The 9 Best Safari Camps in Botswana (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 9 picks

The best safari camps in Botswana in 2026 are Wilderness Mombo on Chief's Island, Vumbura Plains and Little Vumbura in the northern Okavango, Great Plains' Duba Plains Camp for lions hunting buffalo, Qorokwe and Chitabe for wild dog, &Beyond Sandibe bordering Moremi, and Chobe Game Lodge inside Chobe National Park.

Botswana runs a low-volume, high-value safari model: small camps on vast private concessions in and around the Okavango Delta, reached by light aircraft from Maun or Kasane, with game drives, mokoro (dugout canoe) trips and boating depending on the flood. Chobe, in the north-east, is famous for its elephant herds and river safaris and is close to Victoria Falls.

Camps are all-inclusive and almost all are $$$$ (over $1,000 per person per night) in high season, with lower green-season rates from about November to March. Many combine easily with Kruger via Johannesburg.

The list at a glance

Wilderness Mombo Chief's Island, Moremi Game Reserve
Wilderness Vumbura Plains Northern Okavango Delta
Wilderness Little Vumbura Northern Okavango Delta
Duba Plains Camp Duba Concession, central Okavango
Wilderness Qorokwe South-eastern Okavango, bordering Moremi
Wilderness Chitabe Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta
&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge Private concession bordering Moremi
Chobe Game Lodge Chobe National Park
Wilderness Chitabe Lediba Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta

1. Wilderness Mombo — Chief's Island, Moremi Game Reserve

The Okavango's most famous camp, with private traversing on Chief's Island.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Photographers · Couples

Mombo sits in the north-eastern corner of Chief's Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, once a tribal leader's hunting ground, with private traversing rights. Its grasslands support huge numbers of plains game and the predators that hunt them.

It is one of the most sought-after camps in Africa.

Good to know: Book a year or more ahead.

Mombo Camp, Chief's Island, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

2. Wilderness Vumbura Plains — Northern Okavango Delta

Water's-edge suites with plunge pools, drives and boating.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples · Photographers

Vumbura Plains has elevated suites along the water's edge, each with a private deck, plunge pool and sala. The concession mixes waterways, island woodland and grassland, so you can combine game drives with water activities.

It suits travelers who want both land and water safaris in one camp.

Good to know: Visit in the high-water months for the best boating.

Vumbura Plains Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

3. Wilderness Little Vumbura — Northern Okavango Delta

An island camp reached by boat, on 148,000 acres of private wilderness.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples · Honeymoons

Little Vumbura is an island camp you arrive at by boat, on 148,000 acres of private concession in the northern Okavango. Buffalo herds hundreds strong move between the islands.

It is smaller and more intimate than Vumbura Plains.

Good to know: Pair it with a drier, land-based camp for variety.

Little Vumbura Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

4. Duba Plains Camp — Duba Concession, central Okavango

Great Plains' camp, where swamp lions hunt lechwe and buffalo.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Photographers · Wildlife lovers

Duba Plains Camp, part of Dereck and Beverly Joubert's Great Plains Conservation, sits in the Duba Concession in the heart of the Okavango. Its lions are known for swimming channels to hunt lechwe and buffalo.

Suites stand on raised decking made from recycled railway sleepers.

Good to know: Book for lion and buffalo interactions; ask about the season's flood levels.

Duba Plains Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

5. Wilderness Qorokwe — South-eastern Okavango, bordering Moremi

High game density and wild dog in the drier eastern Delta.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Wildlife lovers

Qorokwe sits in a high-density game area of the south-eastern Okavango Delta, bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Wilderness notes it is excellent for wild dog, lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah in the drier eastern grasslands.

Boating on the channels adds a water safari.

Good to know: Good year-round, as the area mixes water and dry land.

Qorokwe Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

6. Wilderness Chitabe — Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta

Wild dog pack territories overlap the concession.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Wildlife lovers · Families

Chitabe's exclusive concession overlaps active wild dog pack territories, and Wilderness guides track their movements closely. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile are regular sightings.

Chitabe Lediba, an intimate five-tent camp, shares the same concession.

Good to know: Families should ask about Chitabe Lediba, which suits small groups.

Chitabe Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

7. &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge — Private concession bordering Moremi

Twelve suites in a forest, with 22,500 hectares of exclusive traversing.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples · Families

Sandibe has exclusive traversing rights over 22,500 hectares (55,600 acres) of private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Its twelve suites sit beneath a forest canopy.

Scenic helicopter flights over the Delta can be added.

Good to know: Book a helicopter flight to see the Delta's channels from above.

andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

8. Chobe Game Lodge — Chobe National Park

Inside Chobe National Park, with an all-female guiding team and solar boats.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · First-timers

Chobe Game Lodge describes itself as the oldest five-star lodge in Botswana, set right inside Chobe National Park on the Chobe River. Every room has a terrace overlooking the river.

It launched solar-powered boats and safari vehicles in 2014 and is known for its all-female guiding team.

Good to know: Do at least one river cruise; Chobe's elephants are best seen from the water.

Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana

Google Maps Website

9. Wilderness Chitabe Lediba — Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta

An intimate five-tent camp sharing Chitabe's wild dog country.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Families · Groups

Chitabe Lediba is a five-tent camp on the same exclusive concession as Chitabe Camp, giving access to the same wild dog territories and predator sightings.

Its small size makes it feel private.

Good to know: Book it for a family or group to fill the camp.

Chitabe Lediba Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the Okavango Delta?

The flood peaks in the dry winter months, roughly June to August, when water activities are at their best and game concentrates on the islands. September and October are hot with excellent game viewing; November to March is the green season, with lower rates.

How do you get to Okavango Delta camps?

Fly to Maun (or Kasane for Chobe) via Johannesburg, then take a light-aircraft transfer to the camp's airstrip. Luggage limits on these flights are strict, usually soft bags only.

Botswana or South Africa for a first safari?

South Africa's Greater Kruger is easier and cheaper to reach, with reliable Big Five viewing. Botswana is wilder and more exclusive, with water-based safaris you cannot do in Kruger. Many travelers combine both.

What is a mokoro safari?

A trip through the Delta's channels in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe (now usually fiberglass), poled by a local guide. It is quiet and low to the water, best for birds, frogs and the reed beds.

1. Wilderness Mombo — Chief's Island, Moremi Game Reserve

2. Wilderness Vumbura Plains — Northern Okavango Delta

3. Wilderness Little Vumbura — Northern Okavango Delta

4. Duba Plains Camp — Duba Concession, central Okavango

5. Wilderness Qorokwe — South-eastern Okavango, bordering Moremi

6. Wilderness Chitabe — Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta

7. &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge — Private concession bordering Moremi

8. Chobe Game Lodge — Chobe National Park

9. Wilderness Chitabe Lediba — Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta

Frequently asked questions

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