SANDIBE UNDER CANVAS

The camp is located in the 22,500-hectare Sandibe Private Concession, immediately south of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. This is particularly good predator country, with the concession renowned for sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog, as well as elephant, buffalo and a wide range of plains game. 

Sandibe Under Canvas deliberately takes safari back to basics, drawing inspiration from the classic safari camps of the early 20th century, but without sacrificing the comforts needed for a modern stay. It is semi-permanent rather than a traditional mobile camp, with just three guest tents arranged amongst the trees and an open-sided communal living and dining area. The main guest area has a simple wooden floor, comfortable seating and a relaxed dining space, while a sandy boma provides an atmospheric setting for meals cooked over an open fire. Rather than a swimming pool, spa or elaborate guest facilities, the camp's appeal is its intimacy and its connection to the bush. Evenings are spent around the fire, dining beneath the stars and listening to the sounds of the Delta with meals prepared over an open fire and shared in a relaxed family-style setting.

The camp is powered entirely by solar energy and provides hot running water, fans, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and charging facilities. This makes it much more comfortable than the phrase "under canvas" might suggest, while still retaining a genuine wilderness character. Children aged 12 years and older are accepted.

There are only three spacious canvas tents, each with a private veranda and positioned beneath the trees of the Sandibe concession. The rooms are intentionally uncomplicated, with contemporary safari furniture, wide comfortable beds and natural colours and materials reflecting the surrounding Delta. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with double basins, a hot shower and flushing toilet, while standing fans provide cooling during the warmer months. There is also Wi-Fi, USB charging and electrical sockets.

The principal activity is twice-daily game drives across the private concession. The Sandibe area is particularly renowned for predators, and the combination of abundant prey, woodland and open floodplain provides good opportunities for lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Elephant and buffalo are also regularly encountered. The private concession means that game drives can be more flexible than those in a national park, with night drives adding another dimension to the safari. Guided walking safaris provide a completely different perspective, concentrating on tracks, plants, insects, birds and the smaller details of the ecosystem. The walking experience is particularly well suited to the intimate nature of the camp, allowing guests to slow down and appreciate the environment beyond the larger wildlife sightings.

The Sandibe concession is predominantly a land-based safari area, although seasonal water levels can influence the character of the landscape. Birding is excellent, and boating or fishing may be available depending on seasonal conditions. The real strength, however, is the predator-focused game viewing and the feeling of being deep in an uncrowded part of the Delta.

Open April - January