Kala Camp
Learn moreCamp Okavango
Learn moreJacana Camp
Learn moreXugana Island Lodge
Learn morePelo Camp
Learn moreSetari Camp
Learn moreOkavango Spirit
Learn moreMopiri Camp
Learn moreThe Pangolin Voyager
Learn moreThe Chobe Princess
Learn moreZambezi Queen
Learn moreThe Kubu Queen
Learn moreNxamaseri Island Lodge
Learn moreSitatunga Private Island
Learn moreChobe Savannah Lodge
Learn moreEagle Island Lodge
Learn moreGunn’s Camp
Learn moreShakawe River Lodge
Learn moreWater Focused Properties
These camps focus on the waters of the delta and allow guests to explore this unique ecosystem in detail activities generally include motorboat and mokoro excursions as well as walks
There are a number of specialist camps and lodges in the Okavango Delta which focus on the waters, aquatic life and spectacular birdlife of the Delta. Normally situated on permanent waters of the delta these camps offer walking safaris, mokoro (the traditional dug-out canoe) and motorboat excursions. Importantly, being set near the permanent waters of the Okavango these camps are able to offer a year-round water safari experience. Many (but not all) of the ‘land & water’ camps are only able to offer seasonal water activities with the arrival of the annual Okavango flood, which varies year to year.
The aquatic environment around these camps does not support large herds and big game and for this reason water camps are often combined with land focused or multi-activity camps. The areas around the water camps are particularly beautiful and offer iconic views of the Okavango. These are rich environments while big game and predators are not usually seen, sightings of elephants, hippo, crocodile and buffalo are common. Semi-aquatic antelope are also found here, such as sitatunga, waterbuck, lechwe and reedbuck. Birding is superb and these lands are alive with birdsong and flashes of colour.
Water Focused Properties
Kala Camp
Set in the picturesque permanent swamps of the northern Okavango, Kala Camp offers a classic water safari experience at any time of year. Opening in May 2022, Kala Camp is one of the newest safari camps in the Okavango, and sure to be as popular as its sister camp Setari, which is located nearby. Kala is an intimate camp with just 6 tents and a rustic chic style.
Camp Okavango
Camp Okavango lies on the remote Nxaragha Island at the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta, offering a year-round water wilderness experience. The experience is all in the name, this is a quintessential Okavango water safari experience with the traditional mokoro rides, boating and walking in a beautiful environment. The camp was rebuilt in 2016 and offers guests modern comforts whilst at the same time preserving the special atmosphere for which it achieved its renown.
Jacana Camp
Small, relaxed and characterful, Jacana is a lovely little camp and newly stylish since a rebuild in 2019. Hidden on a tropical palm island, the camp is utterly private. Jacana is, for most of the year, completely surrounded by water and is a lovely contrast to camps whose focus is big-game and open plains. Water activities are the mainstay here; enjoy the superb birdlife and aquatic splendour of a true Delta experience.
Xugana Island Lodge
Xugana Lagoon is widely accepted as being the most spectacular permanent water site in the entire Okavango Delta, overlooking a permanent deep water lagoon. Xugana Island Lodge is situated on a rich private concession and takes full advantage of this magnificent site offering a classic water safari experience. Currently closed for a full rebuild, Xugana Island Lodge reopens in April 2025 with a fresh and stylish new face but the same lovely atmosphere and sense of place.
Pelo Camp
Pelo Camp, meaning ‘heart’, takes its name from the distinct heart-shaped island located within the Jao Concession on which it is built. Pelo is a rustic camp offering a remote, genuine and adventurous safari experience. Situated deep in the Okavango Delta and lying in a true wetland area, Pelo Camp is operational between 01 March and November every year. Discreet game viewing and being at one with nature is what makes Pelo special.
Setari Camp
The delightful Setari Camp (meaning ‘tree’ in Setswana) offers a quintessential Okavango water safari year round. A network of treehouses with breath-taking views over the sparkling, clear Delta waters, your safari at Setari will be an exclusively water based experience. A visit to the heronry provides spectacular birdlife and Setari is well placed for a glimpse of the elusive sitatunga antelope and the rare Pel’s fishing owl. Catch and release fishing is available in-season.
Okavango Spirit
Explore the upper reaches of the Okavango panhandle in your own private houseboat- ideal for friends and families looking for a unique and peaceful Okavango experience. The Okavango Spirit is a smart, newly refurbished houseboat with seven en-suite cabins and spacious decks offering wonderful views of the Okavango. Booked as part of a 2 or 3 night itinerary – guests can explore the waterways and islands of the Delta, fish, visit Tsodilo Hills and do game drives across the border in Namibia.
