Still unfenced so that animals can roam free, the Wilderness Chitabe camp reopened in April 2025. That followed a refurbishment that saw this already popular location prepare to give wildlife fans even more chances to safari in style.

It’s a 30 minute flight from Maun to the local airstrip and another half hour to the camp, a journey that will likely turn into the first of many chances you’ll get to see wildlife close-up in this southeastern corner of Botswana’s Okavango Delta that borders the Moremi Game Reserve.

The presence of the Gomoti and Santantadibe Rivers make this a popular area with all kinds of animals, including four of the Big Five, with only rhino being a no-show. Guests have regularly spotted rarities such as leopard and wild dog on the morning and afternoon game drives at Chitabe, so fingers and everything else crossed that you get as lucky. You’ve also a good chance of seeing cheetah, hyena, zebra, wildebeest and all kinds of antelope.

Where you’ll stay

Eight canvas Meru-style tents each pitched on wooden decks and linked by walkways provide the accommodation. The high ceilings ensure you never feel cramped, and your private terrace with seating accessed via sliding doors gives you an exclusive vantage point from which to enjoy your surroundings.

Your bed can be a double or twin singles if you prefer, and you’ll have a lounge (sofa and table), writing desk and storage space for your bags and belongings. With Wi-Fi in your tent, that writing desk can easily become an emailing or social media desk as you update friends, family and followers on your adventures in Botswana.

The ensuite toilet facilities are plush, with flush toilets, double wash basins and a shower inside and outside of the tent.

What else is here?

All walkways from the tents lead to the camp’s communal areas, built from local timber and thatch to blend in with the surroundings.

You’re sure to find a favourite sofa in the lounge from where you can read or just relax.

Meals are served in a dining room that’s open-sided, maximising the views of the landscape you’ll get from your table, before you head to the bar for an after meal drink.

The camp’s boma with fire is the place to go on Monday evenings as there’s usually a special event hosted here, almost certainly involving a barbecue of traditional national dishes that’ll fire up those tastebuds.

For those of you who might start feeling a little guilty about doing too much relaxing, there’s a gym with exercise bike, treadmill and a few other bits of equipment. There’s also a pool with loungers around it. Guests tend to end each day in camp around the fire pit, exchanging stories and making plans for tomorrow.