Chitabe Camp

The classic location for observing wildlife is the Okavango. Chitabe Camp, one of the few different ecosystems in this diversified concession, is raised on decks on a lovely tree island in the southeast of the Okavango and overlooks a Delta floodplain that changes from dry rushes to lush oasis over the winter. Back at camp, each tent emits its own identity with the help of excellent fine art animal images, and the thatched dining and living area offer lovely vistas. A pool offers a refreshing haven during the hottest part of the day. Highlights: On this traditional safari experience, game drives visit a variety of habitats, ensuring that the wildlife is equally diverse. These include big game like elephants and buffalo, in addition to a variety of plains game species like wildebeest, tsessebe, and lechwe, whose populations support healthy lion, leopard, and hyaena populations, as well as frequent visits from wild dogs and cheetah. Eight huge, uniquely designed Meru-style tents with en suite bathrooms, an outdoor shower, and double vanity sinks make up the camp. The day and night game drives, guided walks, and other experiences (on request).

Chitabe Camp Botswana Information

Some of the best game viewing in the Delta can be found at Chitabe Camp. It should come as no surprise, considering that the Moremi Game Reserve, which is home to a variety of wildlife, borders the Chitabe concession on three sides. Chitabe is a traditional tented camp that offers a safari and has a solid reputation for providing outstanding guidance.

Chitabe Camp features a thatched, wood, and canvas construction, giving it a traditional appearance. Chitabe Camp’s eight traditional but fashionable “meru” style tented rooms are constructed on elevated wooden decks to take the chance of the breathtaking views of the floodplain. Raised pathways connect these rooms to the camp’s main spaces. Each accommodation has a private viewing terrace that looks out over the floodplains, and the en suite comfort rooms feature both indoor and outdoor showers. The tents have mosquito netting, safes, and ceiling fans for cooling.

Wooden walkways that lead to the main lounge area of the camp are used for access. The main section is a sizable thatched building that has been exquisitely built to blend in with the surrounding landscape. The cleverly constructed bar, which was carved from a single sausage tree trunk, is fully equipped with a selection of alcoholic beverages. There are wide steps leading down to a circular boma with a fire pit in the middle of the main salon. The modest library offers cozy sofas but is more notable for its stunning views of the beautiful plains. The dining area, a sizable thatched open-sided room with beautiful views, serves brunch and dinner.

A quiet hide in front of the camp gives visitors a tranquil place to observe the wildlife. Additionally, Chitabe camp has a little curio shop where local employees create traditional Okavango baskets and crafts.

A perfect spot to cool off in the heat of the day, the swimming pool is situated with a view of the plain in front of the camp, is flanked by sun loungers, and is naturally shaded by the huge trees above.
Many different species of animals and birds are supported at the Chitabe concession. Activities at Chitabe Camp are exclusively land-based because there is only around 10% permanent water in the area, which rises to nearly 50% during the flood months. As a result, reserve Chitabe with a camp near water, such as Xigera, Little Vumbura, or Kwara, among others.

Despite this, there is much to see because the private reserve is home to a diversity of animals and combines intriguing broad floodplains with wooded islands and a permanent Delta. A fantastic place to watch buffalo, elephant, leopard, and lion is in Chitabe. In fact, the region is renowned for its frequent sightings of African wild dogs. Visitors to Chitabe Camp are nearly guaranteed to witness these intriguing and unusual animals because the camp is located within the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project’s research area. Day and night game drives depart from the camp. Additionally, walking safaris are an option; these excursions, which are led by knowledgeable guides, let visitors truly experience the smell, feel, and a touch of Africa.

The Chitabe Camp In Botswana’s Activities

The verdant Okavango Delta is a delight. With an attention to detail, Chitabe Camp’s contemporary décor offers plush king-size mattresses, a toasty boma with wraparound seating (for that glass of African red wine), roomy accommodations, and friendly staff. The best part, though, continues to be the African sunsets, which every evening paint the sky a vivid shade of pink and orange, the roaming elephants (or any other animal that has made the camp it is home), the vibrant birds, and, well, just Africa’s incredible natural grandeur as it is. Managers Josie and Chris, together with their team, make sure to cover everything else because Mother Nature will take care of that. The tent-style Chitabe Camp is located in the diversified 28,000-hectare Chitabe Camp Concession in the southeast of the Okavango Delta, which is bordered to the north and east by the Moremi Game Reserve. Chitabe camp offers magnificent views across spectacular open floodplains because of its excellent placement on a lovely ancient tree island. Treat yourself to this unique location, turn off your phone, and enjoy some uninterrupted time.

