Mombo Camp Hotel is a luxurious tented camp on a private island looking over floodplains that literally teem with wildlife. At the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. This very special and exclusive camp provides the ultimate safari retreat. When the first safari guides set out exploring the Okavango Delta there was a myth of an area the locals called 'Borea'. They described it as a wetland paradise dotted with palm-fringed islands, lilly-scattered floodplains and a density of game none of the Yei paddlers had ever seen. The area they talked of was to the north of Simbira, at the northernmost point of Chief's Island at the heart of the Okavango Delta. Trapped by flood waters throughout much of the year and left unexplored because of endless, unchartered flood plains, Borea remained untouched but for the privileged few. Today the legendary area of Borea is called Mombo, a private concession in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Mombo Camp takes pride of place in the concession; game viewing throughout the year is unrivalled. This is the ‘predator capital of Africa’, and the only place in Botswana where the 'Big Five' can be seen on one Africa safari. Hidden from the world within Botswana's Okavango Delta and situated just off the north-western tip of Chiefs Island is the secret paradise of Mombo. The "new" Mombo Camp (opened in 2000) is situated deep within the Moremi Game Reserve on a scenic island about 800 metres from the "old" Mombo camp. Large concentrations of wildlife occur right in front of the new camp and can be viewed all day from the main deck or from the privacy of your luxury room. It is quite possible to see up to twelve different mammal species from the comfort of your veranda! Giant umbrella thorns and Ilala palms dot the expansive plains to create a magnificent savannah landscape alongside the marshes and floodplains of the Okavango Delta. Mombo and Little Mombo are owned by Wilderness Safaris in conjunction with African safaris and Adventures. Early in 2002, Wilderness Safaris (which operates Mombo camp and many other luxury safari tented camps in Southern Africa) in conjunction with Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks have begun the process of reintroducing White Rhinos in the Moremi Game Reserve on Chiefs Island (at Mombo camp). Five white rhino's were originally released (in 2002) and an additional ten rhinos were released late in 2003 - all at Mombo Camp. The Rhinos are doing well and are seen regularly around Mombo and Chief's camps. It is for this and other similar reasons that Mombo has become so renowned as one of the top wildlife viewing locations in all of Africa. The fantastically atmospheric Mombo Camp was designed by architects Silvio Rech and his partner Lesley Carstens with the aim of providing tourist absolute luxury whilst also maintaining an atmosphere of Africa’s finest classic tented safari camps.

To make things that little bit harder, their design brief stated that the feel was to be elegant, restrained, understated, colonial, real, timeless and enduring. The design goal was to capture the essence, spirit and feeling of the site itself and craft a camp that would blend organically into its surroundings, subtly conveying that it had been there for years…so not the easiest of tasks. Over the next six months, Silvio and Lesley lived at Mombo camp, working with the builders, artisans and craftsmen and inputting into every aspect of the camp’s construction. Their thoughts were simple: live in the middle of the Okavango with no distractions and design and creativity flows naturally – the place focuses the mind. One of their principle design priorities was how to maintain the essential interaction with the camp’s natural surroundings whilst also providing unparalleled levels of luxury.

They were determined that Mombo should offer guests an African wilderness experience that evokes the magic and mystique of the great African tented safaris of the early part of the century. In completion, they created a camp that seemingly dissolves into its environment, capturing the essence, spirit and feeling of its surroundings. By paying specific attention to the finer details at Mombo it becomes evident just how the designers conceptualised the smallest factors; guests will notice a colonial under current; sherry decanters, military chests, brass lamps and writing desks coupled with a naturalist feel created by wicker furniture, reed blinds, porcupine lampshades, Kuba and Shoow cloths and original inspirations such as pygmie beds from the Congo that have been converted into coffee tables! The result is an eclectic mixture of old and new that compliments the diversity of Mombo’s habitat and subtly caters for every lavish want.

