Highlights

• The best viewing of mega herd aggregations, followed by exceptional predator-prey interaction.
• Prime position in an exclusive wildlife area, set between the world-famous Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.
• Its unique distal lake means Mababe is the closest water source for hundreds of miles to the east, north and south, attracting mega herds of plains game, and incredible diversity of other wildlife. 

Destination: Located between two national parks, Mababe spans more than 50,000 hectares on the eastern fringe of the Okavango Delta and the famed Moremi Game Reserve, to the south of Chobe National Park. Unique in Botswana, the area’s nutrient-rich grasses are fed with a constant supply of water, thanks to the Mababe River and the waters of the Okavango, which drain into the Mababe wetland. The result is an incredible environment, including three distinct habitats: grassland plains, mopane and acacia woodlands, and the marsh system fed by the Mababe River. This environment supports an exceptional ecosystem with impressive herds, an abundance of predators and an array of birdlife. Each year, the 2,600-hectare marsh is reinvigorated by the seasonal inflow, drawing wildlife from all directions in search of the life-giving water-source.

Experience: Game viewing at Wilderness Mokete is unmatched, renowned for the mega herds that make their way across this private wilderness area. An immersive, exclusive and thrilling safari, it’s undoubtedly Botswana’s best viewing of game in numbers, followed by exceptional predator-prey interaction. Mababe’s distal lake is the closest water source for hundreds of miles. This puts Wilderness Mokete in a prime position for watching the never-ending wildlife show, drawn in huge numbers to the permanent water source and nutritious grassland of the Mababe Depression.

Wilderness Mokete offers exceptional and unconventional safari adventures, where time is dictated by nature, not the clock. In this part of Botswana, it’s not uncommon to see lions on the hunt on the plains during the day, which makes for exceptional photographic opportunities. Guests can choose to stay on a game drive as long as they please, or stop for a lazy bush picnic – or stay out with the predators late at night if they wish. Guided walks can be arranged, or guests may be tempted to spend an afternoon in the sunken hide, eye-to-toe with the elephants.

Guests may also enjoy a respectful visit to Mababe village for an authentic insight into the culture of the area. Listen to stories told by village elders, learn the art of tracking and basket-weaving, ancient practices in this part of the world. Soar over Mababe on a scenic helicopter flight (from 2024), and take in the vastness of this extraordinary concession. 

Purpose: Through high-value, low-impact photographic tourism, we aim to help conserve the crucial ecosystem of the best conserved distal lake in the Okavango, the Mababe, a unique wildlife sanctuary. Wildlife aside, this area is worth protecting for the birds alone. Recognised as an Important Bird Area, there are great numbers of buzzards, falcons, owls, eagles and vultures. Mokete is intentionally minimalist, ensuring the lightest footprint.

Wildlife: Mokete is situated centre stage in a great wildlife theatre. In Mababe, the annual replenishing of the marsh dictates the wildlife movements, with herds in their thousands congregating in the dry season. It’s not uncommon to see 2,000-strong buffalo herds, hundreds of tsessebe, and especially dazzling, an extraordinary migration of zebra in December and in March. Following this great density of prey is a density of predators, with especially high concentrations of spotted hyena. Prides of lion, leopards, cheetahs, packs of wild dogs, bat-eared foxes, jackals, African wild cats and servals make up the predator population, hunting the marshes and mopane woodlands.

The mopane belt to the east of the vast plains and the edges of the marsh hosts an impressive number of bird species. 

Wilderness Mokete: Pioneering Wilderness Mokete is a solar-powered tented camp, built in an intentionally minimalist style without forgoing any comfort. With only canvas between guests and nature, a stay at Mokete is an immersive feast for the senses. Due to the open layout and high density of wildlife, only guests 16 and older are permitted to stay. There is a swimming pool for warm afternoons and a Star Bed for cool evenings under the sky (from 2024).