DUKES CAMP AND DUKES CAMP EAST – NORTHERN OKAVANGO DELTA

Set in the northwest sector of the Okavango Delta adjoining the Moremi Game Reserve, Dukes and Dukes East Camps are set in a large private concession. The unusually large size of the concession, coupled with limited human impact and a vast abundance of wildlife, ensures a stay at Duke’s Camp is a rare opportunity to enjoy a wild in an untouched corner of the Delta.

With just 8 lavishly designed tents and a glamorous mess tent and Moroccan Tea tent – this stunning little camp offers a great deal of comfort and old world glamour in a very remote area of the Okavango Delta

Lush grasslands sustain large herds of herbivores – including African buffalo – while the Okavango’s iconic elephants are here in abundance, with guests often enjoying thrilling sightings on vehicle, mokoro, and boating excursions. This diverse habitat is also exceptional in its ability to sustain a diversity of wildlife, from healthy populations of herbivores to leopard, lion, African wild dog and smaller carnivores including serval and caracal.  The birdlife in this region remarkable, with more than 350 species recorded, including the endangered wattled crane, black crake, Hottentot teal, carmine bee-eaters and the Pel’s fishing-owl.

LOCATION

Duke’s Camp and Dukes Camp East are located in a private concession in the northwest of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.  Access is by light aircraft flight from Maun or Kasane.

CAMPS

Duke’s Camp offers eight canvas safari suites, each carefully positioned to offer unforgettable views of the Okavango Delta. The tents are on raised wooden decks and sit elegantly amongst leadwood and ebony trees.  The tents offer a vintage safari aesthetic of plush fabrics, Persian rugs and hand-carved four-poster beds – mahogany sideboards filled with African memorabilia; richly-patterned kilims atop wooden floors and a butler tray decked with a steaming pot of filter coffee every morning.

Each tent offers a spacious en-suite bathroom with brass fittings and bespoke amenities, as well as a private viewing deck. Here leather campaign chairs offer a space for quiet reflection on your time in the wilderness, and the opportunity for some spontaneous game sightings. Herds of elephant and red lechwe are common here, and moments spent in quiet observation rarely go unrewarded.

The main mess area at Duke’s Camp has an old world glamour with an elegant Persian tea-tent. Enjoy a drink from the well-stocked drinks cabinet and settle into the small lounge furnished with intricately carved tables, antique oriental rugs and campaign furniture.

Meals are enjoyed under the shade of the giant ebony trees or in the communal dining tent, where the long vintage dining table dominates the space. Meals are a lavish affair of crystal glasses and antique silverware, with three-course dinners and fine wines. Beside the flickering lanterns are pots of the Bousfield’s legendary hot chilli relish. At day’s end, gather by the firepit to watch the mopane wood smoke curl up into the southern skies.

Dukes Camp East is the sister camp to Duke’s Camp and delivers the same Bousfield style and distinguishing characteristics with the added option of becoming an exclusive-use camp for family and friends to enjoy.

• 8 tents: 5 twins, 2 doubles and 1 family unit
• En-suite bathrooms with indoor showers
• Camp swimming pool
• Dining ‘mess’ tent and adjoining library/lounge
• Spa treatments available (at an additional cost)
• 24-hour electricity in all guest tents (100% solar-powered)
• Hairdryers: No
• Complimentary laundry service
• Child Policy: Children from 6 years are welcome
• Wi-Fi available: Yes
• Disabled access: Please enquire with reservations

ACTIVITIES

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 (seasonal activity)

Jump on board our delta boats to cruise the Okavango waterways. Your experienced driver and guide will show you some of the best river sightings and sunsets. Keep a look out for birds, crocodiles, hippo and exciting game coming to quench their thirst, while you moor up along the river bank sipping a sundowner. This is what safari boat cruising is all about.

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.

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)

Spend time with one of the camp’s conservation partners (additional cost)

Head out by heli on a community visit to meet with some of our community based outreach partners in the nearby villages. You’ll also spend time with one of our conservation partners to see first hand how together we are able to make a difference to wildlife conservation in the area (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

Natural Selection have provided three buses, joining up with EcoExist and the Okavango Community Trust to launch the ‘Elephant Express’ in January 2020. Insurance is being sponsored by SATIB and the Botswana Insurance Company.  Transport will be available through the ‘elephant highways’ identified by EcoExist’s ongoing research in the area. Children from Eretsha, Beetsha and Gunotsoga schools will be safely transported to and from school, and patients heading to Gudigwa, Seronga and Beetsha clinics will be provided with transport during the school day.

DUKES CAMP IS OPEN YEAR ROUND

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 6 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME AT DUKES CAMP