Read 3 traveller reviews of Chobe Under Canvas

The concept behind Chobe Under Canvas is to combine the advantages of a mobile camping safari with the luxuries of a semi-permanent tented camp. Always based in the Chobe riverfront area of the great Chobe National Park, the camp is packed up every fifth day (in keeping with the national park's mobile camping rules) and moved to a new private camping site in the same area.

The Chobe Under Canvas camp has six spacious, walk-in tents taking a maximum of twelve guests. They are furnished with very comfortable twin or double beds, a hanging rail, canvas wardrobe and luggage chest. Sisal matting covers the floor and bedside tables hold rechargeable lanterns. A rolled-up doorway leads through to the en-suite bathroom, complete with flush toilet, shaving mirror, tin basin, water jug and complimentary soaps. A bucket shower hangs above a slatted wooden mat and is filled with warm water for a shower when you return from the day's safari activities.

An open-sided marquee style tent forms the main area of Chobe Under Canvas. Delicious meals are enjoyed here as a group, sat around a long, lantern-lit table. There is also a small 'bar' table holding a selection of drinks, a small reference library and a selection of board games.

Activities include game drives and boat trips along the Chobe River. These are led by professional and very knowledgeable guides. The wildlife in this area of Chobe is plentiful and very relaxed making for some fantastic viewing opportunities. Birders in particular will enjoy the boat cruises as there is a great variety of species to be seen from fish eagles to goliath herons and white-fronted bee-eaters to giant king fishers. Unfortunately, this part of Chobe National Park has become more and more popular over the years and is now much busier than any of Botswana's other parks. However, the 'Under Canvas' safari guides are adept at keeping away from the crowds whilst showing you the spectacular wildlife sightings that the Chobe Riverfront area is famous for.

Currently, Chobe Under Canvas uses safari vehicles that are built for mobile camping safaris. These are open-sided and have an open roof for improved game viewing. However, the roof of the vehicle's cab does limit the view to the front. We understand that these are to be replaced by the more standard safari vehicles with a canvas canopy, but we don't know when this will be.

In conclusion… Although Chobe Under Canvas retains a mobile camping atmosphere, the tents, service and food are more in keeping with Botswana's excellent safari lodges. Chobe under Canvas is a more economic, and in some ways slightly more adventurous, alternative to many of the country's other lodges and camps; it offers a wonderful wildlife experience. We recommend that you visit Chobe Under Canvas at the beginning of your safari to Botswana rather than at the end, when the number of other safari vehicles here won't be a disappointment after time spent in some of the country's more remote wildlife areas.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 6 tents

Season: February to mid-December

Ideal length of stay: We recommend a stay of two nights at Chobe Under Canvas. On your first afternoon and the following morning you would usually enjoy a game drive whilst a boat cruise is often arranged for the second afternoon. Chobe under canvas combines particularly well into a trip with its sister-camp, Savute Under Canvas, and is also often used as part of trips which visit Sandibe Safari Lodge, Nxabega Safari Camp, Xaranna Okavango Lodge and Xudum Delta Lodge – which are all owned by the same company, &Beyond.

Geographics

Location: Chobe National Park, Botswana

Directions: Chobe Under Canvas is approximately a 30-minute transfer from Kasane, although this may be longer if you see any exciting wildlife sightings on the way.

Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: Considering Chobe Under Canvas is a semi permanent mobile camp with only simple kitchen facilities, we were very impressed with the standard of meals on our visit here in May 2009. Breakfast is usually a selection of cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt and toast. Lunch is often a choice of salads, cold meats and cheeses with freshly baked bread. A variety of snacks are served whilst on safari activities at morning and afternoon tea time. Dinner is a more substantial and usually delicious meal enjoyed after pre-dinner drinks around the camp fire. During our stay we enjoyed creamy sweet corn soup to start with, followed by herbed basmati rice, marinated chicken pieces, mixed vegetables and a fresh green salad. Desert was grilled apple rings served with cinnamon cream.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: There is a good selection of soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits on offer. There is also always plenty of drinking water available. All drinks are included.

Children

Age restrictions: Children aged 12 years and over can stay at Chobe Under Canvas.

Activities: An extra bed can be added to any of the tents to make up a triple room.

Generally recommended for children: We would only recommend this camp for children aged about 16 years and over as there is very little to do in between wildlife activities.

Notes: This is a very open safari camp and dangerous animals may pass through. Children should be under parents supervision at all times.

Central communications

Power supply: None

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: The manager and guides are trained in first aid and can tend to any minor ailments. The nearest doctor is based in Kasane for any more serious medical needs.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: A horn and whistle is supplied in each tent to raise the alarm in case of an emergency.

Fire safety: Each safari vehicle is fitted with a fire extinguisher. Park rules limit the size of the camp fire.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: Included

Money: All available items at Chobe Under Canvas are included in the cost. In the unusual event of a guest needing to pay any monies this would be arranged by the office in nearby Kasane.

Accepted payment: Tips can be paid in US Dollars or Botswana Pula.

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