Read 65 traveller reviews of Lebala Camp

North of Selinda, Kwando Reserve is a huge private reserve covering 2,300km². Most of its western side is dense mopane forest, but along the Kwando River is a band of lush riverine forest, interspersed with open plains. Kwando is a wild reserve. It attracts superb big game, especially during the dry season when elephants may seem to be everywhere. On our last visit in October 07, we were lucky enough to see a pack of wild dogs hunting, and the rather amusing sight of their pups trying to keep up!

Lebala is a lovely remote little safari camp (8 rooms) set in an open area of lush grasslands, so in terms of landscape contrasts nicely with many of the camps in the Delta, which are often more densely vegetated.

When we last visited, we found that the camp still has a very relaxed atmosphere, and the team and guides here are professional but very friendly and have great senses of humour. They clearly want you to enjoy yourself!

Lebala's activities focus on day and night game drives. The nearby waterways are too infested with hippos to allow mokoro and boat trips! Depending on the season, the camp may also offer short walks, although this is totally at the guides' discretion, as there may be too many elephant in the area at certain times to make this a safe option.

The team at Lebala always ensure that an able tracker, as well as a driver/guide, accompanies all of their 4WD game drives - which affords an extra pair of experienced eyes searching for predators and more elusive game.

Lagoon Camp and Lebala combine particularly well with their sister camp in the Okavango, Kwara Camp, which has a similarly enthusiastic ethos.

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Tented Chalet at Lebala Camp

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 8 Tents

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: 3 nights

Central facilities: Lebala is reached by a small footbridge over a lily-filled waterway, which opens into a large lounge and bar area very comfortably furnished with wooden chairs and squashy sofas. Lebala's freestanding bar is plentifully stocked with soft drinks, beers and spirits, and a good selection of wines. The curio shop on the far side of the lounge offers a variety of locally-made items, including the famous ostrich necklaces made by the San bushmen, as well as clothing and topical books. A fire pit surrounded by directors' chairs is where morning tea and coffee are taken before the activities start. Overlooking the plains to the front of camp is the plunge pool and several sun loungers, a perfect place to cool off in the heat of the day. At the back of the camp is the raised viewing deck. Tall and shady, with views over the wetlands, you can sit and watch the game go by (or indeed listen if the reeds have grown tall!) A great variety of birds can also be spotted (and you will always find a guide to tell you their names) – you may also find an extremely inquisitive hornbill keeping you company up there!

Geographics

Location: Kwando-Linyanti area, Botswana

Directions: Road transfers are possible from nearby lodges (Zibalianja, Selinda, Kwando Lagoon). Otherwise fly and transfer with Mack Air (45 mins from Maun, 50 mins from Kasane).

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Kwando Safaris

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The food at Lebala was of an excellent standard when we last visited. An early breakfast of porridge, muffins, tea and coffee is served around the camp fire before the morning game drive. On your return at about 11am brunch is served. Cereals, yoghurt, fruit, toast, cheeses and ham are all laid out for you to help yourself to, and you can also order a full english breakfast if you have space! At around 4pm, tea is set out in the main lodge. When we visited there was a delicious spinach and goat's cheese quiche and orange cake on offer, along with homemade lemonade and iced tea. Dinner is served when you get back from your evening game drive, after a relaxing drink or two in the paraffin lantern-lit bar. This is a 3 course affair – we enjoyed a tasty butternut squash soup which was followed by juicy roast chicken and roasted vegetables, and a lemon meringue pudding to finish off. Very nice indeed.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: No room service - this is a safari camp!

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits, and a limited selection of South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

Special interests

Birdwatching: African jacana, sacred and hadeda ibis are particularly common in the waterways here, whilst rarer residents include slaty and black egrets, and rufous bellied herons. This is also a good area for raptors including bateleur, African hawk, and tawny, martial and black-breasted snake eagles. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Botswana

Photographic: With keen guides who really work hard for game sightings, Lebala's a very good camp for photographers. As an excellent example, see Dave Lawrence's beautiful photography galley from a trip that he made with Expert Africa in late 2006. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in Botswana

Wildlife safaris: Common species found here include impala, warthog, red lechwe, kudu, tsessebe, giraffe, steenbok, vervet monkey and baboon. Lion, leopard and spotted hyena are common – cheetah are sometimes seen. Herds of zebra and wildebeest are resident from around May to December; elephants and buffalo follow a similar pattern, but there are individuals around all year. Kwando is also a good reserve for sightings of wild dog. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome with the restrictions below.

Age restrictions: The camp may accept ages 8 – 12 if a private vehicle is booked. For children under 8 years of age, the full camp must be booked. Children of 12 years and over are welcome.

Generally recommended for children: We would recommend Lebala Camp for children over the age of 12 years.

Notes: Parents must note that the camp is open to wildlife which does on occasion wander through, and so children must be properly supervised.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: Lebala Camp has a CB radio link in case of emergencies, but for all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact. There is no mobile reception.

TV & radio: There is no TV or radio – this is deepest Africa!

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: The closest doctor is in Maun which is a 45 minute flight from Lebala. All managers have grade three first aid training. In emergencies there is a radio link and a helicopter can be scrambled. BDF have a camp nearby who may also be able to offer assistance in an emergency.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Because of the Okavango Delta's large population of dangerous game, and the fact that Lebala Camp is unfenced, guests are escorted to their rooms after dark. Alarm sirens or whistles are provided in the rooms in case of emergency.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all common areas.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: Full laundry service is included, except for the washing of underwear. Washing powder is provided in the bathrooms for this purpose.

Money: Lebala can accept payment in pounds, dollars, euros, rand, Botswana pula. Travellers cheques are not accepted.

Accepted payment: Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Amex and Diner's Club are not accepted. No commission is charged on credit card payments.

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