Seba Camp: Our full report
Seba Camp was built around 2006, and is situated on the south-western side of Botswana's Okavango Delta.
Located in an ancient riverine forest surrounded by open grassland, this beautiful and relaxed camp overlooks a small perennial lagoon, complete with (rather entertaining) resident hippos.Seba's main area consists of two open-sided wooden and canvas structures, one housing the dining room, and the other a lounge area. Both are decorated with traditional Botswanan basketwork and other local artefacts.
Comfortable sofas and armchairs define the lounge area, along with a small library of books and magazines. A large deck extends from this main area and beyond this is a circle of directors' chairs around a campfire, which is lit in the evenings. In front of the dining area is a small, well-stocked bar and further seating, where brunch is often eaten.
To the rear of the camp, down a sandy path, is another decked area with a few sun loungers and umbrellas, and a lovely small swimming pool: perfect for hot afternoons.
Seba Camp has eight luxurious tented rooms, two of which are double-decker family rooms are linked by sandy pathways. One sleeps a maximum of six and the other a maximum of five and both have their own plunge pool, toy box and hide-away sandpit.
Each of the large canvas tented rooms is elevated, with viewing decks over the lagoon. The tents are beautifully and individually furnished, and have wooden floors scattered with rugs. The beds have large ceiling-height headboards, which separate the sleeping area from the bathroom. They are very comfortable and furnished with crisp cotton bed linen, fluffy pillows, duvets, and blankets. There are bedside tables and reading lamps built into the headboard, and a ceiling fan over the beds. Each room also has a small table, armchair, and luggage rack, along with plenty of hanging space and shelving.
The bathroom is to the rear of the tent – it is very smart with tiled slate flooring and a sink with a large mirror over it. A flushing loo is separated from the main bathroom area by a canvas wall and curtain, and the shower is built into the other corner of the bathroom, slightly sunken, and has a giant “rain-shower"-style head. Hot and cold water are on tap, and you are provided with dressing gowns, fluffy towels and various toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion, ear-buds and cotton wool. Mosquito repellant, “Doom" and mosquito coils are also provided.
The two family tents are decorated in a similar style to the other rooms, but are more than double the size. An enclosed corridor (with a large toy store) links two bedrooms, with doors at either end. In what would probably be the children's part of the tent, there is also a flight of wooden stairs, which leads up to a further lounge/play/bedroom area. The bigger of the two family tents has a very large decked area, complete with its own plunge pool and a hidden sandpit. The other one has a smaller upstairs area and no veranda.
The view from the deck is directly over the lagoon to the front of the camp, and down the stairs from the deck there is a shady area with a couple of hammocks, perfect for lazing in the heat of the afternoon.
The family tents have two bathrooms, the only difference to the standard tent being that the children's bathroom has a bath, as well as a shower.
Seba Camp offers a variety of water and land activities, depending on the time of year, including guided walks. During winter (approximately May until August/September) Seba is very much a camp where water-based activities taking precedence - mokoro and motorboat excursions, including fishing, are all options.
Game densities in this reserve are generally not as good as further east in the Delta, hence although you should get to see the usual array of giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and antelope, sightings of predators and buffalo are less frequent. Elephant, however are almost a given!
With over 380 species of birds in the area this is also a very good camp for bird watching.
The reserve also acts as a base for a unique elephant research programme into elephant behaviour, pioneered by Randall Jay Moore, and backed by a South African University. Whilst staying at Seba, you will have the opportunity to learn more about this project if you wish, as the guides and researchers are very willing to share their knowledge with you.
Our view
Seba Camp is a good little camp in itself, which caters well for families - the two family tents having their own plunge pools, toys and sandpit. Whilst this isn't a top game camp, it's in a lovely location for water-based activities and great for birding. Come here to see general game and decent populations of elephant but don’t expect large numbers of predators.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- 2–3 nights
- Directions
- Fly into Abu airstrip (approximately 30 minutes from Maun). The camp is only 5 minutes drive away.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- The standard of food that we had at Seba Camp on our last visit was excellent.
Brunch is a buffet-style affair, with a variety of dishes on offer. When we were last there we were served beef quiche with a selection of salads, fruit, cheese and crackers.
For dinner we were treated to a barbeque and offered chicken kebabs, lamb chops and boerewors, accompanied by squash, creamed spinach, pap and onion marmalade - so again, lots of variety!
