Duke’s Camp

Duke’s Camp brings the iconic 1940s campaign style of Jack’s Camp to the northern Okavango Delta

Inspired by legendary pioneer Jack Bousfield, and the spirit of Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans, Dukes Camp is one of Botswana’s newest luxury camps. The camp sits on an island on the shores of a lagoon and is named in recognition of Sarefo ‘Duke’ Sarefo, who was born on the island and is the custodian of this section of wilderness. The camp is situated in a prime 89,000-hectare concession, north of the legendary Vumbura Concession and adjoining the renowned Moremi Game Reserve.

Duke’s Camp accommodates a maximum of just 24 guests in 12* canvas safari suites that are decked out with vintage safari furniture, plush fabrics, Persian rugs and hand-carved four-poster beds. Shaded by leadwood and ebony trees the suites sit upon raised wooden decks with superb views of the delta’s scenery.

Each suite also features a beautiful mahogany sideboard, elegant dressing table and luxurious ensuite bathroom with brass fittings and first-class amenities. When not out on safari, guests can relax on their private outdoor deck furnished with leather campaign chairs – a perfect spot to read a book or simply listen to nature.

Like the old Jack’s Camp, the mess area at Duke’s is full of old-word charm, and contains beautiful campaign furniture, antique rugs and cabinets filled with interesting trinkets gathered over the years. The main dining area boasts a splendid vintage dining table, while there is also the classic drinks cabinet and lounge area. Afternoon tea is enjoyed in the elegant Persian tea-tent – a favourite amongst guests. There is also a fire pit where you can relax with a post dinner drink and tell tales of the days adventure. There is also a superb swimming pool where it is possible to spot wildlife from time to time.

Activities at Duke’s Camp

In such a pristine setting, there’s no shortage of activities at Duke’s Camp. Game drives (morning, afternoon and evening) are a cornerstone experience but you can also enjoy nature walks with expert guides. The concession is home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, cheetah and elephant as well as iconic antelope species such as red lechwe and sitatunga. Mokoro (dug out canoe) excursions are also possible, gliding through pristine waterways of the Okavango Delta in search of birdlife – over 440 species have been recorded in this area.

Helicopter Excursions & Tsodilo Hills

For those looking for something a little different, helicopter excursions are also available, offering a unique perspective of the Okavango Delta (additional cost). A special experience is a half day helicopter trip to the Tsodilo Hills, a unique World Heritage-listed Site, and a site held sacred to the Bushman who have been living here for centuries. There are over 4,500 individual rock art paintings here, one of the highest concentrations in the world.

When to visit Duke’s Camp

Open year-round, Duke’s Camp can be explored at any time of year. However, there are two distinct seasons: dry and wet. The dry season generally runs from April to October, when there is almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are mild with blue skies, and game viewing is at its very best in the later months (June-Oct). The wet season is from November to March, and the landscape changes quite rapidly once the first rains start falling. These months are fantastic for birdwatching and there are plenty of newborn animals around, however game viewing can be more challenging. For more information on when to visit Botswana, please click here.

Accommodation Details

Highlights

One of Botswana’s newest luxury camps
Created in the same iconic fashion as legendary Jack’s Camp
Intimate property with just 12* canvas clad suites with vintage safari furniture
Situated in the private 89,000-hectare Concession bordering the legendary Moreni Game Reserve
Diverse birdlife and wildlife such as lion, leopard, buffalo and red lechwe
Morning, afternoon and evening game drives
Boating and canoeing excursions
Opportunities to explore by helicopter including nearby Tsodilo Hills with its remarkable rock art.

Activities

Morning, afternoon and evening game drives
Mokoro (dug out canoe) excursions
Guided nature walks
Helicopter excursions
Spend a night “fly-camping” under the stars on an island
Tsodilo Hills half day experience

Please note: some activities are water level dependent or at additional cost

Getting there

Located in a private concession in the Okavango Delta north of the legendary Vumbura Concession, Duke’s Camp can be reached by light aircraft from Maun or Kasane.