The eight—and only eight—large, opulent safari-style tents at Chitabe Camp are situated among the Okavango Delta’s trees on elevated wooden decks. Each tent comes with en-suite amenities, including an indoor and outdoor shower (note the tree trunk from which the shower appears), mosquito netting, standing fans, and double sliding doors opening to the shaded deck with comfy seats – a lovely breakfast nook from which to take in the jungle. The central camp facilities, which consist of a thatched raised dining and lounge room opening onto open decking with views across the canals and floodplains, are connected to the tents by elevated pathways. A plunge pool, a tiny curio shop, and an evening bonfire offer a cool haven during the hotter hours. The staff, rangers and trackers at Chitabe Camp would be more than pleased to tell you all about the local fauna, or you could curl up in the library “with a view” and read a little more about it.

Things to do at Chitabe Camp

It goes without saying that wildlife viewing at Chitabe Camp in the Okavango Delta will be first-rate, with lions dozing calmly, crocodiles scuttling on their bellies, and a large flock of birds flying above your head. Within the concession, lions, leopards, and cheetahs are frequently spotted along with wild dogs. The incredibly competent guide Gordon, or any of the other trackers and rangers, will take you on morning and afternoon game drives in an open-top vehicle. The late-afternoon wildlife drives provide you the chance to see nocturnal creatures like civets, genet, bush babies, owls, and, if blue eyes glow in the dark, possibly a leopard. A knowledgeable guide will point out details on a game walk that you would miss while driving. It’s tough not to slow down, take a deep breath, and relax when walking at a leisurely pace.

Chitabe Camp, Botswana’s Okavango Delta

Located on an island in the southeast of the Okavango Delta in a private concession area, the Chitabe camp. The region is renowned for its tremendous numbers and diversity of animals, in particular, carnivores. It is home to a stunning mosaic of open floodplains, waterways, marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine forest, and open grasslands.

The Chitabe camp’s eight roomy Meru-style tents are situated among trees on raised wooden decks. Each tent comes with twin beds, en suite bathrooms, and both an indoor and an outdoor shower. A pool lets you cool down in the heat of the day. The thatched dining, tavern, and lounge spaces are situated on raised platforms to provide magnificent views across the floodplain.

The Benefits of Chitabe Camp

• African wildlife is abundant because the continent has a variety of habitats.
• At Chitabe, wild dogs frequently steal the show.
• Each tent has its own personality, which is accentuated with stunning animal photos.

They adore this land camp in the Chitabe Camp Concession of the Southern Delta because it is welcoming and pleasant. Wildlife photographers Dave & Helene Hamman are the owners of this camp, which is a member of the Wilderness Safaris family of resorts. The months of August through November, when the annual flood waters of the Delta are receding, are particularly favorable for seeing wildlife. The region is recognized for its studies on wild dogs.

Although the area’s vast grasslands give it a different feel from the Okavango Delta than one may expect, the scenery is nevertheless stunning and abundant wildlife is visible during the day and night drives, nature walks, and game drives. All throughout the year, one can view a variety of antelope, birds, and other animal species in addition to large game species like buffalo and elephant, predators like leopard, lion, wild dog, and big game. However, the best time to see wildlife is from August through November, when flood waters are at their highest and lowest points.

The camp’s comfortable and roomy canvas tents are constructed on wooden platforms that give access to the main thatched areas and the expansive views of the floodplains. This is an excellent choice for kids because it has a family atmosphere and a pool to cool off in during the warmest parts of the day.

Chitabe camp offers a view of arid grassland. This is why they like to pair it with a delta camp that focuses more on the water to provide visitors with a full delta experience.

What Makes Chitabe Camp Botswana Recommended?

Chitabe Camp is situated in one of the most wildlife-rich private concessions in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, with stunning views across a vast and lush floodplain. This stay is one of the best in Botswana for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, thanks to the game drives and walks led by knowledgeable safari rangers! You may almost have the ideal Okavango Delta experience if you combine this land-based activity camp with another one that is situated near water.

Chitabe Camp is located in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, bordering the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. This location features broad floodplains, wooded islands, and lagoons, all of which are rich in wildlife and game viewing opportunities.

Eight opulent tents in the East African style can be found here, each with an en suite shower and erected on high wooden decks beneath dense tree canopies.

The high decks of Chitabe Camp’s thatched dining and lounge area offer spectacular views of the floodplain of the Okavango Delta.

