Camp Okavango
CEDARBERG RATING
Premier
Overview
- Newly designed eco-sensitive camp right at the edge of the Nxaragha Island with impressive delta scenery
- Water activities throughout the year in the permanent Okavango Delta
- Sightings of rare Okavango species such as the Sitatunga
- Authentic safari experience at Camp Okavango
- Excellent bird-watching
- Ideally combined with a land-based safari camp (Camp Moremi)
- Camp Okavango offers canoeing, boating, game walks and birding
- Great for families with the inclusion of the new family unit
Camp Okavango is situated on remote Nxaragha Island in the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta of Botswana. This location assures a year-round water safari experience. Shameless luxury blends with the Africa of old in the newly refurbished lodge, which houses a bar, lounge and dining room. Along with the eco-friendly design of the lodge, it is now run entirely on renewable solar energy. The seventy kilowatt solar power plant provides the camp with twenty four hours of clean, green energy.
The expansive open-air terrace caters for alfresco meals and evenings around a blazing camp fire. Camp Okavango's silver service dinner served by candelabra is renowned among knowledgeable Africa safari travellers. Shaded hammocks, reading benches and a delightful sundeck with a new swimming pool provide relief during the hot Botswana midday hours. An elevated observation platform affords stunning views of the tranquil floodplains of the surrounding Okavango Delta from camp.
Accommodation
Eleven intimate Safari Suites and a Family Suite are on raised teak platforms. With en suite facilities and private sundeck beneath the thick Okavango Delta vegetation. The stack away sliding doors open onto a private open-air viewing deck offering beautiful views over the Okavango Delta. The doors have a gauze inner door so that you can enjoy being in the bush without encountering its insect life!
The new family unit incorporates two separate bedrooms both with en-suite bathrooms with inter-leading doors for easy access between the rooms.
Activities at Camp Okavango
Given its location, safari activities at Camp Okavango are focused on the water and you shouldn’t expect the same concentration of big game as you would find in drier areas (this is why we usually recommend combining Camp Okavango with a land-based camp such as its sister lodges, Camp Moremi or Xakanaxa Camp to get a balanced Delta safari experience).
However there is not much which beats exploring the Okavango Delta by mokoro and boat on wildlife and bird-watching expeditions. Guided game walks on the islands allow you to track some of the larger game that inhabit this watery paradise. The elusive Sitatunga antelope has found refuge in this pristine wetland ecosystem, as well as birds, such as the African Fish eagle and Pel's Fishing owl which are magnificent in flight. Fishing is also available (with equipment available).
Note: A water-based safari camp such as Camp Okavango is not really suitable for older frail people, especially if you have hip problems. Water-based safaris involve a fair amount of climbing in and out of boats and low mokoros as well as walking safaris.
At A Glance
Birding hotspot
Swimming pool- Rural location
- Walking Safari
Birding hotspot
Swimming pool
Rural location
Walking SafariIn Pictures
Camp Okavango on the map
Rooms
11 Guest Suites
Luxurious elevated safari suites with stacking doors on expansive private decks and raised on Silligna platforms
En-suite bathroom comprising of a double capacity shower, double vanity and toilet
Other amenities in all suites include: 24 hour solar generated power; fans in all guest rooms; 220V Plug points for charging equipment; A range of African bio degradable soaps, conditioning shampoo, hand wash, body lotion with insect repellent and shower caps; hairdryer; gowns; Tea and coffee making facilities; flashlight; umbrella’s for the rainy season; small safe for valuables; emergency air horn for emergency situations
1 Luxury Family Suite
Luxurious elevated safari suite with double bedroom and stacking doors on an expansive Silligna platform
En-suite bathrooms comprising of a double shower, double vanity and toilet
Second bedroom can accommodate 2 children in twin beds, and a third child on a roll out bed
Children’s area with games and books
Other amenities include: 24 hour solar generated power; fans in all guest rooms; 220V Plug points for charging equipment; A range of African bio degradable soaps, conditioning shampoo, hand wash, body lotion with insect repellent and shower caps; hairdryer; gowns; Tea and coffee making facilities; flashlight; umbrella’s for the rainy season; small safe for valuables; emergency air horn for emergency situations
Camp Okavango – relaxing, friendly & beautiful
I loved this camp! Comfortable accommodation and I found the camp to be really relaxing.
At the airstrip, we received a very warm welcome, and whisked off out on a mokoro trip straight away, to appreciate what was left of the day before sunset. There are probably very few activities that could come close to a mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta. The transition from being a little stressed and tired, to being in such a peaceful environment and the tranquility of the mokoro trip itself was so amazing! After the mokoro trip, we met the lodge staff next to the runway where we enjoyed sundowners and watched a magnificent sunset. After sundowners we were walked to the camp and saw a giraffe up close that was grazing on the island close to the lodge.
The camp was really comfortable. The bathroom is en-suite with an enclosed door at the back of the tent and could work very well for twin guests sharing. The tent has a proper door that can be closed. The food was excellent – home-cooked style but delicious! If guests know the history of Camp Okavango and how it all started, it will be a treat for them to meet John Carter who has lived in the Delta all his life and been at Camp Okavango for 30+ years (since it started). The staff were absolutely lovely! I can’t think of a better way of starting your Botswana safari than in the heart of the Okavango Delta.
The following day our wake-up call was at 06h00, followed by breakfast at 06h30 and the morning motorboat excursion departed at 07h30, meandering through crystal clear waters to Lopis Island where our game walk would be. It was rather chilly on the boat (mid winter) and we had an unexpected sighting of about five little bee-eaters that were all snuggled up closely on a papyrus reed to keep warm. The island was quiet this morning, but our tracker spotted an elephant when we got off the boat and our paths crossed his again, when we had to make our way back to the boat – what an adrenalin rush, being so close to such a large animal on foot! We had a guide & tracker with us. I must add that I felt completely safe. Some of their older guides have lived in the Okavango Delta most of their lives, so they know the behavior of the animals and are very experienced.
Sightings on the island differ from day to day because the animals migrate/move across the islands. After our stay, guests at Camp Moremi commented that they had been close to a large herd of elephant on Buffalo Island near that camp. We also saw impala on the island, crocodiles on our way back and also visited a “hippo pool” with quite a few hippo. Obviously one can never tell what exciting sightings are to be expected on the islands where walking is done, but learning about the plants and their medicinal values and looking at spoor is equally satisfying and very informative!
Exclusive Offers
Desert & Delta Safari - Long Stay Offers
Stay at any combination of Desert & Delta Camps for 4 nights or more & you are eligible for Special Best of DDS rates which will be less than the stand-alone camp rates quoted here.
Stay at any combination of Desert & Delta Camps for 4 nights or more & you are eligible for Best of DDS rates which will be less than the stand alone camp rates quoted. Contact us for a tailormade quotation.
Community & Conservation Safari (6n)
6 night safari offer to 3 different camps - see detail
2 nights Leroo La Tau 2 nights Camp Moremi or Camp Okavango 2 nights Chobe Game Lodge The Desert & Delta Safaris Packages contribute a minimum of $5 per bed-night towards social & environmental projects in the areas we operate. From supporting children in remote communities to local farmers living side-by-side with wildlife in tourism areas. For more information please visit our website: desertdelta.com/CARES
6 night Offer
Stay at any 2 lodges for 6 nights (combined)
