Duke’s Camp: Our full report
Summer 2022 saw the opening of the elegant Duke's Camp in the north-west of Botswana's Okavango Delta.
Set at the foot of the Panhandle on the private Kgao Island, it lies on the shores of a permanent lagoon within a vast 89,000-hectare concession that reaches as far south as the Moremi Game Reserve.Duke's – along with the smaller but near identical Duke’s East – is the fulfilment of a vision by Ralph Bousfield, creator of Jack's Camp on the wide open Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Boasting a similarly eclectic yet luxurious approach, it also benefits from the exacting standards of guiding and service for which Ralph’s teams are known.
The camp's namesake is Sarefo “Duke” Sarefo, born and bred on the island which now belongs to him, and with a long heritage of traditional fishing in the Okavango. It's that tradition that has kept the land pristine.
With its 8 tented chalets raised on wooden decks and nestled among mature ebony and leadwood trees, Duke's aims to blend into the landscape. Whether in doubles, twins or the family tent – two en-suite rooms with a lounge in between – guests will find rooms redolent of old-style safaris with many a quirky twist.
Not for Duke's the standard tent linings; here you'll be almost enveloped in patterned drapery that sets the scene for mahogany furniture, raised four-poster beds allowing a vantage point during your afternoon siesta. Persian rugs on polished floors and brass fittings in the en-suite bathroom continue the theme, while on each private deck you'll find both leather directors' chairs and a chaise-longue from which to scan the plains in front for wildlife.
The same style permeates the main area, where you can cosy down at low tables in the tea tent, or relax in the more traditional lounge with a view out onto the channel and the plains beyond. In keeping with safari tradition, meals are served at one long table, either outside under the trees or in the dining area. Either way, polished crystal and antique cutlery are the order of the day; dining is taken seriously here.
Wildlife watching can continue around the pool, while as night falls the firepit comes into its own to chat over the day's adventures. On our recent visit in January 2024, we particularly enjoyed seeing a pair of Pel’s fishing owls roost within the camp’s African ebony (jackalberry) trees.
Duke’s sister property, Dukes East, a five-minute drive away, is a smaller yet otherwise almost identical twin camp, ideal for groups or individual travellers. With 4 tented chalets, including a large family tent with its own private plunge pool and Evening Breeze cooling systems. The two camps are run independently of each other but the guide teams work together, which comes in handy when tracking fast-paced wild dogs or that elusive leopard!
Both camps have a low fence designed to restrict hippo and elephant movement within the camp. Guests are, however, escorted to their rooms after dark, which is typical of most camps in the region.
During the daytime, adventures are plenty. Game drives top the list of activities, exploring this exceptional wilderness area in 4WD vehicles in search of wildlife that ranges from sitatunga and elephant to lion, leopard and wild dog – and bird species in the hundreds.
We had an incredible first game drive when we saw three leopard, including a cub that was no more than six weeks old. Other sightings of note were a pair of large male lions and a pack of 22 wild dogs making repeated hunts, flushing reedbuck in the long grass only to lose sight of them bounding over the reeds, all overlooked by an inquisitive herd of giraffe.
Water levels permitting, glide almost silently along the channels or try your hand at fishing (excluding January to March). Walking safaris are a further option. Or, at extra cost, consider a helicopter trip, either to view the surrounding area or to the Tsodilo Hills. And in case you need a little more adventure, there's the possibility of spending a night under the stars on a separate island.
Our view
We are excited about this new camp in the Okavango. A mix of romance and remoteness with a level of luxury that includes WiFi in the pool and main area only, electric lighting and excellent guiding and cuisine. All in an area well known for great game viewing.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- 3 - 4 nights.
- Directions
- Duke's Camp is approximately 40 minutes by light aircraft from Maun, followed by an estimated 20-minute game drive into camp. The duration of the drive depends on the wildlife you see along the way and the water levels. Duke’s East is a 5-minute drive from Duke’s Camp.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Meals at Duke’s are usually sociable occasions around a communal table – although special requests can usually be catered for.
On our most recent stay, in January 2024, the food was tasty and fresh. The camp is able to cater for most dietary needs – vegetarian, vegan, coeliacs etc – but they must be informed well in advance.
