by the camp management.
Vumbura Plains
This luxury camp has recently been re-built on raised boardwalks that connect two camps (7 tents each) which each boast their own dining, lounge and bar area. Designed in a clean, contemporary fashion overlooking a vast floodplain, each spacious room has sleeping area, lounge, a "sala" and en-suite facilities with shower, flush toilet and outdoor shower and plunge pool. Some of these are family unit suites with the additional bedroom and bathroom located across the private deck to insure maximum privacy. The Vumbura Reserve offers both land and water activities including boating and mokoros. The Okavango Community Trust, represents and administers the interests of the local communities who have been ceded this reserve by the government to manage in a joint venture, for photographic safaris. Money, jobs, training and the secondary businesses that can flourish from such arrangements, all accrue directly to the local villages making this an outstanding example of Botswana's innovative and sustainable approach to tourism.
Little Vumbura Camp
The little sister camp to Vumbura Plains, this camp accommodates 12 guests on a private island that this typically reachable only by boat. As you arrive at the dock the staff welcomes you with song, smiles and a helping hand. Mokoros give guests a chance to glide through the waterways under the guidance of experienced polers. Game drives in the 4x4 Land Rovers allow guests to get close to animals in the savannah. Boating to islands gives guests yet another perspective on this northern Delta area. Tented rooms are en-suite with flush toilet and both inside and outside showers.
Nxabega Camp
This camp's name means "place of the Giraffe" and it is located on the edge of the Okavango Delta bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Guests can enjoy both land and water activities here including mokoro and powerboat excursions. Nxabega offers abundant bird-watching opportunities with 349 species recorded here. The camp accommodates 18 guests in classic safari tents, with en-suite facilities, on raised wooden platforms with private verandas. The décor is stylish and environmentally chic. A bush path leads to the central dining and lounge area which has been created from local timber and thatch and overlooks the floodplain.
2008 - Best Safari Property in Southern Africa at the Good Safari Guide Awards
Sandibe Safari Lodge
This beautiful thatched lodge nestles between permanent water and grass-swept plains and was built with a commitment to "treading lightly on the earth". The result is organic architecture that blends seamlessly with the breathtaking landscape. Each of the eight thatched cottages with en-suite facilities, have an open air shower and private deck overlooking the river. Activities include game drives, interpretive bush walks, peaceful mokoro outings and excursions on a silent electric wooden eco-craft. Boating and fishing may be enjoyed year-round, but is at its best during the flood season from June to September.
2009 - Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List of the World’s Best Places to Stay
2008 - Condé Nast Traveler US Reader's Choice Awards (Top 50 Resorts in Africa)
Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp
Xaranna opened in 2008 on its own Delta island within a 62,000-acre exclusive wildlife concession. It is a delightful, airy camp with just nine sleek en-suite safari tents that combine canvas and bleached timber. All the tents have sweeping views across the channels. Each tent has a four poster bed, romantic sala, private plunge pool, indoor bathtub and al fresco shower. Activities include guided walking safaris, interpretive game drives, eco-boat cruises and traditional mokoro excursions.
2009 - Profiled in Town & Country’s special travel issue; recognized in the UK Condé Nast Traveller Red Hot List 2009 of the World’s Best New Hotels (Africa, Indian Ocean & Middle East category); included in the US Condé Nast Traveler Hot List of the World’s Top New 140 Hotels; listed in the UK Condé Nast Traveller Red Hot List of the World’s Best New Hotels (Africa, Indian Ocean & Middle East category).
Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge
Xudum Lodge features nine playfully crafted split-level safari suites with unique rooftop hideouts. Rising high as the treetops, the open upper level is a perfect place to while away the afternoon or enjoy a private dinner under the stars. Dark wooden frames cradle another bed in a 
more conventional bedroom location just down the stairs. Each suite has a deep, oversized bathtub and both indoor and outdoor showers, and private plunge pool. Xudum Lodge opened in 2008. Activities include thrilling day and night game drives, guided daytime walks, mokoro excursions and eco-boat cruises.
2009 - Profiled in Town & Country’s special travel issue; recognized in the UK Condé Nast Traveller Red Hot List 2009 of the World’s Best New Hotels (Africa, Indian Ocean & Middle East category); included in Travel + Leisure’s It List of the 45 Best New Hotels of the Year; listed in the UK Condé Nast Traveller Red Hot List of the World’s Best New Hotels (Africa, Indian Ocean & Middle East category).
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