You’ll have to look closely under ebony trees on a floodplain in the northern reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta to find Expeditions Camp. It’s hard to hide an entire camp from view, but the team have given it a good go, pitching this semi-permanent destination in a place that minimises the visual impact the settlement has on the landscape.
The camp’s creators have also shown determination to minimise the impact humans have on wildlife, their conservation efforts taking the form of the Elephant Express project, which supports local herding programmes.
The camp, which opens from April to January, is inspired by 1920s pioneering explorers whose safaris involved sleeping under canvas and gathering around fires after trekking across the sand and adventuring on the water.
You can do all of this while enjoying features you’d expect from a modern safari experience – including ensuite showers, wi-fi and the chance to dine under the stars.
Adventurers of old liked their beds four poster and their first step of the day to be out of bed and onto soft Persian rugs. So that’s what you get here, a vintage experience rich with comfort, class and tradition.
Open-air bathrooms with hot and cold running water were a rarity back in the day, but they’re commonplace here and now, with all 8 of the Meru-style tents in camp having fully plumbed showers, wash basins and WCs.
Attached to your tent is a private deck with seating you can arrange to capture the views of the plains that captivate you most. Binoculars are essential if you want to get close up to the wildlife without leaving your chair.
Game drives in 4x4s leave camp daily in the early mornings and at night. The wildlife you’ll see – with elephant, hippo, lion and leopard particularly prevalent - isn’t the only big attraction, as at the helm of your expedition will likely be one of the best rangers in the business, trained by the legendary Ralph Bousfeld (look him up to see how good he is and how big a reputation he enjoys).
You can also take part in walking safaris, birdwatching and fishing trips (between March and December). The water is a big draw with excursions on mokoros and other boats popular, giving you a chance to view crocodile in their natural habitat. And you can take to the skies in a helicopter to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the many rock art sites in the hills close to camp, with some of the art being 24,000 years old.
It’s served daily in the mess tent, which is central to camp life, just like it used to be. Guests converge on the tent to eat, drink, socialise, relax and play board games. Nods to tradition abound, with bone-handled cutlery, classic furnishings, a library, and a drinks cabinet that’s sure to contain your favourite tipple.
You can eat your meals under canvas or under the stars as you prefer, and many guests choose to gather around the fire to digest their food and the experiences they’ve enjoyed during the day.
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