Take part in thrilling game drives, including night drives, where you can spot nocturnal species like the civet and aardwolf. After that, enjoy a home-cooked lunch around an open campfire before spending the night beneath the stars at one of the camp’s two distinct hides. Another one of Chitabe’s specialties is game walks with an expert guide, and this excursion is advised for anyone who wants to truly understand what it’s like to be in the African bush.

Botswana’s Wilderness Chitabe Camp

Wilderness, a business with an excellent portfolio that includes several regions of Safari Africa, owns and operates Wilderness Chitabe. Their clients have consistently reported thrilling sightings in the Chitabe concession, including leopards, wild dogs, and a few other rarities, making this camp one of their favorites in the Delta. They advise combining a visit here with two or three days at a watery property, such as Kwetsani, Jacana, Tubu Tree, Little Vumbura, or Kwara because the floodwaters from the Delta don’t usually reach the area. Full-board lodging at Wilderness Chitabe includes all meals, all local beverages, twice-daily programmed camp activities, park fees, and a laundry service. The camp is open all year long.

Access & Place:

The camp is accessible from the local airstrip through a 30-minute game drive road transfer and requires a 30-minute flight from Maun. In the southern Okavango Delta, on an island within its own concession, is where you’ll find Wilderness Chitabe.

Facilities & Accommodations at Wilderness Chitabe Camp:

There are only eight tents available for guests to stay in. These are elevated above the ground on wooden platforms that are connected by walkways. The Meru-style tents have an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the inner layer to create a shady veranda. This porch, which is furnished with a few easy chairs, is a wonderful place to unwind and take in the scenery. A spacious double bed or twin beds, bedside stands and lights, a writing desk and chair, a lounging area, a baggage rack, plenty of storage space, and stunning wildlife photographs are all within the tent when you enter via the wood-framed glass sliding doors. Mosquito netting, a standing fan, and an electronic safe are further in-room features. The resort has Wi-Fi, which is also accessible from the guest tents. The en-suite bathrooms have an outdoor and indoor shower, a flush toilet, and twin washbasins. They consider the accommodations to be extremely nice overall, and they provide towels, bathrobes, and complimentary toiletries!

The communal structures at Wilderness Chitabe camp are made of wood and thatch and are accessible from the tents through raised wooden pathways. There are couches and armchairs arranged around coffee tables in the lounge, along with other occasional tables and the camp’s fully supplied bar! This space opens up onto a lovely veranda with additional seats and breathtaking views of the concession. While enjoying their meals in the dining room, guests may also take in the views. There is a gym where visitors can use the treadmill, exercise bike, and other equipment. A few steps down from the main structures, where the fire pit is located, is where a lot of socializing takes place commonly. Additionally, the camp’s swimming pool, which is situated on a deck with sun loungers, is the ideal place to unwind in between activities.

Wilderness Chitabe’s Camp activities include:

They list the Wilderness Chitabe activities below. Please be aware that the availability of guided walks is based on the floodwater level in the concession and/or whether a qualified guide is present in camp during your visit.

Professionally led game drives.

These occur every morning and every afternoon. With broad plains and a lot of acacia and mopane trees, the Chitabe concession is one of the drier parts of the Okavango Delta. Four of the Big Five species of wildlife live nearby: the lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Additionally, safari enthusiasts should keep an eye out for cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, wildebeest, zebras, and an astounding variety of antelopes, including red lechwe. Given how uncommon they are elsewhere, wild dogs are a particular draw to the region.

Evening Drives

• Nighttime excursions are extremely enjoyable when a knowledgeable guide is present. With the guide’s spotlight shining on animals like civets, genets, porcupines, and the adorable pangolin, you’ll set out after sundowners!

Escorted Safari Strolls

Walking is a great way to get to know the local flora, animals, and insects in the concession. It is highly suggested for those interested in a close study of the tiny objects within the concession. Among the feathered companions you might see are the red-billed francolin, scarlet-chested sunbird, and hawk-eagle.

Trips in Helicopters

There is an additional fee for this activity, but the beautiful views make it worthwhile! Incredibly beautiful and diverse, the Delta is a location, and flying over its waterways, savanna, woods, and forests is a genuinely unforgettable experience.

Near The Southern Okavango Delta Of Botswana, In The Chitabe Camp Concession, Overlooking A Floodplain

The well-known Chitabe Camp has a strong track record for wildlife viewing. The concession, also known as the private reserve, is situated in one of the drier regions of the Delta and is surrounded on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve. Unlike locations further north in the Delta, it is mostly forested, with shady woodland glades but few open plains.

