MOKETE CAMP

Mababe River

An untamed, crowd-free safari where the emphasis is on big landscapes and big game

Mokete is a strikingly remote and contemporary safari camp set deep within Botswana’s Mababe Depression, on a vast private concession between the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park. This is a raw, little-explored wilderness where open grasslands meet seasonal marsh and woodland, creating one of the most wildlife-rich yet uncrowded areas in northern Botswana.

The camp’s position near a permanent wetland—often the only reliable water source for miles—draws extraordinary concentrations of plains game and predators, giving it a reputation for some of the most dramatic wildlife viewing in the country.

The style of Mokete is intentionally minimalist and modern, designed to immerse guests in the landscape rather than distract from it. Opened in 2024, the camp blends contemporary architecture with natural textures and neutral tones, creating a refined but understated feel. It is fully solar-powered and built with a light environmental footprint, reinforcing its “off-the-map” wilderness ethos.

Accommodation consists of just nine spacious tented suites, ensuring an intimate experience. The rooms are elevated on wooden platforms with expansive glass fronts that open out onto uninterrupted views of the plains. Inside, the design is clean and elegant, with modern comforts such as air-conditioning, while outside each suite features a private plunge pool. One of the most distinctive features is the retractable roof, allowing guests to sleep under the stars and feel fully connected to the surrounding wilderness.

The central guest areas are similarly stylish yet relaxed, including a lounge, bar, dining area, firepit, and swimming pool—all positioned to overlook the vast grasslands and passing wildlife. There is also a sunken hide near the water, offering eye-level viewing of animals as they come to drink, adding a unique and immersive perspective to the experience.

Food at Mokete is flexible and experience-driven rather than overly formal. Days are shaped around wildlife activity, with options such as bush lunches out on game drives so guests don’t miss key sightings. Back in camp, dining is often al fresco under the stars, with a focus on fresh, well-prepared cuisine and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.

Activities centre on exceptional game viewing within this private concession. Game drives are the core experience, focusing on the area’s famed mega-herds of buffalo, zebra, and elephant, as well as high densities of predators including lion, hyena, cheetah, and wild dog. The open terrain allows for dramatic predator-prey interactions, often visible even during the day. Time at the hide, as well as simply watching wildlife from camp, adds to the sense that the experience here is constant and immersive rather than scheduled.