Reviews of Machaba Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
36 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Machaba Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
83% success
94% success
6% success
78% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
94% success
94% success
72% success
71% success
23% success
7% success
7% success
0% success
0% success
"Machaba Camp review"
The camp was way beyond expectations. A huge tent, luxuriously decked out, with more facilities than expected. Extremely comfortable and peaceful, with the added bonus of having a large male elephant visiting within 10 metres, literally a once in a lifetime experience I imagine! Food and organization was superb. More than worth the money!
Most importantly we were lucky with the safari viewing...lions (eating a kill), leopards (eating a kill), tons of elephants, hippos, baby hyena and wild dogs (twice)! We were also glad we took the opportunity for the Mokoro ride, and amazing chance to see a family of elephants drinking early morning, while we were on the water. We stayed in 3 camps in our week - this was the top camp (and the others were also exceptional)!
Thank you to Eric, Sox and the rest of the team (sorry I cannot recall all names)!!!" See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
Buffalo
5 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Sable antelope
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
10 sightings
Wild dog
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Machaba Camp review"
The enormous family-tent was really amazing and everything was organised really well.
The gamedrives with guide Moss where really good as well." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Machaba Camp review"
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
"Machaba Camp review"
The communal area was comfortable and elegant, a dining room and living room in open air.
The bedroom looked like a movie set. I was delighted! It had all the amenities (e.g. personal outdoor shower, robes, good bed linens) but in a style in line with the environment.
Wifi available in the wifi zone area which was really appreciated!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Machaba Camp review"
The camp was stunning and staff were wonderful. Our room was fantastic and the evening meals a real occasion, particularly given the setting.
There was a lot of excitement being in the middle of the wildlife with animal noises throughout the night and visible on the terrace/across the river during the daytime. Breaking the day back at camp made it all a lot more manageable for children and brunch and high tea were highlights too.
The game drives we did were the best we had anywhere and we were spoilt with lions and leopards each day and cheetah the final evening. We saw cubs and lions feeding and were able to get very close to the wildlife.
The guide was wonderful and the camp staff bent over backwards to keep us and the children happy throughout. We didn't want to leave!" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
10 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
1 sighting
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Machaba Camp review"
Once again, the service from the camp staff was excellent.
They went out of their way to give us a surprise bush dinner and evening and a bush lunch the day before we left. An excellent touch." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
1 sighting
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
"Machaba Camp review"
Mike our guide spotted a python on a branch .It made a good photo.
Usual wild animals also included ,crocodile, african wild cat ,dwarf mongoose and giant eagle owl.
Plenty sighting of lions some with their cubs. Leopard with water buck dinner.
Enjoyed the mokoro journey on the river and sighting the painted reed frogs. It was a lovely contrast to the boat trip we had at lagoon camp which we also thoroughly enjoyed as well as informative the wild game walk ." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
1 sighting
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
1 sighting
"laid back fun"
our guide, moreri, was terrific and ensured we had an unforgettable experience. a wild ride to spot a leopard before it disappeared into the bush was successful and we tracked him as he strolled, unconcerned, into a brush area where he settled down for a nap. thrilling. we saw a wide variety of wildlife and learned about the area and the small village nearby.
an unforgettable experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana
Buffalo
2 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Hippo
5 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
3 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
"Dogs & Hyena galore "
The rains came the morning we arrived which meant the game was now going to be a little sparse. We didn't see too many elephants, except a few bulls but there was still game about which meant there was still going to be predators about too. We were not disappointed with a wild dog hunt and kill on our first full day right on the river in front of the camp (we were woken from our siesta by impala running past the tent in hot pursuit by a wild dog). The dogs remained in the area for a couple of days and we enjoyed a few encounters. Lions weren't really playing ball and we had to drive into Moremi to find a couple of big males that had been spotted one afternoon. We had a couple of good leopard sightings, plus plenty of visits to the communal hyena den to see the cubs. There was good bird life on the river brought in by the insects and reptiles the rains bring out and the Hippos were really entertaining to watch from the comfort of our tent.
