Sitatunga Private Island Camp

OVERVIEW:

Brand new and opening in July 2023, this remote and truly wild ‘wet’ camp is going to get booked up fast! It has only three tents, and the emphasis is on exclusivity and appreciating the beautiful quieter waterways of the Okavango. Activities will be almost entirely water-based and Sitatunga will provide a wonderful change of pace for those hoping to get away from the busier 4x4 safari areas. The property has been designed to be booked in combination with Great Plains’ other luxury camps such as Selinda or Duba Plains, where classic safari drives are the go-to activity. So if you’re looking for a contrasting game experience and something genuinely unique – like finding yourself in total wilderness on a private island in the Delta – this is that camp!

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Sitatunga Private Island Camp is located within a private concession in the north-west of the Okavango Delta. It is one of the few places in the world where you can find the rare sitatunga antelope, after which the camp is named. These elusive creatures with their unique markings are specially adapted to semi-aquatic life. Within the magical waterways you can also expect to see herds of wading elephant forging pathways through the Delta, Nile crocodiles lurking in the reeds, hippos getting flustered, and a myriad of exceptional birdlife. To access the camp you’d fly into Duba Plains airstrip on scheduled light aircraft, and from here it’s a 10 minutes’ helicopter flight to the island. Boat transfers can also be arranged on request.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SITATUNGA PRIVATE ISLAND CAMP: 

Great Plains has a history of building fantastic safari camps, and we’re sure Sitatunga will be no different. The camp’s design, inspired by the local fishermen who have fished these waters for centuries, uses local artefacts, oversized baskets, and solid wooden poles to raise the tented suites up on wooden decks. Solar-powered aircon and fans keep rooms at an optimum temperature and there are plunge pools if you need to cool off in the heat of the day between safari activities.

Despite offering just three rooms, the island is split into a main camp with two rooms, and the larger family suite, which is even more private and capable of housing four adults, or two adults and three children. The family suite also has its own private guide and boat. So essentially Sitatunga allows you to have two separate small groups, enjoying high levels of privacy while on the island at the same time. Rooms will all be spacious and elegant, as in all Great Plains camps, and they’ll have the amenities we’d expect – a well-stocked fridge, twin washbasins, a hairdryer, a copper bath, an indoor shower, a flush loo, and comfy beds with lovely linen.

Great Plains is making a point of Duba being a fantastic, peaceful photography location, and will offer guests complimentary use of high-tech binoculars, as well as a professional camera complete with lenses. Photos you take on this camera will be downloaded for you onto a USB and available to take home at the end of your stay. Each room has its own fitness area, complete with stationary exercise bike, some weights, and a yoga mat. Massages are also available in-room at an additional cost.

ACTIVITIES AT SITATUNGA PRIVATE ISLAND CAMP:

With its stunning location at the heart of the main branch of the Delta, the camp offers mainly water-based activities. Please note that while the camp allows children from 6 years, there are some safari activities that have an older age restriction.

• Walking safaris (12+ years)

  - Accompanied by an expert guide, armed for your protection, this activity is perfect for travelers who want to get to know the smaller lives of Sitatunga Island, such as the plant life, insects, and hundreds of types of bird. You can occasionally track big game too.

• Boating and fishing

  - Why not explore the concession’s waterways on a boat cruise? There’s so much to see – hippos and Nile crocodiles and an abundance of waterbirds. The camp has flat-bottomed motorboats that even have swivel chairs, making getting that special photograph much easier. There is also excellent fishing and for some, this is the ideal way to pass time on the waterways!

• Mokoro canoes (12+ years)

  - You can also view the wildlife of the waters from aboard a mokoro, a dug-out canoe. As the mokoro doesn’t have a motor, you’ll be able to dedicate your full attention to the sounds of the mammals, reptiles, and birds all around you. It’s a magical way to glide down the river.

• Scenic flight

  - This activity needs to be pre-booked, and comes at an additional cost. You can jump on a plane and see the Okavango from the air – a stunning excursion, complete with a champagne stop at one of the Delta’s other islands!

*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.