Lebala Camp

OVERVIEW:

Lebala is hard to beat for its wildlife, occupying a prime location within the vast Kwando Private Concession in Botswana’s greater Kwando–Linyanti region. Its name means ‘wide open spaces’, and fittingly so, since it shares this enormous tract of wilderness with just one other lodge. Wildlife enthusiasts will be particularly impressed by the healthy populations of wild dog, as the area is renowned for its excellent sightings. Run by Kwando Safaris, a well-established safari operator with an extensive camp and lodge portfolio throughout Botswana, we consider Lebala one of the best big game camps in Africa, particularly for predators, including lion and leopard. Accommodation is full board and includes all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, twice-daily game-viewing activities, and a laundry service. The camp is open all year round.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Lebala is located within the 232,000-hectare Kwando Private Concession in the far north of Botswana. Access is by light aircraft (approximately 45 minutes’ flying time from Maun), followed by a 20-minute game drive transfer.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT LEBALA:

Lebala consists of eight tented suites and a two-bedroom family suite that can accommodate a maximum of two adults and three children. Raised on Zimbabwean teak decks with views of the Kwando river’s wetlands, each tent has a private viewing deck accessed through sliding mesh doors, with outdoor seating and uninterrupted picture-perfect views. Inside, the rooms are huge, with floor-to-ceiling mesh on three sides, further enhancing the feeling of space and airflow. All rooms can be configured as doubles with super-king extra-length beds or as twins. Furniture includes bedside tables with reading lights, a ceiling fan, a writing desk, and an integrated indoor seating area with a couple of armchairs. There’s also a tea-and-coffee facility, a charging station with international multi-plugs, open hanging space and shelving for clothes, a digital safe, insect repellents, and an emergency horn. Separated from the bedroom by a canvas wall, the spacious en-suite bathroom has a separate flush toilet, twin washbasins, a ball-and-claw bathtub, and another pair of sliding doors leading to a double outdoor shower. The family suite comprises a standard en-suite tent connected to a smaller room with a shared bathroom. An extra bed for a third child is available on request.

Sandy pathways connect the guest tents to Lebala’s homely communal spaces, built on stilts above the floodplains of the Kwando river. Here, you’ll find open-sided dining, lounge, and bar areas beneath thatched roofing, a fire-pit area, a safari boutique, and the camp’s swimming pool. Dining is usually communal, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and guests often congregate around the campfire for a light early morning breakfast before heading out on safari. Special private dinners can also be arranged outside under starlight on request. Lebala’s atmosphere is informal and welcoming, with a help-yourself bar and plenty of friendly staff on hand. You’ll also find a raised viewing deck and hide overlooking the marsh and Lebala Channel – perfect for photograph opportunities!

ACTIVITIES AT LEBALA:

Lebala’s activities focus primarily on day and night game drives, which make the most of the incredible 232,000-hectare Kwando Private Concession. Please note that groups with children below 12 years must book a private vehicle, and this is also the minimum age for walking safaris.

• Game drives

  – The Kwando Reserve covers a staggering 232,000 hectares of plains, woodlands, wetlands, and water sources. Game viewing during the dry season is exceptionally good, peaking from July through to early November, as species really cluster around scarce water supplies. However, vehicle safaris are high quality throughout the year, thanks to the sheer volume of wildlife. Guests are guided by a two-person team with a professional guide and tracker. Highlights include predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and wild dog; herds of elephant, buffalo, and hippo; and plentiful plains game, not least giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, and tsessebe.

• Night drives

  – Lebala is situated in a private concession, so the camp can facilitate night drives in addition to daytime. Accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide, this is a thrilling opportunity to seek out Kwando’s nocturnal creatures, including civet, genet, honey badger, and spring hare.

• Walking safaris

  – Ideal for anyone interested in getting to know the smaller species within the concession, nature walks showcase Kwando’s plants, insects, and birdlife with a guide on hand to answer all your questions. A few notable bird species in the region include ostrich, African skimmer, sacred ibis, slaty egret, and the vibrant little bee-eater. Please note that 12 is the minimum age for walking safaris.

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