Set on the edge of permanent lagoons and rivers, the Okavango’s water-based camps offer water activities year-round. These camps allow guests to explore the unique delta ecosystem through safari activities such as motorboat and mokoro excursions, safari walks, and often catch and release fishing. As such water-based Okavango camps offer unique views of the delta’s aquatic life and spectacular birdlife.
Pros:
- Activities such as mokoro safaris, motorboat excursions, walking safaris, and fishing are year-round
- Beautiful locations on remote islands, deep in the watery wilderness
- Outstanding birdlife is all around, from bright bee-eaters to colourful kingfishers
- Beautifully located lodges on remote, forested islands
Cons:
- Many water-based camps don’t offer game drives
So here is our pick of the very best wet camps the Okavango Delta has to offer:
Camp Okavango
Shinde concession
One of the original water camps of the Okavango Delta, Camp Okavango was rebuilt in 2016 and is now better than ever. Sat on Nxaragha Island, the camp’s tents have views out over the delta for wildlife spotting in between walking safaris and boat safaris in the resident mokoros or motorboat.
Stroll the boardwalk at Camp Okavango
Eagle Island Lodge
NG 27B concession
The eight thatched chalets of Xugana Island Lodge lie in the heart of the Okavango Delta, with stunning views over the lagoon from private viewing decks. Alongside walking and water safaris, catch-and-release fishing is on offer for tiger fish and bream.
Views from a veranda at Eagle Island Lodge
Gunn’s Camp
NG 27B concession
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Gunn’s Camp from the delta
Jacana Camp
Jao concession
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Jacana Camp from the air
Little Vumbura Camp
Vumbura concession
Vurumba Plains is a luxurious, contemporary camp, set in an area well known for excellent predator sighting. Given the open nature of the camp, wildlife sightings from the viewing decks are relatively common.
Bar area at Little Vurumba Camp at dusk
Moremi Crossing
NG 27B concession
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Moremi Crossing wet camp at dusk
Pelo Camp
Jao concession
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Pelo Camp from the delta, by night
Vumbura Plains
Vumbura concession
Vurumba Plains is a luxurious, contemporary camp, set in an area well known for excellent predator sighting. Given the open nature of the camp, wildlife sightings from the viewing decks are relatively common.
Views over the delta from Vumbura camp
Xugana Island Lodge
Shinde concession
The eight thatched chalets of Xugana Island Lodge lie in the heart of the Okavango Delta, with stunning views over the lagoon from private viewing decks. Alongside walking and water safaris, catch-and-release fishing is on offer for tiger fish and bream.
Xuguna Island Lodge boma area at dusk
Map of recommended Okavango Delta wet lodges
Here’s a map of all recommended Okavango Delta lodges, split by colour into camps focussed water (orange), land (purple), and those which offer a mix of similar-quality water and land activities (blue):
So how did the camps listed above make our list of best wet camps in the Okavango? We pulled them together through a combination of online research, input from visitors to the website, and in some cases visiting the lodge ourselves as paying guests.
As you continue your research into Okavango Delta water-based camps, it’s worth noting that all accommodation in the Okavango Delta is graded by the Botswana Tourism Organisation. If you use the BTO in your research, please bear in mind that whilst they’re able to provide an indication of the quality of each camp, it’s extremely difficult to use a standard grading system to get across the ambiance and levels of personal service available at these unique camps.
Have you stayed at an Okavango Delta wet camp have any tips to share? If so, pllease let us know in the comments section below, because sharing is caring!
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