Duke’s Camp: Our full report
Summer 2022 saw the opening of the elegant Duke’s Camp in the north-west of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Set at the foot of the Panhandle on the private Kgao Island, it lies on the shores of a permanent lagoon within a vast 89,000-hectare concession that reaches as far south as the Moremi Game Reserve.Duke’s is the fulfilment of a vision by Ralph Bousfield, creator of Jack’s Camp on the wide open Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, and with a similarly eclectic yet luxurious approach. While we have yet to visit the new camp, we anticipate a similar style – with guiding and service to match.
The camp’s namesake is Sarefo “Duke” Sarefo, born and bred on the island which now belongs to him, and with a long heritage of traditional fishing in the Okavango. It’s that tradition that has kept the land pristine.
With its 9 tented chalets raised on wooden decks and nestled among mature ebony and leadwood trees, Duke’s aims to blend into the landscape. Whether in doubles, twins or the family tent – two en-suite rooms with a lounge in between – guests will find rooms redolent of old-style safaris with many a quirky twist.
Not for Duke’s the standard tent linings; here you’ll be almost enveloped in patterned drapery that sets the scene for mahogany furniture, four-poster beds and Persian rugs on polished floors. Brass fittings in the en-suite bathroom continue the theme, while on each private deck you’ll find both leather directors’ chairs and a chaise-longue from which to scan the plains in front for wildlife.
The same style permeates the main area, where you can cosy down at low tables in the tea tent, or relax in the more traditional lounge with a view out onto the plains. In keeping with safari tradition, meals are served at one long table, either outside under the trees or in the dining area. Either way, polished crystal and antique cutlery are the order of the day; dining is taken seriously here.
Wildlife watching can continue around the pool while as night falls the firepit comes into its own to chat over the day’s adventures.
And adventures are plenty! Game drives top the list of activities, exploring this exceptional wilderness area in 4WD vehicles in search of wildlife that ranges from sitatunga and elephant to lion, leopard and cheetah – and bird species in the hundreds. Water levels permitting, glide almost silently along the channels or try your hand at fishing.
Or, at extra cost, consider a helicopter trip, either to view the surrounding area or to the Tsodilo Hills. And in case you need a little more adventure, there’s the possibility of spending a night under the stars on a separate island.
Our view
We have for many years worked with Jack's Camp, and are looking forward to seeing Ralph Bousfield’s new creation in the Okavango. We are anticipating a mix of romance and remoteness with a level of luxury that excludes Wi-Fi and electric lighting, along with excellent guiding and cuisine.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- 3 - 4 nights.
- Directions
- Duke's Camp is approximately 40 minutes by light aircraft from Maun, followed by a game drive into camp. the duration of the drive depends on the wildlife you see along the way and the water levels.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We would expect a high standard of cuisine at Duke’s to mirror that which we have experienced at Jack’s.
- Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- 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.
Guests can help themselves to tea and coffee in the main area throughout the day.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Duke’s welcome children aged from 6 years. For guests aged 6–12 on game drives, a private vehicle must be booked at extra cost.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under 6
- Special activities & services
- There is a family chalet with two en-suite bedrooms.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although the camp accepts children from the age of 6, we expect it to have an adult feel that is not in keeping with young children. It is also in an area where dangerous animals are free to roam, so it’s best suited to much older children.
- Notes
- This is an open camp surrounded by tracts of water with an unfenced pool and dangerous wildlife roaming through. Children must be supervised by a parent or carer at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Duke’s Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Duke’s 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.
100% success
100% success
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100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Guest tents have 24hr solar-powered electricity.
Each chalet has a multi-point plug adaptor. - Communications
- Duke’s does not have Wi-Fi access.
- TV & radio
- No TV or radio
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- All the tented chalets are plumbed with hot and cold running water and flushing toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- 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.
Swimming pool warning: Please be aware that the swimming pool at Duke’s does not have depth markings or No Diving signs. Bathers need to be careful when entering the pool. - Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Guests are escorted to their suites after dark as dangerous wildlife is known to wander through the camp. A safety briefing is given on arrival. “Foghorns” are provided in the suites to attract attention in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Fishing
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A complimentary laundry service is in place, with the exception of undergarments, for which washing powder is provided in each bathroom.
- Money
- There is a safe in each suite. 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 Botswana pula.
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 very rustic, Footsteps across the Delta focuses on walking safaris; it also runs a special children’s programme so is particularly suitable for families.
Gomoti Plains Camp
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Pom Pom Camp
Pom Pom Camp lies amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery. Come for idyllic mokoro trips and great birdwatching, and accept that big-game sightings here are a bonus.
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.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"
4 Rivers
4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.
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.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
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.
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.
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.
Sitatunga Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island: in this pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, even the name is evocative.
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.