A patchwork of mopane and acacia trees may be found within the Chitabe concession, which is bounded to the northeast by the Gomoti River and to the southwest by the Santantadibe River. Chitabe Camp, its smaller sister camp Chitabe Lediba, and Sandibe Safari Lodge all share the same reserve.

The main room is currently a gorgeously built thatched structure with a number of large, comfortable sofas and a deftly designed bar. This marula tree trunk-based bar is well-stocked with a selection of soft drinks, regional beers, wines, and spirits. Visitors congregate around the campfire for afternoon tea or to sip cocktails at night.

The open-sided dining room, which is likewise covered in thatch and offers views of the surrounding plains, is connected to this area by a walkway. Guests eat together at a huge table while brunch and dinner are served from counters made of exquisitely polished oak tree trunks. Occasionally (often on a Monday), visitors may congregate in the separate boma for a social evening and a variety of Botswana’s traditional foods.

The Chitabe camp’s plunge pool is located below the dining area, where it is flanked by sun loungers and has a view from under some sizable trees.

The modest library at Chitabe camp, which is tucked away from the main areas but yet has a fantastic view, is one of the aspects we admire most about the place. It’s a nice location to unwind with a drink and a good book, with a seat made from a sausage tree branch balanced by cozy and fashionable sofas.

The team also makes baskets and other traditional Okavango crafts, which are sold in a small gift shop.

Eight tented rooms at Chitabe Camp are situated on elevated wooden decks and connected by meandering walkways through the trees. A shaded veranda with padded iron-framed chairs and a table are located in front of each room so that guests can relax there and see the camp’s passing wildlife or birds. Large mesh windows to let in light and air flank glass sliding doors that open to the interior.

The rooms themselves combine traditional and contemporary themes, and the proprietor of the camp and private guide, Dave Hamman wildlife photographs, are prominently displayed. Comfortable twin or double beds, along with the bedside table and lights, are encased in a mosquito net in the center. The scene is completed by a writing desk, a standing fan, a luggage rack, and a comfortable chair with a footstool.

A respectable-sized en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water is located adjacent to the bedroom and divided from it by a canvas wall. Twin sinks with a huge mirror over each are in the center of the space, while the indoor shower and toilet are discreetly concealed behind canvas screens. A private outdoor shower, though, where you can enjoy even more of those breathtaking vistas, is more enjoyable.

In terms of convenience, there are a lot of shelves and hanging space, as well as an electronic safe, a laundry basket, anti-mosquito sprays, etc., while the creature comforts include fluffy towels and bathrobes, as well as free amenities.

Chitabe camp offers a traditional dry-land safari experience, with the added benefit of spotlit drives after sundowners. Activities center on 4WD game drives. All activities take place in covered, open-sided safari vans with “window” seats for every passenger.

The Chitabe camp reserve is home to a wide variety of animals and birds, including several leopards who thrive on the abundant impala population and wild dog sightings, which are always a highlight. Giraffes, zebra, and elephants are also frequently seen, and there are healthy populations of lions, buffalo, and elephants as well.

In Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog, the camp’s owners, Dave and Helene Hamman took photos at Chitabe. On our most recent visit, in November 2019, the weather was not cooperative, and other sights were somewhat sparse despite seeing a pride of lions, including some very full-looking cubs. However, there have been some incredible sightings of wild dogs in the area. Although it has since dispersed, the 32-dog pack that used to live in the area was reportedly the largest in the Delta. From Chitabe, we also saw honey badgers, leopards, and cheetahs. The birding, which included wattled cranes and ground hornbills, was likewise excellent and diverse. We were incredibly spoiled while we were there!

F.A.Q.

Can you camp in the bush in Botswana?

Within Chobe National Park, there are three unfenced campsites with modest ablution facilities and views of lovely wild areas (flush toilets and warm showers).

The Okavango Delta contains how many camps?

A highly individualized exploration of the Okavango Delta’s Chitabe concession and exclusive Vumbura reserve is made possible by two opulent, small-scale camps. Various land and sea sports enable breathtaking views.

What is the best important wild camping rule?

As a general guideline, always leave the location in the same exact state that you found it. Respect others’ privacy and wild camp high: When going on a camping adventure, it’s crucial to avoid populated areas.

Is wild camping safe?

Is it secure? Wild camping is perfectly safe when compared to nighttime walking in any large metropolis. I’ve done it myself a lot of times, even by myself, and never had any issues. There is no need to fear; simply follow the customary safety procedures by notifying someone what you are doing, where you’re going, and when you expect to return.

What does wild camping serve?

