A sumptuous safari in Botswana’s Okavango
Duke’s Camp, in Botswana, is the embodiment of old-world glamour and pizzaz, and the ultimate when it comes to a perfect safari experience in the Okavango Delta.
Duke’s Camp is a striking new safari hideaway that is tucked under ancient leadwood and ebony trees along a permanent lagoon in the northern Okavango Delta.
Everything about Duke’s is magical and rooted in deep respect for the surrounding wilderness, which is a World Heritage Site of extreme natural beauty. Here you will be taken to another world completely, one that offers some serious safari panache in an unfiltered African wilderness.
Duke’s is steeped in style and its eight canvas safari suites are both sumptuously rich and offer a perfectly yesteryear glamping experience.
Plush fabrics, Persian rugs and kilims on wooden floors, hand-carved four-poster beds and mahogany furniture create provide luxury accommodation in a setting of yesteryear safari charm on a grand scale.
The bush hideaway, built on raised wooden decks, is named to honour Sarefo ‘Duke’ Sarefo, a local master fisherman and the custodian of this island wilderness in the Delta.
Duke’s vision of environmentally conscious tourism to safeguard this magnificent landscape into the future has now been realised, while guests to the camp enjoy a safari and game viewing experience that’s truly iconic.
A sustainable safari, fit for royalty
Birdwatchers will be equally enthralled. With over 350 species to spot. And options to view them all are varied: glide along unmapped channels with an expert guide and poler aboard a traditional mokoro to see bush life from water level; enjoy twice-daily game drives; maybe take a helicopter flip; or watch wildlife directly from your sun lounger alongside the pool. It couldn’t be easier. Oh, and there’s fishing too, catch-and-release style.
Duke’s setting in an iconic wilderness and wetland area is breathtaking. So too is staying at the camp. The main mess area is a delight and offers an elegant tea tent.
Meals are a lavish affair and three-course dinners are often celebrated under the shade of a beautiful leadwood tree. The vintage table laden with crystal and antique silverware, and guests dine on fine food and wine amidst flickering lanterns.
It’s a true privilege to experience the decadent panache of Duke’s, which is certainly befitting any king and his queen on safari.
What we love!
- The vintage tented suites and décor create a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
- Selected for their extensive knowledge and expertise, the guides here are absolute experts and fantastic storytellers.
- We were delighted by the Curiosity Cabinet, filled with local finds, as well as the surprise of the charming library.
- Fly-camping on a remote, lantern-lit island, with only a mosquito net between you and the stars, offers a magical and immersive experience.
- Elegant touches like the old-world showers, featuring copper and brass fittings, add a sophisticated flair.
- The bed canopies evoke a nostalgic, yesteryear charm that enhances the suite’s overall ambiance.
What you need to know…
- Duke’s remains open year-round, and the camp is unfenced.
- Completely solar-powered, the camp embraces sustainability.
- There is no Wi-Fi or hairdryers available on site.
- Children over six years old are warmly welcomed.
- If Duke’s Camp is unavailable to book for your dates, browse our other Perfect Safaris in Botswana.
Reviewed by Keri Harvey
Edited by Dawn Kennedy