The Camp

Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Number of Tents: 8

Chitabe’s eight luxurious Meru-style tents are built on elevated wooden decks beneath a canopy of trees in the Okavango Delta. Each spacious tented room is appointed with contemporary furnishings and en suite facilities with flush toilets, shower and basin with hot and cold running water. An outdoor shower is an added treat for those who prefer to shower under the stars. Attractive raised walkways connect each room with the main living area. The thatched dining area, pub and lounge are built on raised decks to provide superb views across the delta’s floodplain. A pool gives guests a chance to cool off in the heat of the day. The beautiful camp is situated on one of the most inviting islands in the delta, surrounded by ancient ebony and leadwood trees.

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Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom with indoor/outdoor showers
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion and insect repellent
• Hair dryer
• Room fan
• Tea/coffee in room
• 220v charging outlets in room
• Wi-Fi available
• In-room safe
• Central plunge pool
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
• No air conditioning, telephone, or Internet

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Chitabe lies at the intersection of a variety of habitats that are home to an exceptionally diverse number of species. A variety of predators are on view around the camp, including lion, leopard and cheetah. Safari activities include day and night wildlife drives in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks (subject to availability of a qualified walking guide) and spectacular birdwatching. Guests can expect to see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, tsessebe, impala, wild dog and red lechwe. Night drives reveal glimpses of nocturnal mammals such as civet, serval, genet, porcupine and aardwolf. The high numbers of impala in the area mean leopard are often seen near Chitabe Camp. Birding varies according to the time of year. Raptors are abundant here, including the African hawk eagle, and hooded vulture often nest on the island. You may also see families of ground hornbill, greater honeyguide, scarlet-chested sunbird, red-billed hornbill, gabar goshawk and red-billed francolin.

The Okavango Delta is a year-round wildlife viewing destination, with the peak mammal viewing in the dry winter between June and October and fantastic birding all year. The below chart shows major wildlife sightings. Other typical sightings may include small mammals, such as jackals, foxes, caracal and serval, and a wide variety of birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements and can vary from camp to camp, since many camps are located on islands.

Climate

Conservation

Chitabe Camp contributes to the Botswana Predator Conservation Project through the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project. Dave and Helene Hamman, owners of both Chitabe Camp and Chitabe Lediba Camp, have dedicated many years to photographing the African wild dog. Their efforts, combined with the extensive knowledge of Dr. "Tico" McNutt, culminated in the book Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog. Ongoing research, as well as addressing the surrounding communities' attitudes toward these animals, has resulted in a gradual increase in awareness of the plight of the endangered African wild dog. Chitabe Camp also hosted a two-year Cambridge University study on fire ecology and its effects on rodent populations. The study uncovered vital information about the delta's small mammal fauna, which has never before been studied in depth. The findings on the impacts of fire will be incorporated into management plans for the Okavango Delta.

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