Welcome to a world where wild beauty and refined luxury converge. Botswana, a land of untamed wilderness and vast natural wonders, is home to some of Africa’s most elite safari camps—and at the heart of it all lies Mombo Camp and its intimate sister, Little Mombo.
These flagships of safari excellence offer more than just incredible wildlife sightings or luxurious lodgings—they offer a transformative journey into one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
But what truly defines the best safari? Is it the luxury of private plunge pools and curated cuisine, or the thrill of tracking a leopard through golden floodplains at dawn?
In Botswana, you don’t have to choose.
There’s something about Botswana that gets under your skin. Maybe it’s the silence of the Okavango Delta broken only by a distant fish eagle cry, or the surreal sight of elephants wading through flooded plains. Whatever it is, this country isn’t just a place you visit. It’s one you feel.
For travelers craving a safari that’s equal parts adventure and luxury, Botswana’s top camps offer more than just a place to sleep — they provide front-row seats to Africa’s wildest drama. Whether you’re chasing the Big Five, drifting through water channels in a mokoro, or watching lions hunt at dusk, these camps deliver experiences that go beyond the bucket list.
The experience is immersive yet effortless: wake to the sound of lions roaring across the Okavango Delta, sip cocktails at sunset while elephants graze nearby, and dine under starlit skies with the rhythm of Africa pulsing all around you.
Nestled on Chief’s Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Mombo Camp is widely regarded as Africa’s premier safari destination. More than just a place to stay, it’s a sanctuary that redefines safari luxury.
Crowned Travel + Leisure’s Best Hotel in the World in 2013, Mombo’s reputation was elevated by the visionary leadership of Deon De Villiers, the founder of Safari Guru. His passion for wildlife, conservation, and authentic African hospitality shaped Mombo into the camp that set the benchmark for all others.
Today, Mombo and Little Mombo remain at the top of every safari connoisseur’s list—not just for their elegance, but for their deep connection to the land and wildlife.
Mombo’s design honors the surrounding ecosystem without compromising comfort. Each tented suite is raised on wooden platforms, offering uninterrupted views of the game-rich floodplains. Expect beautifully appointed interiors, outdoor salas and private plunge pools, all reflecting local culture and craftsmanship.
What truly makes Mombo unforgettable is its extraordinary wildlife. The surrounding Mombo Concession is known for its dense populations of predators—especially lions and leopards. The cats of the Big Five are not just possible sightings here—they’re common, details Deon knows all too well.
Former operations manager and professional wildlife photographer Deon De Villiers spent years capturing iconic animals like Legadema and Mmamoriri, whose stories were shared around the world through National Geographic and others. That legacy continues today in meticulously crafted luxury safari itineraries for families, groups and couples wishing to ’ tick off' the most-awarded and best safari camps in Africa.
Expert guides lead daily game drives through some of the richest terrain in Africa. From witnessing lion hunts to spotting rare black rhinos or photographing flocks of vibrant carmine bee-eaters, every moment is an opportunity to connect deeply with nature.
To elevate your African journey, Mombo Camp seamlessly connects with a network of luxury safari camps across Botswana. Curated by Safari Guru’s Africa Specialists, this circuit showcases the country’s vast ecological diversity—from wetlands to woodlands, deserts to rivers.
DUBA PLAINS – INTO THE LIONS’ DEN
Remote and raw, Duba Plains sits in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta, surrounded by seasonal floodplains. This is lion and buffalo country — the kind of place where game drives feel like watching ancient rivalries unfold in real time. The camp itself is understated luxury, with only a few suites and an intense focus on conservation and exclusivity.
Best for: Big cat enthusiasts and those craving off-the-grid drama.
DUMATAU – ELEPHANT HIGHWAYS AND RIVER SECRETS
Meaning “roar of the lion,” DumaTau is set between two elephant corridors in the Linyanti. It overlooks a lagoon teeming with hippos, crocs, and birds, while offering access to some of Botswana’s least crowded wilderness. The rooms float above the water, and boat safaris offer a fresh perspective.
Best for: Wildlife lovers who want a quieter, more water-focused safari.
ZARAFA – PRIVATE AND PRISTINE
In the Selinda Reserve, Zarafa redefines private safari living. With just four lavish tents, this Relais & Châteaux property offers copper bathtubs, vintage touches, and views over the Zibadianja Lagoon. Game drives here deliver a mix of predators, elephants, and rare sightings like African wild dogs.
Best for: Couples, honeymooners, and travelers seeking eco-conscious luxury.
VUMBURA PLAINS – DELTA IN FULL FLOW
This camp sits at the edge of both land and water in the Okavango Delta, delivering the best of both worlds. Land-based game drives and water-based mokoro trips offer two perspectives on one of Earth’s most unique ecosystems. Stylish, bold, and modern, Vumbura Plains feels like a safari camp with an edge.
Best for: Style-conscious travelers and those wanting variety in their safari experience.
JACK’S CAMP – SALT PANS AND SURREAL VISTAS
A true original, Jack’s Camp is set on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The landscapes are stark and otherworldly, but the experiences are rich: walk with San trackers, meet habituated meerkats, or quad bike across the endless white crust of the salt pans. The tented suites are opulent and old-world, complete with four-poster beds and Persian rugs.
