Chitabe Camp

distinctive Camp | Okavango Delta, Botswana

(5.00)
| Read Reviews | Write a Review

Chitabe Camp is situated in a private concession on an island in the southeastern section of the Okavango Delta. This area is a breathtaking mosaic of open floodplains, waterways, marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine forest and grasslands. The multiplicity of habitats surrounding Chitabe Camp means there is an abundance of wildlife and spectacular birdwatching to be seen on day and night wildlife drives.

Photo of Rick Guthke

Our Expert Says

Chitabe Camp has such a great location, as it sits on a reserve bordering the famous Moremi area on three sides. This has always proven to be an extremely productive area for finding not only quintessential big African wildlife, but really special predator sightings, including wild dog and a variety of cats!

– Rick Guthke


Chitabe Camp, thatched lounge with contemporary furniture, luxurious trappings with high vaulted celing, beautiful wood-panneled ceiling, Africa

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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Chitabe camp, spacious modern bathroom, equisite indoor/outdoor shower, dual vanity sinks, canvas ceiling, stained hardwood floors, Okavango Delta

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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Photo: Wildlife Viewing & Activities

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.

Country Park/Reserve
Buffalo
Cheetah
Eland
Elephant
Giraffe
Greater Kudu
Hippo
Hyena
Leopard
Lion
Sable Antelope
Wild Dog
Wildebeest
Zebra
Botswana Okavango Delta

Usually viewed
Frequently viewed
Occasionally viewed
Sporadically viewed
Rarely to never viewed

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Climate

Month Max Min Rainfall
January 90° F 64° F 4.21 in
32° C 17° C 107 mm
February 88° F 63° F 3.11 in
31° C 17° C 79 mm
March 86° F 61° F 2.8 in
30° C 16° C 71 mm
April 84° F 54° F 0.71 in
28° C 12° C 18 mm
May 79° F 45° F 0.2 in
26° C 7° C 5 mm
June 73° F 43° F 0.12 in
22° C 6° C 3 mm
July 75° F 46° F 0.0 in
23° C 7° C 0 mm
August 81° F 48° F 0.0 in
27° C 8° C 0 mm
September 91° F 57° F 0.0 in
32° C 13° C 0 mm
October 95° F 59° F 0.91 in
35° C 15° C 23 mm
November 91° F 66° F 2.2 in
32° C 18° C 56 mm
December 91° F 66° F 3.39 in
32° C 18° C 86 mm

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Chitabe camp, guided canoe river tour, grooved canoe, young child with water flowers, lily pads on the river, Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa safari

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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Reviews for Chitabe Camp

(5.00)

Review Chitabe Camp
Month of travel: September
"This camp us really, really special. The wildlife here is as strong as I have seen and the entire service and experience is top notch."
- M. Weintz
Month of travel: January
"Chitabe Camp was our final destination on our Botswana safari. It was an amazing camp with wonderful accommodations. Our individual tent was up on a platform overlooking an open grassland. We were intent on finding the wild dogs and had an incredible experience tracking them down one day through late morning and late afternoon game drives that culminated in success just before sunset! We eventually saw the wild dogs on four game drives, one of which included following them as they made a kill. What a phenomenal experience! There were numerous other mammal and bird sightings, including leopards. I can't wait to go back here some day!"
- T. Blase
Month of travel: January
"Chitabe will always hold a special place in my heart as I saw my first wild dogs while at this amazing camp! The accommodations were wonderful, too. Who knew an outside shower was such a great experience! This camp has a great little open air library that is the perfect afternoon meeting place with a refreshing Pimms! I loved being so close to the wildlife while at Chitabe. One of the best camps I've ever enjoyed in Africa! "
- C. Gibson
Month of travel: June
"Perfect ! "
- J. Plum
Month of travel: February
"The boma dinner was a highlight of my Africa trip! I also don't know how the camp isn't the highest level of luxury rating either - my tent was just stunning. "
- V. Hayes
Month of travel: April
"Chitabe was our first camp in the delta and we absolutely loved everything about it. Given that any camp experience depends on many factors: the actual accommodation, the staff, the weather, the wildlife, the guests, etc... Chitabe proved to be "the most fun" camp we stayed on our safari. Our guide Dawson (who was also camp manager - jumping in for a guide who became ill) was not only a wealth of knowledge with a knack for finding great wildlife, but he was also funny and charismatic either at the dinner table, around the campfire in the boma or out in the bush. This is one of those camps that you don't want to leave, and you miss... after you do. I highly recommend trying the "mamba sauce". Chitabe is renowned for it's leopard and wild dog - both of which we saw during our stay."
- D. Yost

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