Linyanti Bush Camp
Available solely for exclusive use, Linyanti Bush Camp is a small and intimate tented camp besides the Linyanti marshes in a private reserve bordering the western boundary of Chobe National Park.
The camp consists of five spacious and airy en-suite tents, all of which are stylishly decorated to incorporate traditional explorer style with modern conveniences. The décor is neutral and simple, but with splashes of colour and pattern found throughout to add character. The tents also feature their own private verandas with chairs to sit and enjoy the views from.
The communal area of the camp is built on stilts overlooking the floodplains and marsh below, and is the ideal spot to watch passing game from. After dinner, guests can head down to the boma for drinks around the campfire and a spot of stargazing.
The area is renowned for large populations of elephant and buffalo that congregate in vast numbers, and especially during the dry season. The list of regular spotted game includes lion, sable, roan, leopard, wild dog, the rare and elusive sitatunga antelope and red lechwe. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant in the surrounding marshes.
Activities from the camp include game drives, walking safaris, spotlighting by night or sessions spent in game-viewing hides. In addition, the area's relative remoteness makes for spectacular birding all year round.
Why We Love It
The Linyanti Swamp is the area's only source of water in the dry months so attracts a huge diversity of game including enormous herds of elephants which move down to the river at the start of the winter months and only move back inland once the main rains arrive.
Lebala Camp
Lebala means 'wide open spaces' in Setswana and the scenery is dominated by vast plains with scattered palms and tree clumps backed by wooded savannah.
The accommodation consists of spacious tents, each built on a raised teak deck, and laid out with maximum comfort and privacy in mind. The tents have en-suite bathrooms with clawfoot bathtubs, 'his and hers' washbasins and flush loos. The bathrooms lead out to a reed enclosed open-air shower. Each secluded tent has its own sundeck, set back among the trees.
In the warmer months, take a refreshing swim in the Lebala pool. Meals are served in the open-sided dining room, and after dinner there is a wonderful camp fire around which to sip coffee or enjoy a nightcap.
The wetlands and flood plains around Lebala offer a wonderful variety of wildlife with excellent sightings of elephant (especially large herds), hippo, lechwe, zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, kudu, tsessebe, roan, sable, buffalo and the ever present predators; wild dog, lion, cheetah and hyena. There are many activities that allow guests to see the magnificent animals, including both day and night drives, and off road drives. There is also a guide and tracker system on every vehicle, as well as on walking safaris.
Why We Love It
After dark, spotlights are switched on and the night game drives allow for nocturnal sightings of rare and elusive species such as leopard, Selous mongoose, small spotted genet and aardwolf.
Pom Pom Camp
Located within the Matsebe concession in Botswana's Okavango delta, Pom Pom Camp boasts a permanent lagoon surrounded by miles of reeds, where hippos are regular features.
The authentic camp has nine tents, all built in the style of traditional safari tents complete with flushing loos and hot water. Bathrooms are roofless - although private and secure we hasten to add - only adding to the authentic safari experience, and one tent has an open air bath overlooking the lagoon. Families are also catered for, with one tent sleeping four and within close proximity to the lodge.
The campfire is the central hub at night, where guests gather round to relive the day's events before heading to the bar or for supper in the main thatched building. There is also a swimming pool.
Game drives, accompanied by guide and tracker, allow guests to see the various species of game in the area, and Mokoro and fishing trips are also on offer. Look out for baboon, cheetah, dwarf mongoose, elephant, lion, impala, hippo and zebra...we could go on. Birdwatchers also have plenty to look out for, and Pied Kingfishers and African Jacana (or the Lily Trotter as it's affectionately known) are regulars on the waters.
Why We Love It
Backing onto a permanent lagoon, mokoro trips are a great way to see the bird and wildlife.
Selinda Camp
Selinda Camp is located along the banks of the Selinda Spillway, a wildlife haven in Botswana's vast 320 000 acre Selinda Reserve.
The Selinda Reserve, including the Selinda and Zarafa Camps, is part owned by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, the internationally renowned filmmakers who work in partnership with the National Geographic Society. With the help of a dedicated group of friends, they share with you their passionate belief in delivering a premier wildlife experience, while taking care of the Reserve and nurturing it for future generations.
