Duba Explorers Camp

Duba Explorers Camp sits in the heart of classic Okavango Delta floodplains habitat, traditionally an ecozone that has the best wildlife viewing potential. A matrix of palm-dotted islands, flood plains and woodland, this 77,000 hectare private concession typifies the region’s unique landscape.

The five tent Camp is a wildlife connoisseur’s getaway. Built on a wooded island, overlooking a lagoon, and connected to the prolific wildlife area by an elaborate set of bridges, the area is the base of many famous wildlife documentaries by National Geographic Filmmakers and Explorers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

Duba Explorer Camp and the Duba Plains Reserve, where the camp is located, is part of community project with the Okavango Community Trust, the representative body for five villages in the Okavango Panhandle. This partnership ensures that these communities receive tangible and substantial benefits from their ancestral land for wildlife conservation. Our working relationship is a testament to this long-standing example of success in this area.

The intimate camp consists of five expedition-style tents of light airy canvas on slightly raised decking, each with views of the surrounding floodplain. The main camp area is under sweeping marquee canvas, on raised decking and consists of an open-concept dining and lounge area that opens to the outdoors on all sides.

The Camp prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences, and rightly so. The diverse wildlife experience is renowned with regular sightings of a diverse range of species, including large herds of lechwe, kudu, tsessebe and giraffe. Very large herds of elephants and buffalo move around the camp and hippo trudge through the swamps creating their channels and paths daily. Lions, leopards and hyenas in large numbers make up the predator components. Leopard, and a wide range of smaller nocturnal cats, hunt around the fringes of the waterways and are often seen on our night drives. Enjoy guided walks, boating opportunities or open air game drives and revel in the delights of one of the most varied and expansive wildlife areas in the world.

Birds abound, and the area is reputed as a birdwatcher’s paradise. Okavango ‘specials’ include the rare Wattled crane, Pel’s Fishing owl, White-backed Night heron and Marsh owl.

Safari Tents
The intimate camp consists of five explorers-style tents of light airy canvas on slightly raised decking, each with views of the surrounding floodplain. Each tent has a campaign writing desk and private verandah as well as en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double vanities and indoor shower. Fans and open air design maintain a comfortable climate for rest and relaxation.

Wildlife Drives (day and night)
If you are here for the wildlife then the best way to get up close and personal with the animals is on a drive in customized open Land Cruiser.

Guided Walks
Another huge benefit of staying within the conservancies is the ability to appreciate the stunning landscape on foot, peacefully, without the noise of engines. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Usually early morning or evening is the best time, as the middle of the day is too hot to venture out of the shade. Wear good walking shoes, a hat, and neutral colored clothing so as not to alarm the wildlife, and take binoculars. Your guide will have water for you. Walks are led by licensed guides with firearm training.

Catch-and-Release Fishing
This is a great activity during mid-day siesta. Make sure you’re with a guide. During January and February there is a moratorium on fishing. Catch-and-release fishing only.

Motorized Boating and Mekoros
Navigating through the Okavango Delta's network of waterways is an invigorating way to get a sense of the scope of this huge wetland. You’ll undoubtedly have wonderful birding and maybe even some hippo, buffalo and elephant sightings. (Boating is a seasonal activity, typically between June and September but varies seasonally).

Young Explorers Program
Duba Explorers Camp offers a full syllabus of bush craft skills for our young explorers. This is a complimentary program that follows in the footsteps of National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert. An extensive pack will be provided to eager children on arrival, so they can learn about animal calls, how to track wildlife, and other facts and figures about the wild. At the end of a child’s stay, he/she will become a Young Explorer and Conservation Ambassador - ready to go out and tell the world about what they have learned and what they too can do to help protect this beautiful environment.

For more information on Duba Explorers Camp, click HERE

To see what it's like to stay at Duba Plains --- Watch