Vumbura Plains Camp

premier Camp | Okavango Delta, Botswana

(5.00)
| Read Reviews | Write a Review

Vumbura Plains Camp, prettily decorated master bedroom with wonderful wood flooring and a twisting canopy for bug protection in Botswana, AfricaVumbura Plains Camp, gorgeous master bedroom with king bed and overhanging canopy with inset couch for wildlife viewing through surrounding windowsVumbura Plains Camp, open to the air lounge area covered by a rainstopping roof with fashionable furniture and interesting wilderness views, BotswanaVumbura Plains Camp, relaxing outdoor lounge space with expansive views of the lush green African savanna in Botswana, Africa safarisVumbura Plains Camp, brilliantly lit private dining table set on secluded viewing deck at dusk for prime animal sighting in Botswana, Africa safarisVumbura Plains Camp, lineup of chairs perfectly encircling the crackling campfire as the sun sets majestically over clouds in Botswana, AfricaVumbura Plains Camp, calming indoor lounge area filled with comfortable furniture, indoor rope swing and elegant finishes in Botswana, Africa safarisVumbura Plains Camp, interesting purple table clothes highlight an immaculately decorated dining room and a flower mural on the wall, BotswanaVumbura Plains Camp, an outdoor massage on a table amidst the grasses and water holes of Botswana given by a safari worker in Africa, Botswana safariVumbura Plains Camp, herd of African elephants abutt the edge of the safari camp sheltered between the branches of the vibrant trees in BotswanaVumbura Plains Camp, secluded dining experience for two set at a table in the middle of the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, Botswana safaris, AfricaVumbura Plains Camp, a safari guest couple is poled through the magnificent Okavango River Delta in a traditional grooved canoe in Botswana, AfricaVumbura Plains Camp, a lone lioness observes her kingdom from a rock outcropping covered by an expanding green bush in Botswana, Africa safarisVumbura Plains Camp, a leopards head is seen resting on the limb of a tree it climbed with a leaf poking from between his paws in Botswana, Africa141516171819Vumbura Plains Camp, camp seen nestled in the bank of the river over the marshes and wetlands of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa safarisVumbura Plains Camp, exquisite outdoor deck lounge area with welcoming light blue pool and viewing areas for wildlife sightings all around, BotswanaVumbura Plains Camp, two lionesses sit atop a small hill unperturbed by the unlooking safari guests in their safari vehicle feet away in BotswanaVumbura Plains Camp, an overhead view of a quite large group of hippopotamus meandering through the Okavango Delta in search of food, BotswanaThumb_map
Carat-left
Carat-right

Vumbura Plains is a luxury camp situated in a private concession in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta. The unique location of the concession, which is leased from the neighboring community, encompasses such a wide variety of habitats and species that it has representatives of just about every animal that lives in the Okavango. The camp itself is among the most luxurious in the delta, offering extraordinary comfort in an extraordinary tract of wilderness.

The Camp | Facilities & Amenities | Wildlife Viewing & Activities | Safari Itineraries | Climate | Conservation | Camp Reviews
Photo of Ben Forbes

Our Expert Says

The Okavango Delta is nothing short of a wilderness miracle, and the Vumbura area offers superb year-round safari potential, with wildlife drives, seasonal walks and access to the water that this region is famous for. The camp itself offers an exceptionally high level of luxury and provides a great introduction to the best of Botswana.

– Ben Forbes

Vumbura Plains Camp, camp seen nestled in the bank of the river over the marshes and wetlands of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa safaris

The Camp

Location: Okavango Delta
Number of Rooms: 14 (between two separate camps)

Few Okavango camps match the level of luxury offered at Vumbura Plains. Guests enjoy exceptional privacy and service in two separate camps, each with its own raised dining, lounge and bar areas tucked beneath a canopy of indigenous shade trees. From every location, magnificent vistas extend across the floodplains. A star-gazing deck with comfortable cushions surveys the plains, and a convivial campfire setting invites nighttime conversation. When it’s time to retire, guests return to large suites on raised wooden decks. Each comprises an open-concept bedroom, lounge, shower and en suite bathroom, with an outdoor shower as well. Rooms have screens on three sides, and the billowing curtains between the various areas create the sense of a yacht floating through the floodplains. Each room also has a spacious private deck with its own plunge pool and *sala*—a comfortable space to lie and relax, watching the waving grasses. North camp features two family suites, each sleeping two children in a separate en suite bedroom.

