Old-world safari on the Delta

Duba Explorers Camp places you on an island in the private Duba Concession, in the northern reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Permanent floodplains, grasslands, mopane pockets and acacia woodland shape the safari here, with water channels threading through the landscape. Tucked beneath jackalberry, leadwood, mangosteen and sycamore-fig trees, the camp carries the character of a bygone era, with canvas, hardwood, leather and lantern light giving the space its easy explorer feel.

Duba draws you into the Delta from several angles. Glide through the Ngoga River channels by boat or mokoro when water levels allow, listening to birdsong and watching for malachite kingfishers, hippos, crocodiles, otters and red lechwe. Open-vehicle drives take you across floodplains, woodlands and grasslands where elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, kudu and tsessebe attract lion, leopard and wild dog. Guided walks slow the safari down, turning tracks, plant life and bird calls into part of the day’s discovery.

The canvas tents are raised on wooden decking, each with a private veranda and views over the surrounding Delta landscape. Inside, campaign writing desks, Persian carpets, wooden furniture and soft bedding bring old-world character and comfort. En-suite bathrooms include double vanities, while an environmentally friendly air-conditioning system over the bed helps keep rest easy. Between activities, cool off with a dip in the pool or stretch out on your veranda daybed and listen to the birdlife in the trees. In the evenings let the sounds of hippos, water and distant lions carry you into slumber.

*For family travel: Children aged six and older are welcome.