Qorokwe Camp

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

Qorokwe Camp: Our full report

Opened in November 2017, the luxurious, contemporary Qorokwe Camp stands in a private, wildlife-rich area ...

... in the south-east of the Okavango Delta, bordering Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve. The camp has great views over a large lagoon that is fed by the Santandadibe River: classic Delta scenery, with high densities of predators.

Qorokwe shares this extensive private concession with Gomoti Plains Camp and sister camps Stanley’s Camp and Baines’ Camp. Qorokwe and Gomoti Plains share an airstrip, but once you’ve landed, you head off in opposite directions and it’s very seldom that you’ll see each other’s game vehicles. It’s even less likely that you’ll see a vehicle from Stanley’s and Baines’ as they’re much further south and the distance is vast, with rivers and seasonal floodplains between them.

Qorokwe is certainly a luxurious camp, far more contemporary in design than most others in the Delta and very different from the more “traditional tented” safari design. This is evident as soon as you approach the substantial main area: a boxy, mostly open-plan structure of geometric wrought iron and wood. The open sides overlook the lagoon and the woodland beyond, as well as the inviting swimming pool and firepit. During our stay we saw a number of buffalo and elephants in front of camp enjoying water in the permanent lagoon; for a closer look, take advantage of one of the telescopes on the deck that are trained on this area.

Rugs and woven mats add texture and colour to the dark-wood flooring, woven baskets hang from the walls and terracotta pots crowd the corners, combining traditional objects with the modern design. Kick off your shoes and delve into a natural-history book from the comfort of cream sofas or rattan stools, or move to the beautiful central bar crafted from a single plank of wood – or perhaps simply take in the classic Delta landscape from the swing bench.

The infinity pool, down a few steps from the main area, is big enough to do a length or two before chilling on a sunlounger on the deck. There is a large circular firepit here too, jutting out slightly into the reeds at the edge of the lagoon. This makes a lovely spot for drinks before or after dinner accompanied by the chirruping of frogs and against the backdrop of the lodge’s nightlit incarnation.

Sandy pathways covered in bark chips weave through the bush to Qorokwe’s nine suites, which feature the same box design as the main area. Each suite is raised on a platform a few feet off the ground to offer views over the lagoon and bush, with a large wooden deck leading inside to a very spacious open-plan room. All are similarly modern in design, including an even more sizy family suite (which has its own plunge pool), and feature wood-and-steel frames stretched with canvas, floor-to-ceiling mesh windows, and large sliding doors.

The room itself has a lounge area with a sofa and a couple of chairs, with the bed in the centre, draped with a walk-in mosquito net. Storage areas at the back include wardrobes with sliding doors and a table with a small kettle and coffee plunger. There’s a ceiling fan above the bed, a standing fan next to the desk (which has international plug points and a USB port), and a third standing mist fan in the lounge. Bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer come as standard. Qorokwe’s 100% solar power seems to allow all these appliances to run efficiently. There’s even WiFi, with a pretty good and reliable connection – although bear in mind that this is the bush!

In the bathroom you’ll find a free-standing bath, his and hers basins, a toilet in a separate room and a large shower with a glass door that you can slide open to create an outdoor shower concept. Each room also comes with a yoga mat and set of dumbbells. Sliding doors in front of the bed access the deck that runs almost the length of the room, set with a couple of large comfortable day beds so you can sit back and take in the surroundings.

The landscape around Qorokwe is diverse, typical of this region of the Okavango Delta, a mix of dry mopane woodland and palm-dotted islands amongst floodplains bisected by seasonal waterways. We’ve always regarded Qorokwe’s sister camps, Chitabe Camp and Chitabe Lediba, as one of the best areas for predator sightings in the Delta, and the area around its southern neighbour, Qorokwe, appears to be equally good. Certainly, we have had some fantastic wildlife viewing here during several brief stays, on a recent stay in April 2019, including a pride of eight lions that watched intently from under a bush as a number of young giraffes wandered past. On one occasion, we raced back after hearing news of a cheetah stalking near the lodge and watched as the female recovered from hunting an impala while her two cubs were feeding on the kill.

Although the guiding on our various visits was good, we have generally felt that it didn’t quite match the high-quality feel of the lodge. In particular, although our guides knew the area well, they didn’t offer a huge amount of information. Staff, however, were consistently friendly, professional and efficient.

While the activities at Qorokwe focus on exploring on a game-drive vehicle, guided walks - with an armed guide, and mokoro excursions and boat trips on the nearby Santantadibe River may also be possible - depending on water levels.

