Wilderness Chitabe

OVERVIEW:

In the forested southern reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Wilderness Chitabe is located within its own private concession, bordered by Moremi Game Reserve to the north, just across the Gomoti Channel. Though largely dry and forested, this is prime wildlife territory, with the Gomoti river in the north and the Santantadibe river to the south-east. Wilderness Chitabe is one of our favorite camps in the Delta, not least because our clients have consistently reported exciting sightings, including leopard and wild dog, amongst other rarities. As the Delta’s floodwaters tend not to reach this concession, we recommend combining a stay here with two or three days at a watery property – Wilderness Kwetsani, Wilderness Jacana, Wilderness Tubu Tree, Wilderness Little Vumbura, or Kwara, for example. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, local drinks, twice-daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, and a laundry service. The camp is open throughout the year.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Wilderness Chitabe is located within the 2,000-hectare Chitabe Concession in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Access is via light aircraft to Chitabe Airstrip, either from Maun (a 30-minute flight) or from one of the other Okavango camps. It’s approximately 30 minutes from the airstrip on a game drive road transfer to the camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT WILDERNESS CHITABE:

Guest accommodation at Wilderness Chitabe consists of eight spacious tents, recently renovated and expanded to twice their original size. These are raised above ground level on steel frameworks designed to enhance sustainability and minimise environmental impact. The new design features advanced energy-efficient evaporative air coolers and insulated canvas walls and roofs, ideal for the hot summer months, while delivering on eco-awareness. Chitabe’s understated interiors use organic materials, including wood, leather, and wool, and the walls are decorated with wildlife images by co-owner Dave Hamman. Sliding doors open to a shaded wooden deck with a seating arrangement that overlooks the Delta grasslands. Each tent can be configured as a double or twin, and features include a comfortable indoor lounge with ambient lighting, mosquito nets, a writing desk, a luggage rack, a ceiling fan, an electronic safe, and plenty of storage space. The en-suite facilities comprise flush toilets, twin washbasins, and indoor and outdoor showers. There is Wi-Fi at the property, and this extends to the guest tents.

Raised wooden walkways lead from the tents to Wilderness Chitabe’s timber-and-thatch main areas. In the lounge, comfortable sofas provide ample space to relax and read a book, and there’s also a well-stocked bar. Meals are served communally in the open-sided dining room, which maximises views of the surrounding landscape, though private dining can be arranged on request. The boma hosts special evenings by an open fire (usually on Mondays) dedicated to traditional barbecue and Botswana’s national dishes. Wilderness Chitabe has a gym too, where fitness enthusiasts can use the exercise bike, treadmill, and other equipment. There’s also a newly introduced in-room spa menu with a range of restorative treatments. After a day on safari, guests tend to socialise around the fire-pit, which is accessed a few steps down from the main buildings. The camp’s swimming pool, set within its own deck complete with sunloungers, is perfect for relaxing between activities.

ACTIVITIES AT WILDERNESS CHITABE:

Below, we list activities offered at Wilderness Chitabe. Please note, the availability of guided walks depends on the level of the concession’s floodwaters and/or whether a suitable guide is in camp during your stay.

• Expertly guided game drives

  – These take place every morning and afternoon. The Chitabe Concession is one of the Okavango Delta’s drier areas, with sprawling plains and abundant acacia and mopane woodlands. Resident wildlife includes four of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Safarists can also look out for cheetah, hyena, wild dog, wildebeest, zebra, and an amazing assortment of antelopes, including the semi-aquatic red lechwe. The area is particularly famous for its healthy population of wild dog.

• Night drives

  – A knowledgeable guide leads spot-lit nocturnal adventures. You’ll set off after sundowners in search of noteworthy species, including civet, genet, porcupine, and the elusive pangolin.

• Guided safari walks

   – These are highly recommended for anyone interested in the smaller species within the concession. Walks are an excellent opportunity to get to know the resident insects, plants, and birdlife. Among the feathery friends you might encounter are the hawk-eagle, scarlet-chested sunbird, and red-billed francolin.

• Helicopter trips

   – The Delta is a place of astonishing beauty and diversity, and soaring over its waters, savanna, woods, and forests is a truly memorable experience. Please note that helicopter safaris 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.