Khwai Tented Camp is a relatively new camp, having opened in late 2008, and is located within the Khwai community concession. This community-run private reserve is adjacent to the northeastern border of the Moremi Game Reserve, divided from it by the Khwai River. The river is the first water source for wildlife moving between Botswana's northern reserves of Chobe and Linyanti and the Okavango Delta and so attracts high concentrations of thirsty wildlife.
The vegetation in this area of Botswana is made up of great stands of leadwood and riverine forest which line wide floodplains and the banks of the Khwai River. For much of the year, areas of the floodplain fill with water to form shallow lily-covered lagoons which attract a myriad of colourful birdlife. Away from the river and plains are pockets of mopane woodland dotted with pans that naturally fill with rain water and act as waterholes, attracting many different animal species. Wildlife viewing is excellent in this region year round with many sought-after species seen regularly - including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog.
Khwai Tented Camp is an intimate safari camp with only four tents. The camp is set up under a grove of fever-berry trees and each tent has a view over the Khwai River reed beds and Moremi Game Reserve beyond. The interior of each spacious walk-in tent has comfortable twin beds, a hanging canvas wardrobe, bedside table, luggage bench and sisal matting.
The en-suite bathrooms are fitted with a flush toilet and a zip-up door leads through to the open-air bucket shower. Although there is no running water, a large tin jug and basin are provided in the bathrooms and canvas wash basins on each private verandah. The used water is regularly cleared out and fresh water supplied.
The tents and main area, an open-sided marquee, have been fitted with comfortable furniture covered with well chosen, stylish linens and cushions. Touches such as hammocks, antique loungers, large mirrors, luxurious lotions and shower gels give an air of extravagance to what is already a very comfortable camping affair.
Activities offered from Khwai Tented Camp include game drives in the Khwai community reserve as well as in Moremi Game Reserve. As Khwai is a private reserve, your guide is able to drive off road should you want to get closer to an interesting wildlife sighting, and take you on spot-lit night drives – activities not allowed in Moremi, or any of Botswana's national parks. Guided safari walks are also possible from Khwai Tented Camp but the length and routes are dependent on wildlife movements.
Khwai Tented Camp is situated about 1.5km east of Khwai Village. Many of the people here are from the Bayei group, who are sometimes referred to as the 'river bushman'. Whilst many villages in Botswana are situated in or near a wildlife area, most are effectively out of easy reach for travellers to visit. It is possible, and a very interesting excursion, to walk through the village with your guide to see how the locals live alongside animals and to meet some of the elders.
The owners and manager of the tented camp work closely with the river bushman of Khwai Village to ensure that they benefit from the tourism to their area. Thus far, Khwai Tented Camp has provided the village with their first ever water point – previously the Khwai River was their source of water. Other development projects are in the pipeline.
Khwai Tented Camp usually has one guide at any one time. Hence, with a maximum of only eight guests, it's usual for all the activities to be done as a group. Although drives, walks and village visits are offered from the camp, exactly when will depend on the other visitors as well as yourself. So stay here for at least two or three nights to be fairly sure of experiencing all that is offered.
In conclusion... we really like Khwai Tented Camp. The camp's simple style is reminiscent of Botswana's old safari days when intrepid travellers camped in the wilderness. Yet modern comforts and expectations are catered for. The area surrounding Khwai River is beautiful and rich with wildlife and when we last visited, Khwai's guide, Shaka, was extremely knowledgeable and very good at bringing this area alive for our entire group.
Lodge overview
Lodge type: Safari
No. of bedrooms: 4 Tents
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: Two to three nights is ideal – and Khwai Tented Camp is often combined into trips with its sister-camps: Linyanti Bush Camp and Linyanti Walking Safaris.
Directions: A 30-minute flight from Maun will take you to Khwai Airstrip where you'll be met by your guide for a game drive/transfer to the camp of about 30 to 50 minutes, depending on what wildlife you see on the way.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: African Bush Camps
Staff: Pilot is Khwai Tented Camp's manager and a very knowledgeable safari guide.
