Wilderness Mokete

OVERVIEW:

Set in a previously unexplored part of Botswana, in pristine land that has only just opened up for conservation, Wilderness Mokete is a pioneering, luxurious tented camp – the only one in the area – with nine tented suites and all the world-class guiding, service, and dining we’ve come to expect from Wilderness. The ecosystem here is unique, with 50,000 hectares bordering the eastern part of the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, home to some of the continent’s most impressive wildlife concentrations. It’s a land of giants – vast mega-herds patrol the open grasslands, herds of buffalo mass into their thousands, multitudes of elephant pilgrimage here, and prides of lion regularly hunt in daylight. It’s also the terrain of other predators such as cheetah, wild dog, bat-eared fox, jackal, African wild cat, and clans of hyena. Rates are full board and include accommodation, all meals, twice-daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry, and all local drinks.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Wilderness Mokete is located in the enormous Mababe Concession, which lies on the eastern fringe of the Okavango Delta. It borders the famed Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park lies to the north. Nutrient-rich grasses here are nourished with a constant water supply from the Mababe river, creating a unique habitat where great herds and a wealth of predators thrive. The Mababe Marsh fills in the summer season and creates a wetland of some 2,600 hectares. This slowly disappears in the dry season, although never completely, which is what brings the herds to this region in such great numbers.

Guests access Wilderness Mokete via a 40-minute helicopter flight from Maun (flights can also be arranged from Kasane or one of the other camps). It’s also possible to self-drive from Maun, Moremi, or Chobe, and vehicles can be securely kept in Mababe village, from where guests are transferred to camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT WILDERNESS MOKETE: 

The camp is classified as ‘limited edition’, meaning a more permanent lodge will be developed here in the future, but you can be the first to enjoy this magnificent new game area before anyone else. Wilderness Mokete is chic and minimalist in design, with private tents raised on decking with comfortable beds, air conditioning, outdoor showers, and a separate lounge area from which to enjoy panoramic views of the grasslands all around you. The highlight of the tents is an innovative retractable roof, so you can see the expanse of the night sky and star-gaze from the comfort of your own bed while listening to the sounds of the African wild – a magical touch.

The main area has a small pool for cooling off in the middle of the day, a fire-pit for safari tales before supper, and communal dining under the stars (although private dining is always possible). The camp is fully solar powered and constructed to ensure the lightest footprint possible. Low-impact photographic tourism is what Wilderness have set out to achieve, so this is not a camp for those looking for extraordinary luxury. Rather, it’s a comfortable, elegant outpost and a front-row seat to one of the best game-viewing experiences in Botswana.

ACTIVITIES AT WILDERNESS MOKETE:

Activities at Wilderness Mokete are predominantly land based, so it’s worth discussing with one of our specialists how to combine your stay with a ‘wet’ camp in the Delta as a good counterbalance to your itinerary. That said, the game viewing doesn’t get much better than this! 

• Expertly guided game drives

  – Wilderness Mokete promises incredible predator–prey interactions. Among the highlights are lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. You can look out for smaller predators such as cheetah, hyena, jackal, serval, civet, honey badger, and the rare wild dog, while the herbivore collection features giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and a fine assortment of antelopes.

• Night drives

  – Night time is when all the big predators come to life in addition to the smaller, more elusive nocturnal species, of which sightings are rare and just as exciting as the larger game. It’s always an unforgettable experience, having a lens into what goes on in the dark of the night! You might see porcupines, genets, civets, bush babies… and occasionally a larger predator with its prey.

• Walking safaris

  – Walking safaris are perfect for travellers who want to get to know the smaller lives of Mababe, such as the concession’s plants, insects, and hundreds of types of birds. You can occasionally track big game too.

• Community visits 

  – Learn the ancient art of tracking, sing and dance alongside an African choir, watch a basket-weaving demonstration, join the children for an afternoon of soccer practice, sample some traditional cuisine, or simply sit down with the village elders for an evening of storytelling around the fire.

• Sunken hide

  – Observe the wildlife as it comes and goes from the safety of the camp’s sunken hide. Bring binoculars, bird books, and cameras, and wait for the animals to arrive.

• Helicopter flight

  – Experience a thrilling helicopter ride over Mababe and marvel at the size of the mega-herds on the plains below. With vast panoramic views in every direction, Mokete is the only camp in this spectacular 50,000-hectare wilderness area.

*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.