Wilderness Vumbura Plains
Highlights
- A sublime location in the far north of Botswana's iconic Okavango Delta – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest inland delta on Earth.
- Finest multi-purpose concession in the Okavango Delta for wildlife, and year-round land and water activities.
- Annually inundated grasslands offer a photographic paradise, showcasing phenomenal predator and prey action.
- Dreamy Delta waterways, riverine and island woodlands and vast floodplains invite adventure: day and night game drives, nature walks, and boating.
Destination: The Vumbura Plains Private Wilderness Area is found in the northern-eastern Okavango Delta adjoining the Moremi Game Reserve. Its prime position in the dry savannah interior, set on one of the main channels that feeds the Delta, means year-round adventures on land and water. Contemporary and luxurious, the camp is as lavish and lush as its beautiful surroundings, which are home to an abundant and diverse array of wildlife, including large – and small – predators. The 60,000-hectare (148,263-acre) private concession is leased from five villages through the Okavango Community Trust (OCT), a partnership that spans many successful years of impactful conservation tourism in the area.
Experience: The camp offers exceptional opportunities for families and friends to reconnect and enjoy shared adventures in one of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas. Guests can look forward to thrilling game drives spotting iconic wildlife. Here water safaris by boat or traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) explore the waterways where elephants wade, and countless birds brighten the sky. Guided walks are also on offer with our passionate guides, who enthral with their deep knowledge and love of the bush. In camp, guests can enjoy a leisurely afternoon at their suite’s private pool, soaking in the glorious views and watching the wildlife parade. Evenings are a sensorial adventure, recounting the day’s safari by a crackling fire and feasting on our chefs’ local delights.
Purpose: The Vumbura Private Wilderness Area is leased from remote rural communities who are members of the Okavango Community Trust (OCT). The result of this long-standing and impactful partnership includes socio-economic benefits, livelihood diversification, and training and skills development for the villagers – as well as building on a positive attitude to tourism and conservation. The largest number of employees within our Botswana operation are employed from these five villages.
Wildlife: The annually inundated grasslands of the Delta surrounding Wilderness Vumbura Plains are locally referred to as melapo, and deliver prolific seasonal viewing: elephants, giraffes, impala, sable antelope, kudu, zebra, common waterbuck as well as reedbuck, tsessebe, wildebeest, red lechwe and Cape buffalo. Following this exceptional diversity of ungulates is a vast array of predators, including iconic African species such as lion, leopard, the occasional cheetah, African wild dog and wildcat. This all results in an immensely rich and thrilling wildlife experience. Hippo pods and basking crocodiles can often be spotted in and along the waterways, while birding is exceptional all year round.
Wilderness Vumbura: Celebrating its sense of space and purpose, this stylish and contemporary camp provides the highest level in comfort, wonderful local cuisine and impressive attention to detail from the warm and professional staff members.
Set on raised decks in the midst of annually inundated grassland the camp is a marvel of engineering design. An artful, contemporary balance of wood, glass, and canvas, reflecting the rich colours of the Delta.
It comprises two satellite camps, each with its own main area encompassing expansive vistas across the vast floodplains, and furnished with beautiful local objets d’art, which showcase the camp’s successful partnership with the Okavango Community Trust (OCT) – created to highlight Vumbura's heritage through design and art.
The camp is one of the most spacious offerings in the Okavango Delta, with generous and supremely private guest suites each featuring a plunge pool and outdoor sala.