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Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete
Mokete

Mokete: Our full report

On the edge of the Okavango Wilderness, in an area criss-crossed by animal trails, Mokete Camp is new.

Opened in April 2024 with 9 tented chalets raised on platforms above the surrounding bush, it's in quite an innovative location, standing in the Mababe Depression, just beyond the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta.

There are wetlands in season here, when the floods from the Delta extend this far, but in most respects its more of a ‘Kalahari’ wilderness destination with areas of often-dry marsh, mopane forests and a few honey-pot waterholes, which form the centres of endless game trails.

Meraka means ‘cattle post’ in the Setswana, and areas like this are typical of the vast wilderness areas of Kalahari areas across Botswana which are so often used as cattle-posts - outpost farms for raising cattle. In this wilderness, the only paths are animal trails. Meraka really is in the wilderness.

This simple camp stands in a private concession to the east of Moremi Game Reserve’s Khwai River area – and hence we’ve included the camp it in our ‘Moremi Game Reserve’ area on this website, even though it’s not actually within Moremi Game Reserve.

We haven’t yet visited the camp, but we have driven through the area quite recently. At Mokete we’re expecting a fairly simple camp of 9 wood-and-thatch chalets, each built on a raised deck and open on several sides to allow the air to flow freely. At one end is the dining area, with views out to the separate pool deck and the pan. A small saltwater pool here offering welcome relief from the Kalahari heat, and the shaded deck with comfortable sun-loungers giving some respite from the sun.

A large proportion of the main area is taken up by an inviting lounge area, an eclectic gathering of comfortable chairs, tea- and coffee-making facilities with freshly baked biscuits in a jar, and a small reference library. At the heart of the building, the bar is the venue for pre-dinner drinks.

The curio shop is well stocked and we’d expect them to sell a good selection of locally made items.

Accommodation at Mokete Camp is in nine comfortable, raised tented chalets, linked to the main area by raised board-walks. These chalets are of a good size, built on wooden decks raised off the ground to keep them cool in the hot summer months. The innovative insulated canvas walls and roof of each chalet, together with a ceiling fan and large mesh windows, also help to keep the interior relatively cool, roll-down canvas and clear plastic blinds in case of inclement weather.

The chalets are decorated in neutral tones and simply, but comfortably, furnished, with lots of wood, soft suede and leather. The beds, which can be made up as twins or a double, face out towards the veranda with fantastic views of the trails and plains beyond. You'll also find a writing desk with a lamp, universal plug points for charging camera batteries, and a tasteful wooden tray featuring tea and coffee, a flask of hot water (which is topped up with boiling water every morning and evening), mugs, glasses and a jug of iced water. A comfortable armchair looks through the enormous mesh window, while outside on the deck are deckchairs and a table.

A door to one side of the chalet leads to the en-suite bathroom, complete with a flushing toilet, twin hand-basins with copper taps, a full-length mirror and walk-in shower. You'll also find plenty of wooden shelves and hanging space for clothes, extra blankets for the very chilly winter nights, a digital safe, insect repellent and environment-friendly shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Another thoughtful touch in the hot summer months is the provision of a sarong. Take it with you on a game drive and your guide will wet it in cold water for you to drape over your shoulders to keep cool. 'Kalahari air-conditioning' at its best!

Two of the tented chalets have a second en-suite bedroom sleeping up to two children, so are ideal for families, or friends travelling together. The main bedroom offers exactly the same facilities as the standard chalets, whereas the second bedroom, while en suite, doesn't have a veranda.

Guided morning and afternoon game drives in open 4WD vehicles are the mainstay of the wilderness activities at Mokete, but what you see will depend largely on the season, and the timing of the rains. For much of the year the Mababe Depression is largely dry landscape dotted with mixed Kalahari bushveld, some open plains area and – thanks to the camp – a sprinkling of small waterholes.

That said when the Okavango Delta’s annual flood waters reach right down as far south as the Khwai River, some will sometimes get as far as the Mababe and then you’ll find marshy areas here.

The Mokete Trail is an educational walk in the immediate vicinity of the camp, led by a local team that know the area well. Mokete Trails team will often flag up the traditional medicinal purposes of local plants, and demonstrate how the age-old way to make a fire.

Mokete is proudly run off a state-of-the-art solar system, which runs off 72 solar panels and provides all the electricity and hot water in camp. Water is life in this dry environment, and on a ‘back-of-house’ tour you can learn about the water storage and distribution. The water from the borehole is saltier than seawater, so is used for such things as the showers and the pool.


Our view

Mokete Camp looks interesting; the dry here will certainly contrast with the lush scenery in the middle of the Okavango Delta. The tented chalets look very lovely and we’d expect the guiding to be good.

It’ll be a total contrast to the lush, watery-wilderness areas of the Okavango Delta, and yet much easier to reach than the camps in Nxai Pan or the Central Kalahari.

Anton Walker

Anton Walker

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Ideal length of stay
We'd expect 2-3nights here to be ideal - depending on how extensive Mokete Trails in the area prove to be.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Dining style
Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Children

Attitude towards children

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Mokete Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Mokete have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Cheetah

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Roan antelope

100% success

Sable antelope

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
We're expecting this new camp to have a state-of-the-art eco-systems for power and water, especially as it's in a relatively area of the Kalahari with no permanent, natural standing water.
Water supply
Borehole

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Fire safety

Extras

Disabled access
On Request

Other lodges in Moremi Game Reserve

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Botswana Private Mobile Safari

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.


100% (69 reviews)
Machaba Camp

Machaba Camp

Overlooking the Khwai River to Moremi Game Reserve beyond, the classic Machaba Camp combines comfort with excellent game viewing.


92% (36 reviews)
Xigera Safari Lodge

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.


98% (36 reviews)
Xakanaxa

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.


90% (32 reviews)
Khwai Lediba

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.


95% (33 reviews)
Sable Alley

Sable Alley

Smart, independent and well-run, Sable Alley overlooks a beautiful, hippo-filled lagoon within the diverse Khwai Private Reserve.


94% (30 reviews)
Okuti

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.


95% (22 reviews)
Mombo Camp

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.


100% (12 reviews)
Little Machaba

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.


87% (9 reviews)
Chief's Camp

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.


93% (8 reviews)
Hyena Pan

Hyena Pan

Fairly rustic, and relatively inexpensive, Hyena Pan overlooks a natural waterhole that attracts an almost constant parade of animals.


91% (7 reviews)
Skybeds

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.


86% (7 reviews)
Camp Moremi

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.


97% (6 reviews)
Little Mombo

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.


97% (6 reviews)
Little Sable

Little Sable

Little Sable camp is located in the Khwai Private Reserve – which borders the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe


95% (4 reviews)
Tuludi

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.


100% (3 reviews)
Sango Safari Camp

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.


100% (1 review)
Khwai River Lodge

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.


No reviews yet
Khwai Leadwood

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.


No reviews yet
Monachira

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.


No reviews yet
Tawana

Tawana

An exclusive new lodge on the banks of the Gomoti River, Tawana has just eight very spacious suites.


No reviews yet

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