About Duba Expedition Camp
Duba Expedition Camp sits at the heart of a 77,000-acre private concession, welcoming every visitor to a unique landscape of islands, plains, and woodlands.
This six-tent camp, a wildlife connoisseur’s getaway, is the only camp in the concession, offering a rare and rewarding opportunity for private sightings. Built on a wooded island and connected to the prolific wildlife area by an elaborate set of bridges, it provides an intimate and secluded experience.
Location and Partnership
Duba Expedition Camp, located in the Kwedi Reserve, is part of a joint venture partnership between Great Plains Conservation and the Okavango Community Trust, the representative body for five villages in the Okavango Panhandle.
Accommodation
The camp consists of six expedition-style tents made of light, airy canvas, each set on slightly raised decking with individual views of the breathtaking floodplain. Each tent includes a small desk, private verandah, and en-suite facilities. A relaxing atmosphere is maintained by fans and a careful open-air design.
The main area, consisting of an open-concept dining and lounge space, opens to the outdoors on all sides under sweeping marquis canvas. In the evenings, the fire pit is a popular spot to enjoy an Amarula and recount the day’s events.
Wildlife and Birdwatching
Duba Expedition Camp prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences. The diverse wildlife in the area includes large herds of Red lechwe, Greater kudu, tsessebe, and even giraffe, which were once rare sightings.
Elephants and hippos are frequently seen trudging through the swamps, along with predators like leopard and nocturnal species such as Brown hyena. Wildlife sightings are common right within the camp.
Birdwatchers will find the area a paradise, with Okavango ‘specials’ such as the rare Wattled crane, Pel’s Fishing owl, White-backed Night heron, and Marsh owl.
Activities
Game Drives: Day and night game drives take place in some of Botswana’s most coveted vehicles. Duba’s unique Toyota Land Cruisers, aptly named ‘Swamp Vehicles’ due to their extra-high suspension and huge tyres, are designed to traverse the floodplains and channels of the concession in comfort.
These vehicles are open-sided, canopied, and customised for photographers with fold-down screens, raised roofs, photographic bars, and multi-plug inverters. With just four to six guests per vehicle, they are fully stocked with drinks and snacks.
Drives focus on the most comfortable times of day—early to mid-morning and late afternoon to evening—but full-day excursions with brunch or dinner delivered to the vehicles are not uncommon. The schedule is extremely flexible, allowing guests to create their own itinerary, and often safaris will continue into the night in search of nocturnal species.
Boat Safaris: Duba Expedition Camp is a combination activity-based camp, allowing guests to explore the Okavango Delta’s permanent channels by boat when water levels permit. This offers an invigorating yet peaceful experience, ideal for wildlife and birding viewing from the water.
Guided Game Walks: Guests can also enjoy guided game walks with licensed, armed guides. These walks can be combined with boat cruises or game drives for a more comprehensive experience.
Facilities
- Laundry Service (at additional charge)
- Shop/Boutique
- Binoculars in guest tents
- Limited WiFi in guest tents
- Massage Service (at additional charge)
- Yoga mats and bands in guest tents