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Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Sitatunga Private Island Camp

Sitatunga Private Island Camp


18°54’47.7"S 22°32’35.8"E

Sitatunga Private Island Camp: Our full report

Opened in July 2023, Sitatunga Private Island Camp sits on an island within a private concession.

The location, in the north-west of the Okavango Delta, makes this an entirely water-based camp, with a focus on luxury, food and tranquility.

The new camp is the fulfilment of a dream for photographers Dereck and Beverley Joubert, who first visited this area of the Delta in the 1980s.

The camp's structure, inspired by local fishing artefacts, makes use of solid wooden poles and oversized baskets, while the soft blues of the surroundings are picked up in Persian carpets, beaded curtains and silk and linen fabrics. On our recent visit in January 2024, we really enjoyed being raised above the tall papyrus and seeing the wildlife within the lagoon.

Essentially even this level of exclusivity comes in two guises. The Private Island Camp itself has just two large, tented suites, each set high among the trees on a wooden deck under a mop of thatch, with a big veranda and its own plunge pool. This is accessed from a large lounge, which is in turn linked through to the bedroom and en-suite bathroom.

Mosquito netting set into the canvas sides admits a cooling breeze, while the Delta's high temperatures are further mitigated by a fan and solar-powered air conditioning over the beds. In the bedrooms, which can be configured as twin or double rooms with mosquito nets draped over the beds, there is the option of an additional bed for a child aged 6–15.

Tea and coffee are on hand to help yourself, as is a small fridge stocked with drinks of your choice.

As well as a clawfoot bathtub overlooking the lagoon, the bathroom incorporates an indoor shower, twin basins, a flushing toilet and a dressing area. Toiletries are of course provided, as is a hairdryer.

Offering even greater intimacy is the Sitatunga Private Island Suite, whose lounge area, leading out onto a huge deck, firepit and pool, is flanked by two en-suite bedrooms. The suite will accommodate up to four adults or two adults and three children in total privacy. Guests here also benefit from a private guide and boat.

With photography central to a safari on Sitatunga Private Island, every suite comes with a pair of high-quality binoculars along with a professional camera and lenses for guest use, with photographs downloaded onto a USB flash stick at the end of your stay.

On the fitness front, all the suites are individually kitted out with a yoga mat, light weights and a stationary exercise bike - which, given the high quality of the food, our team certainly felt was required. Rather more hedonistic is the option of an in-room massage, albeit at additional cost.

At Sitatunga Private Island Camp, guests congregate in the lounge and dining area, where tea and coffee are available throughout the day. In the evenings, their floatingfirepit is a welcoming spot and is designed to give the best sunset views, while at dinner time the camp's wine cellar comes into its own.

At the Private Island Camp, meals are usually enjoyed in the main area, with the option of dining on your private veranda on request, whereas for guests at the Private Island Suite, which lies on the other side of the main area, à la carte meals are served in the privacy of the suite.

For retail therapy the camp has its own boutique, open to all guests. In addition to stocking locally made crafts, it features a range of light clothing designed by the Jouberts.

Activities from both Sitatunga Private Island Camp and the Private Island Suite are almost entirely water-based: whether watching wildlife from flat-bottomed motorboats, complete with swivel chairs to aid photography, exploring peaceful channels by mokoro, or catch-and-release fishing.

Guided walks can be arranged on request, usually in combination with other activities, but it's important to note that game drives are not an option.

It's also possible to organise a scenic flight over the northern Okavango, incorporating a 15-minute champagne stop on one of the Delta's palm islands. This excursion comes at extra cost, and it does need to be pre-booked.


Our view

We are excited about this new, highly exclusive camp in a hidden corner of the Delta. Although it's in a high price bracket, we consider that Sitatunga Private Island has met our expectations, with a focus on service, food and tranquility that is difficult to replicate in the remote reaches of the Okavango. Note that as a water-based camp, it will not offer game drives, so if this is important, you may need to look elsewhere.

