How do you get to Wilderness Mokete?

Guests are transferred to camp via a scenic helicopter flight over the plains – from Maun, it’s a 40-minute flight, and from Kasane, guests transfer to camp via charter flight to/from Santawani Airstrip, with a 7-minute helicopter transfer from Santawani Airstrip*. We are currently in the process of completing our own airstrip near camp, which we expect to be ready in our second year of operation. The camp can also be reached via convenient self-drive from Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park. Vehicles are securely parked in Mababe village and guests transferred to camp.* Helicopter flight at extra cost.

How many people does Wilderness Mokete accommodate?

Wilderness Mokete has nine climate-controlled tents accommodating a maximum of 18 guests, with three game-viewing vehicles plus one private vehicle.

Are water activities offered at Wilderness Mokete?

Although the Mababe water is permanent, the area is too marshy to operate any water activities. The abundance of hippos and crocodiles in the wetland also makes it unsafe to do so. However, we recommend combining a stay here with a few nights at one of our camps in the Okavango Delta or Linyanti, where you can boat, barge and mokoro - offering the best of both worlds.

Are families welcome at Wilderness Mokete?

While we welcome young adventurers at Wilderness, at Meraka we have a minimum age of 16 years old, due to the high wildlife and predator activity in the area, and the open design of the camp.

Botswana

Mokete

As wild as it gets

Here predators meet prey in a beautifully brutal dance of life and death on the eternal plains.

Home Africa Botswana Mababe region Mokete Camp

DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Mokete

Beyond the beaten track, a rugged Botswana experience stirs to life

Join us and explore where few have ventured before. Deep in Botswana’s heart, where the lush reaches of the Okavango give way to a drier landscape, where marsh meets desert, Wilderness Mokete awaits. Here each day is unpredictable. But where paths are few and the wildlife follows its own script, an experience beyond the bounds of a typical safari beckons.

BOTSWANA

Let us introduce you to Wilderness Mokete

In our search for the most raw, remote, and untamed places on the planet, we discovered somewhere so wild, so abundant with life, it left us breathless, and a little bit emotional. In a completely untouched area, a thrilling Botswana adventure awaits at the new Wilderness Mokete.

Mokete moments

The name Mokete means celebration or feast. It’s a place to feast on the unexplored and celebrate the untamed. Once a hunting ground, now reclaimed by nature, Wilderness Mokete stands alone, the only camp offering safari experiences in these raw, wild lands. This is Botswana off the map, where dusty roads, starlit silence, and wild moments are unfettered by fixed itineraries.

Mokete moments

The name Mokete means celebration or feast. It’s a place to feast on the unexplored and celebrate the untamed. Once a hunting ground, now reclaimed by nature, Wilderness Mokete stands alone, the only camp offering safari experiences in these raw, wild lands. This is Botswana off the map, where dusty roads, starlit silence, and wild moments are unfettered by fixed itineraries.

Accommodation

To place you in the heart of the drama, we’ve forgone walls and added cantilevered canvas roofs that slide away, revealing never-ending stars. Accommodating just 18 guests in nine tents, Mokete invites intimate encounters all year. Whether sharing a drink with elephants in the middle of the day, or hearing hyena calls in the dead of night, it’s a feast for the senses.

01 / 06

Cuisine

Forget conventional safari times. We’ll pack you a bush lunch to enjoy with zebras and elephants, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action. In camp, sip on a sundowner overlooking the uninterrupted grassland, the curvature of the Earth discernible on the distant horizon. Or sit suspended under the stars for an alfresco dining experience, reminiscing over the marsh owls you spotted earlier.

01 / 06

Mokete Awards

Camp awards

Brit List 2024

Architectural Digest

Wilderness Mokete - 20 New Hotels for Global Exploration

CNT Best Places to go

THE DETAILS

Wilderness Mokete

Sightings can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the thrill. Each day holds the potential for something remarkable, especially for those with patience and a keen eye. Lions are a highlight, while a high density of hyenas competes with other predators: cheetah, wild dog, bat-eared fox, jackal, African wild cat and serval.

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Purpose

Through high-value, low-impact photographic tourism, we aim to help conserve one of our planet’s last remaining wild sanctuaries. Wildlife aside, this area is worth protecting for the birds alone. There are fantastic numbers of buzzards, falcons, owls, eagles and vultures. Another reason Mokete is intentionally minimalist, ensuring the lightest footprint on the land.

Pool

Cool off as the great herds come to the water to drink.

Sunken hide

Watch the wildlife parade from the hide on the permanent marsh.

100% Solar

Powered by nature at her best.

Plunge pool

Enjoy a sundowner poolside or at your suite’s private plunge pool.

Inverter Aircon

Each tent has an inverter airconditioner for cooling the room during siesta time.

A land of pure abundance

South of Chobe National Park, and east of Moremi Game Reserve, Mababe is the nearest water source for thousands of animals in the dry season. Its permanent marshland is fed by the perennial Mababe River and the seasonal draining of the Okavango Delta, linking to the Linyanti through the Savuti Channel, to create an enormous grassland where only one safari camp is found: Wilderness Mokete.

Botswana by season

Purpose

Through high-value, low-impact photographic tourism, we aim to help conserve one of our planet’s last remaining wild sanctuaries. Wildlife aside, this area is worth protecting for the birds alone. There are fantastic numbers of buzzards, falcons, owls, eagles and vultures. Another reason Mokete is intentionally minimalist, ensuring the lightest footprint on the land.

Facilities

Pool

Cool off as the great herds come to the water to drink.

Sunken hide

Watch the wildlife parade from the hide on the permanent marsh.

100% Solar

Powered by nature at her best.

Plunge pool

Enjoy a sundowner poolside or at your suite’s private plunge pool.

