Okavango Delta Accommodation

 

The Okavango Delta (or Okavango Swamp), in Botswana, is the world\\'s largest inland delta. The area was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that dried up some 10,000 years ago. Today, the Okavango River has no outlet to the sea. Instead, it empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating 15,000 km² of the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometres of water reach the delta. Some of this water reaches further south to create Lake Ngami.  The waters of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding, which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south (May/June). The water from the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south. Islands can disappear completely during the peak flood, then reappear at the end of the season.

The water entering the delta is unusually pure, due to the lack of agriculture and industry along the Okavango River. It passes through the sand aquifers of the numerous delta islands and evaporates/transpirates leaving enormous quantities of salt behind. These precipitation processes are so strong that the vegetation disappears in the center of the islands and thick salt crusts are formed.

Whatever kind of holiday you're looking for, our selection of Okavango accommodation will have something to suit your tastes. Please feel free to browse the below selection of lodges and send through your enquiries for a free no obligation quotation

Click Here to view our fantastic range of guided Okavango Delta Camping Safaris

Okavango Accommodation Options

Selinda Camp

Selinda Camp overlooks the Selinda Spillway, a unique seasonal waterway which links the Okavango Delta with the game-rich floodplains of the Linyanti Swamps.  Selinda\\'s 9 spacious, luxury tents are erected under cool thatch canopies, with all units having exceptional views across palm-studded floodplains. Each tent has en-suite facilities, a stone bath being the highlight. The bathroom is uniquely "open air" with lots of natural light, yet is screened and virtually insect-proof. The tents are spacious and beautifully appointed with furniture and features that have been collected from around Africa. Four-poster mosquito nets and overhead fans are standard.
 

 

Zarafa Camp

Zarafa (formerly Zibadianja) Camp, overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon, evokes a sense of old-style safari with its four large, luxuriously appointed double or twin \\'marquis style\\' tents. At a maximum of eight guests, the emphasis here is on individual hospitality and privacy. Each generous tent and veranda is positioned under cool and shady trees to emphasise the spectacular view and comprises a spacious bedroom, en-suite bathroom, a copper bath and shower as well as outdoor shower. The main area is furnished in the same \\'campaign\\' style as the tents and evokes the traditional safari ambiance of the turn of the last century. Lounge and dining facilities may be enjoyed under canvas or on the full-length deck shaded by giant broad-leafed trees - overlooking the expansive view and the wildlife that passes by. The camp is perfect for those who favour a more intimate personal experience or those who prefer the entire camp for their own, exclusive use.

 

Abu Camp

Abu Camp, set in a pristine pocket of riverine forest, is situated in a vast private reserve of 180 000 hectares (400 000 acres) in the heart of the Okavango Delta.  Named after a very special bull elephant, Abu was the original base camp from which Africa\\'s first elephant back safaris were pioneered in the Delta 17 years ago.  Today 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 has been called Afro-Bedouin, high, wide and airy and blending in well with the natural surroundings. Each of the six en-suite accommodation units has its own distinctive furnishings and fittings, many of them antique, imparting an air of opulence amid the bush setting.  Each tent has its own private elevated teak deck sculpted around one of the lofty sycomore figs or jackalberry trees.
 

 

Chitabe Camp

Chitabe Camp is situated in a private concession area on a beautiful island in the south-east of the Okavango Delta. In contrast with the areas further north, this area is a fascinating mosaic of mopane and acacia bushveld, riverine forest and the perennial Delta, playing host to diverse wildlife and birds.  Chitabe\\'s eight spacious Meru-style tents are built on elevated wooden decks amongst the trees. Each tent has twin beds, en-suite facilities 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.

 

Chitabe Lediba

Neighbouring the Moremi Game Reserve in the south-east of the Okavango Delta, Chitabe Concession is 28 000 hectares of a multiplicity of habitats, from savannah to tree-filled islands and floodplains. All this makes for amazing wildlife sightings.
Chitabe Lediba is small, intimate - just right as a private camp for small groups or families; its two family units have adjoining bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. All five spacious Meru-style tents are built on raised decks. En-suite bathrooms compliment the outdoor shower "with a view." A dining area, lounge and pool with glorious views over the surrounding floodplains and a small lediba (remnant lagoon that has become a waterhole), after which the camp is named, offers game a place 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.
 

 

Duba Plains

One of the Okavango Delta\\'s most remote camps, 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 an en-suite bathroom, an outside shower, and a veranda 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 so a classic game drive is one that tracks down the truly enormous buffalo herd to see if any lion are also headed in that direction. Aside from this interaction the age-old conflict between lion and spotted hyaena is also a point of interest. Birdlife is abundant and impressive, with many Okavango Delta specials such as Rosy-throated Longclaw, Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane being found in the area.