Mombo Camp When to Travel - It is simply impossible to say when the best time of year is to be at Mombo camp for the best wildlife viewing. There are benefits to each time of year and to each season. Peak season is from July to October, but there is no doubt that Mombo and the Moremi Game Reserve provides consistently stunning game viewing all year round. One of the main reasons is that the vast majority of wildlife around Mombo is resident, roaming throughout the Moremi concession but rarely leaving it. The predators for example, especially lion and leopard, (which have made Mombo so well known) are resident to the Mombo Concession and can be seen throughout the year.
Overall, it is true to say that Mombo has some of the best safari in Africa for the entirity of the year. The concentrations of all the predators and plains game fluctuates but not to a significantly noticeable effect. As one client once said, ‘if i were an animal this is where id live’ and the reality is that that is true;the vast majority of game really has no reason to leave.

Mombo Camp Accommodation
The design of the new Mombo is radically different from the old Mombo while still retaining its tented charm. The camp has a total of 12 identical guest rooms divided into two distinct and independent camps. Mombo has 9 rooms and Little Mombo has 3 rooms. Each tented room is raised off the ground offering great views over the floodplains. The new rooms have a tented camp feel, but are luxuriously appointed. The bathrooms are en suite, including an indoor shower with hot and cold running water. There is also an outdoor shower. The main living area is under thatch and canvas. There are swimming pools at both camps. Raised walkways link the main camp and dining areas to each of the rooms. Mombo Camp & Little Mombo has a "kgotla" or boma for outdoor dining under the stars. For honeymooners, there is a private lounge with sala and a private dining deck. Complimentary laundry services are provided.

Mombo Camp Activities
Mombo’s primary safari is game drives. No water activities are available although guests will see water in the area at times throughout the year.
Game drives via 4 x 10 seater open 4 x 4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of six or seven guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.
Game drives on Chiefs Island
Night drives are not possible at the moment but will change when the new Moremi Wildlife Reserve rules come into effect.
Private vehicles are available on request (maximum five vehicles in the concession with three primarily being used at Mombo main camp, one at Little Mombo and one available for private vehicle booking).
Short game walks can be offered during siesta time on request.

Little Mombo Camp
Little Mombo Camp is also situated on Mombo Island and is an extension to Mombo Camp, built under the shade of large trees and overlooking part of the same floodplain as Mombo Camp itself. Little Mombo however is all about privacy - the three tented guest rooms are a fair distance from the rest of the camp and it has private communal areas (all in the same design and feel as Mombo) and a private plunge pool.  Just as at Mombo Camp, the connecting walkways are up to two meters off the ground, allowing game to wander freely through the camp - but at the same time allowing for guest safety. The dining room, bar and living area overlook the open plain in front of the camp and there is a plunge pool for relaxing in the heat of the day.
Little Mombo Camp Accommodation
The three tented guest rooms and connecting walkways are up to two meters off the ground, allowing game to wander freely through the camp - but at the same time allowing for guest safety. The rooms are comfortably furnished, spacious and well appointed and have en-suite facilities under canvas - and an additional outdoor shower for those who enjoy a shower under the stars.  The dining room, pub and living area overlook the open plain in front of the camp and there is a plunge pool for relaxing in the heat of the day.

Little Mombo Activities at Little Mombo include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles. The highlight here is the concentration of plains game and all the predators - including the big cats - with Lion sightings being particularly good. Guests could also see Leopard, large herds of Buffalo, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Elephant, White Rhino, Hyena, Giraffe, Wildebeest and Zebra.

Access into this area is only by aircraft
Weather - Botswana’s climate is subtropical with large fluctuations of temperature between day and night and low rainfall throughout the year. September and October are the hottest months, with temperatures peaking at over 40 degrees Celsius in October. This time of year also heralds the arrival of the very first rains that continues through to March, petering out at the end of the month. The wettest months are January and February. With all that said, and taking into consideration the fact that you will not just be visiting Mombo, the best time of year to visit the country is between May and October, when the Delta is in flood, the temperature is perfect and game viewing is at its most spectacular. November and December also make great times to be on safari because of the noticeable transformation of the habitat and all the newborn that spring to life at the first drop of rain.
Air strip - Mombo airstrip located 15 minutes' drive from camp
Licensed for heavier aircraft up to 5700kg MAUW (maximum all up weight), can take King Airs provided that they have flotation gear.
Air strip co-ordinates: S19 12.68, E022 47.51
All local drinks beers, wines and mineral water are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of premium wines & champagne, and premium liqueurs & spirits. Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.