The brand new Duba Expedition Camp sits in the heart of classic Okavango Delta habitat. A matrix of palm-dotted islands, flood plains and woodland, the 77,000-acre private concession typifies the region’s unique landscape. Located here, exclusively, is the six tent Duba Expedition Camp, a wildlife connoisseur’s getaway. Built on a wooded island, connected to the prolific wildlife area by an elaborate set of bridges, the area is the base of many famous wildlife documentaries by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. It is the only camp on the concession, thereby offering guests the ultimate opportunity for private sightings. Duba Expedition Camp, and the Kwedi Reserve, where it is located, is part of a joint venture partnership between Great Plains Conservation and the Okavango Community Trust, the representative body for five villages in the Okavango Panhandle. This partnership ensures that these communities receive tangible and substantial benefit from using their ancestral land for wildlife conservation. Botswana is a leader in such partnerships, and our working relationship is a testament to this long-standing example of success in this area.
The intimate camp consists of six expedition-style tents of light airy canvas on slightly raised decking, each with views of the surrounding floodplain. Each tent has a small desk and private verandah plus en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double basins and indoor shower. Fans and careful open-air design maintain comfortable climate for rest and relaxation. The main area is under sweeping marquis canvas, on raised decking and consists of an open-concept dining and lounge area which opens to the outdoors on all sides. In the evenings, the fire pit is always a popular spot to enjoy an Amarula and recount the day’s events. Duba Expedition Camp prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences, and rightly so.
The homogenous experience of wildlife is renowned with regular sightings of a diverse range of species, including large herds of Red lechwe along with Greater kudu, tsessebe and even giraffe which in previous years has been a rare sighting. Of course, elephant and hippo trudge through the swamps happily, and are regularly seen. Leopard, and nocturnal species such as Brown hyena can be sighted as well. Wildlife is a regular sight right in camp! Birds abound, and the area is reputed as a birdwatcher’s paradise. Okavango ‘specials’ include the rare Wattled crane, Pel’s Fishing owl, White-backed Night heron and Marsh owl.
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Hidden Item +
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Camp Location+Northern Botswana on a 77,000-acre private concession in the Okavango Delta.
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Tent Details+BEDROOM
• Zipper double doors lead to mid-sized tented rooms;
• Private verandah with views of floodplains;
• Canvas is light brown, with netted windows and doors;
• Either twin or double bed configuration.
BATHROOM
• En-suite with flush toilet, shower, double basins;
• Hot and cold running water;
• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and hairdryers provided;
• Hot and cold running water showers.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
• Standing fan.
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Camp Access+Duba Expedition Camp is only accessible to guests by scheduled air transfers or private air charters. On arrival at the airfield, the transfer to camp is approximately seven minutes. Duba Expedition Camp’s (category B) airfield is licensed for aircraft as large as a King Air, Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna Caravan. The co-ordinates are S19″01.901′; E22″42.712′. The distance from Maun to Duba Expeditions Airfield is 130km, and flying time in a Cessna Caravan is between 30 and 45 minutes. Duba Expeditions is roughly 290km from Kasane with a flight time of an hour in a Cessna Caravan. Flying times naturally vary depending on the type of aircraft used and prevailing weather conditions.
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Our Footprint+Duba Expedition Camp is a fully integrated community empowerment project on land leased directly from five local communities, who in turn receive all of the lease revenue. Capacity-building is a priority and currently 80% of the staff at Duba Expedition Camp come from these communities. Since May 2010 we have been working constantly on plans to ensure we maintain and improve our sustainable operations whilst reducing our footprint on the environment. With the successes and lessons learned from our other Botswana properties at Selinda and Zarafa, Duba Expedition Camp will adhere to similar standards of responsible environment implementation practises as well as ensuring environmental mitigation (associated with driving in boggy substrate). We are committed to developing an ever-lighter footprint.
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Extras+POSSIBILITY OF DISABLED ACCESS
• The camp layout is not conducive to wheelchairbound guests due to dirt pathways and uneventerrain.
CENTRAL FACILITIES/ COMMON AREAS
• Main marquee canvas area with lounge anddining;
• Outdoor fire pit;
• Coffee/tea station.
POWER & COMMUNICATIONS
SOURCE
• The camp is run by sola power;
• The system produces 220V, 24-hour electricityto the tents and main area;
• Universal plug points in each tent.
LAUNDRY
• Included in nightly tariff - next day service,weather permitting.
SHOP/BOUTIQUE
• Selling locally and regionally produced crafts,many of which support local communityprojects in the nearby Okavango panhandle.
SPA/GYM
• Yoga mats, weights and bands are provided ineach suite.
EQUIPMENT
• Swarovski 8x42 binoculars in every guest tent.
PRIVATE VEHICLE
• Available at additional cost, based onavailability.
INTERNET & MOBILE
• Limited Wi-Fi available in guest tents.
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Extras+MALARIA
• Minimal – Malaria prophylaxis are recommended if guests are concerned but this is a remote area with little occurrence.
MEDICAL CARE
• Guests must hold comprehensive medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance;
• Senior staff all has first aid training;
• Nearest decent medical facility is in Maun, and then Johannesburg.
RISK OF DANGEROUS ANIMALS
• Moderate – high predator density area.
SECURITY MEASURES
• None. There are no populations nearby, and no uninvited guests.
FIRE SAFETY
• Fire extinguishers in every tent.
MONEY MATTERS
SAFES
• Safes are provided in every room.
ACCEPTED PAYMENT ON LOCATION
• All-inclusive. Staff gratuities can be paid in Botswana Pula, South African Rands, US Dollars (2004 bills or later only) or GB Pounds;
• Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted (No Amex or Diners).
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Children+• We look forward to having children stay with us that are 6 years and older;
• Families with children 6-11 could be accommodated in the same vehicle as other guests;
• Children under 6 will be considered, if the group books the entire camp on exclusive use;
• Young children must be supervised as the camp is open, with high predator densities in and around camp and there is water surrounding camp.
• Children must be a minimum of 12 years old to participate in extensive walking activities (Young explorers program excepted).
• Young Explorers program – thoughtfully designed to explore a range of experiences and topics from birding to cooking to art to tracking wildlife.
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IMAGE GALLERY
Duba Expeditions Camp Gallery
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