Wilderness said it plans to open the Wilderness Mokete tented camp in September in previously uncharted territory for safari camps: the famed Mababe wilderness area on the eastern fringe of the Okavango Delta.
The first of its kind in this location, Mokete will be a limited edition: available to book for two years only. The camp will consist of nine en-suite canvas tents, with a tented lounge area and swimming pool connected by ground level wooden walkways. Each suite will have a retractable roof that slides away to reveal the stars.
Rendering of the main lodge at the Wilderness Mokete tented camp. Photo Credit: Wilderness Mokete
“While we have no doubt that the camp itself will offer a wonderful experience with delicious local food and warm hospitality, our focus is on the out-of-camp experience,” said Kim Nixon, Wilderness Botswana managing director. “Lions often spend the daylight hours on the hunt in Mababe; taking down buffaloes in and around the marsh, with hyenas in clans of up to 60 often competing with them. With no other commercial properties in the area, our guests can choose to stay out on drive as long as they wish. Here, time is dictated by nature, not the clock.”
Between two parks
Situated between two national parks, the roughly 200-square-mile Mababe Concession sits on the eastern fringe of the Okavango Delta and the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, to the south of Chobe National Park. Here nutrient-rich grasses are fed with a constant supply of water thanks to the Mababe River, which started flowing again in 2007, and the waters of the Okavango, which drain into the Mababe wetland. This supports an amazing and unique ecosystem of great herds, an abundance of predators and a plethora of birdlife.
As Mokete is a limited edition camp, Wilderness said it will be building Meraka, a signature camp to take its place in 2026. Meraka will welcome 24 guests in 10 rooms, including two family units.