Meals usually follow the format of a light breakfast before your morning safari activity, brunch on your return, a tea-time snack before your evening activity, and then a full three course dinner on your return at around 8 pm.
The camp will cater to special requests if some notice is given, and will also prepare child-friendly meals if required.
Meals are served on the deck of the main lodge, which overlooks the lagoon, or are served in the shady area below, right next to the lagoon. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not available.
- Drinks included
- Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra. Special requests can be accommodated, if notice is given in advance.
Special interests
- Family holidays
- In a great location for water-based activities and excellent birding, Seba Camp is a welcoming option for family holidays in Botswana. It has two family tents with a private pool, toys and a sandpit. Guided nature walks for children can be arranged.
- See ideas for Family holidays in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Seba Camp.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No age limit, which is unusual for camps in Botswana. However, a private vehicle needs to be pre-booked for families with younger children.
Children up to the age of 16 must share a tent with an adult.
13 is the minimum age for full walking activities. - Special activities & services
- Guided nature walks around camp for children can be arranged. There is also a children's menu available, and babysitting can be arranged on request. Children's packs are also handed out and include: puzzle books, colouring books, pencils and a magnifying glass. The family tents have a sandpit and toy box.
- Equipment
- Please note that the camp does not provide any special equipment such as cots or highchairs.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes, within reason – Seba is one of the more welcoming camps for families with children. We particularly like the family-style accommodation, flexible dining options and special features such as the toys and a sandpit.
Parents must be aware that this is an area of dangerous game, and so children must be supervised at all times. - Notes
- Parents should be very aware that the camp is unfenced, and wildlife – including elephant – is known to wander through. The camp is in close proximity to open water and we recommend that children must be under the constant supervision of their parents.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Seba Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Seba 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
Communications
- Communications
- Seba has no cellphone reception, no direct phone or fax and no email. Communication is maintained with the head office in Maun via radio.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio
Sustainability
Energy and conservation initiatives
Located in the Abu Concession of Botswana, this family-oriented camp boasts an abundance of game viewings as well as the renowned elephant population of the Okavango Delta. The camp consists of two family suites and eight elevated tents with private swimming pools. The camp overlooks a waterway teeming with birdlife and guests can enjoy daily safari walks or boat trips and optional fishing.
Seba Camp is actively involved in research and conservation initiatives in collaboration with local and international universities. One programme concerning the Human-Elephant conflict concluded in a steady increase in the number of mammals in the local area. The main goal of the project was to assist wildlife managers and farmers in developing alternative strategies for land-use planning to reduce Human-Elephant conflicts in the local area. Elephant conduct and behaviour are now monitored using GIS software.
In compliance with their core values, efforts towards reducing environmental footprint have also been made. To prove their commitment, Seba is now one of 11 camps which are 100% solar-powered. Electricity and hot water are provided via solar panels and inverters producing 3 060 kWh (kilowatt hour) per day of usable energy. Waste water is treated and recycled with help from reverse osmosis ensuring the natural water system is not contaminated, and only approved eco-friendly detergents and chemicals are used in-house. Earthworms in the camp’s worm farm break down organic waste from the kitchen and turn it into reusable rich compost, while the recycling of tin, plastic paper and glass contributed to an increase in the overall recycling rate from just 7% in 2012 to 66% in 2017. Social projects aiming at developing the local communities were also released and helped to finance the purchase of two solar-operated boreholes to provide the Habu village with electricity, as well as water-treatment systems for clean drinking water.
See more great sustainability projects in Botswana
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The camp managers are first-aid trained, and a first-aid kit is kept on site. In the event of an emergency, guests can be flown out. There is a nurse in Maun who can be contacted for medical advice, and is on call 24 hours a day. 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
- Each room is equipped with an alarm horn in case of an emergency, and guests are escorted after dark.
- Fire safety
- Each tent is equipped with a fire extinguisher.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included; wherever possible, items will be returned to guests on the same day.
- Money
- There is a small electronic safe in each room.
The camp is unable to change money or travellers cheques. - Accepted payment on location
- Cash in the form of South African Rand, GB sterling, US dollars, Euros and Botswana pula is accepted. Credit cards are not 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.
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.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 vast private concession, the eclectic Duke’s Camp is nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains 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, 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.
