Reviews of Chitabe Lediba
Wildlife sightings and reviews
87 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Chitabe Lediba and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Great atmosphere at Chitabe Lediba"
Lots of birds around the camp including a pair of grey hornbills nesting in a tree next to our tent who came to peck at our window and offer us insects. Lots of beautiful Cape glossy and Burchell's starlings.
Landscapes were beautiful; the cheetah were elusive but we did see a large pride of lions with their kill and the lions' hierarchy inter-action was fascinating. Although we didn't see a huge amount of animals during our drives, on our departure to the airstrip in the space of 45 minutes we saw: baboon, impala, tsessebe, a group of 6 giraffe, 2 warthogs, a leopard, 2 ostrichs, 3 mongoose and a steenbok all within a few metres of our jeep! Just shows you never know what to expect." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia; 9n in Botswana
"Chitabe Lediba review"
Wildlife included many leopards, male and female lions (with cubs), a cheetah and many birds. Ebs was our exceptional guide: low key but very knowledgable. The food was very good. The menu was every day discussed with Moalosi, and adapted to diabetic requirements. Moalosi and his staff did an excellent job." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"A great camp, could not be better."
The guide, Ebs, was the best among the good guides leading to the siting of lion families with their cubs and other reat scenes. His long experience as a guide and his sensitivity to animal behavior, as well as our widhes, led to the possibility of watching complex animal interactions, instead of quick photography and rushing off to the next scene.
The artistic taste of the camp owner was evident in the beautiful art which devorated the camp." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zambia
"Chitabe Lediba - luxury camp and many cats"
We stayed for 3 nights at Chitabe Lediba, the smaller and more private sister camp of Chitabe main camp, with only 5 very luxury accommodations. Also service, food and everything else was excellent. They offer game drives in the morning and afternoon (ending as a night drive!) and of course (like in all private concessions) with the opportunity to drive off road!
Our guide at Chitabe was Molemi (very experienced) who tracked different prides of lions and the two big males that rule the concession since 8 years!! He also spotted a beautiful leopard posing for us on ground and in a tree.
The famous wild dog pack has moved after the alpha female was killed by a lion and the remaining alpha male had to look for another female! There are cheetahs (also 3 brothers) in this area but although Molemi did a very good job we unfortunately haven't seen one. Beside the predators you can see many other animals like elephants, buffaloes, different species of antelopes (incl. Lechwe) ....
The landscape in Chitabe is amazing: you can see floodplains, open water, woodland but also open grassland!
Although all camps we've visited were great at least Chitabe was our favorite one because of it's very private atmosphere.
So we can highly recommend it!" See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Chitabe Lediba review"
Luke, our guide, was very good though we thought our guide at Little Vumbura was so passionate about the wildlife that he would often go the extra mile. Although not a major focus of the camp, we asked if we could do a walking safari one morning, and highly recommend it as a way of learning about the smaller species and the plant life. We didn't even have to miss out on the game drive, as we went out in the 4WD in the morning, then started our walk around 10am.
We're glad we decided to stay at Chitabe Lediba rather than the main camp. Perhaps because there are fewer tents and therefore fewer guests, we had the guide and vehicle to ourselves for several of the drives and a maximum of 4 at any one time, whilst nearly all the vehicles we saw from the main camp were shared by 6 people.
The tents are very spacious and quite luxurious. We particularly loved the outdoor shower. We found the staff to be very welcoming and efficient. The food was excellent, and the barbecue at the boma on our first evening was great." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Great stay at Chitabe Lediba"
"Chitabe Lediba review"
The tents were wonderfull and as ever excellent staff" See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 5n in Mozambique; 1n in South Africa
"A good overall safari epxerience at CL."
Camp Management.
Excellent support from all areas : Kitchen to room cleaning and dinning areas.This was a notable feature of this camp and we loved the family unit set apart at the end of the camp. These are 2 tents next to each other and made the family experience first class.The design of the tents is good with very comfortable beds and bathroom areas.Despite being very up market the design of the tents gave the camp a moderate bush feel . Gone are the days of real tents and feeling immersed in the bush.Elevated walk ways and access were useful.The pool and communal areas were also first class with smiles from all the staff.These were very well set out and gave one a sense of proximity to the bush.Food was good but one always had a sense there there was not quite enough of the key ingredient of the main course. ( ie very little meat but lots of fillers in ) The wine was undrinkable.I would rate this overall camp management aspect 7/10.