 

Jacana Camp

Situated on Moremi Game Reserve\\'s boundary, in the private Jao Concession, Jacana Camp is located on a beautiful island and surrounded by the classic seasonally inundated Okavango floodplains and the papyrus swamps.  Its five Meru-style tents are built on wooden decks to accentuate the views overlooking the floodplains. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom which is enclosed but roofless allowing for showers by starlight - or by dappled sunlight and shade. The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off in the midday sun. The main dining area is on an elevated platform between two magnificent sycomore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy 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

 

Jao Camp

In the central region of the concession, vast open floodplains provide some of the most stunning scenery Botswana has to offer. Jao Camp lies in the southern side of the plains, an area with beautiful islands fringed with riverine forests. Jao Camp has nine spacious, beautiful tents, each individually handcrafted. These twin-bedded canvas and thatched rooms are situated beneath a canopy of shady trees and have en-suite facilities, as well as an outdoor shower for the more adventurous. Built on raised decks, each has a private sala for afternoon siestas and offers wonderful views of the spectacular surrounding floodplains of Botswana. In addition to the lounge and dining area, there are two plunge pools and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars, complimented by wines from an excellent wine cellar. Jao Camp also has a salon where a wide range of massage therapies are offered.

 

Kwetsani Camp

In the central region of the concession, vast open floodplains provide some of the most stunning scenery of the region. Kwetsani Camp lies on the same floodplain system as Jao Camp, on the southern side of the plains. This area of the concession has beautiful islands fringed with riverine forests.  Five beautifully furnished \\'tree-house\\' chalets, each with its own en-suite 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 and around 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).

 

Camp Okavango

Camp Okavango in Botswana is located on the remote Nxaragha Island situated in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta. This Botswana lodge offers guests a year-round water wilderness experience. Guests are accommodated in elegant East African inspired safari tents, each raised on a teak platform with en-suite facilities. The thatch and lethaka main lodge boasts a wildlife reference library, lounge and cocktail bar. The dining room opens up onto an expansive open-air patio, ideal for relaxing around the fireside at night. Enjoy delicious meals served by candlelight.  Explore the scenic Okavango Delta by mokoro (canoe) or motorboat. The area is ideal for bird viewing. Alternatively enjoy a nature walk on the numerous islands situated in the Delta. Fish for Bream or Tiger Fish from Camp Okavango before enjoying a refreshing cocktail at the bar

 

Xugana Island Lodge

Xugana Island Lodge is ideally situated in the permanent water of the Okavango Delta on a private concession. The surrounding wilderness is home to spectacular wildlife sightings. The al fresco dining area and open boma overlooks the Okavango Delta.  This Okavango Delta lodge accommodates 16 guests in spacious raised reed and thatch chalets. Each chalet looks out over the lagoon and features a private viewing deck. Guests can relax in the main lodge\\'s lounge or enjoy a drink at the bar, all situated under an Ebony and African Mangosteen tree canopy.  Explore the Okavango Delta by motorboat or mokoro (canoe) and look forward to nature walks on the surrounding islands. The area is ideal for bird watching, especially while gliding through the waters on a mokoro (canoe). Fishing is available at the lodge where guests might catch Tiger Fish and Bream.

 

Mapula Lodge

Mapula Lodge is an up-market Botswana Safari Lodge situated in the northern part of the Okavango Delta, an area ideal for both land and waterborne activities. The shallow channels and floodplains invite tranquil Mokoro trips in the clear Delta waters, while the larger islands are home to a wide variety of game, viewed from the vantage of open 4x4 game drive vehicles.
 

 

Delta Camp

Mapula Lodge is an up-market Botswana Safari Lodge situated in the northern part of the Okavango Delta, an area ideal for both land and waterborne activities. The shallow channels and floodplains invite tranquil Mokoro trips in the clear Delta waters, while the larger islands are home to a wide variety of game, viewed from the vantage of open 4x4 game drive vehicles.Guests get to know the area both by foot and mokoro - the traditional dug-out canoe. These excursions are conducted in the renowned and beautiful Moremi Game Reserve, with your own professional guide, a local man, and completely at one with his environment.  You can enjoy meals in the elegant Dining Room overlooking the sweep of the Delta, or take a beautifully prepared picnic onto one of the many nearby islands for a secluded and intimate experience. Either way, the excellent cuisine ensures that guests are well prepared for their walks. Tea and coffee are available at all times, and the open bar is on hand to refresh!

 

Oddballs

This unique Camp is situated on the edge of Chief\\'s Island, deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta, and bordering the beautiful Moremi Game Reserve. The camp is accessible by light aircraft only. Upon arrival you will be met at the airstrip and welcomed to the island. Accommodation is in 2mx2m dome tents, fully equipped, and set on elevated wooden decks shaded by reed shelters – allowing for excellent views. Ablution facilities are shared, and there are shower and toilet units scattered throughout the Camp. Activities are mainly conducted by mokoro, so there are only ever 2 guests per guide. The guides are local men, with intimate knowledge of the Delta and its wildlife. The mokoro is the local dug-out canoe, and most definitely the best way to get around the Delta, as you can get between the numerous islands, at the same time enjoy some intimate up close game viewing.