Little DumaTau: Our full report

Opened in 2022, Little DumaTau lies within Botswana’s private Linyanti Reserve, looking out across Osprey Lagoon.

With just four tented suites, it’s an intimate camp with a high level of privacy and sophistication in a wildlife-rich area of the Okavango Delta.

Little DumaTau lies adjacent to its larger sister camp, DumaTau, linked by elevated walkways. The two camps share the sophisticated Osprey Retreat deli, a wellness centre/spa and a safari boutique.

Our team has yet to visit this new camp, but having long appreciated the consistent standards and excellent wildlife at DumaTau, we look forward to experiencing it for ourselves.

The Linyanti Reserve itself forms part of the unfenced Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier area, which encompasses a number of wildlife parks in Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Through the removal of fences, it aims to protect long-established wildlife corridors across international boundaries.

Little DumaTau is well placed between two such elephant corridors, affording superb opportunities to watch these giants of the savannah, sometimes at close quarters. Other wildlife is also in abundance, including predators, especially lions and African wild dogs.

The camp has just four suites, each with a wide lagoon frontage from both bedroom and bathroom, and with its own rectangular infinity pool set into the wooden deck. Huge picture “windows” afford superb views from the bed, with canvas blinds that can be rolled down at night. Mosquito netting encompasses the king-size bed, or two twins, along with an overhead fan, bedside tables and bedside lights. To one side is an en-suite bathroom.

At the heart of this small camp, raised decking ensures superb views over the lagoon through raised blinds, while ceiling fans help to keep temperatures cool in the heat of the day. With light wood and soft grey furnishings, the feel is light and contemporary, with bright cushions lending an air of informality. Meals are frequently enjoyed al fresco, with options depending on the time of day. Breakfast may be served on the camp’s flat-bottomed “barge”, smoothies and juices at the Osprey Lagoon Deli, and lunch and dinner on the extensive wooden deck overlooking Osprey Lagoon.

In the evenings, guests gather around the firepit on a lower level to chat over their day before dinner.

Although wildlife watching from your suite or the main area is always an option, both on the lagoon and in the surrounding bush, there are plenty of guided activities to bring you closer to the wildlife out of camp. These focus on game drives by day and night, while on the water there are motorboat safaris, and catch-and-release fishing.

Our view

Little DumaTau’s ownership, and its location in the game-rich Linyanti Reserve, are reasons enough to feel confident that this new camp will match up to the high standards that we expect.

Maruska AdyeRowe

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location: Kwando-Linyanti area, Botswana
Ideal length of stay: You'll need a minimum of two nights at Little DumaTau, but to experience the area properly, three nights would be better – or four if you're aiming for a fairly leisurely safari.
Directions: Little DumaTau is 50 minutes by light aircraft from Maun (or 45 minutes from Kasane) followed by roughly 30 minutes’ drive from the airstrip, depending on game spotted along the way.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: We have yet to stay at Little DumaTau, but our experience of the meals at its sister camp, DumaTau, indicates that the menus will be varied and the standard of cuisine high.

Guests can expect locally sourced seasonal produce, with an emphasis on healthy eating. Options include fresh smoothies and juices at the Osprey Lagoon Deli.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: Soft drinks, bottled water, local beers and spirits, plus a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne, imported wines and spirits will cost extra and must be requested well in advance.

Children

Attitude towards children
Notes: Little DumaTau is not fenced and potentially dangerous animals wander through the camp. Parents or guardians must keep their children under constant, close supervision.

Communications

Communications: The camp has Wi-Fi throughout.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: Camp managers and safari guides are first-aid trained and a comprehensive first-aid kit is kept at camp. A nurse is on call, in Maun, to give advice should a guest fall ill. In an emergency the camp will arrange for guests to be flown out for medical treatment. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Due to the presence of potentially dangerous wildlife around this unfenced camp, guests are escorted to their suites after dark. Each suite has an air horn to attract attention in case of emergency.
Fire safety: Fire extinguishers are located in main areas and on the balcony of each suite.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Night drive

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included.
Money: No foreign-exchange facilities are offered. There are digital safes in the suites. The office also has a central safe where you can put larger valuables in a coded bag.
Accepted payment on location: Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted; Diners and Amex are not. No commission is charged on credit-card transactions. Cash payments may be made in South African rand, British pounds, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula.