It’s official – Forbes has named Botswana the Sustainable Safari Destination of 2023.
According to BIOFIN, 40% of Botswana’s land is dedicated to parks, nature reserves, and wildlife, and the army’s main priority is putting a stop to poaching. Add to that the government’s ecotourism policy, and it’s easy to see why Bots is on every eco-conscious traveler’s radar.
If it’s on your bucket list, we’ve got the goods on Botswana’s newest and most sustainable accommodation. Not only do our favorite soon-to-open camps and lodges promise sustainable travel, but they also guarantee five-star luxury treatment and unforgettable wildlife encounters on your Botswana safari. Drum roll, please…
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Where: Opening in July 2023 as part of the Great Plains collection, Sitatunga Private Island Camp is one of the new kids on the block in the iconic Okavango Delta. As its name suggests, you’ll find this camp on a private island in the Delta’s northern expanse.
Why we love it: It promises a tranquil, ultra-exclusive safari experience, welcoming just eight guests at a time.
What sets it apart: The camp’s overall structure resembles a traditional fishing basket, paying homage to the age-old fishing culture within the Delta (it’s one of Africa’s prime fishing destinations and home to around 70 different species).
Accommodation: There are just three units inside the camp – a family unit and two other suites, each with a plunge pool and spacious wooden deck.
Vacation highlight: A lazy mokoro (traditional canoe) safari along the Delta’s winding waterways, with a knowledgeable guide to help you spot and learn about resident birdlife and wildlife.
Read related content: Botswana – A Safari For All The Senses
Khwai Lediba
Where: You’ll find African Bush Camps’ Khwai Lediba perched on the banks of the Khwai River in Botswana’s secluded Khwai Concession, adjacent to Moremi National Park (the Okavango Delta’s oldest protected section). It’s due to open in July 2023.
Why we love it: Laundry and all safari activities are included in the camp’s rate, giving you the best bang for your buck in the bush!
What sets it apart: Some regulations make it difficult for lodges inside national parks to offer night game drives to guests. Khwai Lediba is one of just a few accommodation providers offering game drives by starlight, giving guests the chance to catch a glimpse of the bushveld’s most elusive, nocturnal inhabitants.
Accommodation: The camp accommodates just 16 guests at a time in five standard rooms, one family suite, and one honeymoon suite. All rooms and suites have indoor and outdoor showers, a firepit, private deck, yoga deck, and solar power.
Vacation highlight: Visiting the nearby Khwai village preschool to spend time with the children while witnessing the positive impact of purpose-led travel firsthand.
Mokete Camp
Where: Mokete Camp, of the Wilderness collection, is lovingly sandwiched between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, hidden away inside Botswana’s Mababe Concession (and the concession’s only property). It opens to the public in September 2023.
Why we love it: You’re in for a real treat at Mokete Camp, even if you’ve stayed in a luxury safari tent before. This camp’s tents are truly state-of-the-art, with cantilevered canvas roofs that slide away, revealing a sprawling night sky covered in the brightest, twinkling stars.
What sets it apart: The camp is a limited-edition Botswana safari camp, remaining open for just two years. By 2026, the permanent Wilderness Meraka Camp will take its place. So, hop to it if you’d like to make the most of its many luxuries!
Accommodation: There are nine luxury tents, and the camp accommodates just 18 guests at a time.
Vacation highlight: A helicopter safari to admire the Mababe Concession’s expansive plains from an entirely different perspective – keep your eyes peeled for the large clans of hyena for which the concession is known.
Read related content: Botswana: Discovering the Delta
North Island Okavango Safari Camp
Where: Opening in June 2023, you’ll find Natural Selection’s North Island Okavango camp in the semi-private Duba Concession, situated in the Okavango Delta’s northern portion.
Why we love it: It’s an inviting hideaway for couples and families (children are welcome from six years and up) alike, with just three tents on wooden platforms overlooking a glistening lagoon, home to plenty of hefty hippos.
What sets it apart: The camp is 100% solar-powered, making it a go-to choice for eco-conscious travelers.
Accommodation: Each of the three tents has its own private plunge pool with a sunken sundeck, twin beds and a sleeper couch for the children, an indoor and outdoor shower, bathtub, and a fireplace.
Vacation highlight: This camp is a triple threat when it comes to exploring the Okavango Delta. You can do so on land via game drives, on the water via boat meanders and mokoro safaris, and in the sky via helicopter flights.
Atzaro Okavango Camp
Where: Located in the heart of the Delta, the much-anticipated Atzaro Okavango Camp, by African Bush Camps, will open in March 2024.
Why we love it: The camp is packed with luxurious facilities and amenities, including a wellness spa, a fully equipped gym, and a 20 m/65 ft pool. It’s also family-friendly, welcoming children of all ages.
What sets it apart: Atzaro Okavango Camp is another new camp that is 100% solar-powered.
Accommodation: The camp has 10 suites – eight luxury suites and two double luxury family suites (adjoined by a walkway). All suites come with air-conditioning, a private plunge pool, an outdoor deck, indoor and outdoor showers, and Wi-Fi.
Vacation highlight: A guided walking safari that will get you even closer to nature in the Delta. Concerned about being close to wild animals on foot? Worry not, as an armed and knowledgeable guide will accompany you, ensuring your safety while providing insights into wildlife and various tracking techniques.
Ready to explore the best of Botswana on safari? Trust team GILTEDGE to customize a safari for you that is equal parts sustainable and sumptuous. Contact us today.