Wilderness Okavango Delta camp newsletters – May 2025

High season in full swing

The annual Okavango Delta waters have surrounded the Mombo Airstrip, temporarily halting fixed-wing aircraft access to the camp. While the inflow is a seasonal occurrence, the unusually high levels have resulted in parts of the Delta – that have not seen water for decades – being inundated as well. In response, all our guests have been treated to helicopter transfers into camp from a nearby airstrip. This means that they get to experience the transformed landscape from this unique lower-level aerial perspective. While the inundation poses logistical challenges, it has also done much to enhance the Delta’s beauty and wildlife activity. 

Mombo’s May temperatures

Minimum 14° Celsius; Maximum 29.5° Celsius

The Bandits of the Delta

May was another great month for game viewing here in the Place of Plenty. While there were many unforgettable wild dog, leopard and lion sightings, the hyenas did their absolute utmost to secure their place at the top of the podium for ‘most memorable predator sightings’ for the month of May. Ask anyone who’s been here about the hyenas of Mombo, and you are bound to hear what exceptionally opportunistic bandits they are. Just in the past few weeks, our guests got to see a solitary hyena trailing a pack of four wild dogs and snatching an impala from them as they were taking it down. That very same day a clan of about 10 hyenas was seen harassing two lionesses until they put them right off their dinner and sent them hightailing it into the safety of the bush. Towards the end of the month, our guests got to witness an even more dramatic scene when a pack of hyenas took down a buffalo right in front of the rotunda as they were about to set off for their morning drive.

What lies beneath … the Delta waters around camp?

The season arrived early this year, and Mombo has been transformed into a haven for aquatic birds of all kinds. However, the waters have brought more than just aquatic birds to the floodplains in front of camp. An enormous crocodile was seen on numerous occasions basking on a termite mound in front of the dining area. This croc has become such a regular fixture that ‘he’ (as we have all taken to referring to him) is at times almost indistinguishable from the rest of the landscape. One of my favourite pastimes is to listen in on the arguments that ensue amongst our team whenever they don’t see the croc at its usual spot; where might he have gone? … how far out has he gone? … is he off hunting somewhere? … is the water around camp even deep enough for him to hunt in?  During the third week of May, the prehistoric giant answered two of the latter questions in emphatic fashion.  A warthog that had its head down for far too long while feeding just by the water’s edge was caught by surprise and dragged off into deep waters while we watched from the safety of the elevated deck in the main area. 

Guest sightings – its’ all ‘Lights. Camera. Action!’

Some of the moments that our guests captured this month have been absolutely priceless. This image of three young male lions,  formerly of the Mathata Pride, is a great example. Everything was working in the photographer’s favour – from the lighting to the composition, and regal postures of the brothers, it all seemed almost choreographed to perfection. Every time that we see these brothers together is always special. If only their story could be scripted to match this photo; imagine if this image has captured the early days of a formidable coalition that will reign over this part of the Delta for years to come…

Staff excitement over new Wilderness uniforms

Staff across all Wilderness camps are beaming with pride as they debut their brand-new uniforms. Designed with both functionality and style in mind, the updated attire reflects the company’s deep commitment to sustainability, professionalism, and a shared identity across all regions. Staff in all departments – from the Kitchen to Maintenance, Housekeeping and Guides – have expressed excitement and a renewed sense of unity, all thanks to their fresh new threads.

‘Putting on the new uniform each day makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger’, shared one staff member at Mombo Camp.  The rollout has been a big boost to morale and reinforced our enduring passion for hospitality… one of the core values of our Wilderness Family. 

May weather on our Vumbura island

Little Vumbura recorded average temperatures of 13° Celsius minimum, and maximum 29°C. Some say this has been the warmest May ever experienced on our otherwise beautiful, famously cool Okavango Delta island. 

Delta levels in an unusually high-water season

May was a pretty interesting month as far as the water levels went. With the waters coming in from Angola, amplified by the wet terrain caused by the heavy summer rains received earlier this year, the Vumbura Concession experienced the highest inundation levels in four years. Some say even the 2010 season was not this intense. At the end of the month the meter reading indicated that we were sitting at 46 cm³.

The unusually high inflow took us by surprise, and covered over 50% of the island. Our small island camp prides itself on its rustic, back-to-nature walkways, and the raised boardwalks don’t go all the way to the guest tents – this compelled us to make an immediate plan for guests to be able walk to their rooms. Sandbags quickly came to the rescue during this important and adventurous event!

Star gazing

Our Fire Deck area provides the perfect spot for star gazing. The month provided clear skies that proved to be a great time to study the stars and the Milky Way. The full moon sighting was also a great highlight. 

Wildlife sightings at Little Vumbura

With water occupying most of the area, game viewing has been more than satisfying, as there was very little dry land for animals to inhabit.  Sable antelope sightings were regular this month, with more general game sightings seen too. 

After many months of no cheetah sightings, May was characterised by several sightings of a male cheetah looking very relaxed. 

Furthermore, lionesses with four cubs, and Marang, a female leopard with her cub, were also spotted. 

Guest activities

We offered our guests enjoyable boat cruises along the channels of the Okavango Delta, as well as mokoro excursions, games drives, fishing (catch-and-release), and basket-weaving presentations by the local ladies. They do a fantastic job of weaving during their spare time, after their shifts, in order to share their culture with our guests. 

Guest comments

• Food was generally excellent, staff are wonderful and location is outstanding.
• We felt really welcomed by every member of the team, delicious food with good vegetarian options. Great baking.
• Staff is great, Sam is The Man.
• Great food, Bonno was a great guide.
• Plenty of helpful staff, guide was knowledgeable, loved the heat packs in the bed.
• Thanks for everything! Your entire team makes Little Vumbura a highlight in the Okavango Delta. Greetings from Austria.

Peak season in the Okavango Delta

All Gomoti camp activities have resumed with the arrival of our first guests of high season; this includes both in-camp and out-of-camp activities, and many WOW activities are set up for our guests as we embrace our peak time of year. 

Gomoti wildlife

Given its ideal location in the south-eastern Okavango Delta, and close to the famously productive Chitabe and Qorokwe concessions, it’s no surprise that Gomoti’s wildlife sightings were phenomenal this month.

Guests were breathless with excitement at seeing this leopard on the move in the floodplain.

Staff news

We are very excited to welcome Malebogo Sedumedi to Gomoti’s management team – welcome to the family, Lebo! 

Managers in Camp: AB & Lebo

Newsletter compiled by AB

Santawani is situated on the boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve in its own private area. Our classic safari camp has a strong emphasis on showing our guests this magical wild paradise.

Santawani sightings

Our wildlife is exceptional – from the mighty Frank, our resident bull elephant who has been at Santawani for the past three years, to our very own Four Boys lion coalition, magnificent kings that dominate the territory with their mighty roars.

Winter month activities

We have already had amazing activities including adventurous game drives, with guests returning with incredible stories of high-profile sightings. Along the narrow Gomoti Channel, peaceful and soothing mokoro excursions introduce guests to a wonder of nature, the semi-aquatic lechwe antelope, ideally adapted for life in the floodplains, with their elongated hooves and powerful hind legs allowing them to move swiftly through water.

Staff news

Prisca is our very own mother of the camp. With nine years’ service, Housekeeper Prisca is one our longest-serving staff, and a hard worker who is a prime example of the wisdom of the elders among our Santawani family.