Large concentrations of Botswana's wildlife and predators roam free and wild through the Selinda Reserve's woodlands and savannas. The sanctuary is famous its predators and for large herds of elephant. Sightings of the elusive wild dog as well as lion, leopard and cheetah will enthral your stay.
Activities include early morning, late afternoon and evening game drives, guided wildlife walks, boating and sometimes canoeing and bush dinners
Why We Love It
There are only nine large, luxury tents, each offering sensational views of the wildlife on the floodplains in front of you. Each of the tented rooms has its own en-suite bathroom with a bath, shower and flush facilities.
Vumbura Plains Camp
Located in the northern tip of the Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains comes high in the style stakes, and is also home to a multitude of wildlife.
The camp is actually comprised of two separate camps; both with seven bedrooms and their own dining areas, sitting areas and bars, as well as a star gazing deck overlooking the floodplains.
Every room is raised on a private deck and has wrap around floor to ceiling windows, in order to make the most out of the expansive and uninterrupted delta views. Inside, each room comprises of a bedroom, sunken sitting area and en suite bathroom, while outside they feature an outdoor shower and private plunge pool. Décor throughout both camps is chic and stylish with lots of natural wood, exposed thatched roofs and neutral colours contrasted against colourful bohemian cushions, rugs and other soft furnishings.
A multitude of activities are on offer from Vumbura Plains, both on land and water, including game drives, mokoro trips, nature walks and boat excursions. Due to the presence of both land and water environments this is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the world and guests can experience close up viewings of lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, cheetah and buffalo, as well as all the plains game.
Why We Love It
The Vumbura area is one of the very few places in the Okavango Delta where red lechwe and sable antelope can be see on the same game drive, owing to the diversity of the habitat.
Shinde Enclave
Shinde Enclave has all the trappings of a luxury lodge, yet accommodates a maximum of just six guests meaning it can be all yours for the ultimate wilderness safari experience. Think private chef, waiter, housekeeper and experienced guide, of course.
Raised on a teak deck on an island in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta, each of Shinde Enclave's three spacious tents are complete with an en suite bathroom and balcony with sweeping views across Shinde Lagoon and the surrounding papyrus beds. Each tent is connected to the private dining area and viewing deck creating an exclusive and intimate hideaway for your group - and your private chef, waiter and housekeeper to attend to your needs.
In such a legendary destination it goes without saying that you'll be wowed by the stretching postcard landscapes and majestic animals but what's so special about this particular area is the array of water activities and aquatic species, including the elusive Sitatunga Antelope. So as well as your open 4x4 safari game drives you have the opportunity to climb aboard a mokoro with a 'poler' to guide you through the tranquil waterways. Return to your deck for a G&T as the ochre African sun melts into the horizon, to be replaced with a hearty traditional meal and the light of the Enclave's lanterns.
Why We Love It
With just three luxurious tents, it's not hard to fill Shinde Enclave with a group of family or friends to share this once in a lifetime Okavango trip, with the most personal service you would wish for.
Skybeds
Deep in the heart of Botswana's 200,000 hectare Khwai Private Reserve, high up in the trees of the reserve, are the unique lodgings of Skybeds.
Sleeping just six guests in three doubles, this is an incredibly private stay. Each of the Skybeds are three-story wooden constructions, with the top floor being an open air bedroom. The décor is simple and rustic, in keeping with the natural bush landscape, however the practical luxuries - such as a fully functioning enclosed bathroom - are also catered for. As you ascend the stairs to your four poster bed under the stars, lanterns will illuminate the way. Lie back and listen to the sounds of the bush as you drift off to sleep.
Since Skybeds directly overlooks a water hole you can expect to game view from the comfort of your bed, however getting out and seeing the rest of the reserve is a must. On a game drive the wildlife spotting opportunities are endless, with everything from lions, leopards, elephants, zebra, kudu, wild dog, waterbuck, buffalo and warthog roaming the reserve.
Why We Love It
Fall asleep listening to the sounds of the bush, safe in the knowledge that you are snuggled up high in your four poster bed.