Ensconced by miles and miles of iconic Delta channels, floodplains and grasslands, Duke's Camp occupies a tranquil corner of a private island in the northern Okavango Delta. Designed by the minds behind Jack's Camp, the same flamboyant, adventurous spirit lives within Duke's. The tents are vintage, glamorous and adorned with vividly-patterned rugs, antique furnishings and knick-knacks collected on the Bousfield family's travels. You may be tempted to spend all your time soaking up the atmosphere at camp but there's plenty of adventure to be had, whether it's an idyllic mokoro ride or exhilarating game drive in search of elephant, buffalo, lions and the elusive African painted dog.
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Overlooking a seasonal lagoon, the communal area at Duke's is set within a series of peaked tents, decorated in warm tones of orange, red and mahogany. Amongst them you'll find a relaxed tea tent, a lounge with a well-stocked drinks cabinet, and a dining tent with huge shared table. Whenever possible, meals are served beneath giant ebony trees, and dinner is a lantern-lit, three-course affair accompanied by a selection of fine wines. The pool area is a secluded gem and just happens to get the best wifi signal.
Set beneath the boughs of ebony and leadwood trees, there is a total of eight stilted canvas suites, including a family unit. All feature hand-carved four-poster beds, high-quality fabrics and mahogany sideboards covered with fascinating African memorabilia. The bathrooms are beautifully appointed with a rainfall shower and double vanity. At the front, the private deck faces a seasonal lagoon and floodplains, where elephant and red lechwe are frequent visitors. Handily, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a cuppa, delivered on a butler tray each morning...
Explore the island and surrounding region on game drives (night drives too, as the camp is in a private concession) and boat trips, binoculars primed to spy huge herds of elephant and buffalo, prides of lion and African painted dogs on the hunt, not to mention a plethora of antelope. Take in the more intricate details on a mokoro ride down tranquil channels or try your hand at catch-and-release fishing. There is also the opportunity to take a helicopter flight to Tsodillo Hills to see the incredible rock art.
The camp's distinctive style makes every moment spent inside a treat for the aesthetically-minded.
If you're up for an extra helping of adventure, spend the night fly-camping on a remote island, with nothing but a mossie net between you and the wilderness.
It's good to remember that mokoro safaris are subject to water levels so it's best to avoid visiting between October and January if you have your heart set on it.
Duke's Camp is owned by Natural Selection which is dedicated to conservation, partnering with local communities, governments, and organizations to protect and expand conservation areas. They build eco-friendly camps that blend into the environment and aim to inform guests about Africa's wildlife challenges and successes, hoping to inspire further positive action for wildlife conservation. A contribution of $50 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.
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