Palm trees rise from islands marooned in silvered floodplains, reflecting their fanned silhouettes into the seasonal channels where the mokoros slip through. Gently gliding alongside the papyrus, passing the hippo, the African pike, the bream and the barbel. Within 180 000 hectares of wilderness of the Xudum Concession, the Delta reveals itself in layers of reed beds, open lagoons, distant tree lines and all the movement that comes from the wildlife.
Seven canvased tents rest lightly on stilts, shaded beneath the fig, ilala palm, jackalberry and mangosteen trees. The elephants love to come and feast from their all-you-can-eat buffet of palm nuts, berries, and wild figs. Six of the suites are arranged as generous twins, and one especially designed for families.
All overlooking the vast expanse of wilderness, with the Matsebi river bed adding its seasonal hues, allowing you to feel completely immersed, as if you are an integral part of its ecosystem. There are countless corners in the main areas to gather, relax and spectate. Reclining on shaded decks that have been designed for long pages and long conversations. Where the only interruption is birdsong, elephants ambling by, buffalo grazing and leopards stretching their limbs from the branches of the trees.
Mokolwane’s character lies in its laidback approach to a luxury safari, and a deeply personal manner of service. Just as we like it, there’s no rigid routine to follow, just the unhurried cadence of the bush. The wonderful meals prepared by the team of chefs do not follow a rigid script.
One evening might unfold beneath a cool canvas, another under the reach of ancient trees. Of course, there will be those nights beneath the vast, star-scattered skies of southern Africa. Listening to the nightjars and the distant chatter of the honey badgers, genets, and civets.
Where mokoros drift and leopards nap
Big cats are part of the rhythm here. Leopard are seen with reassuring regularity, draped over branches in the languor of late afternoon. But there’s also all of the game you dream of spotting. Even the rarest sightings of dogs. On one particular evening drive, as dusk gathered, a pack of wild dog emerged from the undergrowth beneath a tree. They were curious about the action going on in the tree. The guide lifted a beam into the canopy and there lay a leopard with its kill, casually guarding its groceries. The dogs lingered around the vehicle, allowing the spectators to observe their play, as the last light faded and darkness fell. A beautiful experience to behold.
Days settle into the natural tempo of the wild, imploring you and your clan to attune to something slower and steadier than schedules. What the residents might refer to as “African time”. Between all of the drives and activities, you’ll enjoy the hours spent on your private decks, witnessing the elephants cross the shallows beyond the palms, or watch the horizon from the swimming pool where water meets water.
Mokoro excursions depending on the season, plenty of birding and spotting the giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, lechwe, bushbuck, tsessebe, and so on. There’s a huge density of predators in this particular region, so you don’t need to venture out on a game drive to spot almost everything that’s on your list, in one breathtaking frame. You might also like to learn more about the land and the positive impact your visit has on it.
The development of local communities, as well as supporting the projects that help to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Whatever’s on the cards, it’ll be a truly unique and riveting exploration of the Delta, held in the embrace of Mokolwane’s old soul.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie