Khwai Bush Camp

19°9’59.1"S 23°44’2.5"E

100% (1 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

Khwai Bush Camp: Our full report

Nestled amongst mature sycamore and leadwood trees Khwai Bush Camp is located in Botswana’s Khwai Community ...

... Concession and is separated from the Moremi Game Reserve by the Khwai River. Originally known as Tsaro Lodge (when it was owned by Hartely's Safaris), and then later Tsaro Elephant Camp, it was taken over in 2016 by the present owners and has since been refurbished into a relatively simple but very comfortable bush camp.

Khwai Bush Camp is small, intimate and independently owned. It is a relatively simple camp, a mere 15 minutes’ drive from its sibling, Khwai Tented Camp. We popped in for a very brief visit in November 2019 while staying at Khwai Tented Camp, so it was a little difficult to get a feel for the camp, but we would expect it to be run in a similar vein to its sister camp.

The camp itself overlooks the Khwai River and the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve. The river is a big draw for wildlife, especially in the dry season,from May to October. Birdlife is abundant too and many species can be spotted in front of the camp. The surrounding area comprises various eco-systems – from forests to grasslands and meandering rivers –resulting in some of the best wildlife viewing in Botswana.

Khwai Bush Camp is one of the very few remaining camps in the Okavango region with a solid construction of stone or brick, though with their thatched roofs and cream-washed walls, the feel is very much in keeping with the setting. It has just six chalets, two of which are family chalets with two en-suite bedrooms. The chalets differ in layout but all are relatively contemporary in style: very pleasant and comfortable, if not overly luxurious.

Each chalet has a sheltered patio where with two comfortable chairs look onto the Khwai River. You enter through the lounge area, where a coffee table is surrounded by a sofa and armchairs and mats are scattered on the light, sand-coloured tiled floors.

The bedrooms feature twin beds or a large double with mosquito nets, a bedside table with reading lamp and a fan. In the bathroom you’ll find a his and hers sink and separate toilet, plus a shower which – depending on the chalet – may be open, without much privacy. A spacious wardrobe, in either the bedroom or bathroom, houses a safe, bug sprays and emergency foghorn.

In the main area, along with a spacious lounge, there’s a rather cosy dining room – though most meals are taken on the large deck in front – and a library that also houses the drinks cabinet. There is also a firepit, where pre- and post-dinner drinks can be enjoyed.

A little away is a small but inviting swimming pool. Surrounded by decking topped with tables and chairs, sunloungers and a well-stocked coolbox, it looks out onto a floodplain which, when flooded, is a hive of animal activity.

Activities at Khwai Bush Camp are varied, from game drives and walking safaris to birdwatching, mokoro trips (depending on water levels) and visits to Khwai village. This is an ordinary village that could well add a social perspective to your safari, but we stress that it's not a “tourist attraction”. Whether you visit the village or not, you'll see signs of its presence around North Gate.

Game drives from camp are conducted in both the Khwai Community Concession, where off-road driving and the use of spotlights are permitted, and the Moremi Game Reserve – where they are not. It's worth mentioning that both areas are visited by a number of camps on their game drives, and are also accessible to self-drivers, so both are generally busier than the private concessions in Botswana, especially between July and October.

Khwai Bush Camp is often combined with one of its sister camps further to the north: Linyanti Bush Camp or Linyanti Ebony.

Our view

Khwai Bush Camp is a very well run little camp with good guides, though with its solid-build structures and close proximity to Khwai village, it won’t suit everyone. However, it does offer some of the very best wildlife viewing in the Okavango region, especially in the dry season, between May and October.

Tom Morris

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Ideal length of stay: 3 nights
Directions: A 25-minute flight from Maun to Khwai airstrip is followed by a 30-minute drive to camp.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: Although we have not yet stayed at Khwai Bush Camp, having only popped in for a visit in November 2019, we would expect the food to be very good, much like that of its sister camps, Linyanti Bush Camp or Linyanti Ebony.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: Soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits cost extra and may need to be requested in advance. Tea- and coffee-making facilities are available in the main area during the day.

Each guest is usually given a water bottle, which can be filled from the filtered supply in the camp's main area. Each chalet has glasses with a flask of filtered drinking water, which is replenished daily.

Children

Attitude towards children: Khwai Tented Camp welcomes children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions: Children aged up to the age of 12 must share a tent with an adult.

Only children over 16 years will be able to join walking and mokoro activities, and even then, the final decision is always at the discretion of the camp manager and guide.
Special activities & services: There is a wide range of activities and guides will tailor these to the age of your children. In addition to game drives, these could include short nature walks in the vicinity of the camp and baking with the chef.
Equipment: 2 family chalets, each with two en-suite bedrooms
Generally recommended for children: Although the camp offers a few activities to keep children entertained during the day, and there is also a small pool, it is very open and dangerous wildlife is likely to pass through. We generally do not recommend it for children under the age of 14.
Notes: This is a very open safari camp and dangerous wildlife is likely to pass through. Children must be under a parent's supervision at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Khwai Bush Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Khwai Bush Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes: Back-up generator
Communications: There is no direct phone or email from Khwai Bush Camp. Communication is maintained with safari vehicles, sister camps and the head office in Maun via radio. Some guests may pick up cellphone reception, as Khwai village is close by, but this is not always possible. There is also very weak, intermittent WiFi, which is best closest to the office and pool, but please do not bank on being able to access this as it is very unreliable.
TV & radio: None
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: All bathrooms are fully plumbed with hot and cold running water and flushing toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: The camp manager is trained in first aid. In an emergency, guests would usually be evacuated by air to the nearest hospital (Kasane, Maun or Johannesburg). However, 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: The camp is unfenced, and dangerous wildlife moves through, so guests are escorted to their tented rooms after dark. A safety talk is given on arrival. A “foghorns” is provided in each chalet to summon help in case of emergency.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers throughout camp and outside each chalet.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Mokoro
Night drive

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included. Note that clothes are washed in a machine and sun-dried, so inclement weather may delay the usual same-day return.
Money: An electronic safe is provided in each chalet.
Accepted payment on location: As there is no curio shop there is essentially nothing to pay for here, but payment for any extras (such as premium-brand drinks) may be made in cash only; all major currencies are accepted.