Back at the lodge, Qorokwe doesn’t have a spa, but their in-house beauty therapist can offer a number of treatments in the comfort of your room, or on your private deck.

Our view

Qorokwe Camp is modern in design – we think it’s very smart, but it won't suit guests who are looking for a more traditional tented, safari camp. The predator sightings in this area seem to be as good as those a little further to the north, and - although the guiding wasn’t outstanding – we were treated to great game viewing (including on one occasion a cheetah kill right outside camp). With delicious food and friendly staff, we rate it very highly for a luxury, Delta camp experience.

Chris McIntyre

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location: Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
Ideal length of stay: We’d recommend a stay of three nights at Qorokwe Camp.
Directions: It is roughly 15 minutes by light aircraft from Maun to Qorokwe airstrip, or 45 minutes from Kasane, depending on where the plane stops on the way, followed by a 45-minute game drive to camp.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: We’ve found the food at Qorokwe Camp really good during various stays, and it lived up to our high expectations during our most recent trip in December 2019.

Meals are a mixture of either plated or buffet, depending on the number of guests in camp and where you want to eat. They’re incredibly flexible, whether you want to eat in your own room, around the pool or in the comfort of the dining room. With sufficient notice, Qorokwe can cater to vegetarians and other special dietary requirements.

A light breakfast , served before we headed out on our morning activity, offered the choice of yoghurt, cereal, fruit, muffins, pastries, tea and coffee. If you want to sleep in a little later and skip the sit-down breakfast, you can op for “breakfast-on-the-go”. Then, a packed breakfast usually consisting of separate jars of muesli and yoghurt, fruit, nuts, hard-boiled eggs, and either muffins or pastries, will be sent in your game vehicle for you to eat “on the go”. You can even take along a “take-away” cappuccino in the vehicle for your drive.

At around 12.00, after the morning activity, there’s normally a more substantial buffet lunch. A large chalkboard displays the daily menu, which for us was beef stirfry, green salad, vegetable quiche and broccoli salad, followed by a platter of fruit and cheese.

For dinner we enjoyed a parsnip and white bean soup, and then had the choice of coq au Riesling or venison fillet with a red-wine jus. Both were accompanied by herb-roasted baby potatoes, spinach and feta lasagne, broccoli and sesame seeds, roast vegetables and goats cheese and a garden salad. Dessert was a poached pear or an almond tart.
Dining style: Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: You can’t call the kitchen to place your order, but with advance notice, you can request to have lunch and/or dinner served in your suite.
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 will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

The tap water is filtered and is safe for washing, showering and cleaning your teeth, but to drink, it is recommended that guests stick to the water specially provided in both the suites and the main area.

Special interests

Wildlife safaris: Situated in a reliably good concession on the south-eastern side of the Okavango Delta, Qorokwe is in one of Botswana’s great wildlife-viewing destinations, particularly in the dry season between July and October when the grasses are lower.; See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Children over the age of six years are welcome at Qorokwe Camp.
Property’s age restrictions: For families travelling with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years, private activities must be booked and these will be at an extra cost. Children younger than six may be accepted by special arrangement, and then only if the entire camp is reserved for exclusive use. Note that the minimum age for walking or mokoro activities is 13 years, and participation is at the discretion of the camp manager and guide.
Special activities & services: There are no special activities or services for children, but Qorokwe does have a family suite with its own private plunge pool, and the main area has a much bigger swimming pool.
Equipment: No special equipment is available.
Generally recommended for children: We think that the adult nature and feel of this camp would suit mature children over the age of 12.
Notes: Qorokwe Camp is unfenced and as such dangerous wildlife can move through camp. In addition, the buildings are raised on stilts and the pool is unfenced. Children must therefore be kept under close parental supervision at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Qorokwe Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Qorokwe 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.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

White Rhino

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes: There is a back-up generator for emergencies.
Communications: There is no cellphone reception, but Wi-Fi is available in the suites.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio.
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: All the suites have plumbed hot and cold running water, and flushing toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: Camp managers are trained in first aid. Medical evacuation by air 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. The nearest doctor is in Maun and there are hospitals in Maun and Johannesburg.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Guests are escorted to their suites after dark as dangerous wildlife is known to wander through the camp. Radios and “fog horns” are provided in the suites to call for assistance in case of emergency.
Fire safety: Each suite has a fire extinguisher.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included.
Money: No exchange facilities are offered at Qorokwe Camp. There is a small safe in each suite that 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 is accepted.