When backpacking the outdoors, wild camping is a common practice. However, it is also an alternative when driving through remote places, floating down rivers, sea kayaking, or sailing on tiny boats that can’t accommodate berths.

Six Justifications For Going Wild Camping

It is reccomend by actual medical professionals.

When you spend the night outside, away from civilization, you are severing your ties to the pressures and strains of work and distancing yourself from the anxieties of everyday life. They have wonderful news for you regarding your health, so take note. It’s wonderful for your mental health and disposition, and it helps you control the butterflies in your stomach that flutter berserk as if they’ve just downed 16 cans of caffeinated energy drink.

Given the many health benefits of being outside, doctors in Scotland—the only country in the UK other than Dartmoor where wild camping is permitted, provided you have the landowner’s express permission—actually prescribe nature to their patients. It is believed that lowering stress levels will also lower the likelihood of illnesses related to stress. Additionally, it’s believed that sleeping under a full canopy of sky and waking up to the dawn chorus will reset your circadian clock to its ideal setting. This aids in the restoration of your body’s natural functions. Again, I can’t emphasize enough how positive that is.

You can spend time in some of the most incredible locations in the world.

Scandinavia’s “everyman’s right” (freedom to roam) philosophy makes it the ideal location for stress-free wild camping. Things like the Finnish woodlands, the West Coast of Sweden, and the Norwegian fjords. More nearby, in the UK, Cornwall and Scotland provide a ton of fantastic places for you to unwind. The ability to let your imagination run free, view the world from a new angle, chart your own course, and search out a viewpoint you’ve never had before is perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of wild camping.

You’ll learn some interesting tales from it.

Everyone enjoys sharing entertaining tales. They give us a more engaging, human-like sense of three dimensions. Regular wild camping has the benefit of accumulating such a classic library of tales that you won’t even know what to do with them all. In reality, you’ll probably end up just yelling at them from the back of the bus or giving monologue-style speeches by entering retail malls. One “friend” who lived off that anecdote for weeks came up in a bivvy bag in Dartmoor covered in around a million slugs.

You can spend time with people who are genuinely interesting.

It’s possible to go wild camping alone or with a group. Each to their own, of course, but they enjoy sharing the experience with others by rolling out with a squad. They’re almost surely going to be intriguing people, whether they’re friends you already have or folks you’ve met as part of a planned vacation. This is due to the fact that camping in the wild is intrinsically exciting. A fascinating activity. Interesting individuals Interesting. Make an interesting decision. Team intriguing, join.

Eeveryone can access it.

There is a widespread belief that only hardcore SAS types with seven bushcraft knives enjoy wild camping (one for every day of the week). Simply said, this is untrue. There are wild camping possibilities available to everyone because the earth is so large. There are casual ones as well as extreme ones for people who eat “extreme” for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Casual, small-scale adventures that everyone and everyone might participate in. Naturally, they advise going camping with a knowledgeable companion if you are a complete beginner to the outdoors. To avoid getting into trouble.

You will pick up new skills.

Have you ever had the feeling that you simply need to acquire additional skills? Like you wouldn’t know where to start if civilization disappeared tomorrow and everyone had to return to living in the woods? It’s only natural for people to think that occasionally, so add this to the list of reasons you should get started and give wild camping a shot. People, pick up some new talents. Afterward, you’ll feel wonderful about yourself.

F.A.Q.

When should one visit Botswana?

The dry season, which lasts from May to October, is the ideal time to visit Botswana since you can expect bright, sunny days (between 22°C and 35°C), as well as cool evenings. At this time, the Okavango Delta’s water levels are also at their peak, resulting in the country’s iconic rivers and channels.

What makes Botswana so incredible?

One of the great places on earth to experience nature, wildlife, and breathtaking vistas is Botswana. This nation offers countless options for exploration and adventure, from the renowned, arid, and huge Kalahari Desert to the gorgeous rivers and deltas.

Is it a smart idea to travel to Botswana?

Compared to other African nations, Botswana has a low crime rate. There hasn’t been any recent terrorist activity, and violent attacks on visitors are quite uncommon. Expats relocating to Botswana should be aware that it is a developing nation with a high poverty rate.

Can I go cheaply to Botswana?

Botswana is one of the most costly countries in Africa to travel to, but there’s a reason it’s on every safari traveler’s must-see list: its enormous tracts of untamed wilderness, fence-free national parks, and plenty of animals.

What does wild camping serve?

When backpacking the outdoors, wild camping is a common practice. However, it is also an alternative when driving through remote places, floating down rivers, sea kayaking, or sailing on tiny boats that can’t accommodate berths.