Nestled amongst a lush grove of trees in the 200,000-hectare Xudum Concession of the Delta, Mokolwane feels like the only camp around for miles. It's a real wildlife haven — NatGeo filmmaker Brad Bestelink has even based himself here — and the area boasts impressive numbers of leopard (the third highest density in Africa) and elephant who love to snack on the abundance of palm nuts, berries and wild fig. The camp is simply but beautifully designed with the ultimate goal of framing the stunning views of the Okavango Delta beyond.
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Built on stilted decks amongst the trees, Mokolwane's communal areas are subtle and comfortable with cushy couches, hardwood floors and plenty of space to take in the view — the deck will soon become your favourite spot. At meal times, there are shared dining tables at which to enjoy fresh, hearty recipes. Afterwards, head straight to the firepit and kick off your shoes, order and Amarula and gaze at the stars.
Clustered beneath a collection of fig, jackalberry, mangosteen and ilala palm trees, there are seven stilted tents including one family unit. Each A-frame tent has a four-poster bed draped in soft linens, standing fan, desk and a small sitting area, while the hardwood floors are cloaked with beautifully-patterned rugs. The open-plan bathrooms enjoy the same fantastic views of the landscape, as well as a separate rainfall shower (with equally excellent views!). All tents open onto private decks.
The concession encompasses a variety of landscapes and habitats, making for very eventful wildlife viewing. On game drives, you'll travel between nearby islands and floodplains, binoculars primed to spot huge herds of elephant (thousands have been known to gather around a single waterhole), buffalo, giraffe and antelope, as well as myriad big cats and African painted dog. After nightfall, keep your eyes peeled for porcupine, aardwolf, aardvark, civet and genet cats. At the right time of year, mokoro rides are also available.
The sheer numbers of wildlife in this concession cannot be exaggerated. We'll ask you again when you return home!
If you really want to splash out, a helicopter flight above the Delta waterways is something you won't soon forget.
If you're travelling in a larger group, the camp can be booked exclusively for the utmost privacy.
Mokolwane 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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