Like staying with family

This is paradise in the lush Okavango Delta. Chitabe Camp’s modern decor – with an eye for detail – brings you soft king-size beds, a cozy boma with wraparound seating (for that glass of African red wine), spacious suites and a warm staff. But the best part is, as always, the African sunsets (painting the sky bright pink and orange every night), the elephants roaming around the camp (or any other animal that made this place its home), the colourful birds, and – well, just Africa’s magnificent natural splendor as it is. Since Mother Nature will take care of that, managers Josie, Chris and their staff make sure they cover everything else. Situated in the diverse 28,000 hectare Chitabe Concession in the south-east of the Okavango Delta, with the Moremi Game Reserve bordering the north and east, is the tented Chitabe Camp. In a prime location on a beautiful old tree-island, Chitabe provides superb views across breathtaking open floodplains. Pamper yourself with this offbeat place and switch off your phone for some real time off the grid.

The eight – only eight! – spacious luxury safari-style tents at Chitabe Camp are built on elevated wooden decks amongst the trees of the Okavango Delta. Each tent has en-suite facilities that include an indoor and outdoor shower (notice the tree trunk from which the shower appears), mosquito nets, standing fans and double sliding doors opening to the shady deck with comfortable seating – a perfect breakfast nook from which to soak up the bush. Elevated walkways connect the tents to the central camp facilities made up of a thatched raised dining and lounge area leading onto open decking with views across the waterways and floodplains. There is an evening campfire, a small curio shop and a plunge pool providing a cool sanctuary for those warm hours. Or nestle yourself in the library ‘with a view’ and read a little more about the wildlife in the area; although the staff, rangers and trackers of Chitabe Camp would be more than happy to tell you all about as well.

Activities at Chitabe Camp

Lions snoozing contentedly, crocodiles scuttling on their bellies, a big flock of birds above your head: no doubt that game viewing will be excellent at Chitabe Camp in the Okavango Delta. Lion, leopard and cheetah are seen throughout the year as well as frequent wild dog sightings within the concession. Guide Gordon, or any of the other trackers and rangers, is extremely knowledgeable and will take you on morning and afternoon game drives in an open top vehicle. The afternoon game drives lasts until dark, providing opportunities for you to see nocturnal mammals such as civet, genet, bushbabies, owls and – do blue eyes light up in the dark? – perhaps a leopard. During a game walk, a skilled guide points out details that you might overlook while driving. With an easy pace during a walk, it is impossible not to slow down, take a deep breathe and relax.

Tripadvisor comments Chitabe Camp

This was our 5th safari, so we know good from average, plus we have been to Wilderness camps 10 times, yes including Mombo. This camp is absolutely charming. The staff is outstanding, and our guide was better than any we have had at any camp we have ever been - period. The service was terrific, the accommodations lovely, and the camp itself just perfect. We saw leopard with 2 cubs, cheetah, lions, you name it. And the sunrises and sunsets were spectacular! It is also a bird lovers paradise... My best regards to Jossie, and to the best guide, O.D. To O.D. I say " son of a gun" I miss you! With love from your friends from NYC who were with you the last week in May. We hope to visit again soon...

lazydaysNys from New York City, New York

Terrific camp with comfortable accommodations and attentive staff. We saw an incredible amount of wildlife. The guides were very knowledgeable and helpful and the food, fabulous! Great cooking! Clean rooms and we had a nice view of the landscape.

Judy M from Chicago, Illinois