Game experience:
9/10. We had an excellent guide ( Thuso ) who had the most extraordinary eye sight and was a first class companion in the bush.Thanks to him a female Leopard was the prime viewing option for a film crew and some other guests.We also had a good session with 2 other male leopards and wild dog ( all within 200 metres ) . Elephant were not in abundance as the breeding herds had left . They had had rain a few days before. The walk was also well timed and managed . Viewing was also very well organized with never more then 2 vehicles at the sighting. And Beyonds next door camp were having a very tough time finding game and were driving 2 hours every day to CL concesion for viewing. They were suffering too much water I believe.CL is a camp set in attractive surroundings with a wide variety of terrain. We saw few Buffalo but otherwise were spoilt with our viewing." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Leopards in Chitable Lediba"
Our guide in Chitabe, Gordon, was outstanding. If one wishes to see leopards this is a camp to visit. We saw thirteen throughout the trip, seven of which were in Chitabe. The young elephants in and around the camp made for some on-foot, not to be missed encounters, as did the female lion with her two 18 month old cubs.
It was my wife, Caroline's, 60th birthday whilst were in Chitabe Lediba and we must thank Mwalusi and the staff for making it such a wonderful celebratory occasion." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
"Chitabe Lediba review"
The dinner on our first night was in the boma. The quality of the food was substandard, and the boma itself did not seem especially welcoming. We had a much better experience in Little Vumbura when they had a dinner in their boma.
During that dinner, we noticed that the service did not seem up to the standard of the other camps, but we thought it may have been an anomaly. However, the next morning at breakfast the service was also poor. There was only one person at the buffet to serve food, the selection of items was quite limited, and we were not asked if we wanted coffee, etc. At lunch and dinner, we had to go ask for drinks, rather than being offered when we arrived (like the other camps).
We felt that the poor quality of the service was the direct result of poor management of the camp. One of the managers, Gwen, was new to the camp and to the profession. She commented that she had never been on a game drive, and that her primary goal working there was to gather material to write a book. The other manager (he was nicknamed "Lucy") was very experience, but did not seem to put forth much effort.
When it was time to eat, the person fetching us from our tent would usually not come up to the door, but just call out. And they tended to use their flashlight to light their way, but it left the walkway in the dark for us.
A new manager, Derek (sp?), arrived on Tuesday and was there at dinner (our second night). Starting Wednesday morning, the service started improving, and we felt that it kept improving during the rest of our stay. Derek was there for meals and to assist all of the guests at any time, and it seemed that he had really taken control of the situation. Our grades would probably have been much better if he had been there the whole time. On our last morning, after the drive, Derek had arranged a special, private lunch for us by the pool. This certainly helped leave us with a more positive feeling as we departed.
Our guide, Thuso, was a joy to be with. We felt we really got to know him more that any of the other guides or staff, and he was the best part of our stay in Chitabe Lediba, by far. We would love to see him again should we return." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
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Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kwara Camp
Kwara Camp's private reserve boasts land and water activities year round, with excellent game-viewing opportunities and access to permanent channels of the north-east Okavango Delta.
Little Vumbura
On a secluded island within a private reserve, Little Vumbura combines superb game viewing with a broad diversity of habitats in a truly picturesque setting.
Shinde Camp
With experienced staff and a wealth of activities, Shinde offers a traditional safari in an exceptionally varied and wildlife-rich environment.
Splash Camp
Set in the Kwara Reserve, offering superb wildlife viewing year-round, Splash offers both land and water activities led by guides with a particular knack for tracking big game.
Kanana
In a beautiful part of the Delta, Kanana focuses on fantastic water activities and birding – including exclusive access to an impressive heronry.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
The luxurious Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, beside Moremi Game Reserve, with superb big-game viewing.
Chitabe Camp
In the southern Okavango Delta, the excellent Chitabe Camp concentrates on dry-land safaris in an area that we've found particularly good for wild dog sightings.
