4 Rivers: Our full report
Opened in June 2023, 4 Rivers is the latest camp from which to explore the private Kwara Reserve.
With its own airstrip, under well-established ownership, and very well-priced for the Okavango Delta, we are excited to watch this camp and wildlife develop.Several numerous members of the Expert Africa team have visited 4 Rivers since it opened, most recently in January 2024. We have been excited to explore this new, hidden corner of the 1,750 km2 Kwara Reserve.
Although the camp shares the Kwara private concession with its established sister camps, Kwara and Splash, it is located further west, with its own private airstrip and an area around camp that is exclusive to 4 Rivers' vehicles.
Overlooking a permanent small lagoon to Maboa Island, the camp is surrounded by a rich mosaic of waterways, mopane woodlands and open plains, dotted with forested islands.
The camp’s nine tented rooms, including a family tent, are spacious, double-shelled extra-long Meru-style tents. All are set on raised wooden platforms, and linked by raised walkways backing an ancient forest. At the front of each tent is a deck overlooking the channel, with an outdoor table and chairs providing a peaceful spot to enjoy the views and birdlife.
A meshed door to the side of each tent leads into an open-plan lounge with two couches and a reading table, and a bedroom with twin or king-size beds. The style is contemporary and floor-to-ceiling meshed windows add to the feeling of spaciousness.
A central headboard separates the room, with small bedside lamps and USB charging points thoughtfully located above a small bedside table. Along with a small writing table and additional charging points, you’ll find a fan, a safe and a battery-charging outlet. WiFi is available only in the rooms.
Each tented room has an indoor and outdoor shower and a matching pair of sinks, framed by a pair of hanging mirrors. We loved the outdoor shower’s pressure, a rarity in the safari world!
The Family room consists of two standard tented rooms on a raised platform with an enclosed walkway between the two rooms, offering safety and privacy at the same time. They share an outside deck and, each room offers ensuite facilities. The family room can accommodate a family of five.
In the main area, a large statue of a pangolin welcomes you to a number of lounge areas, where guests can relax over a book or a drink from the bar. A small pool to the right of the main area invites additional relaxation, while the firepit on the water’s edge comes into its own as night falls – its warmth welcoming after an evening’s game drive. A curio shop is also on hand to purchase gifts.
Activities at 4 Rivers include game drives, day and night, each accompanied by a guide and tracker, thus enhancing the opportunities for visitors to spot wildlife. Guided safari walks on Maboa Island introduce that thrill of adventure, and seasonal mokoro excursions come into their own here, too.
As 4 Rivers is a new camp, we wanted to spend time focusing on the area and landscape rather than on specific animals during our January 2024 visit, but what we did see was impressive. An estimated 300 zebra appeared during our first game drive, plus numerous herds of giraffe and a wonderful multi-species sighting of roan antelope, impala, giraffe, zebra, reedbuck and a pair of dainty steenboks – all framed by five large elephant bulls in the distance.
We have yet to try any water based or walking activities at 4 Rivers, but we would recommend a scenic helicopter transfer; seeing the vast landscape from the air puts the beauty of the Okavango into context.
Our view
4 Rivers is an exciting camp in a seldom-explored corner of the Kwara Reserve. Based on the region's rich wildlife history, this camp is one to watch and the team has done well to learn the animal movements in the area in the short time the camp has been open. While it will take a few years for more elusive animals, like leopards, to become fully relaxed around vehicles, this somehow adds to the allure of this wild location.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- We would suggest a stay of three nights at 4 Rivers. It works well in combination with its sister camps, Lagoon Camp or Lebala Camp in northern Botswana's Linyanti region within the extensive Kwando Reserve; and Nxai Pan and Tau Pan in the drier reaches of the Kalahari to the south.
Do note that if you combine time at 4 Rivers with Lebala, Lagoon, Tau Pan or Nxai Pan for a total of six or more nights, we are able to offer a discounted long-stay rate. - Directions
- Guests usually arrive by light aircraft at 4 Rivers' private airstrip, which is a 35-minute flight from Maun. From there it's a short drive of around 20 minutes to camp.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- On our most recent visit, in January 2024, the food was fresh, tasty and plentiful. The kitchen can comfortably cater to vegetarian requests, with other dietary requirements possible with advance notice.
