Kwara Camp: Our full report
In a private and wildlife rich reserve situated along the northern Okavango Delta waterways, Kwara Camp overlooks ...
... a scenic lagoon from an island of shady, mature trees. With a relatively affordable price tag for the level of luxury offered, it’s a stylish adult-only camp. Land and water activities are offered year-round and operate with a maximum of four guests, each led by a guide and tracker team.Kwara lies within the private 1,750km² Kwara Reserve, which borders the north side of Moremi Game Reserve. The environment here is perhaps more varied than around most Okavango Delta camps. Seasonal floodplains and wooded islands surround the camp; papyrus-lined permanent waterways and lagoons cover the south of the reserve; and extensive dry land to the north supports mopane woodlands and open scrub savannah. It’s one of the few safari camps that can usually offer water and land activities year-round.
Under a riparian forest canopy on a tree island, Kwara Camp overlooks a floodplain and attractive lagoon. There are nine tented chalets raised on individual wooden platforms with wide verandas and large mesh windows. Constructed of wood with stretched canvas walls, each spacious interior is split into three main parts: a lounge area, a bedroom, and an en-suite bathroom.
A sofa and two armchairs offer comfortable seating for browsing the small reference library or enjoying a hot drink from the tea/coffee station. There’s also a writing desk and a multi-plug strip, with USB points, for charging electronic equipment.
A step up takes you to the next level where a large double or twin beds lie beneath a mosquito net canopy. Solar powered air-conditioning cools the bedroom on hot days, whilst ceiling fans create a breeze at night when needed. Bedside lamps and separate reading lights give you a choice of lighting.
The open en-suite bathroom can be divided from the main room by a curtain. Currently relatively flimsy and see-through, there are plans to replace this curtain with something offering a bit more privacy. Indoor and outdoor showers, his and hers sinks and a gorgeous bath all have views towards the lagoon. While the toilet is in a separate cubicle offering maximum privacy, the indoor shower is partially open. Conditioning shampoo, shower gel, soap and body lotion are all provided, and there's plenty of wardrobe space, as well as a dressing table, digital safe, a flask of drinking water, mosquito repellent and bug spray.
Room 5 is built all on one level, without a step up to the bedroom and with ramp access to the front door. Located close to the main area and reached by fairly firm paths, it’s a good option for guests with limited mobility.
At the heart of the camp, the open-fronted central building has several comfortable sitting areas with a reception lounge, a second lounge with library, and a deck with cushioned wooden armchairs. The open bar has stool seating around a raised bench and the dining area caters for social dining around a long table. Private dining can also be arranged on request. To the back, a well-stocked curio shop offers tempting souvenirs. Whilst to the front, the campfire set in a sandy clearing is where guests gather for breakfast as dawn breaks and again for drinks at the end of the day, under the starry sky.
Kwara has two small swimming pools, one at each end of the camp. Built into raised decks, with views across the lagoon, each offers a quiet place to relax. There’s a convenient bathroom and a small bar (enclosed to dissuade inquisitive baboons) where you can help yourself from a selection of cool drinks.
Kwara Camp offers a variety of activities, including both 4WD safaris and water-based excursions. Game drives always have a tracker as well as a driver-guide. This combination of skills can make for an interesting and informative experience, which regularly produces excellent wildlife sightings. The team at Kwara is enthusiastic and can be single-minded about tracking predators, especially if they have guests keen to see them, and the ability to drive off road within the reserve is often an advantage for this. For some visitors, this highly focused approach to guiding is exactly what's wanted. For travelers who prefer a more relaxed approach, taking in a variety of animals and birds as they arise, please let us know in advance so that we can make the camp team aware of that.
Night drives are offered as an extension of the afternoon activity, or after dinner. You’ll have the choice of extending your afternoon activity by about an hour or so and taking your time to return to camp whilst you seek out nocturnal animals by spotlight. Or you can return for an early dinner and then set out for a night drive lasting up until 10pm.
Boat trips at Kwara are usually on a double-decker motorboat, allowing for great views over the papyrus. A visit to the Godikwe heronry can be requested and is often a highlight between September and December.
Mokoro trips navigate the shallow, lily-filled waterways near to camp. It’s an opportunity to see a variety of colourful and interesting birds, frogs and plants as you tranquilly glide through the reeds. Fishing excursions are also available, except in the January and February breeding season when a fishing ban is enforced by the Botswana authorities.
Our view
Kwara is a stylish and modern take on a traditional safari camp. It has a beautiful location under shady, mature trees, overlooking an attractive lagoon with wildlife often seen in and around the nine very spacious rooms. There is a minimum three-night stay policy, and the minimum age limit is strictly 18 years. Activities in this productive wildlife area take a maximum of four passengers, and the combination of a guide and tracker team often delivers memorable predator sightings.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- Kwara Camp has a minimum stay of three nights. It works well in combination with its sister camps, Lagoon Camp and Lebala Camp, in northern Botswana's Linyanti region within the extensive Kwando Reserve; and Nxai Pan and Tau Pan, in the drier reaches of the Kalahari to the south. A long-stay discount applies for safaris combining Kwara with its sister camps for six or more nights.
