By a coincidence of geography and geology, Botswana has within its boundaries one of the world's great inland waterways, the Okavango Delta. The Okavango River drains water from the Angola highlands into a depression or trough which collects in a delta spreading over 10000 square kilometres. This is a happy accident because this area would otherwise be an arid desert-like much of the surrounding area.
It is also a happy accident for all the wildlife, providing the life-giving element of water and concentrating vast herds of game. All this happiness extends to the safari tourist who has the privilege and pleasure of seeing all these animals in a sublime and unique setting of water, islands, and savannah. For this safari visitor, there are many fantastic and luxurious camps to accommodate them. Abu, Vumbura and Eagle Island camps are synonymous with the best safari accommodation available.
There is another way of seeing the Okavango, perhaps a more natural way which is closer to nature and a greater wilderness experience; mobile camping has been established in this area for decades. The great advantage is that you have your own personal safari driver and ranger who will stop at any interesting observation point for watching wildlife, or for a picnic or lunch or just to stretch your legs and at the end of the day, you will settle down to an already erected tented camp.
You will there enjoy meals prepared by some of the best safari cooks in the industry. The variety of food that these cooks prepare in a pit oven is truly amazing. Slumming it, you are certainly not. Sleeping in nature on a comfortable bed and mattress with the night stars and animals for company, you will awake with a camp servant bringing you fresh, warm towels and water.
On one memorable occasion, our own Nicky found she couldn't get to sleep as she was too excited by the noise of an elephant with a rumbling stomach who had settled by her tent.
This is the stuff of real safaris. The bonus for me was travelling by mokoro (dugout canoes) through an arm of the waterways and watching the game drink peacefully and in harmony with nature. Many people yearn for adventure yet in our busy urban lives do not have the skills or capacity to do their own camping safari. For them and for many others who just simply want an unhurried and natural safari experience, mobile camping is the answer.
Camping in the Okavango Delta
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is nestled in a prime location right on the banks of the iconic Chobe River. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the lodge provides an ideal base for travelers eager to immerse themselves in the region's abundant wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Guests can also enjoy unforgettable boat cruises along the wildlife-rich Chobe River, where sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife make for a truly magical experience.
Kings Pool Camp
Kings Pool Camp in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve offers up nine of the most luxurious safari suites in the whole of Botswana; overlooking Kings Pool Lagoon, each suite has its own private plunge pool and a sala.
Kings Pool Camp is one of the best Linyanti bush camp options; yes, expensive, but oh so worth it in every way possible.
Qorokwe Camp
Qorokwe Camp is a luxurious safari camp located in Botswana's southeastern Okavango Delta region, offering guests the perfect base from which to explore the diverse habitats and abundant wildlife.
Qorokwe is ideally located in the southeastern Okavango Delta region and offers guests the perfect base from which to explore the diverse habitats and abundant wildlife of this incredible area. An amazing safari experience in Botswana awaits at Qorokwe.
Tuludi Camp
Tuludi Camp is an exquisite safari lodge in the Khwai Private Reserve of Botswana, comprised of 200,000 hectares of untouched wilderness that is located to on the edge of the Okavango Delta floodplains.
Enjoy the spectacular beauty of this region and its diverse wildlife by staying in one of the seven luxurious tented suites, all set in a tree-house style and shaded by leadwood trees.
During your stay, participate in game drives, walking safaris, swimming pool and water-based activities to make the most of your time here and discover what makes Tuludi so unique. It is an experience you won will soon forget!
Kadizora Camp
Tucked between the picturesque Vumbura River and the serene Selinda Spillway in the northern Okavango Delta, Kadizora Camp is one of the most stunning destinations in the region. This breathtaking location, often hailed as one of the most beautiful in the Delta.
The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular, with sweeping vistas and a sense of tranquility that makes every moment feel like a dream. Kadizora Camp effortlessly combines the raw beauty of the Delta with the thrill of incredible wildlife encounters, creating an unforgettable experience for every guest.
Selinda Camp
Selinda Camp offers eight spacious and luxurious tents all under thatch is located in the Selinda Wildlife Reserve, a 135 000-hectare of a private wildlife reserve in far northern reaches of Botswana.
Offering up some of the best game viewing in Botswana, all the while being located within the pristine Chobe enclave.
Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari offers guests an affordable and yet amazing option and base from which to explore the surrounding Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans while on a famed Botswana Safari.
If you're looking for a truly unique safari experience, look no further than Camp Kalahari. Located in the heart of the Kalahari Desert, this camp offers guests an affordable and convenient base from which to explore all that the region has to offer. Whether you're interested in game viewing, history, culture, or simply getting away from it all, Camp Kalahari is sure to please.
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Located in Botswana's Okavango Delta, Sitatunga Private Island Camp blends luxury, sustainability, and cultural heritage. This Relais & Châteaux retreat offers an immersive experience that connects guests with nature and celebrates African traditions.
Surrounded by tranquil waterways and vibrant wildlife, Sitatunga invites travellers to indulge in unparalleled comfort while embarking on adventures that celebrate the extraordinary environment it calls home.