Little Sable: Our full report
Previously Pangolin Khwai Camp, The Jackal & Hide was acquired by Natural Selection in late 2018 - and recently ...
... renamed Little Sable. The camp overlooks expansive grassland, located in the 2,000km² Khwai Private Reserve – which in itself borders Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve to the south and Chobe National Park to the east.Previously Pangolin Khwai Camp, Natural Selection have recently added this to their expanding portfolio. The Jackal & Hide, recently renamed Little Sable, is made up of 8 tents with a mixture of twins and doubles. We have not had chance to stay overnight yet, we had a very quick visit in March 2019, and very much liked what we saw.
Khwai Private Reserve (NG19) incorporates some of the most diverse habitats in northern Botswana and the Okavango Delta. Riverine woodland and open floodplains flank the river and attract herds of plains game, along with the predators that hunt them. Away from the river and Delta lagoons, the environment changes to mopane woodland dotted with open grasslands which, together with the abundance of water, draw herds of elephant (best in the dry season from around July to October), and buffalo.
Like many reserves around the Okavango Delta, Little Sable is located in a former hunting concession. Hunting was still allowed in the north of the concession until 2014, when it finally ceased. Thus the wildlife here was limited and skittish, while the thick mopane bush away from the river and its lush riverine forest made it difficult to track, especially in the earlier months of the year.
The good news is that wherever hunting has stopped in the Okavango region, we've seen wildlife sightings turned around within two or three years, and thankfully this is happening around the concession.
The results are beginning to show. While the game viewing here isn’t quite as good as at some other camps in the Delta or Moremi, and the wildlife can feel a bit sparse at times on a game drive, we anticipate this continuing to improving with time. On previous visits to the nearby Sable Alley in May 2017, we had good sightings of wild dog, and more recently we spent time watching two male lions sleeping in the afternoon heat, and followed leopard tracks to fresh pelican kills (although sadly no leopard). We also saw elephant, hippo, red lechwe, sable antelope, waterbuck, zebra and giraffe amongst others, as well as a juvenile scops owl, with a personable and knowledgeable guide who made what we did see very interesting.
Our view
We are very excited to see this new property, it's certainly another great option in the Khwai Private Concession. We've had a very quick whizz through the camp, but will endeavour to revisit and stay as soon as possible. So watch this space.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- We'd suggest a stay of two or three nights at Little Sable, perhaps combined with their fly camp, SkyBeds, or other camps in more watery parts of the Okavango Delta, and possibly also in the Makgadikgadi Pans area.
- Directions
- Access to the Little Sable is usually via light aircraft to Banoka airstrip, from where it’s about a 15-minute drive to the camp. For most of the year it's also possible to reach the camp by road from Maun, a half-day drive that does open up possibilities for those who don't want to fly – especially when linked to camps such as Meno a Kwena, which is also accessible by vehicle.
- Accessible by
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Private dining options are available on request.
- Drinks included
- Bottled water, 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.
You’ll find a permanent tea and coffee station in the main area, so you can help yourself throughout the day.
Bottled drinking water is provided for all guests. We don't recommend that travellers drink from the tap.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of six years plus are welcome at Little Sable, but please note that children aged 6–12 are accommodated on game drives only in a private vehicle, which will be at an extra cost.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under six years
The minimum age for any mokoro (dug-out canoe) activity is 13 years. - Generally recommended for children
- We think Little Sable is best suited to older children as the lack of more regular wildlife sightings might lead to younger children becoming a bit bored.
- Notes
- The camp is unfenced and dangerous wildlife can wander through at any time. The tented chalets and main buildings are all raised off the ground on decks, with open railings, and only a section of the paths to the chalets are raised with the remainder being on sandy paths. There is no fence around the pool either. Children need to be closely supervised by their parents/guardians at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Little Sable
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Little Sable 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.
