Little Mombo: Our full report

Little Mombo Camp is the smaller sister-camp of the adjacent Mombo Camp. Both overlook a grassy floodplain dotted with tree islands in the north of Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve, within the Okavango Delta; it is an area renowned for having Botswana's highest density of wildlife – making Little Mombo a real 'flagship' safari camp for Botswana.

Mombo Camp and Little Mombo are joined by a long wooden walkway. Guests can walk alone between the two during the day but must be escorted at night due to the high game levels and the undulating walkways. The camps are essentially very similar, except Mombo has nine rooms and Little Mombo just three.

Little Mombo is raised on wooden decks, sometimes 4–5m high and with great views over the plains. When we arrived at Little Mombo Camp, we were able to spot buffalo from the main deck – plus a variety of plains game. High wooden walkways lead to the tented suites, giving the camp a slight 'tree-house' feel. Often guests can spot game beneath the walkways; when we last visited a buffalo enjoyed some grass beneath my tent while I used the outside shower! The suites are set far apart and feel very private, each with a section of walkway leading to the heavy wooden door. All are luxuriously appointed, with en-suite toilets and showers (indoor and out), fans, and a relaxing outdoor 'sala' or day bed.

There's no denying that Little Mombo is a spectacular camp. The main decked area has both dining and seating areas which are thoughtfully and authentically decorated with big comfortable leather sofas, colourful cushions and an array of tribal and local arts and crafts. A separate library, rather like a 'snug', has sofas built into enormous tree trunks that form the sides of the room, and a very good selection of wildlife books, along with an array of novels. The library also boasts perhaps the best view.

From the main decked area, a staircase leads down to the firepit and boma area. This is where guests can take drinks before supper, and where afternoon tea is often served before the activities.

Little Mombo has a small plunge pool, surrounded by decking and with a selection of loungers and shade umbrellas. This, too, has a good view of the surrounding plains. Next to the pool is a 'sala' – a shaded area with a large daybed and plenty of cushions. When we last visited in March 2011 a new bar was being built in this area – an impressive granite surface was being offloaded from the plane while we waited to take its place on board!

As Mombo is within the Moremi Game Reserve, activities are limited to daytime 4WD game drives. The game in Moremi is famous for being both prolific and well used to cameras! We were lucky enough to see lion, elephant, buffalo and a good variety of plains game – although we didn't see one of the resident white rhino that are often found here.

Our view

Little Mombo is a superbly run safari camp staffed with a very professional team including some excellent guides. It's an exceedingly comfortable camp in a beautiful spot, within its own private concession in the national park. The area is teeming with game, and as white rhino were re-located here, it's one of the best places in Botswana to look for them. However, it's worth remembering that it has a price tag to match its reputation as one of Botswana's most expensive camps. Being a small camp in high demand, it's often full despite its price – and so is always worth booking well in advance.

Geographics

Location: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Ideal length of stay: 2 – 3 nights – although it'd be very easy to spend longer here, as the game's excellent.

Directions: The lodge has an airstrip 20 minutes' drive away, and from there it's a half-hour flight to Maun.

Key personnel

Owner: Wilderness Safaris

Staff: General Manager: Vasco On our last visit both Mombo and Little Mombo were due to be receiving a newly appointed hospitality manager.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: When last we visited, the food at Little Mombo was excellent and varied.

For Breakfast before the activity, there was always a selection of cereals, fruit salad, toast and a fresh pot of tea or coffee.

Our one Brunch during our stay was served in the main bar area – and to our amazement we were served a delicious Calamari (with a further option for Sticky chicken if we wanted it) with a good selection of salads and piping hot fresh bread.

The afternoon teas before the drives were just as good – banana smoothies, cheese scones and an enormous chocolate cake was on offer, along with tea (all types from green to peppermint) and coffee, fruit juice and freshly made lemonade.

We were taken over to the main Mumbo camp for a traditional dlodgeer, which is often offered to guests. This consisted of the traditional “nshima" (mealie-pap) with a good selection of either chicken, pork, lamb or beef relishes, traditional vegetables such as pumpkin leaves with groundnut sauce, and a good selection of salads. For the slightly less adventurous, a barbeque was also serving chicken and beef kebabs and steaks.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Soft drinks, bottled water, spirits, local beers and a selection of (generally) South African wines are included. Imported wines and spirits and champagne cost extra – and may even need to be requested in advance

Special interests

Birdwatching: The birding in Moremi Game reserve is excellent, with many notable species found in the area. The waterways are home to a variety of kingfishers, waders and darters – there are also good numbers of fish eagles, bee-eaters, slaty egrets, eagles and other birds of prey and the elusive Pel's fishing owl (which we caught a glance of here).

See more ideas for Birdwatching in Botswana

Wildlife safaris: The Moremi Game Reserve is renowned for superb game-viewing – and the Mombo area is the best in the reserve. It has excellent populations of lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and white rhino. Wild dog are also found here along with cheetah, hyena, black-backed jackal and a wide range of plains game including red lechwe, giraffe, impala and warthog.

See more ideas for Wildlife safaris in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome

Equipment: None

Generally recommended for children: Yes, above the age of 8 due to the game in the area.

Notes: Families with children aged 8 – 12 are asked to take a private vehicle and there is an extra charge for this.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: None. For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself deep in a pristine wilderness environment and out of contact with the rest of the world. However, in emergencies and special circumstances it is possible to receive and send messages via the radio system to Maun.

TV & radio: None

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: All of the managers are first aid trained – the nearest doctor is in Maun which is a 30-minute flight away. The lodge also has radio communications with a nurse in Maun who can give advice.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: There are unarmed night watchmen at night and guests are always walked back to their rooms. There is also an alarm foghorn to use at night in case of emergency.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers outside the rooms and in the common areas.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included at the lodge - clothes are collected in the morning and returned, washed and ironed, in the evening.

Money: There is an electronic safe in all the rooms.