Shinde Footsteps
Small and simple, but comfortable, Shinde Footsteps focuses on walking safaris as well as game drives; it also runs a special children's programme so is particularly suitable for families.
Gomoti Plains
Overlooking a tributary of the Gomoti River, Gomoti Plains Camp is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a good game-viewing area.
Nxabega Tented Camp
Nxabega offers a selection of both land- and water-based activities, plus very good guiding, food and service, but game viewing can be somewhat erratic.
Tubu Tree Camp
A traditional tented camp with a distinctive tree-house feel, Tubu Tree offers some of the best game viewing in the Jao Reserve.
Vumbura Plains
Indulgently stylish and luxurious, Vumbura Plains offers superb game viewing and birding on an exceptionally varied private reserve.
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is a small safari camp with an informal island feel; it is ideal for water-based activities in the Delta and offers excellent birdwatching.
Kwetsani Camp
Deep in the Delta, overlooking a floodplain, Kwetsani Camp is a small, high-end camp with good access to areas for land and water-based activities.
Duba Explorers Camp
Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains Camp is a traditional yet luxurious safari camp, best known for the thrilling lion behavior interaction that is often see during the day.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
Pom Pom Camp
Amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery, Pom Pom offers idyllic mokoro trips in season, great birdwatching, and increasingly good big-game sightings, especially leopards.
Baines' Camp
Baines' Camp is a well-run, intimate camp in a pretty part of the Okavango, offering a range of activities and the option to spend a morning walking with elephants.
Stanley's Camp
In a private concession south of Moremi Game Reserve, Stanley's Camp offers 4WD game drives, seasonal water activities and a superb elephant interaction.
Little Tubu
Little Tubu is a new, traditional camp with just three tented chalets and a distinctive tree-house feel. The areas around it can be explored by water and land-based activities year round.
Pelo Camp
In a pristine wilderness environment deep in the Okavango Delta, the seasonal Pelo Camp is tented yet comfortable, with activities focusing on excursions by mokoro.
4 Rivers
4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.
Xaranna
Xaranna is a plush tented camp amongst the idyllic waterways and islands of the Delta. Each air-conditioned tent has a plunge pool. Water activities and pampering are the focus here.
Rra Dinare
Located in a private concession in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River, Rra Dinare is a traditional-style, well-priced camp.
Jao Camp
In a beautiful area with fantastic water activities, Jao combines an idyllic location with high levels of luxury and service, and a top-end spa.
Seba Camp
Seba Camp is a luxury camp in a lovely location that offers the full range of water and land safari activities, depending on the time of year. This camp is particularly suitable for families.
Setari Camp
Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"
Okavango Explorers
The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.
Abu Camp
Abu Camp is an exclusive safari camp on the western side of the Botswana's Okavango Delta - offering superb elephant-back safaris and opportunities to walk with them too.
Kiri Camp
Kiri Camp is the latest Okavango offering from the excellent team behind Machaba. In an exciting new location in the heart of the Delta we cannot wait to visit this new camp.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
Okavango Walking Safari
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari camps in a secluded Okavango Delta Reserve where there are few roads; the ideal location for a walking trail led by an expert guide.
Duke’s Camp
On a remote island within a vast private concession, the eclectic Duke’s Camp is nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains of the Okavango.
Sitatunga Island Camp
Tucked away in a pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, the exclusive Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based camp offering boating, mokoro trips and fishing.
Atzaro Okavango
With a high level of tasteful luxury promised at Atzaro, we think it will be best suited to travellers seeking a touch of pampering alongside their safari.
Mokolwane
Deep in the heart of the Okavango, Mokolwane promises adventure in a largely untouched area.
Eagle Island Lodge
Eagle Island Lodge is a luxurious camp with international-style facilities including air conditioning and intercom in each room; offering water based activities in the Okavango Delta.
North Island Okavango
Deep in quintessentially “Okavango” territory, between deep-water and dry-land habitats, North Island focuses on a luxury safari experience with very good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mbamba
Deep within the northern Okavango, the classically styled Mbamba is set to open in a wildlife-rich private concession in April 2025.
Qorokwe Camp
Luxurious and contemporary, the relatively new Qorokwe Camp is a gem in the Okavango Delta, offering land- and occasionally water-based activities in a prime wildlife area.