100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Health & safety
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Maun. All management and guides are first-aid trained and there is a nurse on call (via radio) 24 hours a day. Medical evacuation is available in case of emergency, but 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
- Guests are escorted to their rooms after dark as dangerous wildlife is known to wander through the camp. A safety briefing is given on arrival. 'Fog horns' are provided in the chalets to attract attention in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Mokoro
Sleeping under the stars
Extras
- Disabled access
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is included at Sable Alley. Laundry is collected in the morning and usually returned the same day, weather permitting. Washing powder is provided in the bathroom for you to wash smalls, which will not be handled by the staff.
- Money
- There is a safe in each room. No exchange facilities are offered.
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted, as are cash payments in US dollars, euros, GB sterling, South African rand and Botswanan pula.
Other lodges in Moremi Game Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Private Mobile
The Botswana Private Mobile Safari has no fixed location; it's exclusive to your group and comes with a top professional guide. Expect comfortable camping, great food, and a superb wildlife experience wherever you decide to go.
Machaba Camp
Overlooking the Khwai River to Moremi Game Reserve beyond, the classic Machaba Camp combines comfort with excellent game viewing.
Xigera Safari Lodge
Located deep in Botswana's Okavango Delta, Xigera Camp normally focuses on mokoro excursions and motorboat trips, with 4WD game drives when water levels permit.
Xakanaxa
Xakanaxa Camp is a well-established traditional camp beside a huge lagoon within the Moremi Game Reserve, with access to some superb game viewing.
Khwai Lediba
Khwai Lediba offers a traditional African safari experience, with very comfortable tented accommodation, in a fantastic game area north of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Sable Alley
Smart, independent and well-run, Sable Alley overlooks a beautiful, hippo-filled lagoon within the diverse Khwai Private Reserve.
Okuti
Okuti Camp has an innovative design and offers game drives and boat trips in a beautiful, game-rich part of Moremi Game Reserve.
Mombo Camp
Mombo is one of Botswana's most exclusive safari camps, set in a beautiful, remote location within the Moremi Game Reserve and with exceptional game densities.
Little Machaba
Overlooking the Khwai River and Moremi Game Reserve beyond, Little Machaba is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a great game-viewing area.
Chief's Camp
Chief's Camp is situated on Chief's Island, within the Okavango Delta's Moremi Game Reserve. Experience one of Botswana's top game-viewing areas by 4WD and mokoro.
Hyena Pan
Fairly rustic, and relatively inexpensive, Hyena Pan overlooks a natural waterhole that attracts an almost constant parade of animals.
Camp Moremi
Camp Moremi lies within the Moremi Game Reserve, in one of the best locations for game viewing in Botswana.
Skybeds
Situated in a private reserve close to Moremi Game Reserve, Skybeds offers a simple yet wonderful opportunity to sleep under the stars and watch wildlife from your bed.
Little Mombo
One of Botswana's top safari camps, Little Mombo stands on the north side of Chief's Island, in the heart of the Okavango Delta's Moremi Game Reserve.
Tuludi
Tuludi is a brand new luxury camp, within the Khwai Private Reserve, built on a site under giant leadwood trees and overlooking the Okavango Delta floodplains.
Sango Safari Camp
Sango offers comfortable tented accommodation, without some of the frills often found in Botswana's camps, with an area that's scenic and gets excellent, consistent game sightings.
Khwai Bush Camp
Kwhai Bush Camp offers great guiding, excellent wildlife watching and simple but comfortable accommodations the productive Khwai community area.
Mokete Camp
New for July 2023, Mokete has 9 luxurious tents, raised on platforms above the surrounding bush and offers an experience of the Kalahari Wilderness.
Khwai River Lodge
Khwai River Lodge is a luxurious and well-equipped safari camp, on the northern edge of Moremi Game Reserve. This area isn't exclusive, but it is beautiful and has excellent game.
Khwai Leadwood
Khwai Leadwood is a luxurious lodge located in the heart of the Khwai Community Concession, offering guests exceptional service, stunning scenery, and unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Tawana
An exclusive new lodge on the banks of the Gomoti River, Tawana will have just eight very spacious suites.
