Best hotels in Central Okavango

It may not seem like you could step any further off the beaten track than the Okavango Delta, but how does a private island sound? Welcome to North Island, a gorgeous lodge on an island ensconced by the boughs of ebony, mangosteen, leadwood and fig trees, and watched over by a lagoon that's popular with the ample wildlife. With only three enormous tents, it's incredibly exclusive and the views and surrounding landscapes are sublime. During the day, discover the Okavango by land, water or from the sky, and in the evening, plonk yourself down and listen to the symphony of bell frogs as fireflies blink above the water. Magic.

Tapping into an incomparable spirit of safari adventure, Beagle Expeditions offers unmatched access to the Kweene Trails. This region of the Delta is extremely remote, set along a system of waterways that boasts a thriving ecosystem. As well as being exclusive use, the camp is accessed exclusively by helicopter. Promising endless discoveries, this once-in-a-lifetime expedition will introduce you to the wild and wonderful landscape of the Delta. This modest mobile camp offers the ultimate authentic safari experience.

Set in its own private concession just 18km south of the renowned Chitabe area, Gomoti Plains Camp embodies the seasoned expertise of the Machaba team. Drawing on their success with Machaba and Little Machaba camps, the owners have created an intimate retreat that captures the essence of an authentic Botswana safari experience. This chic, modern camp pairs perfectly with the beauty of the region and the diversity of activities on offer.

The lodge is inspired by the openness and tranquillity of the Delta. The spaces feel relaxed and welcoming, never formal or over designed. While Daunara offers exceptional game viewing, the camp is equally a place to unwind between adventures. The kind of place you look forward to returning to after a day in the wild.

As you might have guessed, Great Plains' latest camp is set on a gloriously private island in the Northern Okavango. On arrival, you'll scarcely believe such a place exists, with every corner providing a front row seat to this startlingly beautiful corner of Botswana. Hosting a maximum of eight guests, you'll have your guide's utmost attention whilst exploring the channels and lagoons, watching hippos wallow, elephant swimming, and the birdlife a-fluttering. And how could we forget the shy sitatunga antelope dwelling in the reeds of the Delta from which the camp takes its name?

Wild Expeditions is on a mission to take intrepid travellers into the remotest corners of Africa, encouraging visitors to establish a meaningful connection with nature, sans frills or flourishes. The latest outpost, Karangoma, is located in 30,000 hectares of exclusive terrain near the origin point of the Selinda Spillway in the Okavango Delta. A name that harkens a good future in the Sembukushu language, Karangoma was established in close partnership with local elder, Olatotse Sarefo, and the camp is committed to maintaining genuine and reciprocated engagement with surrounding communities. And of course, its exceptional location means top-notch wildlife sightings from both land and water - and not another soul around to interrupt.

Meaning 'hello' in Botswana's Bukakhwe San dialect, Mbamba is a welcome addition to the landscape of the northern Okavango Delta. Cloistered among the trees in the private NG12 concession, Mbamba is brought to you by the renowned Uncharted Africa and Natural Selection team and promises a good helping of epic safari experiences - the area is becoming well-known for its predator sightings. Sitting under metres of billowing canvas, the interiors are a visual treat of plush fabrics and Persian rugs, harnessing the magic of safaris of times past. As far as the eye can see, there are tawny grasslands interwoven with shimmering channels and ilala palm islands, making for the dreamiest of settings.

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.

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...

With views of the Okavango Delta's lush palm islands, Atzaro is an idyllic trifecta of stunning interiors, sustainability, and fabulous game viewing. At the lodge, the picture-perfect suites are designed to mirror the beauty of the landscape with their soft shades of cream, sand and pale green. The ancestral boma is especially loved by guests and has beautiful collection of local and historical pieces to take you on a journey through the Delta's heritage. Sustainability, conservation and a commitment to the surrounding communities are also a core feature of a stay here, with plenty of experiences to engage with. And then there's the wildlife. Perched next to a shimmering lagoon, you'll spot elephant wading from your private deck - and that's before you've even left camp...

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.

In 2023, Kwando 4 Rivers Camp became the newest edition to the remote western corner of Kwara Private Concession in the Okavango Delta. A smattering of Meru-style, open-sided suites sit beside a permanent lagoon, all promising a front-row seat to the activities of its resident hippos. In fact, there are floodplains, mopane forests and deep channels as far as the eye can see, offering a peek into the further excitement to come... You'll have the chance to explore to your heart's content, from off-road drives in search of the Delta's big cats or walking safaris on nearby Maboa Island.

Setari Camp is an adventurer's paradise, tucked into a forested island in northern Botswana's Okavango Delta. Surrounded by year-round water in an otherwise seasonally flooded floodplain, this new camp lies right at the foot of the panhandle, where the Okavango River spreads across the Kalahari Basin. For anyone who enjoys watching game while afloat, there are myriad channels, lagoons and oxbow lakes to explore... The tents are stilted, tucked among foliage, and are on the luxurious side of comfortable. Don't expect huge numbers of big game, but the birdlife is extraordinary, and the wilderness is magnetic.

Nestling among the trees and surrounded by waving papyrus grass, Baines' Lodge is properly remote. It lies in the private Stanley Concession, an unspoiled wilderness of 1300-plus square kilometres containing only two camps. Baines' Lodge has been beautifully crafted from wood and canvas topped with local thatch for cooling and to camouflage the buildings, all of which have been constructed on raised wooden platforms above the Boro River, one of the main channels draining the Okavango Delta. Beds with wheels mean that you can spend the night gazing at stars and sleeping under the moon.

Surrounded by 77,000 acres of pristine woodland and vast wilderness expanse, Duba Plains Camp makes the most of Botswana's lush and biodiverse wide open spaces. The camp forms part of a private concession, tucked away on a palm-dotted island beneath giant Ebony trees and overlooking expansive flood plains. Here, prides of lion and herds of buffalo make their way across the more remote northern stretches of Botswana's Okavango Delta. Only accessible by air and having recently undergone a sumptuous refurbishment, Duba Plains is the epitome of classic safari style in an area rich with wildlife for exclusive viewing.

Set among ebony and sausage trees, Stanley’s Camp is located on a 260,000-acre (406-square-mile) private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. The wilderness constantly changes in the delta area. When rain falls on the Angolan highlands, it flows east and south, filling the delta and drawing in millions of animals and birds. During the dry season, the waters disappear and few animals remain.

A chic safari camp in an exclusive concession in the Delta

At the end of 2017, Wilderness Safaris welcomed another stylish camp to their portfolio: Qorokwe Camp. Located in the exclusive Qorokwe Concession, bordering the renowned Moremi Game Reserve in the south-eastern part of the Okavango Delta, the location certainly ticks quite a few boxes. The remote landscape is rather special too, with crystal-clear waterways, jewel-like islands dotted with palm trees, and dense riverine forests opening out onto wide plains. Wildlife is equally as diverse, and highlights include cheetah, leopard, large prides of lion, even bigger herds of buffalo, elephant and lechwe. So, all the ingredients for a fantastic safari - and the camp certainly doesn't let the side down either!