Kiri Camp: Our full report
Opened on 1 June 2022, Kiri Camp is one of Botswana’s newest camps.
Set out under a canopy of Jackalberry and ebony trees, on the banks of the Kiri Channel, each of the 10 contemporary style tented rooms has views over the Kiri flood plains. The camp’s location in the south-east Okavango Delta allows guests a range of activities including walks, water activities and game drives.Kiri Camp is situated on an island within a large, community run concession in the Okavango Delta’s southeast. Surrounded by untouched wilderness in an area for their own exclusive use, about 20km south west of Chief’s Island, Kiri Camp overlooks the Kiri River and flood plains.
Our safari experts are yet to visit Kiri Camp, but we know the sister camps well and are happy to recommend it on that basis. The camp is privately run by a new generation of sustainable safari operators, under the same ownership as Machaba Camp, Little Machaba and Gomoti Plains Camp.
The well thought out tented rooms combine contemporary design with neutral safari shades, wood, canvas and reeds so as to blend into the surroundings without compromising on comfort. Set under a canopy of Jackalberry and ebony trees are 8 standard tents and 2 family tents. All are built on raised decks with views over the expansive flood plains and offer twin or double beds, plug points and cooling ceiling fans. Private shaded verandas with comfortable seating make for a nice spot to enjoy wildlife watching between activities and spacious en-suite bathrooms are partially open to allow for showering under a clear sky. The family tents are made up of two rooms, each with a private en suite bathroom, joined by a communal sitting area.
The tents are be linked to the central guest lounge and dining areas, as well as the swimming pool, by natural sandy pathways through the bush. Kiri Camp has a firm focus on making minimal impact on the environment.
Kiri Camp offers a combination of both land and water activities, though the latter is dependent on water levels during the drier months of about September to April. The flood plains are home to a wide variety of animals, sought out on day and night game drives. Mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions take place on shallow lagoons whilst boat trips and catch-and-release fishing happen on the Kiri River. A guided walking safari on nearby islands is also highly recommended and massages are available when relaxing between activities.
Our view
We have high expectations of Kiri Camp. We have always been impressed with the quality of Kiri's sister camps, from the food and service to the comfort of the rooms. Like its sister camps, Kiri will be a modern, classic camp, well designed, comfortable and relaxed – and relatively well-priced for what it offers. Being in a private concession, the game-viewing experience will also be fairly exclusive, making for a winning combination.
Country manager: Botswana
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- 3 to 4 nights
- Directions
- It's roughly 15 minutes by light aircraft from Maun (70 minutes from Kasane) to the airstrip, followed by a 10-minute game drive to camp.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Having enjoyed the food at Kiri's sister camps in the past we would expect the food at Kiri to be of a high standard. With advance notice, the camp will be able to cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements. They will also be able to prepare special meals for children, on request.
- Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not available at Kiri Camp.
- Drinks included
- All drinks stocked in camp (bottled water, soft drinks, local beers, spirits and a limited selection of generally South African wines) are included. Champagne and premium or imported wines and spirits cost extra and must be requested in advance.
Guests are given a special water bottle on arrival, which they are encouraged to top up from the filtered supply in the camp's main area. Each tent is also provided with glasses and a flask of drinking water that is replenished daily.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Kiri Camp accepts children of all ages.
- Property’s age restrictions
- A private vehicle is required for children under 6 participating in game activities. Children under 12 are not able to participate in mokoro excursions or walking safaris.
- Equipment
- There are two spacious family tents at Kiri Camp, each accommodating up to four people.
- Generally recommended for children
- We would recommend Kiri Camp for more mature children, who are genuinely interested in wildlife and happy to spend time on game drives.
- Notes
- Kiri is unfenced and dangerous wildlife, including lion and leopard, can wander through the camp at any time. There is no fence around the pool. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Kiri Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kiri 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 methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator, and the camp has 24-hour electricity, with plug points in each tent.
Hairdryers and electric shavers are not provided and cannot be used in the tents as they can create a power surge that overloads the system.
- Communications
- There is no WiFi in the tents or main areas. Limited WiFi can be accessed near the office.
- TV & radio
- There is no television or radio at Kiri Camp.
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- All the tents have plumbed hot and cold running water for showers, and flushing toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Management and guides are first-aid trained. Medical evacuation is available in case of emergencies. The nearest doctor is in Maun and there are hospitals in Maun and Johannesburg.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Guests will be escorted to their tents after dark as dangerous wildlife can and do wander through the camp. 'Fog horns' are provided in the tents to summon help in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
- Each tented room and the main areas are fitted with fire extinguishers.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is included, and all clothing items can be washed. Laundry is collected in the morning and usually returned the same day, weather permitting. Washing powder is provided in the tented rooms for guests to wash their smalls or delicate materials if they wish.
- Money
- No exchange facilities will be offered at Kiri Camp. Each tent has a small safe which can fit travel documents, cash and wallets.
- Accepted payment on location
- Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted, but Diners and Amex are not. Cash in the form of South African rand, GB sterling, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula will be accepted.
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.
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.
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.