Mopiri Camp
Mopiri Camp - translated as ‘’Little Island’’-offers a classic water camp experience. Situated on a three-kilometre permanent lagoon, surrounded by sparkling Okavango waters, Mopiri sits among quintessential Okavango scenery. Activities focus on the water, with boat trips through the winding channels of papyrus and peaceful mokoro rides gliding through the shallower waters as you explore this unique eco-system. Tranquil island surroundings allow guests to set their own pace.
The Pangolin Voyager
The Pangolin Voyager is a delightful houseboat offering boat safaris on the Chobe River. Small but perfectly formed, with 5 rooms, this lovely houseboat is available on an exclusive use only, making it ideal for families and groups. Boating safaris take place on the specially designed motorboat which accompanies the Voyager. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the Chobe river in your own floating home away from the crowds on land.
The Chobe Princess
The three charming houseboats which make up The Chobe Princess fleet are a popular option for those wanting to focus on the Chobe riverfront safari experience. These boats are smaller and more simple than their bigger, and more luxurious sister, the Zambezi Queen Houseboat, but this also allows them to travel twice the distance up the Chobe River. Tender boats offer superb game viewing opportunities. Scheduled departs allow for 2, 3 or 4 night floating safaris.
Zambezi Queen
The Zambezi Queen offers a safari from a different perspective as you float along the banks of the Chobe River. This luxury boutique houseboat offers two and three day boat safaris, with excellent game viewing from the tender boats and on deck. The luxurious cabins maximize views with large windows and each features a private deck. Zambezi Queen captures the ethos of a slow safari and is the perfect start or end to any African adventure.
The Kubu Queen
The Kubu Queen is a charming vintage-style houseboat travelling along the Okavango Delta’s panhandle offering classic river safaris, excellent fishing and birding opportunities. Sleeping six on board with the option of accommodating additional guests in dome tents on islands at night, this is an ideal experience for friends, families and small groups. This is a water and wilderness experience, not a big game safari, and the focus is on boating, fishing, birding and walking.
Nxamaseri Island Lodge
Nxamaseri Island Lodge has a beautiful setting on the panhandle of the Okavango Delta, specialising in water and cultural activities. It is the closest and best lodge for visiting Tsodilo Hills, home to over 4,500 ancient rock paintings. This charming lodge encourages a slower safari pace with a range of water activities including boating, mokoro and excellent birding saafris as well as superb fly and sport fishing. An over the water spa completes this retreat style experience.
Sitatunga Private Island
The latest edition to the Great Plains portfolio, Sitatunga Private Island is due to open in July 2023. Set deep in the beautiful waterways of the Northern Okavango, Sitatunga Private Island aims to offer a more tranquil safari, with quintessential Okavango water activities such as mokoro rides and boating. Promising the same excellent safari standards delivered by their other famous camps we are very excited about this latest camp.
Chobe Savannah Lodge
Chobe Savannah Lodge is a peaceful water focussed lodge set on beautiful floodplains on the banks of the Chobe River, away from the busier river sections near Kasane. The open savannah views make a fantastic change from the thicker bushveld found in most of Botswana and the lodge offers several elevated points to soak up these wonderful vistas. Activities centre on the river, with morning and afternoon boating safaris as well as fishing.
Eagle Island Lodge
Eagle Island Lodge is a sumptuous retreat style safari lodge set deep within the Okavango Delta on picturesque Xaxaba Island, one of the first and finest sites selected for photographic safaris in the Delta. The emphasis is on the slower safari, a break from the game drives and instead enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the Okavango from the waters and on foot.
Gunn’s Camp
Gunn’s Camp has a splendid location on the banks of the Boro River, overlooking Chiefs Island and the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp is set under leafy palms and African Ebony and blends naturally with its unique surroundings. Gunn’s is a small traditional camp, simple and more affordable than most Okavango camps. The focus is on walking, boating and mokoro excursions. No game drives are offered unless water levels are extremely low.
Shakawe River Lodge
Shakawe River Lodge lies 20km from the Namibian border and 380km from Maun making it an ideal stop for self-drivers. This beautifully refurbished and air-conditioned Lodge overlooks the Panhandle’s key river system: the Okavango River and the focus is very much on river based activities with fishing and birding activities. Day trips to Tsodilo Hills, to see the ancient bushman paintings can be arranged and game viewing across the border at Mahangu National Park.
Other Property Types
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