Duke’s East offers works in a similar way and offers the same menus.
Before the morning activity, a quick cup of tea or coffee is served with muffins on a “to go” basis. Breakfast can be requested for those opting to take things a little slower.
A light breakfast is served while out on the morning game drive. This is usually quite a selection of cereals, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, freshly made muffins, tea and coffee.
We found lunch, served on return from the morning activity, to be varied and tasty. Over a couple of days, just some of the choices included a homemade chicken pie and tasty vegetarian samosas with green salad and a couscous salad. We opted out of desserts on both occasions.
Afternoon tea at Duke’s was delicious: shortbread biscuits, quiche tartlets, fruit and an irresistible coffee and walnut cake. There was also hot and iced tea and coffee on offer. It is during teatime that the evening's dinner menu will be announced by the chef, usually incorporating a choice of two or three main courses.
Dinner is usually a communal meal around one long table. We started with a spicy butternut soup accompanied by a freshly made bread roll. For our main course we opted for fillet of beef wrapped in bacon served with mashed potato and a selection of caramelised carrots, zucchini and beans. On our second night we had a deliciously warming lamb curry with rice and mixed vegetables. For desserts we opted for homemade ice cream – twice!
We were offered red or white wine with our dinner, and house spirits were also available. After dinner, drinks were served around the campfire. - Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and 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. You are also provided with your own personal bottle of water and encouraged to keep this topped up.
Special interests
- Family holidays
- As part of a family safari in Botswana, both Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East are good options, each surrounded by a low fence to restrict larger game movement, and both being oases for birds and smaller wildlife. Large family rooms and pools allow for a relaxing experience. Each camp has their own large family suite with is made up of two ensuite bedrooms and an interconnecting lounge area. The family suite at Dukes East has their own private plunge pool and because of the camps small size is ideal for exclusive use.
- See ideas for Family holidays in Botswana
- Honeymoons
- "Elegance", "romance", "small and personable" are just some of the many descriptions of Dukes Camp. As part of the camp's honeymoon special, the spouse receives 50% off their stay. This offer is combinable with their sister properties, an extra bonus on a honeymoon trip in Botswana.
- See ideas for Honeymoons in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Duke’s welcome children aged from 6 years.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under 6. For guests aged 6–12 on game drives, a private vehicle must be booked at extra cost.
- Special activities & services
- There are two family chalets, each with two en-suite bedrooms: one at Duke’s Camp, the other at Duke’s East.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although both camps accept children from the age of 6, they have an adult feel that is not in keeping with young children. They are also in an area where dangerous animals are free to roam, so are best suited to much older children.
- Notes
- Duke’s is surrounded by tracts of water with an unfenced pool and dangerous wildlife roaming through. Children must be supervised by a parent or carer at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Duke’s Camp
Since mid-2022, many of our travellers who stayed at Duke’s Camp 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 method
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- Guest tents have 24hr solar-powered electricity.
Each chalet has a multi-point plug adaptor. - Communications
- Duke's has WiFi access only in the main area and by the pool; there is currently no WiFi in the rooms. There is no cellphone signal in the camp.
- TV & radio
- No TV or radio
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- All the tented chalets are plumbed with hot and cold running water and flushing toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Maun. All managers 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.
Swimming pool warning: Please be aware that the swimming pools at Duke's do not have depth markings or No Diving signs. Bathers need to be careful when entering the pool. - Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Guests are escorted to their suites after dark as dangerous wildlife is known to wander through the camp. A safety briefing is given on arrival. “Foghorns” are provided in the suites to attract attention in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Fishing
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A complimentary laundry service is in place, with the exception of undergarments, for which washing powder is provided in each bathroom.
- Money
- There is a safe in each suite. No exchange facilities are offered.
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted, as are cash payments in US dollars, euros, GB sterling, South African rand and Botswana pula.
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.
Chitabe Lediba
Chitabe Lediba, in Botswana's southern Okavango Delta, is a small family friendly safari camp; it offers great dry-land safaris and in our experience consistently delivers good game sightings.
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.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
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.
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.
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.
Setari Camp
Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
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.
