Set next to the larger Duke’s Camp in an 89,000 hectare concession, Duke’s East offers you a vintage, 1940s-style safari experience, with plenty of elegance and glamour to soak up in a location that is in effect in the middle of nowhere.
This is the northern reaches of the World Heritage site that is the Okavango Delta. Many guests comment on the beauty of the surroundings they get to see from camp. Much of that beauty comes from the landmarks created by the presence of water, especially in the rainy season which runs from February to September. Palm islands, lagoons and water channels punctuate the grasslands and woodlands, with the permanent lagoon and waterways adjacent to camp creating an environment that attracts a fair share of diverse wildlife.
Such a small number of tents qualifies this as an exclusive, intimate location. Each of the quartet of tents offers views that take in the impressive surroundings we’ve already mentioned.
One of the tents has a double bed, two have twin beds, with the fourth designated a family tent. All accommodation is raised above the terrain on stilts, giving you panoramic views of your surroundings from inside as well as outside on your private viewing deck with plunge pool.
Freshening up in your tent can happen under either the indoor or outside shower. Persian rugs give you that feeling of luxury under your feet while luxury beds deliver that feeling of luxury under your whole body as you sleep. The comfort when you’re awake is provided by a classic leather armchair. And although the camp doesn’t have a spa, you can arrange a massage in your tent.
The mess tent packs its fair share of glamourous features and it’s where you want to be when you’re thirsty for a drink, eager for some relaxation, or hungry for a snack or meal. The communal dining and lounge tents are next to each other, with the option to eat outside, shaded by large ebony trees.
It’s fair to say that mealtimes are experiences in themselves. The team gets out the crystal glassware and best silverware for three-course dinners consisting of the finest food and wine. The tent also has a wealth of curios and artefacts that have been gathered by the camp’s founders during their years of exploring the African continent.
Of course there’s a swimming pool in camp, and in keeping with the grandeur of your surroundings, it’s located in an elegant pavilion.
See wildlife on land, and in the air and water
The showpiece activity offerings at Duke’s East have to be the early morning and late afternoon game drives into the private concession. It’s all aboard a safari vehicle that seats a maximum of 7 (including seats on the roof), with everyone getting a great view of the bush.
The kind of wildlife you’re likely to see depends on the time of year and where you go. But seeing herds of elephant wandering by is commonplace, so too red lechwe and African buffalo. It’s possible you’ll see wild dog and lion too, as this part of the Delta is reported to have the biggest population of those kings of the jungle.
You’ll get the opportunity to take to the water aboard a canoe-style mokoro, although this option might not be available during the driest months of the year – usually October to January.
If you fancy getting even closer to a traditional safari experience, you can pay a bit extra to spend the night camping on a palm island, sleeping under the stars with just a mosquito net between you and your surroundings.
And birdwatchers are well catered for, with sightings of over 350 species having happened in the region over the years, including crane, crake and rarities such as Pel’s fishing owl.
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We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
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We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
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From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
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It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
