Kwara Camp

19°6’28.4"S 23°15’52.0"E

93% (235 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Special interests Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

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.

Megan Green

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.

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

98% success

Lion

97% success

Hippo

97% success

Spotted Hyena

84% success

Buffalo

82% success

Cheetah

76% success

Wild dog

75% success

Leopard

67% success

Sable antelope

32% success

Roan antelope

20% success

Sitatunga

19% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

White Rhino

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.