Wilderness DumaTau

OVERVIEW:

Wilderness DumaTau is a great little camp in a fantastic private reserve and one of our firm favorites in Botswana, balancing stylish yet unpretentious design with a homely, welcoming ambiance. Nestled amongst jackalberry, sausage, and mangosteen trees, the camp has an extensive water frontage with uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon and regular sightings of the elephant mega-herds for which the Linyanti is famous. This area houses some of the greatest wildlife diversity in northern Botswana, with its marshes and waterways, mopane woodlands, and grasslands. Rates are full board and include accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry, and all local drinks.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Wilderness DumaTau is located in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, one of our favorite regions in northern Botswana, with access to both the Linyanti river and the Savuti Channel. Guests reach the camp by light aircraft flight to Chobe Airstrip, followed by an approximately 40-minute vehicle transfer.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT WILDERNESS DUMATAU: 

Guest accommodation at Wilderness DumaTau consists of seven explorer-style tents, which can be configured as twins or doubles, and one two-bedroom family unit that accommodates a maximum of four guests. Homely and well designed, each tent is raised off the ground to optimize the riverfront views and includes a comfortable lounge, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, separated from the bedroom by a sliding fabric wall, and decks under awnings with private plunge pools. The décor is stylish yet unpretentious, featuring reclaimed timber, hand-dyed fabrics, leather sofas, and curated art. The family unit has two en-suite bedrooms with a shared entrance (only the main bathroom has an outdoor shower, while the second bathroom just has an indoor shower), a communal indoor lounge area, and a private plunge pool with an outdoor sala. All accommodations include mosquito nets, fans, electronic safes, and Wi-Fi access.

The communal areas at Wilderness DumaTau include a central dining and lounge area with wide-angle vistas overlooking the lagoon, ideal for observing wildlife as it passes through. The centrally located Osprey Retreat wellness centre and gym – shared with sister property, Wilderness Little DumaTau – features a shaded deck, a lap pool, a spa, a drinks-and-snacks counter, and a safari boutique. Wilderness DumaTau is proudly 100 per cent solar-powered, and all hot water is heated by solar geysers.

ACTIVITIES AT WILDERNESS DUMATAU:

Located within the wildlife-rich Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Wilderness DumaTau makes full use of its access to the Linyanti river and the Savuti Channel and offers an exhilarating range of activities.

• Expertly guided game drives

  – Game drives here are exceptional, with regular sightings of lion, leopard, and hyena, as well as the mega-herds of elephant that traverse the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve’s ancient wildlife corridors. Morning and afternoon game drives cover lots of ground, with the chance to encounter smaller predators and herbivores such as wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and antelopes.

• Night drives

  – Led by an experienced guide and the use of a spotlight, guests are invited to scan the bush for nocturnal species, such as leopard, civet, genet, honey badger, and spring hare. Experiencing this vast and remote terrain after dark is nothing short of thrilling.

• Nature walks

  – Depending on the season and guide availability, nature walks are ideal for those interested in getting to know the smaller species of the Linyanti, including insects, plants, and birds.

• Barge excursions

  – Explore the lagoon on board a barge, watching out for Nile crocodiles, hippos, and big game species coming to drink at the water’s edge. Lunches, picnics, or sundowners can also feature as part of a boating experience.

• Fishing

  – On a catch-and-release basis, with the camp providing a small stock of basic rods and reels, fishing offers a tranquil way to spend an uninterrupted morning out on the water. Please note that fishing is seasonal, as it is prohibited by Botswana law in January and February due to breeding purposes.

• Birding

  – Internationally recognized as an IBA (Important Bird Area), the Linyanti is home to both Okavango specials and mopane woodland species. Ostrich, slaty egret, wattled crane, coqui francolin, southern carmine bee-eater… the variety of birdlife is truly outstanding here!

• Helicopter flights

  – Wilderness DumaTau’s location is spectacular, and helicopter flights provide breathtaking views over the Linyanti wetlands. Guests might choose to opt for the Conservation & Co-Existence Cultural Experience excursion to learn more about CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainability) or ‘Life With Elephants’ (NGO with Ecoexist) in the Hambukushu village of Eretsha. Please note that helicopter excursions incur an additional cost.

*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.