Best for: Offbeat explorers and those looking for something truly different.
SELINDA CAMP – WHERE RIVERS CONVERGE
Also in the Selinda Reserve, Selinda Camp shares the same wild playground as Zarafa but with a slightly larger footprint. It blends indoor-outdoor living and panoramic decks with sightings of everything from lions and leopards to sable antelope. The Selinda Canoe Trail is a bonus for adventurous souls.
Best for: Active travelers and those looking for big game in a diverse landscape.
TULUDI – ELEVATED ELEGANCE IN THE KHWAI
Tuludi blends treehouse-style architecture with luxurious flair. Elevated walkways connect its suites, and a giant sycamore fig anchors the camp. It’s located in the Khwai Private Reserve — a rich corridor of wildlife where elephants, wild dogs, and leopards are frequent guests.
Best for: Design lovers and travelers seeking privacy with big game viewing.
JAO – WATER WORLD WONDER
Accessible only by air and water, Jao is deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta. It’s intimate and artistic — more a retreat than a camp — with a wellness focus and modern design. Think glass walls, sunken lounges, and views over mirror-flat lagoons. Boat safaris and mokoro rides dominate here, though seasonal game drives round out the experience.
Best for: Romantic getaways and travelers who want a Delta experience with a softer, more contemplative pace.
A well-planned itinerary makes all the difference. Start with the greater Chobe region, including the private Linyanti and Selinda Reserves to ease in, then head south to the Okavango Delta, splitting time between Vumbura Plains, Duba and Mombo Camp. For the grand finale, fly out to Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi for a surreal desert ending.
Each camp stands strong on its own, but combined, they create a tapestry of ecosystems — rivers, forests, floodplains, and salt pans — with every stop offering a new lens on Africa’s wild soul.
These camps, each unique in their own right, share a commitment to excellence and sustainability. By creating a cohesive network, they offer guests the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Botswana's natural wonders in unparalleled luxury.
Botswana also connects well with luxury lodges in Victoria Falls, and Matetsi or Mpala Jena would be a fantastic choice for those wishing to connect Africa’s best wildlife destination with its biggest and highest waterfall.
Let Safari Guru tailor your bespoke safari circuit through Botswana’s finest destinations. From the watery magic of the Okavango Delta to the arid beauty of the Kalahari and the drama of Victoria Falls, we’ll ensure every moment is crafted with care.
Because the best safari isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how it makes you feel.
Duba Plains Camp sits in a beautiful part of the northern Okavango Delta, on one of a matrix of palm-dotted islands, sharing flood plains and woodland in a private 77,000-acre reserve.
This well-known tented safari camp is a favourite of many, including Safari Guru. In 2017 this iconic safari lodge was entirely rebuilt from the ground up, becoming uniquely luxurious in the typical (and beautiful) style of the owners, Great Plains Conservation, evoking the classic 'campaign' style of African Safari in the 1920s.
Safaris to Duba Plains are renowned for the enthralling battles between lion and buffalo, as captured by Safari Guru founder Deon De Villiers during a photographic safari at Duba, and this is where the National Geographic filmmakers and conservationists, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, chose for their home base and set out on countless hours of filming the harrowing tale of Relentless Enemies.
A mere 30-minutes flying time from Maun, Botswana's safari capital, and you are arguably in one of the best wildlife viewing destinations in Southern Africa.
Little Mombo Camp, together with its larger sister camp, Mombo have recently been rebuilt in the same magical location among the endless wildlife-rich plains of the northern tip of Chiefs Island, in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Mombo is known for driving the ultimate purpose of conservation; rhino relocation into The Okavango, as well as the highest possible sustainability standards in style and uber-luxury.
Little Mombo Camp is the smaller, more intimate of the two otherwise identical camps, concerning aesthetics, style and luxury, comprising just four tents and private dining and entertainment facilities, making the two camps independent of each other.
DumaTau, meaning ‘roar of the lion,’ is located in the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve on the western boundary of Chobe National Park. The area is famed for large herds of elephants and exceptional game viewing along the Savuti Channel.
Nestled deep within the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, on the northernmost fringe of Botswana, lies DumaTau Camp Botswana. With unique access to both the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel, the reserve’s diverse, pristine 126 000-hectares (311 353-acres) offers truly exclusive excursions and close-up wildlife encounters.
All seven twin tented suites and one family unit, with private plunge pools, sit on elevated wooden decks mere steps from the wildlife corridors, so game often wander peacefully through the camp. An inviting indoor lounge, spacious bathroom which includes indoor and outdoor showers – feature interiors of hand-crafted mosaic tiles, acacia wood, and local textiles which reflect the heart of the Linyanti.
Situated in the heart of Botswana's Okavango Delta, Chitabe Lediba Camp offers a captivating experience for discerning travellers seeking an authentic African safari.
The camp is located on a private concession in the south-eastern region of the delta, providing a pristine and exclusive wilderness setting. Accessible by light aircraft, Chitabe Lediba Camp is surrounded by diverse ecosystems, including open floodplains, woodland, and grassy savannah, ensuring a rich and varied wildlife experience.
Chitabe Lediba, is located on the same island as its sister property, Chitabe Camp, neighbouring the Moremi Game Reserve, and area well-know for some of Africa’s densest predator populations, including lion, leopard and spotted hyena.
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