Botswana is one of Africa’s most incredible safari destinations, with exceptional year-round game viewing, beautiful natural scenery, unique safaris on land and water, and renowned luxury safari camps.

We recently returned from a private Botswana tour that featured some of the top luxury safari camps and incredible wildlife encounters in the Okavango Delta—including the legendary Chief’s Island—and the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.

Botswana’s commitment to conservation, including government regulations that limit the number of tourists and safari camps, makes the country an exceptional safari destination. The exclusive, high-end camps are few and far between, offering travelers a very exclusive safari experience with outstanding wildlife viewing and immersion in pristine landscapes.

We began in the vast Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, one of the world’s largest inland deltas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its annual flooding and rich biodiversity.

Its freshwater wetlands and lush grasslands teem with abundant wildlife, including cheetahs, elephants, lions, wild dogs, giraffes, hippos and more, offering incredible game viewing.

Safari camps in the Delta are only accessible by light aircraft, and the bird’s eye view of the landscape flying in offers a breathtaking introduction to the region.  

We stayed at one of our favorite luxury safari camps in the Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains North. Located on a private concession on the edge of a floodplain, it has an incredible wilderness setting, luxurious accommodations and excellent cuisine that highlights local, seasonal ingredients.

The contemporary safari style throughout the camp draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape with natural materials, local textiles and ceramics and neutral colors punctuated by greens and blues.

Constructed of wood, glass and canvas to blend in with the surroundings, the climate-controlled rooms are set on elevated walkways and offer incredible views of the surrounding plains.

Each room has a private deck, outdoor shower and plunge pool from which to observe the local wildlife, especially hippos.

The gourmet cuisine is a highlight.

Land-based safari activities with expert guides included walking safaris and game drives in open vehicles, during which we saw a thrilling range of wildlife, including cheetahs, zebras, elephants, giraffes and a plethora of birds.

We also enjoyed water-based excursions in a motorboat where we could experience the beautiful water lilies and wildlife along the waterways.

Vumbura Plains also offers year-round outings in mokoros (traditional dug-out canoes) due to the ever-present water levels.  

We especially enjoyed the unique water-based sundowners, floating cocktails and snacks at sunset. Observing the waterways turn different colors in the changing light while learning about local culture and history was a highlight of our safari experience.

We also spent time at Jao Camp, a stylish, luxurious camp on an island in a private concession that re-opened in 2019 with a completely updated, eco-friendly design. 

A wooden walkway connects the nine luxury suites of thatch and canvas, spa, swimming pool, gym, lounges and dining areas.

We continued to Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, a remote private concession in northern Botswana in between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, known for its diverse habitats of lush wetlands, lagoons, woodlands and large populations of elephants.

They also have herds of buffalo, lions, giraffes, hippos, leopards, wild dogs and antelope, and hundreds of bird species that thrive in the wetlands and woodlands.

In Linyanti, we stayed at Duma Tau Camp, a rustic-chic safari camp set in an unspoiled landscape overlooking a lagoon in an area known for its high concentration of elephants.

With just luxury eight tents and four additional tents at Little Duma Tau, its sister camp connected by raised wooden walkway, it offers an exclusive, off-the-beaten path safari experience.

Sliding glass doors, elevated decks, and private plunge pools with vistas over the water create an indoor-outdoor aesthetic, with local textiles and hand-crafted mosaic tiles underscoring the local design aesthetic.

There is also a spa, swimming pool, fitness center and a juice bar.

We enjoyed dining on a barge in the Linyanti River, sundowners by the lagoon and great game viewing on land and water.

At Duma Tau, we can also arrange for our travelers to enjoy helicopter safaris, walking safaris, hands-on conservation experiences and fishing.

Another great safari camp option in the Linyanti is King’s Pool Camp, a luxury camp with nine thatched-roof tents overlooking a tranquil lagoon.

We concluded our private Botswana tour at Mombo Camp, a luxurious safari camp on exclusive Chief’s Island, the largest island in the Okavango Delta. Situated at the mouth of the Delta in the untouched wilderness of the Moremi Game Reserve, home to the Big Five and famous for its high concentration of predators, this is arguably Botswana’s premier safari destination for year-round wildlife viewing.

Sitting above the water level, Chief’s Island attracts a diversity of wildlife, especially plains animals, that migrates to the island’s savannahs and woodlands when water levels rise in the surrounding waterways.

The exclusive Mombo Camp is comprised of two intimate camps, Mombo (nine tents) and Little Mombo (four tents), on a private concession connected by an elevated boardwalk.

Chandeliers, leather Chesterfield sofas and brass lamps evocative of a bygone era combine with more contemporary touches and local textiles in the luxurious tented rooms overlooking the floodplain.

The climate-controlled tents feature indoor and outdoor showers and a private viewing deck with a plunge pool. An unforgettable moment was being up close with an elephant who had wandered over and was making itself at home!

The setting, hospitality, and gourmet cuisine are all world-class.

We saw an incredible range of wildlife during morning and evening game drives.

We can also arrange for travelers to enjoy spa treatments, scenic helicopter flights, picnic excursions, stargazing and birding.

Time in the Okavango Delta also combines well with the vast Kalahari Desert, an incredible destination for desert safaris among the region’s famous dunes and salt pans, and Chobe National Park, known for its high concentration of elephants.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a luxury Botswana safari.