Anton Walker

Anton Walker

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
Ideal length of stay
2 - 3 nights
Directions
Guests usually fly by light aircraft from Kasane (1hr 25 mins) or Maun (40 mins) into Duba Plains. From here, the trip to Sitatunga Private Island is usually by helicopter (10 mins), although a boat transfer (2 hrs) may be possible.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
The standard of cuisine at Sitatunga Private Island Camp was exceptionally high when we stayed in January 2024, with the kitchen team being passionate about their work. As in most camps, vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements can be catered for with advanced notice.

Mealtimes at both the camp and the private suite are extremely flexible. With advance notice, most dietary requirements can be catered for.

A light breakfast is served before heading out for the morning’s activity. Ours was made up of a selection of cereals, fruit yoghurt, freshly made muffins, tea, coffee and fruit juices. A hot breakfast was also an option on request.

On our arrival into camp we were treated to a sumptuous Asian-inspired soup for , garnished with croutons and micro herbs. This was followed by beef kebabs with a selection of four varied and flavoursome salads: peeled carrots and chilli dressing, couscous with roasted vegetables, beansprouts and micro bean with a balsamic glaze, and a fresh light green salad. Dessert was a homemade Amarula ice cream with hazelnut dentelles.

Before dinner we were treated to an evening aperitif and cocktails on the floating deck, watching the sunset, with reed frogs and a fire crackling in the background. We can recommend the Sitatunga Special G&T!

Dinner started with beef carpaccio, with parmesan and micro salads. Our main course, which was pre ordered, was one of the most tender fillet steaks we have tasted, with butternut squash, glazed carrots, broccoli and potato, decorated with a delicate horseradish dressing. Desert was a passionfruit sorbet.


Dining style
Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
In the Private Island Camp, meals can be served on your private veranda on request.
Drinks included
All drinks, including imported spirits and champagne, are included. Water is filtered through reverse osmosis.

Special interests

Luxury
With a focus on water-based activities and high levels of service and luxury, the team at Sitatunga Private Island Camp can curate a relaxed, romantic and personalised experience for a luxury safari in Botswana.
See ideas for Luxury in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children
Sitatunga Private Island accepts children from aged 6 years.
Property’s age restrictions
Children aged from 6 years may take part in guided walks and boating when accompanied by a parent or guardian. For canoe and mokoro excursions, children must be aged 8 years or above.
Special activities & services
Great Plains Young Explorers programme introduces children to the wilderness as Conservation Ambassadors, with activities as diverse as cooking, birding and tracking wildlife.
Equipment
On request, bedrooms at the Private Island Camp can be made up for three people so that a child or children aged 6–15 can share with adults. Alternatively, the Sitatunga Private Island Suite, with two en-suite bedrooms, can accommodate up to two adults and three children.
Generally recommended for children
With a focus on tranquility and we would not recommend this for younger children. They do however have a Young Explorers programme.
Notes
As an island camp, Sitatunga is surrounded by water, and is also raised in the tree canopy. This, along with individual pools and the presence of dangerous wildlife, makes it essential that children are constantly supervised.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Sitatunga Island Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Sitatunga Private Island 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

Wildebeest

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Lion

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

Sable antelope

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

White Rhino

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Zebra

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back-up generator. Each suite has universal plug sockets.
Communications
WiFi is available in each suite, but cellphone reception is limited.
TV & radio
None
Water supply
Other
Water supply notes
Hot and cold running water is supplied to the en-suite bathrooms, which also have flushing toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Senior members of staff are trained in first aid. The nearest hospital is in Maun, but in the event of an emergency, patients would be airlifted to Johannesburg.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
The camp is raised up in a tree canopy and surrounded by water inhabited by crocodiles and hippos. Managers and guides stay in camp. Guests are provided with air horns in their suites to attract attention in case of an emergency.
Fire safety
There is a fire extinguisher in every suite.

Activities

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Mokoro

    Mokoro

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included. Items are collected each day and, weather permitting, returned the following day.
Money
Each suite has a safe.
Accepted payment on location
Visa and Mastercard are accepted, as is cash in US dollars, GB pounds, South African rand and Botswana pula.

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