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: Considering Khwai is a fairly simple tented camp, we were pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the food. Visitors can expect to be well fed with tasty, fresh and well-presented meals.
Begin the day with an early morning buffet breakfast before you set out on your first safari activity. This meal usually includes muffins, toast with a choice of spreads, yoghurt, cereals and porridge.
Returning to camp in the late morning there is often time for a quick freshen up before brunch is served. On our last visit the buffet included a delicious lentil stew (tasty enough to attract non-vegetarians!), avocado and feta salad, a cold meat selection, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, fresh bread and a cheese board.
Dinner is usually a three-course affair. During our last visit we enjoyed a filo-parcel filled with pureed butternut and served on a bed of sautéed mushrooms for starters, roast chicken, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables and gravy for main course and a scrumptious raspberry cheesecake for desert.
In case three good meals are not enough, there are always plenty of snacks too. Whilst on your morning activity it is usual to stop for a tea break which will be accompanied by biscuits, rusks and/or muffins. Afternoon tea usually includes at least one cake along with a savoury choice.
Whilst enjoying each Botswana sunset you will be served with drinks and a selection of bar snacks which when we visited last included cocktail sticks, home-made sausage rolls and mini quiches.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: A wide selection of drinks is available from the Khwai Tented Camp bar cabinet and included in the price. Any premium brands such as malt whiskies or French champagne can be requested in advance for an additional charge.
Special interests
Traditional Cultures: Khwai Tented Camp is fairly unusual amongst Botswana's safari camps in that it is near a village which visitors are encouraged to visit. Khwai Village is home to river bushman, and you have the chance to be sensitively introduced to these people: visit a homestead, meet some of the elders and learn how they live in this wild environment. Crucially, your visit here benefits the village by funding projects which were started by the camp.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for traditional cultures in Botswana
Children
Age restrictions: Khwai Tented Camp welcomes children aged 10 years and over throughout the year. Only children over the age of 14 years will be able to join walking safaris (and even then, the final decision is always at the management's discretion).
Equipment: An extra bed or mattress can be put into a tent to accommodation a young child sharing a room with the parents. Note though that this will take up quite a bit of the tent's space.
Generally recommended for children:Expert Africa doesn't recommend Khwai Tented Camp for children under the age of about 16; there is very little to entertain youngsters in between guided safari activities.
Notes: This is a very open safari camp and dangerous game is likely to pass through. Children must be under a parent's supervision at all times.
Central communications
Communications: Khwai Tented Camp is in radio contact with their safari vehicles, its sister camp Linyanti Bush Camp and their base in Maun. They can also use the telephone at the wildlife gate in Khwai Village should they need to.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The camp manager is trained in first aid. For any serious injury guests will usually be evacuated by air to the nearest hospital (Kasane, Maun or Johannesburg).
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Guests are escorted to their tents after dark just in Guests are escorted to their tents after dark just in case wild animals are walking through the camp. Any valuables can be handed over to the manager to lock up in the camp's safe.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers placed throughout Khwai Tented Camp.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included. Note that clothes are sun dried so inclement may delay the usual same day return.
Accepted payment: All major currencies are accepted for payment for any extras, provided it is in cash.
Great time at Khwai Tented Camp
We had 3 nights at Khwai Tented Camp in November 2009 - our second camp of 3 on this trip. We were picked up from the airstrip by our guide Pilot and driven 10 minutes to the camp, where we were greet...
Camping at its best!!!
Maruska came up with the KTC and said, “This place is quite new to us but we are getting good feedback and hopefully you will like it, it is a bit like the camps used to be in the old days”. She was r...
lovely stay being spoiled at kwhai
We spent three-nights at Kwhai tented camp and were spoiled rotten from the first to the last minute by the friendly and competent staff. Everyone went out of their way to make us feel at home and our...
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