Breakfast was a selection of muffins, yoghurts, porridge and cereals with tea or coffee.
Brunch is served when you return from your morning activity. We enjoyed a delicious spread of fresh fish, vegetarian quiche, apple, raisin and carrot coleslaw, a green salad and freshly baked bread. A sideboard of cheese was also available as was a cooked breakfast option.
The timing of dinner depends on when you return from your afternoon activity. We tucked into a traditional themed dinner with pounded beef (seswaa), sausages, steaks and an assortment of vegetables and pap (polenta).
Excitingly the camp can also offer private meals by the pool, main area or your own deck. Weather permitting there are also facilities for bush dinners. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Local drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, are included. Imported and premium drinks such as champagne are extra, and advance notice is needed if these are required. Filtered drinking water is always available.
Special interests
- Birdwatching
- The terrain surrounding 4 Rivers is home to a wide variety of vegetation making this camp an ideal location for birdwatchers in Botswana to see many of the Okavango’s almost 450 species of birdlife.
- See ideas for Birdwatching in Botswana
- Walking
- 4 Rivers in Botswana’s Okavango Delta has access to Maboa Island. A tract of land that has limited vehicle access, it allows for some exciting walking opportunities.
- See ideas for Walking in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- 4 Rivers Camp has a positive approach to children on safari and welcomes children aged six and over
- Property’s age restrictions
- Minimum age 6 years. Families with children aged 6–12 years are required to book a private vehicle on game drives; depending on the size of the group, there may be an additional charge for this.
- Special activities & services
- The camp will be as flexible as possible with children's mealtimes and will prepare favourites such as spaghetti bolognese for children.
- Equipment
- 4 Rivers Camp has one family tented room, with two interleading rooms – a double and a twin. There is no special equipment is available.
- Generally recommended for children
- We recommend 4 Rivers for older children who are genuinely interested in wildlife.
- Notes
- 4 Rivers is unfenced, and dangerous wildlife, including lion and leopard, can wander through the camp at any time. There is no fence around the pool, and both the rooms and the footpaths are elevated. Thus, all children will need to be constantly supervised by a parent or guardian.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from 4 Rivers
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at 4 Rivers 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
100% success
100% success
100% success
75% success
67% success
67% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
25% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator. Battery-charging facilities are available in each tented room.
- Communications
- There is WiFi in the rooms only. There is no cellphone service in camp.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the tented rooms have plumbed hot and cold running water for showers as well as flushing toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Camp managers are first-aid trained and a first-aid kit is kept at camp. In an emergency, 4 Rivers can arrange for clients to be flown out. Please note, however, 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 is known to move through, so guests are escorted to their rooms after dark. A safety talk is given on arrival. “Foghorns” are provided in the tented rooms to attract attention in case of an emergency.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the common areas of the camp and in each room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Included
- Money
- Each tented room has a safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- Mastercard and Visa are accepted, but not Amex. Cash payments may be made in US dollars, British pounds, euros, Botswana pula and South African rand.
Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kwara Camp
Kwara Camp's private reserve boasts land and water activities year round, with excellent game-viewing opportunities and access to permanent channels of the north-east Okavango Delta.
Little Vumbura
On a secluded island within a private reserve, Little Vumbura combines superb game viewing with a broad diversity of habitats in a truly picturesque setting.
Shinde Camp
With experienced staff and a wealth of activities, Shinde offers a traditional safari in an exceptionally varied and wildlife-rich environment.
Chitabe Lediba
Chitabe Lediba, in Botswana's southern Okavango Delta, is a small family friendly safari camp; it offers great dry-land safaris and in our experience consistently delivers good game sightings.
Splash Camp
Set in the Kwara Reserve, offering superb wildlife viewing year-round, Splash offers both land and water activities led by guides with a particular knack for tracking big game.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
The luxurious Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, beside Moremi Game Reserve, with superb big-game viewing.
Kanana
In a beautiful part of the Delta, Kanana focuses on fantastic water activities and birding – including exclusive access to an impressive heronry.
Chitabe Camp
In the southern Okavango Delta, the excellent Chitabe Camp concentrates on dry-land safaris in an area that we've found particularly good for wild dog sightings.
