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KWETSANI CAMP

Kwetsani Camp is located in the private Jao reserve. From its vantage point on an island heavily wooded with palm, mangosteen, and fig trees, the camp overlooks one of the Delta's most spectacular floodplains.

The 250,000 acre concession is comprised of a superb variety of habitats, which include permanent waterways and lagoons, open flood plains, and thick Kalahari soils; it is noted for its predators and, according to a 1999 survey by the Department of Wildlife, has the highest concentration of lion in Botswana.

Depending on water levels, Kwetsani offers both land and water-based activities. Mekoro rides are a highlight, exploring some of the most beautiful and intricate channels and islands anywhere in the Delta.

Boating safaris are also highly enjoyable. Game drives are conducted year-round, their range being determined by the prevailing flood levels. Being outside the Moremi Game Reserve, night-drives are permitted at Kwetsani, which allows guests to view nocturnally active animals. Nature walks with your armed guide are another highlight. Kwetsani is most appropriately classified as a 'combination' water and land camp, although water activities are probably its strength.

Kwetsani is small and intimate with only five tents, spaced well for privacy. The entire camp is set on teak decking with high wooden walkways connecting the tents with the main lodge. Each of Kwetsani's five chalets has the feeling of a private "tree house." The sides are open and airy with screens and roll-down bamboo shades. There are many unique and special touches such as lights made from animal horns and ostrich eggs. There are his and hers hand made ceramic sinks with brass fixtures, and an outdoor shower. The bed is draped with weightless white mohair blankets, which juxtapose against the side tables made of heavy tree stumps. Each tent has its own furnished balcony.

The living and dining area is set under thatch. It is pleasingly decorated with deep leather couches, Morris-style chairs, all wood with ivory cushions, and lots of wicker. Lovely comfortable caned planter's chairs and Indonesian leather lounge chairs, adorn the balcony - a very comfortable and relaxing way to view game from camp!

At night, candles and lanterns abound which bathe this lovely camp in flickering golden light. Dinner is often served on the wooden deck under the stars and afterwards, there is almost always a cosy fire lit. Pull close and marvel at the sounds of nocturnal Africa.

Ecotourism angle

Until recently, the private concession on which Kwetsani is located was used for hunting. When the contract with Botswana's Department of Wildlife came up for renewal recently, two local Maun families formed a partnership and outbid the hunters; the concession has now been turned over to photographic safaris. Officially, the concession is still classified as a dual purpose concession, and hunting is permitted by the Department of Wildlife. Such is the commitment of the new leaseholders to 'non-consumptive' forms of ecotourism, however, that they have voluntarily decided not to allow hunting, thereby foregoing about US$ 500,000 in annual income from hunting.

Wilderness Safaris (who manage the camp) also commits resources and time to doing game counts and censuses to help conservation authorities build up a data base of Botswana's wildlife, and is a major financial contributor to various private and non-governmental conservation projects. By staying at this type of private concession, guests are directly contributing to preserving the wilderness and wildlife in these areas because their fees are used to sustain conservation. What is more, photographic safaris are 'non-consumptive' so that, as the saying goes, you leave nothing but your foot prints, and you take nothing away but memories.

To find out more about Kwetsani Camp, or to make a reservation, call on

27-11-463-7889 or email us.

LIYATSHWA SAFARIS PORTFOLIO - Okavango Delta