The Okavango Delta is an utterly unique wildlife destination.
Formed thanks to a shift in the earth’s tectonics which rendered the Okavango River unable to reach the sea, the delta now sits as an inland paradise; a union of land, water and sky which is as close as one can get to finding a true wildlife Eden.
Sitting along the delta’s northern edge lies Vumbura Plains, one of Wilderness Safaris’ Premier Camp offerings. 14 luxuriously appointed chalets line a pristine waterway in which elephants wade daily, otters regularly swim past, and the plethora of birdlife that defines the Okavango is a constant spectacle.
Vumbura Plains is separated into Vumbura North and South, with the separate camps boasting slightly different decor and a slightly different emphasis, with the south camp being geared more towards couples on honeymoon and the north camp aimed at families and larger groups.
The wildlife viewing between the two is essentially the same though – incredible – and even just the walk between your room and the main lodge area along the raised walkway is almost sure to gift you a sighting of some sort. The semi-aquatic lechwe and multiple other antelope species are regularly seen grazing behind the camp, and the warning chatter of monkeys is a regular audio cue that signals a leopard is on the prowl.
The suites themselves all feature a private plunge pool set on a broad deck, with expansive views out over the lagoon on which the lodge is situated. The decks are set low so that visitors are regularly afforded eye-level views of elephants feeding in the aquatic grasses growing beneath the delta’s surface.
Imagine having a dip in the lazy midday warmth and the world’s largest land mammal just happens to be feeding only a few feet from your pool!
The camp itself is one thing – and is so impressive it’s almost reason enough not to head out on game drive – but it’s the wildlife that people travel all the way round the world to see, and Vumbura will certainly not disappoint. The diverse mosaic of habitats, from seasonally inundated channels to small islands, acacia woodlands and expansive grasslands, means that a diversity of species can be supported too.
There is a constant lion presence in the area, leopards are regularly sighted draped from the boughs of the impressive Jackalberry trees, and tssessebe, sable, kudu and giraffe are all found in relative abundance. The bird life is also impressive, and Okavango specials like the rosy-throated longclaw and long-toed lapwing are regularly sighted.
Vumbura Plains is truly one of the jewels in the Wilderness Safari – and Botswanan – crown.
Luxury suites, an amazing mix of water-and land-based activities, wildlife around every corner, suites that you could spend all day lounging in… it is the definition of what a luxury safari should be.