- Directions
- Kwara airstrip is roughly 30 minutes by light aircraft from Maun. It is only a 10-15-minute drive from the airstrip to Kwara Camp, depending on wildlife spotted along the way.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- The food served at Kwara can be described as tasty, homely fare rather than gourmet restaurant standard. Meals are served buffet style and a good variety is provided including fresh salads, vegetables and fruit. Vegetarians and most other dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Before the morning activity, a light breakfast is served around the campfire, usually consisting of porridge, a choice of cereals, muffins, toast, boiled eggs, fresh fruit, tea, coffee and juices.
After your morning excursion, a wholesome brunch buffet is provided, with a good choice of dishes. We were offered all the components of a full cooked breakfast, as well as quiche, cold meats, a mix of salads, a cheeseboard, home-made bread and a sliced-fruit platter.
High tea sets you up for the afternoon activity. We were treated to yummy beef samosas, lemon drizzle cake and fresh watermelon. To drink there was tea, coffee and homemade juice, iced coffee or iced tea.
Dinner is a four-course meal, which usually consists of plated starters and dessert, and a choice of main-course dishes from the buffet. Traditional local dishes are included on some nights. Our sweetcorn fritter was followed by a cold tomato and sweet pepper soup with a fresh bread roll. The main course was a buffet of roast pork with gravy, baked fish in a creamy sauce, mashed potato, creamed spinach and butternut squash. Dessert was a poached pear and cream dessert followed by a cheeseboard. A choice of very good white or red South African wine was paired and served with dinner. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Filtered and purified water as well as bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and classic spirit brands plus a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne, imported wines and premium branded spirits will cost extra and must be requested well in advance.
Guests are usually given a personal water bottle on arrival, which they are encouraged to top up with filtered water from the camp's main area. This can then be kept as a souvenir to take home. Each room is provided with glasses and a flask of drinking water, which is replenished daily. We don't recommend that travellers drink from the tap.
Special interests
- Birdwatching
- The environment at Kwara Camp is incredibly diverse, resulting in superb birdwatching. Seasonal floodplains and wooded islands surround camp, while papyrus-lined waterways, lagoons, mopane woodland and scrub savannah are all easily accessible.
- See ideas for Birdwatching in Botswana
- Photography holidays
- The safari vehicles at Kwara have a roof-removal option, offering almost unobscured views ideal for a photographic safari in Botswana. Avid photographers can take a private vehicle/guide (additional cost) for ultimate flexibility on activities.
- See ideas for Photography holidays in Botswana
- Wildlife safaris
- If you're looking for a wildlife safari in Botswana that focuses on predators, look no further. Kwara Camp’s wildlife and environments are varied, with plenty of antelope and big mammals – as well as the big cats and wild dogs.
- See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Kwara does not accept any guests under 18 years of age.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Families with children under the age of 18 may opt for Kwara's sister camps, Splash Camp or 4 Rivers, both of which offer family rooms.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Kwara Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kwara 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
98% success
97% success
97% success
84% success
82% success
76% success
75% success
67% success
32% success
20% success
19% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The camp has a backup generator. Charging facilities suitable for most country's plug types and USB connections are available in the rooms 24 hours a day.
- Communications
- Complimentary WiFi is available in each of the rooms, but not in the communal areas. The connection works well for emails, messaging and video calls, but doesn’t allow for social media or streaming.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the tents have plumbed hot and cold running water for showers as well as flush toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- All camp managers and guides are first-aid trained, and a comprehensive first-aid kit is kept at camp. Each guide also has a basic field first-aid kit to take on activities. In an emergency, the camp can arrange for clients to be flown out. 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
- Because of the Okavango Delta's large population of potentially dangerous animals and the fact that Kwara Camp is unfenced, guests are escorted to their rooms after dark. A safety briefing is given on arrival. Air-horns are provided in the rooms to attract attention in case of an emergency.
Baboons and vervet monkeys do come through camp, so it is important to keep tents closed whilst unoccupied, and not to have any food visible (or preferably none in the tents at all). - Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the communal areas of the camp and on the veranda of each tent.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included. Washing powder is also provided in the tents should guests wish to hand wash personal items.
- Money
- No currency-exchange facilities are offered. There are digital safes in each tent.
- Accepted payment on location
- Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted; Diners and American Express are not. For curio shop purchases there is a 3% credit-card commission. South African rand, British pounds, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula are accepted for cash payments.
Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
4 Rivers
4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.
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.
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.
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.
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 large concession, the romantic Duke's Camp and smaller Duke’s East are nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains and waterways 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, the simple Mokolwane focuses on wildlife viewing in a large, 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.
