A camp with a huge termite mound at its centre sounds like a place to avoid. But Maxa Camp wouldn’t exist without the now-abandoned nest, as it helped to form the island on which this popular destination is built.
Maxa opened in March 2025, and is located where the Okavango meets the waterways of the Selinda Spillway. As you’d expect, the views of the permanent Maxa lagoon are exceptional. And such is the remoteness of the camp’s location that getting here requires a helicopter ride from the airstrip at Shinde – a journey that’ll give you a taster of the spectacular sights you can expect to see during your stay in Okavango.
Cosy, comfortable and never crowded best describe Maxa Camp. There will only ever be a maximum of 12 guests here at any one time. Four of the tented rooms are for couples with the fifth designed as family accommodation with two bedrooms. All tents are on raised decks which elevate the quality of the views of the wilderness you get from your private deck. Your tent will feature a kingsize bed or twins, plus locally crafted furnishings in wood and fabric, and both an indoor and outdoor bathroom.
The centre of all things communal is the courtyard where you’ll not only find that termite mound, but also various picnic tables. The ground of the yard is sandy, and around the sides are where you’ll discover the dining area and lounge, both under canvas roofing, with traditional African clay walls enclosing some of the space, but not to the degree that your views will be spoiled.
Guests gravitate here for their meals which can be enjoyed at the long, shared dining table. Or you can choose to dine outside, under the stars at night, or in shady comfort during sunny days. Whatever time of day you eat, you’re unlikely to be able to resist the glorious aromas coming from the abandoned termite mound, as that’s where the wood fired oven is located. Expect to experience the smells of delicious fresh bread, cakes and pizza that are regularly made by the camp chef.
Other areas of camp you’re welcome to visit are the lounge/library, and the sala situated on an elevated deck with day beds and hammocks upon which you can relax and enjoy the beautiful views. The camp’s swimming pool is a fresh water, chlorine-free place to dip the toes or take the plunge.
A range of safari experiences. It’s all aboard a 4 by 4 safari vehicle for game drives which depart camp in the early mornings for a day tour and late afternoon for nocturnal adventures. Try and book at least one of each, as you’ll get to see different kinds of wildlife at different times of day. The showstopping predators such as lion, hyena and leopard have often been spotted here during the day, so too elephant, zebra, giraffe and buffalo. At night, you’re more likely to see predators such as leopard hunting.
You can get another angle on your surroundings, and the chance to appreciate the birds, smaller wildlife and plants on a guided walking safari. And the team in camp offer you the chance to explore some of the waterways of the Okavango aboard a canoe – known locally as a mokoro. This water-based safari is only available during the high water months of the year (usually July to September). Other activities that can be arranged include fishing trips and day-long excursions out into the bush.
Maxa Camp operates in a remote corner of the Okavango Delta, following a low-impact, conservation-led model that prioritises protecting a fragile ecosystem while keeping both environmental and human footprint to a minimum.
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