Kiri Camp

OVERVIEW:

On the edge of the Kiri channel, after which the camp is named, Kiri is a year-round island camp within a community-run concession in the south-east part of the Okavango Delta. It’s located between the Kiri and Boro rivers, in an area that supports diverse wildlife populations, and offers a range of activities, including motorboat and mokoro safaris during peak flood times. The camp is run by Machaba Safaris, which operates in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Chobe Forest Reserve, and Zimbabwe’s spectacular Mana Pools and Hwange National Park. Kiri is an excellent option for those wishing to veer off the beaten track, and it combines nicely with Machaba’s sister properties. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, all activities, transfers between camp and the local airstrip, and a laundry service.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Kiri Camp occupies a delightful location amongst jackalberry and ebony trees close to the Kiri river, within a private concession in the southern region of the Okavango Delta. Access is by light aircraft flight to Kiri Waka airstrip (approximately 25 minutes’ flying time from Maun), followed by a 10-minute game drive transfer to the camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT KIRI CAMP:

Guest accommodation at Kiri Camp consists of ten luxurious tents, including two for family use, raised on wooden decks and surrounded by an ebony forest. These are positioned close together on either side of the main lounge and dining area, with two family tents nearest the communal spaces. Designed to have a low environmental impact, the architecture features canvas, reeds, and wood, each tent featuring an expansive wooden deck with sensational views of the Kiri floodplains. The interiors are smart and well thought out, with wooden cladding on the walls, bedside tables with in-built reading lamps on either side of the bed headboard, writing desks, an indoor seating area, and zip-up floor-to-ceiling gauze across the front of the tents leading to the outside deck. Further amenities include ceiling fans, electronic safes, hairdryers, 240V plug points, and ample hanging storage and shelving. Every partly open bathroom has twin basins and a deep-soaking bathtub that takes in the views. Outside, the decking is impressively spacious, with comfy seating against the backdrop of the ebony forest. The two family units are identical in style but comprise two en-suite bedrooms separated by a shared living space.

The elevated communal areas at Kiri Camp are accessed from the guest tents via sandy walkways. They include an open-sided lounge and library with plenty of comfortable seating and overhead fans to keep cool. Outside, you’ll find a large deck with outdoor seating leading to a welcoming fire-pit, and guests can choose to dine al fresco with views of the floodplains. There’s also a dining area, a bar, a curio shop, and a nicely sized plunge pool with sunloungers and parasols for cooling off between safari activities. A spa therapist is on hand to offer massage and facial treatments in the privacy of your own tent. Please note that limited Wi-Fi is available in the tents only, but the connection is intermittent and cannot be relied upon.

ACTIVITIES AT KIRI CAMP: 

The camp provides a great range of activities, all based within its private concession:

• Game drives

  – Kiri Camp is located close to both the Kiri and Boro rivers, which attract high concentrations of animals that drink and forage on the banks. Game drives offer encounters with all sorts of species, including lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, as well as numerous smaller predators, herbivores, and ample birdlife. The Kiri concession is especially well known for its lion-and-buffalo interactions, and wild dog thrive here, rarely seen in other safari regions. Please note, a private vehicle must be booked by any group including a child or children aged under 6 years. Drives take place in the early morning, late afternoon, and early evening.

• Night drives

  – The nocturnal world is a thrilling place to explore, the sights and sounds of the bush amplified in the dark of night. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, there’s endless fun to be had looking out for leopard, genet, civet, porcupine, and the rarely seen pangolin.

• Walking safaris

  – For up-close encounters with some of the smaller but no less interesting species, walking safaris take place in the morning and provide insight into plants, insects, birds, and perhaps even spoor identification. This activity has a minimum age requirement of 16 years and is only available when a suitably qualified guide is in camp.

• Boat trips

  – During peak flood season, the Kiri river is navigable by big boats, providing opportunities for you to get to know the wildlife of the waterways – hippo, Nile crocodile, and an abundance of waterbirds! This is an afternoon activity, and availability depends on water levels.

• Mokoro excursions

  – A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe without a motor, so safarists can enjoy close encounters with wildlife while gliding silently along the Delta’s infamous waterways. You can also enjoy watching various big game species quenching their thirst on the banks of the rivers. A minimum age requirement of 12 years applies to mokoro excursions, which also depend on water levels.

• Fishing

  – Depending on the season, fishing is available on request on a catch-and-release basis only. Please be aware that fishing is prohibited in Botswana for breeding between January and February. For more details on this activity, please contact a member of the Yellow Zebra team.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request a staff member to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.