Shinde Footsteps
Small and simple, but comfortable, Shinde Footsteps focuses on walking safaris as well as game drives; it also runs a special children's programme so is particularly suitable for families.
Nxabega Tented Camp
Nxabega offers a selection of both land- and water-based activities, plus very good guiding, food and service, but game viewing can be somewhat erratic.
Gomoti Plains
Overlooking a tributary of the Gomoti River, Gomoti Plains Camp is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a good game-viewing area.
Tubu Tree Camp
A traditional tented camp with a distinctive tree-house feel, Tubu Tree offers some of the best game viewing in the Jao Reserve.
Vumbura Plains
Indulgently stylish and luxurious, Vumbura Plains offers superb game viewing and birding on an exceptionally varied private reserve.
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is a small safari camp with an informal island feel; it is ideal for water-based activities in the Delta and offers excellent birdwatching.
Kwetsani Camp
Deep in the Delta, overlooking a floodplain, Kwetsani Camp is a small, high-end camp with good access to areas for land and water-based activities.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Duba Explorers Camp
Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains Camp is a traditional safari camp, best known for the thrilling lion and buffalo interaction that is often found here in broad daylight.
Baines' Camp
Baines' Camp is a well-run, intimate camp in a pretty part of the Okavango, offering a range of activities and the option to spend a morning walking with elephants.
Stanley's Camp
In a private concession south of Moremi Game Reserve, Stanley's Camp offers 4WD game drives, seasonal water activities and a superb elephant interaction.
Pom Pom Camp
Amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery, Pom Pom offers idyllic mokoro trips in season, great birdwatching, and increasingly good big-game sightings, especially leopards.
Little Tubu
Little Tubu is a new, traditional camp with just three tented chalets and a distinctive tree-house feel. The areas around it can be explored by water and land-based activities year round.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
Pelo Camp
In a pristine wilderness environment deep in the Okavango Delta, the seasonal Pelo Camp is tented yet comfortable, with activities focusing on excursions by mokoro.
Xaranna
Xaranna is a plush tented camp amongst the idyllic waterways and islands of the Delta. Each air-conditioned tent has a plunge pool. Water activities and pampering are the focus here.
Jao Camp
In a beautiful area with fantastic water activities, Jao combines an idyllic location with high levels of luxury and service, and a top-end spa.
Seba Camp
Seba Camp is a luxury camp in a lovely location that offers the full range of water and land safari activities, depending on the time of year. This camp is particularly suitable for families.
Rra Dinare
Located in a private concession in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River, Rra Dinare is a traditional-style, well-priced camp.
Setari Camp
Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"
Abu Camp
Abu Camp is an exclusive safari camp on the western side of the Botswana's Okavango Delta - offering superb elephant-back safaris and opportunities to walk with them too.
Duke’s Camp
On a remote island within a vast private concession, the eclectic Duke’s Camp is nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains of the Okavango.
Sitatunga Island Camp
Tucked away in a pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, the exclusive Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based camp offering boating, mokoro trips and fishing.
Kiri Camp
Kiri Camp is the latest Okavango offering from the excellent team behind Machaba. In an exciting new location in the heart of the Delta we cannot wait to visit this new camp.
Okavango Walking Safari
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari camps in a secluded Okavango Delta Reserve where there are few roads; the ideal location for a walking trail led by an expert guide.
Atzaro Okavango
With a high level of tasteful luxury promised at Atzaro, we think it will be best suited to travellers seeking a touch of pampering alongside their safari.
Mokolwane
Deep in the heart of the Okavango, Mokolwane promises adventure in a largely untouched area.
North Island
Deep in quintessentially 'Okavango' territory, between deep-water and dry-land habitats, promises to be a great combination from a team who know all about the best in the Okavango.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
Qorokwe Camp
Luxurious and contemporary, the relatively new Qorokwe Camp is a gem in the Okavango Delta, offering land- and occasionally water-based activities in a prime wildlife area.
Eagle Island Lodge
Eagle Island Lodge is a luxurious camp with international-style facilities including air conditioning and intercom in each room; offering water based activities in the Okavango Delta.