The shared vehicle was a bit busy with 7 guest in it during a few drives, this did mean agreeing to do what other people wanted to do which got a little tedious at times with safari newcomers who didn't understand what the rains do to plains game wanting to find Zebra and Giraffe when there were wild dogs in the area but we had to go with the flow. I would consider booking a private vehicle if I ever return." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
Buffalo
4 sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
10 sightings
Wild dog
7 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Great camp, disappointing crowding of animals"
The guide was good but limited as he was the only one in the vehicle (other sites had guide and tracker). This meant following the crowd at times.
Outside the camp was not a private franchise. This meant large numbers of vehicles at animal sightings: 9 vehicles around a leopard, 13 vehicles watching wild dogs. This meant that, despite a large number of animal sightings, we felt that the crowding was detrimental to the animals, and this detracted from our enjoyment of seeing the animals." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
Buffalo
3 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Hippo
10 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wild dog
2 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
9 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Moremi Game Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Private Mobile
The Botswana Private Mobile Safari has no fixed location; it's exclusive to your group and comes with a top professional guide. Expect comfortable camping, great food, and a superb wildlife experience wherever you decide to go.
Xigera Safari Lodge
Located deep in Botswana's Okavango Delta, Xigera Camp normally focuses on mokoro excursions and motorboat trips, with 4WD game drives when water levels permit.
Xakanaxa
Xakanaxa Camp is a well-established traditional camp beside a huge lagoon within the Moremi Game Reserve, with access to some superb game viewing.
Khwai Lediba
Khwai Lediba offers a traditional African safari experience, with very comfortable tented accommodation, in a fantastic game area north of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Sable Alley
Smart, independent and well-run, Sable Alley overlooks a beautiful, hippo-filled lagoon within the diverse Khwai Private Reserve.
Okuti
With an innovative design and good service, Okuti Camp offers game drives and boat trips in a beautiful, game-rich part of Moremi Game Reserve.
Mombo Camp
Mombo is one of Botswana's most exclusive safari camps, set in a beautiful, remote location within the Moremi Game Reserve and with exceptional game densities.
Little Machaba
Overlooking the Khwai River and Moremi Game Reserve beyond, Little Machaba is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a great game-viewing area.
Chief's Camp
Chief's Camp is situated on Chief's Island, within the Okavango Delta's Moremi Game Reserve. Experience one of Botswana's top game-viewing areas by 4WD and mokoro.
Hyena Pan
Fairly rustic, and relatively inexpensive, Hyena Pan overlooks a natural waterhole that attracts an almost constant parade of animals.
Skybeds
Situated in a private reserve close to Moremi Game Reserve, Skybeds offers a simple yet wonderful opportunity to sleep under the stars and watch wildlife from your bed.
Camp Moremi
In one of the best locations for game viewing in Botswana, Camp Moremi sits at the tip of the Mopane Tongue, overlooking Xakanaxa Lagoon.
Little Mombo
One of Botswana's top safari camps, Little Mombo stands on the north side of Chief's Island, in the heart of the Okavango Delta's Moremi Game Reserve.
Little Sable
Little Sable camp is located in the Khwai Private Reserve – which borders the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe
Tuludi
Tuludi is a brand new luxury camp, within the Khwai Private Reserve, built on a site under giant leadwood trees and overlooking the Okavango Delta floodplains.
Sango Safari Camp
Sango offers comfortable tented accommodation, without some of the frills often found in Botswana's camps, with an area that's scenic and gets excellent, consistent game sightings.
Mokete Camp
New for July 2023, Mokete has 9 luxurious tents, raised on platforms above the surrounding bush and offers an experience of the Kalahari Wilderness.
Khwai River Lodge
Khwai River Lodge is a luxurious and well-equipped safari camp, on the northern edge of Moremi Game Reserve. This area isn't exclusive, but it is beautiful and has excellent game.
Khwai Leadwood
Khwai Leadwood is a luxurious lodge located in the heart of the Khwai Community Concession, offering guests exceptional service, stunning scenery, and unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Monachira
A new lodge in Moremi Game Reserve, with a focus on water-based activities, the family-friendly Monachira will be opening in May 2025.
Tawana
An exclusive new lodge on the banks of the Gomoti River, Tawana has just eight very spacious suites.
