MBAMBA – NORTHWEST OKAVANGO DELTA

Mbamba means ‘hello’ in Botswana’s Bukakhwe San Bushman dialect –  Mbamba joins Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East in the NG12 concession in the northwestern region of Botswana where the Okavango River begins to spread out, creating the world’s largest inland delta.

With the usual Bousfield flair of designing flamboyant and colourful camps – Mbamba has 12 air-conditioned tents including 2 family tents and a a swimming pool – so keeping cool at this camp during the hot summer months is easy.  The canvas tents and the winding paths between them are laid out under the shade of existing leadwood trees and the aesthetic radiates vintage charm and communal atmosphere. While there is plenty of modern comforts to be found at Mbamba – the camp’s primary focus remains squarely on offering guests a truly exceptional guided wilderness adventure.

LOCATION

Mbamba is situated in the northwest sector of the Okavango Delta adjoining the renowned Moremi Game Reserve in northern Botswana.

CAMP

Mbamba offers 12 stylish canvas tents (4 double, 6 twin and 2 family), carefully positioned under the shade of an impressive stand of large leadwood trees. The cool air-conditioned tents are on slightly raised wooden decks and revel in the much-loved Bousfield vintage safari aesthetic of plush fabrics, mahogany sideboards, Persian rugs and romantic four-poster beds, all infused with a yesteryear charm. Each tent offers spacious en-suite bathrooms and a private veranda that sits elegantly under the bows of the trees to offer respite from the heat, and stunning views of the Okavango Delta.

The main mess area at Mbamba is draped in fabric and collections of ancient artefacts. Relax in the two lounges while enjoying a drink from the well-stocked drinks cabinet, read a book from the small library or chill around the camp swimming pool. Meals are served family-style at the long table. Dine under the stars or under canvas, followed by stargazing around the firepit with a nightcap.

• 12 tents: 4 doubles, 6 twins and 2 family units
• En-suite bathrooms with indoor showers
• Over bed cooling system, mosquito net and standing fan
• Swimming pool pavilion
• Power: 24-hour electricity in all guest tents (100% solar-powered)
• Wi-Fi available: Yes
• Hairdryers: No
• Complimentary laundry service
• Child Policy: Children from 6 years are welcome
• Disabled access: Please enquire with reservations

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Mbamba occupies a 220 000-acre concession in the northern Okavango Delta, neighbouring Vumbura, Duba Plains, and adjoining the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. Its vast size, limited human impact, and abundant wildlife make it a truly wild and untouched Delta experience. The camp itself is pitched under a stand of large leadwood trees and the surrounding landscape of tawny grasslands interwoven with shimmering channels, ancient woodland and ilala palm-islands, is beautifully pieced together to create a wildlife utopia.

Game Drives

Game drive through the vast concession to see the diverse wildlife of the area including wild dogs, sitatunga antelope, big cats and extensive birdlife. Their beautiful habitat changes with the season from seasonal floodplains, waterways and grassy savannah.

Boating

Explore the waterways, viewing the wildlife at eye level on a boat safari gliding through the lily-filled channels.

Mokoro Trips (seasonal activity)

This is one of the most iconic Okavango Delta experiences. Wind your way around the crystalclear waterways on mokoro. Your experienced guide, will pole you amongst the lily pads and weaving sandbanks, to show you the ebbs and flows of this incredible eco-system.

Tsodilo Hills Cultural Trip (additional cost)

Experience a trip to Tsodilo Hills, a World Heritage Site in the Northern Okavango Delta. The hills are home to more than 4,000 San Bushman paintings – probably the most important rock art in Africa! Several walking trails provide helpful routes around the painting sites. (Access only by helicopter)

Scenic Helicopter Flights (additional cost)

Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. This is an incredible opportunity to appreciate the vastness of the Delta when seeing it from above. From your seat, door off (or on), you’ll be able to spot game, take exceptional photos and follow the waterways and animal pathways that shape this ancient wilderness.

GIVING BACK

CREATING A CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE IN WHICH BOTH LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE CAN THRIVE

This communal herding programme by CLAWS (Communities Living Alongside Wildlife Sustainably) safeguards cattle, creates employment, reduces retaliatory killing of lions and restores overgrazed landscapes.

Beyond the borders of protected areas in Botswana, wide-ranging wildlife commonly come into contact with livestock, which has led to an increasing loss of livestock to lions and other predators. Such losses have important cultural and survival implications for communities and often result in retaliatory killing of lions. When poison is used, the negative effects on other species can be enormous, particularly within the vulture population.

For the last 3 years, Natural Selection have been funding the addition of a Lion Alert System, whereby lions are collared and their location signals enable herders to know when lions are dangerously close to livestock.

MBAMBA CAMP IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 6 YEARS AND OLDER