Back to top

Vumbura Plains Camp, exquisite outdoor deck lounge area with welcoming light blue pool and viewing areas for wildlife sightings all around, Botswana

Facilities & Amenities

  • En suite bathroom with indoor/outdoor showers
  • Family Accommodation: 2 family units, each with 2 en suite bedrooms with private entrances connected by shared deck (2nd bedroom is smaller with no outdoor shower, mini bar or fan)
  • Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion and insect repellent
  • Hair dryer
  • Room fan
  • Mini bar
  • Tea/coffee in room
  • 220v charging outlets in room
  • Wi-Fi available
  • In-room safe
  • Exercise mat and light weights in room
  • Private plunge pool
  • In-room massage (extra cost)
  • Laundry included
  • Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
  • Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
  • No air conditioning, telephone or cellular coverage

Back to top

Photo: Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Vumbura Plains sits within the private Kwedi Reserve, a nearly 150,000-acre tract of wilderness in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta. The diverse vegetation here ranges from open floodplains to treed islands and dense mopane bushveld, offering spectacular wildlife viewing and birding year-round. The camp offers both land and water activities, including drives in open 4x4 vehicles, seasonal nature walks (subject to availability of a qualified walking guide), mokoro trips and boat excursions. Within this rich ecosystem, expect close-up viewing of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and buffalo along with all the plains wildlife. The Vumbura area is possibly the only area in the Okavango Delta where one can see red lechwe (which inhabits the fringes of the waterways) and sable antelope (an animal that prefers dry countryside) on the same wildlife drive. Around camp, the jackalberry, African mangosteen and giant sausage trees provide shelter for a tremendous range of wildlife, and birding is always incredible, both in variety and numbers.

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

Back to top

Back to top

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

Back to top

Vumbura Plains Camp, an overhead view of a quite large group of hippopotamus meandering through the Okavango Delta in search of food, Botswana

Conservation

Vumbura Plains Camp is part of a community participation plan known as the Okavango Community Trust (OCT), which brings the benefits of ecotourism to the local communities of the Okavango Delta. The five villages, which are located on the northern perimeter of the Okavango Delta in the Moremi Game Reserve, are part of the trust, which helps to manage the affairs of the community to ensure that rewards are fairly distributed. The Okavango Community Trust has developed a partnership with the owners of Vumbura Plains Camp in order to create a mutually beneficial ecotourism model for Botswana residents and visitors alike. The land on which the camp is located is leased from the community. Locals benefit from employment opportunities, skills development and the camp’s ongoing commitment to support higher living standards in the community.

Back to top

Reviews for Vumbura Plains Camp

(5.00)

Review Vumbura Plains Camp
Month of travel: July
"My family group of ten spent 4 days in Vumbura Plains Camp in July 2014. Ages were 9 yers to 67 years of age. The experience was wonderful for all age groups and comfortable for all age groups. So much to see and so many ways to see it from the usual range rover safaris to the water safaris and safari walks. The ranger/trackers were just gret and the house staff very efficient, friendly and organized. The facilities are top notch and beautifully appointed.We would return to Vumbura and in fact voted it the top site that we visited on our 2 week journey through South Africa, Zambia and Botswana. S. McCarthy Evansville, Indiana USA"
- S. McCarthy
Month of travel: November
"Loved our stay here! The rooms are gigantic and very well appointed and the staff was so attentive. The best memory I took home from here was viewing a 3 day old leopard cub in a tree - truly adorable!"
- P. Eichmann
Month of travel: January
"Vumbura Plains Camp was the ultimate in luxury and spectacular surroundings. The staff was fantastic and met our needs before we knew we had them. The individual "chalets" were amazing in their design. What they called your "room" was the equivalent of 4 large rooms with no walls between them. The furniture and design made them flow into each other. The views looked onto an open grassland and/or waterway depending on the water levels from the rainy season and flooding that occurs annually. The surrounding area was lush with outstanding wildlife viewing. The mokoro ride was beautiful as we glided through patches of water lilies with the setting sun reflecting on the water."
- T. Blase
Month of travel: January
"Wow! I want to move to Botswana and live here forever! Talk about being spoiled - Vumbura Plains Camp is it! An amazing oasis with the Okavango Delta all around. The private plunge pool was heaven! Great wildlife, too. Lots and lots of elephants, giraffes, hippos, leopards. Extra special attention by all the staff including a wonderful lunch in the bush. Looking for a really special place - Vumbura Plains Camp - book it! "
- C. Gibson
Month of travel: February
"After my visit, I want to knock down my home and rebuild in the exact architectural style. The open wall to the Delta, the modern decor, the open floorplan - someone needs to alert architectural digest. Amazing - stunning! And the wildlife was amazing too"
- T. Gaylord
Month of travel: April
"It is a challenge to walk into Vumbura Plains Camp and not let your jaw hit the ground. The main camp area is a large open space with a dining area, star gazing couches, bon fire pit and endless views of the delta. The "rooms" (let's call them what they are - small houses) are basically fully fenced-in areas with private pools and more views. Sunsets are ridiculous on the deck and the food was top notch. Our driver, Ollie and tracker, Go, did a great job. A highlight was the sunset mokoro excursion to an island for some cocktails and snacks. This is a camp that when you leave, you'll somehow regret not spending more time in your room. They truly are that amazing."
- A. Kutch

Back to top

Large_vumbura_-_main Large_vumbura_-_1 Large_vumbura_-_2 Large_vumbura_-_3 Large_vumbura_-_4 Large_vumbura_-_5 Large_vumbura_-_6 Large_vumbura_-_7 Large_vumbura_-_8 Large_vumbura_-_9 Large_vumbura_-_10 Large_vumbura_-_11 Large_vumbura_-_12 Large_vumbura_-_13 Large_vumbura_-_14 Large_vumbura_-_15 Large_vumbura_-_16 Large_vumbura_-_17 Large_vumbura_-_18 Large_vumbura_-_19