Tawana: Our full report

On the edge of the Gomoti River, within Botswana's wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, Tawana opened in May 2024.

This exclusive lodge is run by an established safari company in partnership with the Batawana tribe, whose people have lived on this land for centuries.

Shaded by mature ebony and sausage trees, Tawana sits within the south-east of the Moremi reserve, looking across the perennial Gomoti River to the floodplains beyond.

An open walkway leads into the camp through a curved reed-and-wood tunnel, with extensive views over the plains.

Raised walkways link the main area to the eight suites, allowing guests to move around in safety as animals wander through, though there are lowered sections for elephants to cross, so additional caution should be taken in these areas.

Raised up on polished wooden decks overlooking the floodplains, two of the suites are suitable for families of up to five, and one has wheelchair access. All are well-spaced from each other, allowing good amounts of privacy – though also making the furthest suites a significant walk from the main area.

Each suite has a separate lounge area with comfortable sofas, and drinks immediately to hand, with an inclusive minibar, ice bucket, a jar of delicious home-made biscuits and rusks, tea-making facilities and a Nespresso machine.

Between the lounge and the bedroom is a small day bed opposite a writing desk, where a mini tablet is pre-loaded with a messaging service to contact the management and front-of-house team.

The expansive bedroom houses a king-size or twin beds under a billowing mosquito net, with bedside tables complete with charging points, a bedside lamp and reading lamp. To counter the effects of Botswana's hotter months, each suite has ceiling fans and an air-conditioning unit over the beds.

Luggage racks and hanging storage are found behind the beds, with additional charging points, along with a basket with yoga mats and resistance bands for guests wishing to work out. Slippers and bathrobes are provided, as are insect repellent and bug spray, and an airhorn for attracting attention in case of emergency.

The bedroom extends into the en-suite bathroom, with a floor-length curtain to pull across between the two. Twin sinks and both a bath and a large rainfall shower are enhanced by an outdoor shower so you can make the most of the natural setting. Power is entirely solar, with 24-hour electricity throughout, and Wi-Fi in all the suites.

Through sliding glass doors and mesh screens, each suite has separate seating areas, swing chairs, a plunge pool and an outdoor sala, so you can expect a real sense of space and privacy. We were lucky enough to visit the camp in its opening week in spring 2024. The vegetation directly around and in front of the suites was a little sparse, but it’s growing back fast and we would expect it to be looking much thicker after the next rains.

The heart of the lodge, from the lounges to the dining areas, is substantial. Under high-ceilinged thatched roofs with light wooden beams, all are open-sided to make the most of the views, though blinds can be pulled down to protect from any inclement weather.

Neutral tones of cream and grey gives a calm feel, while highlights of jade and teal – designed to mimic the flashes of colour from a lilac-breasted roller, or the shine of a kingfisher in flight – provide a stylish, contemporary edge.

Where possible, sustainably sourced woods such as eucalyptus and blackwood have been used in the design, and light-coloured reed lampshades help fill the expansive roof areas, making the whole space light and breezy.

Separate lounge areas make this space feel cosy, one with a library featuring relevant reference books, another with historical and geological artefacts and information on the surrounding area and culture. Seating options range from comfortable sofas to quirkily carved wooden seats, and wicker chairs to swinging egg-chairs with soft cushions.

Coffee tables are set next to most of the sofas, with baskets of blankets and games for guests to use, and small stone heaters dotted around for the colder months.

On the practical front, a set of lockers enables guests to leave any belongings during game drives to save walking back to their suite. You’ll also find a number of tablets so that you can access spa menus.

Extending out from the main area and looking out to the Gomoti River, a substantial deck features more seating, and also incorporates the dining area. Dining can be indoors or out in an open-air kgotla, with a wood-fired pizza oven adding variety to the menu.

An added bonus is a walk-in wine cellar with an extensive collection, while down a few steps, the outdoor lounge around a firepit is the best spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks.

Daytime guided game drives are the focus of activities from Tawana, with experienced guides, some of whom have grown up in the area, to help you seek out the predators and prey for which Moremi is renowned. Hippos and crocodiles patrol the river, which also attracts herds of antelope, including sitatunga and red lechwe. Birding in the reserve can be impressive too, especially in the summer months, with some 400 species recorded.

Huge herds of elephant were around camp on our last visit, and we had a lovely sighting of the local coalition of male lions. Do be aware, though, that the camp sits within the Moremi Game Reserve so park rules must be followed. With no off-road driving allowed, wildlife sightings can be a little more limited than in some of the private reserves. Guests must also be back in camp by 6.30pm each evening, so night drives are not on offer.

Many guests arrive at Tawana by helicopter, but if you fancy seeing more of the Okavango Delta from the air, consider a scenic helicopter trip (at extra cost).

Back at camp, you can counter the effects of good living and game drives with a gym and a 16m swimming pool, or dip into the menu of spa treatments offered in your suite by on-site therapists. There's also a gift shop for those special souvenirs – some of them crafted locally, others brought in from boutique South African craft stores.

