Camp Okavango

Fast Facts

• 12 Safari “Suites” and 1 family unit
• Camp accommodates 24 guests
• Suites are elevated and have stacking doors for maximum views
• 24 hour solar generated power
• Modern, completly “green” lodge
• Walks, mokoro activities and boats
• Access by boat or light aircraft transfer
• honeymoon suite available

How to Get There

Most people fly into Camp Okavango using the nearby airstrip. You can fly in from Maun (35 minutes) or Kasane (1 hour). Flying in to this lodge is an event in itself as your pilot judges his landing between a network of small islands. You cannot drive into this camp as it is surrounded by permanent water. For those visiting during one of our mobile safari itineraries, there is also a special option of boating in!…… Please ask for details.

Game Viewing and Activities

Walking, mokoro  and boating are the activities on offer here. This area, as would be expected, is strong on the aquatic species – hippo, crocodiles, elephants, birdlife-a-plenty and red lechwee antelope. These are best seen from the boats or even from mokoro. A highlight would be to see elephants crossing one of the many channels. We have also often seen the rare sitatunga antelope from the high wooden decks of the camp.

Do not expect to see predators, as the types of activities on offer are not conducive to this (make no mistake, all the large cats are present here, but rather elusive). However, lion sightings are quite good on walks. Walking guides lead guests on boats to nearby islands that are big enough for walking safaris. The biggest of these, Muji Island, is excellent for elephant and buffalo and is well known for lion and buffalo interaction – this can be exceptionally enthralling when experienced on foot. The annual flood here is dynamic, always changing. However, Camp O offers year round water-based activities. The flood may influence your game viewing, but experienced guides know the movements of the animals and which islands are best for walking during certain conditions and time of year.

The area is also excellent for birds – especially water dependent species. Many of the birds are habituated to the boats allowing for close up photography of Kingfishers, Jacana and Bee-eaters. Guides also know good spots to seek out Pel’s Fishing Owl.

There is a short mokoro activity available at Camp Okavango, using fibreglass “canoes.”

Winter is the best time to visit the camp if walking is what you want to focus on. May through to August is best temperature wise and shorter grasses make walking more productive. However, all activities are on offer all year.

Camp Environment

It is probably a privilege to visit camp O after its recent refurbishment. It is simply one of the best designed,  most eco-friendly lodges in the Okavango Delta. The whole camp is now built on raised decks, fitting tight into the ancient mangosteen trees, with stunning views into the surrounding floodplains. We like the huge new rooms very much, each with “stacking doors” that open onto huge private wooden decks. The double capacity showers go down nicely as well as the central “rim-flow” swimming pool in the main area.

This Camp is family friendly (with a family room), although do check with us with regards to age limits for walking safaris for children.

The lodge is set in established shady riverine woodland, providing a cool retreat from the elements. The bird life in camp is quite remarkable, especially when trees are in fruit.

For safety, the whole camp is raised on decking – so you feel like you are walking around on a sprawling tree house!

The main area is very comfortable with 2 seating areas that you can sink into, a fireplace for evening drinks and a pretty good library. A new addition is a wifi connection in the rooms (not the main area – which is a good thing!).

What We Think?

This is a very modern camp, eco-friendly and up-to-date. Recently, the walking guides have been trained to use rifles on the walks, providing a much better standard of guiding.

Your feet never touch the ground while in camp (it is completely decked). However, nature walks on activities mean you can get closer to nature.

Camp O is part of a very professionally and ethically run safari company that is based in Botswana (Desert and Delta Safaris) and is even listed on the Botswana stock exchange – we like this, its local!

Staff welfare is paramount at this company, with them probably leading the industry in the regard.

Recent low water levels have led to limited boating and mokoro activities, however, these activities, to date, have never been suspended.

Download a Camp Okavango Factsheet