Permanent Water Camps

Permanent water camps offer game-viewing by boat in the deep channels of the Okavango Delta and game walks on its islands.

Overview

The permanent water camps of the Okavango Delta are in the north-west and central part of the Okavango Delta. These camps are typically close to deep channels running through the delta. Here watery game viewing is predominantly by motorboat. (As it's often too deep for mokoros to pole.) Plus game walks on the delta’s islands with an experienced, armed guide.

These permanent water camps in the Okavango Delta offer a completely different safari experience to the more land-orientated camps. Game-viewing tends not to be as varied, given this predominance of water. But this is offset by the superb birding in these areas, stunning watery landscapes and the opportunity for walking safaris on the islands.

If you have time, we strongly recommend including either a seasonal or permanent water camp alongside a camp which has more of a focus on game drives. Then you get a well-rounded experience of all aspects of the Delta. But we don't recommend a water-based safari camp as your ONLY Okavango delta camp.

Activities in the permanent water camps include walking safaris, boating, fishing on a catch and release basis, as well as mokoro safaris at some lodges (depending on the location) and sometimes game drives (These are in the drier months only and not guaranteed.

Permanent Water-based camps in Okavango delta, barge dinner in the river

 

 

Features

Why you may love it

  • Superb birding - Okavango birding specials include Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmer, slaty egret, wattled crane, lesser jacana and plenty of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers
  • Focus on walking safaris on the islands
  • The permanent waters offer some of the Delta’s special animals such as tssesebe, lechwe and waterbuck
  • Remote locations giving a great sense of tranquillity and wilderness
  • Some of the camps in the panhandle offer fishing as an activity

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Accommodation

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Nxamaseri – Kate’s Review

What a special place is Nxamaseri! It was a BIG favourite with us.  This is a wonderful lodge to include for longer itineraries, especially if you fancy a bit of a break from early morning game drives.

The camp is in an exceptionally pretty location and is a very attractive camp as well. It offers just the right amount of luxury with a relaxed safari vibe.

BUT it is a special interest camp rather than a safari camp. There is not much wildlife (hippos, monkeys, evidence of elephants) but it is wonderful for birding, especially in the summer months with the European migratory birds adding to their sightings.

So you come here for the following (special) activities:

  • Excursion to san bushmen rock paintings at nearby Tsodilo Hills, especially if you include a stay at their newly built sleep-out experience.
  • Birding including possible sightings of the extremely rare Pels Fishing Owl
  • Tiger fishing - this is a WONDERFUL experience even for inexperienced amateurs such as me.
  • Enjoying the boating/mokoro/island walks*

As such, it should be seen as a BREAK from a full-on safari with the opportunity to do something different. So ideal if you are spending 8+ nights in Botswana. Or if you have been before and keen to see the Panhandle. Nxamaseri island lodge

The Honeymoon chalet is slightly larger with a larger deck with loungers (but it doesn’t face the sunrise). Room 2 is more forested so perhaps ideal for the hotter summer months. Rooms 4 to 8 have a good river view with the sunrise.

 

Cedarberg : Kate Bergh
 
Did you know
  • Flow11 km³ of water flows into the delta each year
  • HipposToo deep for Mokoro rides due to hippos

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Mari Jacobs

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Hi I’m Mari, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience

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