Okavango Delta
Vumbura Plains Camp
Vumbura Plains is a luxury camp situated in a private concession in the extreme north of the Delta. The concession, which is leased from the neighbouring community, includes a wide variety of habitats, diverse wildlife and an enormous traversing area of 60,000 hectares (130,000 acres).
The camp comprises two separate seven-roomed satellite camps, each with its own raised dining, lounge and bar area beneath a canopy of cool, shady, indigenous trees and with a magnificent vista across the floodplains. A stargazing deck with comfortable cushions protrudes into the floodplain, and includes a campfire area. Each large, luxurious room is raised off the ground on wooden decks and comprises a bedroom, lounge, bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, plunge pool and ‘sala’ – a comfortable area to lie and relax, watching the waving grasses of the floodplain while spotting birds and wildlife wandering past.
Vumbura Plains offers both land and water based activities, principally nature viewing in varied habitats in open 4×4 vehicles, nature walks (on request, which requires a special guide), mokoro trips and boat excursions. Whilst exploring the spectacular ecology of this area, one can enjoy close-up viewing of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and buffalo along with all the abundant plains game. Birding is fabulous here with immense species diversity in mind-boggling numbers.
What makes the Vumbura concession so unique is its position on the extreme north of the Okavango. It encompasses such a wide variety of habitats and species that it has representatives of just about every animal that occurs in the Okavango biome.
Facilities
Large main area with bar, dining room and lounge, and a lower level lounge area around a welcoming fire pit. Massages are available.
Local Wildlife
An exceptional mix of both land and water species including lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and a wide range of water birds, reed frogs etc.
Optional Activities
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris and mokoro excursions included on a shared basis.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Treat yourselves to a balloon safari for an aerial view of the great landscape and wildlife of the Okavango Delta in complete silence.
If you have any questions regarding our Botswana tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
On behalf of my wife and myself, I would like to thank all at Reef and Rainforest for arranging so superbly yet another exceptional wildlife experience. As you are aware our ‘expeditions’ tend to be species led and this year’s brief was to observe and photograph the ‘Three Big Cats of Africa’ in a truly wild setting (i.e. no fences). Your recommended destination, Botswana, did not let us down, in fact the whole trip proved an outstanding success in all aspects.
We stayed in three camps (three nights in each) across the Okavango Delta and surrounding area, each provided a different environment which ensured our aims were met. Each camp was run to a very high standard, was extremely comfortable and provided excellent meals. The quality of guiding and tracking in all our camps was of the highest standard. As Botswana manages its natural resources so well all the camps were small (no more than 18 guests) ensuring a very intimate safari experience in pristine wild African habitat.
I am delighted to report our big cat objectives were realised. All observations were lengthy and offered excellent photographic opportunities. However, unexpectedly, the highlight of our spectacular trip turned out to be sightings of two separate packs of African Painted Dogs. We visited two dens, the first had a very healthy number of adult dogs, approximately fifteen and eighteen pups. The second had seven adult dogs and sixteen pups. At Lebala we had the privilege of spending a prolonged period of time following the pack of dogs as they hunted, an experience we will never forget.
When one also considers the significant mammal and bird species we observed, Botswana is truly a must visit destination for the wildlife enthusiast. Incidentally we also observed three serval and two African wild cats. We also thoroughly enjoyed our few days at Victoria Falls, possibly the most spectacular waterfall in the world, the hotel in Zimbabwe was excellent. Viewing the falls from the Zambian side and also the helicopter flight are both well worth doing.
This was our third consecutive trip with Reef and Rainforest, and I would be very surprised if there is not a fourth being planned very soon. Thank you all once again.