Inverter Aircon

Each tent has an inverter airconditioner for cooling the room during siesta time.

Wildlife

Area

A land of pure abundance

South of Chobe National Park, and east of Moremi Game Reserve, Mababe is the nearest water source for thousands of animals in the dry season. Its permanent marshland is fed by the perennial Mababe River and the seasonal draining of the Okavango Delta, linking to the Linyanti through the Savuti Channel, to create an enormous grassland where only one safari camp is found: Wilderness Mokete.

Botswana by season

Activities

Experiences

Mokete experiences

Ditch the conventional safari at Mokete, where time is dictated by nature. Spend entire days on the plains, following a cheetah family or lion pride. Or venture out after dark to see what has the hyenas calling. Or head out on a guided walk for a different perspective on these wild lands.

Explore all Experiences

01 / 05

Game drives

Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives.

Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Wilderness Experiences Night Drive Wildlife Leopard

Night game drives

A jackal’s cry. A lion’s roar. The gentle rumble of elephants. The bush comes alive at night, awakening all senses.

Night Game Drives

Botswana, Rwanda, Zambia

Private safari

Create treasured memories with family and friends on an exclusive private safari across Africa’s most iconic destinations.

Private Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Guided walking safaris

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Wilderness Experiences Nature Walk Rwanda

Nature walks

Have your camera ready and lace up your walking shoes - once your feet touch African soil, you’ll understand the magic.

Nature Walks

Namibia, Rwanda

MAP

Explore Mokete

Situated between two national parks, Mokete sits in a privileged position in Botswana’s famed Mababe Depression just to the north of the Mababe Marsh. Here, nutrient-rich grasses are fed with a constant supply of water, supporting an amazing ecosystem where myriad herd species, predators and birdlife come together.

Go to destinations map

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

Journey to a place where thousands of elephants gather. A place where hyena clans frequently match wits with various prides of lions. Combine your visit to Mokete with a trip through Botswana, easily connecting to the famed waterways of the Okavango Delta, or the lushness of the Linyanti.

See all journeys

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

Guests consistently praise Mokete's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and elegant accommodations that cater for your every comfort. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Mokete. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

December safari

"Vasco was an excellent guide. He grew up in the area so he is a master at navigating even through rainstorms. Mia always had a smile on her face and was a joy to see each day. The rooms were nice with very strong WiFi. I went in December (rainy season) so the animals were harder to find but I was able to see lions, Cape buffalo, elephants, giraffes, hippos and many others. The food was great and I love buffet style."

LAmanda | USA

★★★★★

Mind blowing

"Mokete is the celebration of so many things and this brand new camp can only be described as mind blowing ! It is the only camp in this vast, unusual and unique concession ! Having visited many camps in the Okavango Delta, Botswana and other countries, this must be the most amazing and different experience ever. You can describe the area as the end of the Delta, flowing into a treeless, flat, open depression, called Mababe Depression. It is the only water for game for several miles. In the hot month of October just everything has to come and drink here, from thousands of buffalo, hundreds Tsesebe as well as Red Letchwe, Impala, Wildebeest and Zebra in profound numbers. And this is when the drama starts ! The lions of the area just lie and wait for game that have no choice, but to come and quench their thirst. These lions lie in the mud next to the swamp to cool down, as the area is void of any trees. They attack buffalo especially, with their black muddy bodies and this is so different than any other lion hunt."

Rita | South Africa

★★★★★

Botswana in Its Purest Form

Mokete Wilderness Lodge is a rare and remarkable opportunity to immerse yourself in the raw and unfiltered Botswana. The wildlife here is largely unfamiliar with humans, which makes each encounter feel entirely authentic—untouched and utterly unique. Observing animals in this setting is an experience few safari-goers will ever have. We chose to helicopter in, which I highly recommend—it bypasses what would otherwise be a long and demanding drive, and offers stunning aerial views that set the tone for the adventure ahead. From the sky alone, we knew this was going to be something special. Our guide, Johan, exceeded all expectations. He managed the unthinkable—locating a pride of lions with six cubs hidden in thick brush, just after a zebra kill. It was one of the most breathtaking sightings I’ve ever had. If you're an experienced safari aficionado, Mokete Wilderness Lodge is the next level. Untamed, exclusive, and unforgettable.

MWFoodie | USA

★★★★★

SIMILAR CAMPS

Similar camps we think you'll love

Although it’s safe to say that not much can compare to Wilderness Mokete, the below camps will complement your stay. You’ll be hard pressed to say goodbye to the soul-stirring grasslands of Mababe, but a visit to one of our serene water camps is a great way to calm the nerves after your wild, emotional ride in Mababe.

01 / 05

Botswana

Savuti

The Savuti Channel flows right past this camp, ensuring an exceptional safari with great land and water-based game-viewing.

Explore Camp

Zimbabwe

Little Makalolo

A safari camp with a strong legacy, Little Makalolo promises a magnificent experience in a diverse and wild corner of Hwange.

Explore Camp

Namibia

Damaraland Camp

Discover rugged Damaraland. A true frontier, with mountainous landscapes, cultural riches and rare desert-adapted wildlife.

Explore Camp

Botswana

Chitabe

Discover Wilderness Chitabe and its prolific wildlife, for an out-of-this-world Okavango safari experience.

Explore Camp

Namibia

Doro Nawas

Experience a true cultural immersion in Namibia at Doro Nawas, amid dramatic scenery and amazing desert animals.

Explore Camp

FAQs

General

01

Journal

Mokete featured stories

Stay at Wilderness Mokete and you’ll be talking about your safari to anyone who’ll listen. Combine your visit here with a stay at a Wilderness camp in the Okavango Delta or Linyanti, and you’ll never run out of stories to share. Just take a look at some of ours to see what we mean.

See all stories

01 / 06