For those seeking an exclusive Botswana safari, Tawana would combine well with its siblings: Jack's Camp, Tuludi and North Island Okavango.

Our view

Stylish, while still blending into the surrounding safari environment, Tawana matches its sister camps’ high standards of comfort, service and guiding. It may not suit some safarigoers due to the restrictions on off-road and night driving, but in combination with one of its sister camps deeper into the Delta we think it’s a good option for those wanting to add some luxury to their time in the Okavango.

Amanda Bond

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Ideal length of stay: We would recommend a stay of three nights at Tawana, perhaps combined with North Island Okavango or another camp in a more watery part of the Okavango Delta, or across in the Makgadikgadi Pans area.
Directions: Access to Tawana is via light aircraft to Santawani Airstrip, which is approximately a 20-minute flight from Maun. From the airstrip it is a 45-minute drive to the camp. For the more adventurous, consider a scenic helicopter transfer directly to the camp.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: We have always enjoyed delicious meals at Tawana’s sister camps, and when we stayed at Tawana in April 2024, this newest camp was no exception. A range of dietary requirements can be catered for, with advance notice.

Breakfast is served throughout the morning. Before the morning activity, a continental breakfast included a selection of fresh fruit salads, granola and yoghurt pots, pancakes, pastries and a meat and cheese platter. Hot choices of eggs, sausage, bacon and vegetarian options were cooked to order.

Brunch/lunch is served from mid-morning, with the same hot breakfast dishes for those who prefer, along with a daily-changing menu for lighter lunch offerings. On our last stay the pizza oven was fired up, with a “make your own” pizza station and the chef on hand to provide individual bases, a range of toppings, and fresh green salad to accompany the pizzas. We understand that at times lunch will be a buffet, and at others your choice from the menu will be cooked to order.

Afternoon tea is served after siesta and before the afternoon activity, with a choice of sweet and savoury treats. We enjoyed a rather delicious vanilla and berry cake, though freshly baked cheese and spinach puffs, and vegetable or beef samosas, were also on offer.

Dinner is served to your table. We had French onion soup with croutons and warm bread rolls to start. From a choice of lamb hotpot, fish curry or vegetable gnocchi, we opted for the lamb. It was beautifully cooked, and served with Mediterranean vegetable couscous and a green salad. Dessert was a melt-in-the-mouth chocolate pudding, with vanilla ice cream and berry coulis.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Room service is not available, largely to deter monkeys from the rooms, but there are plenty of private dining options available in the main area. If you have any particular drink choices, these will be brought to your minibar for you.
Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and an extensive selection of wines and sparkling wines are included. Champagne and some imported wines and spirits cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

Guests can help themselves to tea and coffee in the main area throughout the day, and there is a bar in the main area where, if no staff are on hand, you may help yourself to a range of soft and alcoholic drinks.

Tawana provides flasks of drinking water in the rooms. The camp uses a filtration/reverse osmosis system which makes the water safe to drink. Cans of water (to reduce single use plastic) are available for those who prefer not to drink the tap water.

Children

Attitude towards children: Tawana welcomes families with children over six years.
Property’s age restrictions: The minimum age at Tawana is six years.
Special activities & services: None.
Equipment: Nothing additional is provided, but Tawana's accommodation includes two family suites.
Generally recommended for children: Though there are family rooms, with some games provided in the main area and a large pool, we feel that Tawana is best suited to older children.
Notes: Although there are raised walkways linking the buildings at Tawana, it remains an open site with access to a permanent river and dangerous wildlife wandering through. There is also an unfenced swimming pool. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes: Tawana has a large solar plant and is 100% solar-powered, although it also has a back-up generator. Each suite has multiple international charging points, and hairdryers are provided.
Communications: Complimentary Wi-Fi is accessible in all the suites. There is no cellphone reception at Tawana, but the camp is in direct contact with their main office in Maun.
TV & radio: None.
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: The bathrooms at Tawana are plumbed with hot and cold running water on tap, and flush toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: The nearest doctor is in Maun. All management and guides are first-aid trained and there is a nurse on call (via radio) 24 hours a day. Medical evacuation is available in case of emergency, but please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Guests are escorted to and from their suites before the morning activities and after dark. A safety briefing is given on arrival. Airhorns are provided in the suites to attract attention in case of an emergency, and a tablet in each suite has the number of the management team programmed ready for emergency assistance.
Fire safety: Fire extinguishers are located outside each suite, along the walkways, and around the main area and kitchen. Staff are trained in their use. Fire safety signage showing the meeting points are displayed throughout.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Helicopter

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included at Tawana. Washing powder is provided in the bathroom to wash any delicate items.
Money: A small electronic safe is located in the bedroom area of each suite. No money-exchange facilities are offered.
Accepted payment on location: Payments for curios, spa treatments and any additional items can be made in cash using US dollars, Botswana pula, South African rand, euros, and British pounds. Mastercard and Visa are also accepted for card payments, though Amex is not.