King's Pool camp, in Botswana's Linyanti region, is one of Wilderness Safari's Premier camps in Botswana. This means that it's one of Botswana's more costly camps, and you can expect standards of service and luxury to be amongst the best in the country.
Although King's Pool is at the top of the bracket in terms of luxury (and also price-wise), on our last stay here, we felt that the camp still does manage to maintain a pretty relaxed and relaxed atmosphere. We decided, in the end, that this was probably due to the team of obviously experienced staff and very friendly and professional managers – who were a cut above many of the managers that met traveling through various camps in Botswana.
The environment around the Linyanti River here is similar to the Chobe riverfront: open floodplains beside the water, an adjacent band of riverine forest, and then dense (mostly mopane) forests stretching away south. This means a diversity of habitats – and a consequently wide range of animal and bird species found here.
King's Pool overlooks a sluggish stretch of the Linyanti, where elephants often cross. A couple of times during our recent (April 2007) 1-night stay here we watched elephants wandering down below the tents, and one bull in particular seemed partial to rubbing his shoulders on the beams of the main lodge deck area. Other members of team have seen similar incidents here on visits in previous years – so it's clearly a very common occurrence.
Whilst out on 4WD safaris we had very good game sightings in this interesting area – despite our visiting being in April, just after the rains. The highlight of our two drives was time spent with a local lioness who was raising two cubs on her own – and we saw quite a lot of other wildlife. Sadly we arrived to late to see the wild dog kill which other guests told us about on the previous day!
King's Pool camp has nine enormous and decadently decorated safari 'tents'– although these feel much more like substantial chalets or buildings than tents, despite some of the walls are made of canvas. These stand on raised wooden decks and have individual plunge pools. All the rooms overlook a hippo-filled, ox-bow lagoon.
King's Pool is a very comfortable safari camp offering 4WD game drives (day and night), an underground hide offering a crocodile's eye view of a waterhole, short walks, and water levels permitting, boat trips through the nearby waterways. The guiding here is excellent.
It's worth commenting here that although the wildlife sightings in the Linyanti area can be superb when it's dry – when the big game moves from the Kalahari's interior to seek out the water in the river – the converse is true when it's wet. During the rains, especially around December, January and February, the game viewing on safari can be quite thin here. At this time of year the bush is very thick and it is difficult to see anything. So then come for the amazing birdlife, and the landscape and scenery which is then green and stunning … but don't come for the big-game sightings, or you may be disappointed.
Central facilities: The main lodge is a large wood-and-thatch structure, and has a sizeable viewing deck overlooking an oxbow lagoon, and also an area where a fire is lit every evening. Elephants can often be seen crossing here.
As you enter, the large lounge area is to your right, with plenty of comfortable chairs and sofas, and a good library. Beyond the lounge are a small, separate gym and a small communal swimming pool. On the other side of the lodge is the bar, and beyond this a larger-than-average, and very well-stocked, curio shop.
The dining area is covered but open-sided, allowing nice views over the water. Both buildings are stylishly decorated with traditional Botswana basketwork and other local artifacts.
Directions: under water depending on flood levels – if this is the case, guests are flown into the Chobe airstrip which is about an hour's drive from camp.
Accessible by: Self-drive
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: On our last visit in April, the food served in camp was of a really excellent quality.
Mealtimes follow the usual safari camp format, with a light breakfast served at around 6am before your morning game drive, brunch served at around 11am on your return, tea at 4pm before your evening activity, and then a three-course meal at dinner time, usually at about 8pm.
You can pick and choose your breakfast – a selection of cereals, fruit, yoghurt, muffins, and also a cooked option if you wish. Brunch is also served buffet-style, with soup, various salads, cold meats, fresh bread and dishes such as quiche on offer.
Tea-time is a real treat! You will be tempted by freshly baked cakes and delicious savoury snacks – and also be plied with iced tea or coffee, and freshly made smoothies….
Dinner is a very sociable three-course affair as everyone eats together. You will be offered a choice of two main courses; when we last dined here the choice was lamb chops or chicken filo pastry pie, served with perfectly cooked vegetables and rice. Just in case you have any space left after pudding, a big cheese board also does the rounds.
The camp can cater to vegetarians and any other special dietary requirements if notice is given.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No - this is the bush!
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Included, save for champagne and premium brand drinks. There is a well-stocked bar, but the camp can order in special requests if advance notice is given.
Children
Attitude towards children: Children who are 8 years old and above are welcome on safari, although families bringing children who are between the ages of 8 and 12 must hire a private vehicle.
Notes: Rooms can sleep 3 if needed – however, two rooms will have to be booked due to the complexity of 'headcount' limits in the reserve. (Ask us for an explanation!)
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: Consider yourself out of contact, although in an emergency there's a radio-link with the office in Maun.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: King's Pool camp's managers are first-aid trained, and a comprehensive medical kit is kept on site. In the event of an emergency, guests can be flown out to the nearest doctor in Maun. There is nurse in Maun who is on call if a guest falls ill.
Security measures: Alarms are provided in the rooms for emergencies. Guests are also escorted to and from their rooms after dark.
Fire safety: Fire extinguishers are kept on the balconies of all rooms.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Included.
Money: All rooms are equipped with electronic safes.
Accepted payment: You can pay for any curios with Visa or Mastercard. There is no additional charge made for this.
US$, GB£, Rands, Euros and Botswana Pula are all accepted on location.
Beautiful lodge
Once again wonderful staff. We had another excellent guide Ross.
We saw our first lepoard at Kings Pool. It was facinating to be explained how the lepoard was in danger as there were a large num...
Read in more depth...
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to King's Pool.
King's Pool Put King's Pool into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Botswana.
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about King's Pool. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Kings Pool's homepage This is Kings Pool's homepage on the website of Wilderness Safaris - who run the camp. It's a little slow to load - but very good and worth the wait.
King's Pool 