You'll find Duke's East on private island concession along the shores of a beautiful seasonal lagoon. Created by the same family behind Botswana stalwart, Jack's Camp, it's full of vintage artefacts, eye-popping colour palettes and knick knacks collected by the Bousfields whilst travelling across the world. Named after the island's longtime custodian, 'Duke' Sarefo, the camp is perfectly in tune with the unique beauty of this corner of the Okavango Delta. You also don't have to venture far to find the wildlife, as elephant and red lechwe are common visitors. And with just four tents, you won't have to share these moments with many others...
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Gazing across the floodplains and channels, the central mess tent features a small lounge with finely carved tables, vintage rugs and campaign furniture, as well as a dining area adorned with Bousfield family treasures. Meals are often served under the boughs of giant mahogany trees, complete with crystal glasses antique silverware — and three spectacular courses for dinner! You'll also find a pool with a serious view tucked away in a secluded property for ultimate privacy.
Sitting beneath a canopy of ebony and leadwood trees, there are just four raised tents. Bright and bold, the tents are anything but understated with deep red kilim rugs, velvety couches and patterned interiors. Add gorgeous sideboards and hand-carved four-poster beds, and you've got the recipe for the chichest safari look. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with brass fittings, indoor and outdoor shower, and bespoke amenities. Each also has a private deck from which to absorb the stellar view. The family unit boasts its own plunge pool.
All activities take place within the 220,000-acre concession, offering a supremely exclusive experience. Trained by Ralph Bousfield himself, the guides are both expert naturalist and consummate storytellers, which you'll enjoy on game drives, boat trips and mokoro safaris. The area is home to exceptional numbers of big cats, African painted dog, elephant and birdlife. You can also enjoy a scenic helicopter flight, either purely for taking in the view, or stopping to explore the nearby Tsodilo Hills, which harbours over 4,500 individual paintings.
Spending a night fly-camping on a remote, lantern-lit island, surrounded by the unspoilt Okavango wilderness.
If you'd like to see the intricate channels of the Delta from above, book a helicopter flight - but make sure to do it in advance.
It's worth noting that mokoro safaris are subject to water levels, which are purely a result of the annual floods.
Duke's East 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.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Duke's East can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Botswana trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Botswana trips featuring Duke's East or get advice and suggestions from one of our Botswana specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Duke's East start from around $1.3K, or US$1.3K, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Where uber-stylish lodges offer a range of iconic experiences and exceptional wildlife is the cherry on top
