Catch a flight from Maun airport bound for the northeast of the Okavango Delta, as that’s the location of Duba Explorers Camp, one of those remote camps in Botswana that’s accessible only by air. After touching down on a private airstrip, it’s a few minutes’ drive to this island-based camp in the private Duba Concession that extends for an eye-watering 33,000 hectares.
Staying here gives you the chance to enjoy stepping back in time and going on safari the traditional way. There are just 5 canvas tents available here so it’s not a location that’s ever going to feel overcrowded. And if you’re travelling as a group and want to book all 5 – that’s perfectly possible subject to availability, of course.
Built on a raised deck, the wonders of the bush are all around your tent, with views of the floodplains readily available from your chairs on your private veranda.
Inside, the décor fondly recalls safaris of yesteryear, a four-poster double bed pride of place, with a bedside table and writing desk nearby. There’s even a wooden trunk at the end of the bed in which you can store some of your belongings. Freshening up happens in the ensuite shower room with twin washbasins. The flush toilet is in a separate cubicle.
You’re unlikely to be able to resist the urge to take a dip in the plunge pool, especially on hot and sunny days. Yes, it’s small, but then with so few other guests in camp, you’re bound to find some time to enjoy the water on your own. And there’s no way your stay will pass without a visit to the dining area. Take your seat around the large communal table if you fancy eating alongside fellow campmates, although meals are also served at smaller tables on the outdoor deck.
Wherever you eat, head to the bar before or after and help yourself to whatever you fancy. Guests tend to congregate around the firepit with the seating area lit by lanterns giving the space a cosy feel in which to unwind at day’s end.
It’s called an Explorer’s Camp for a reason. Guests use this location as a base from which to explore the Okavango Delta. And game drives top the list of popular activities. With over 30,000 hectares of private concession land to explore, expert trackers are at your service to ensure you go to the places in the plains, woods and islands where the animals and birds gather in the greatest numbers. If you don’t see buffalo, hippo and elephant during your visit, you can consider yourself very unlucky. So too giraffe as these all have large populations in the region. And lion and leopard are frequently seen, so too brown hyena. Better still, the big Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park are within easy reach if you’re planning to make Duba a stop-off on a tour.
Intrepid guests also jump at the chance to take a guided walk into the bush, where insect and plant life can be viewed from close quarters. These on-foot tours are popular with birdwatchers too, with many reporting seeing rare species including Pel’s Fishing Owl and the wattled crane.
Safaris happen on water around here too, although that depends on water levels, which are affected by the time of year. June, July, August and September are prime time for getting aboard a canoe-like mokoro or motor boat. Fishing is something you can do all year round except during January and February, although you’ll be expected to return your catch to the water after the obligatory celebratory photo of course.
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