Wilderness originals: three of our most-loved camps

Wilderness DumaTau was recently honoured as the winner in the Honeymoon Resorts category at the UK Weddings & Honeymoons Awards 2024. With spacious suites raised off the ground to showcase the view, inviting indoor lounges, generous bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and private decks and plunge pools, it’s the ultimate couple’s retreat. 

Classically styled, these eight tented units offer guests a glimpse into the era of exploration, with all the modern comforts one could wish for. Through window-wide netting, enjoy sweeping views of the Linyanti River, while the main areas, complete with a floating fire deck, provide ample space for relaxation. Unwind at the onsite spa, Osprey Retreat, which opened alongside a rebuilt DumaTau in 2021. Overlooking Osprey Lagoon, indulge in a spa treatment while gazing out into nature, then head over to the lagoon-side pool and watch the passing wildlife.

Enjoy game drives, nature walks, and boat rides along the river, where a diverse array of wildlife gathers to drink, bathe and play. Though the name DumaTau means “roar of the lion” in Setswana, you’ll find it is also home of the elephants. Great herds of elephants criss-cross the ancient wildlife corridors of this area – a constant and welcome feature of a DumaTau safari.

Offering a year-round haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Game drives, water safaris, and exquisite natural surroundings come together to make a safari at Wilderness Vumbura Plains hard to beat.

This year, Elite Traveler included Wilderness Vumbura Plains in their Top 100 Suites for 2024, showcasing the gold standard in modern hospitality. Spacious, stylish, secluded; time and again, people return to Vumbura Plains for the natural beauty, exceptional guiding, and utterly luxurious stay.

The camp's contemporary design and quality amenities invite guests to immerse themselves in the wonders of the Delta in comfort and style. Twelve spacious suites, plus two family rooms, are each meticulously styled with artwork, screens, and maps that vividly depict the Delta's formation and its vibrant ecosystem. Here, the focus is on maximising panoramic Delta views and integrating nature into every aspect. Each suite is complete with a private deck and plunge pool with views over the Delta’s waters. As elephants, hippos and other wildlife wander freely by, the suites serve as sanctuaries where guests can connect with the land and its stories through thoughtful design pieces and artwork inspired by local culture and traditions. 

Dinners are served on the outdoor deck overlooking the water, or in the quintessentially African way:  around the fire and under the stars in the convivial boma.

Eight spacious suites, elevated to offer uninterrupted views of the floodplain, invite tranquil privacy in Botswana’s wilds. Each tent exudes elegance and comfort, featuring en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, and a lavish bathtub for indulgent relaxation. Soak in the sights and sounds of the Delta from the expansive deck, complete with a private sala and plunge pool.

In 2023, Wilderness Mombo was named one of the Top 15 Resorts in Southern Africa by Condé Nast Traveler readers (as were the other two camps in this itinerary, Vumbura Plains and DumaTau). But besides the stylish, spacious tents, the warmth of the staff and the spectacular setting, it’s the wildlife that truly makes this camps remarkable.

Out on game drives at Mombo, experience wildlife up-close; predators on the hunt, an abundance of plains game, and outstanding birdlife. In camp, let the wildlife come to you at Mombo’s hide, or lounge at the pool while elephants amble by, heading for water in the midday heat. In the main area, gather beneath the chandeliers at the bar and share safari stories with fellow travellers over an evening drink.

Enjoy the spaces shared with sister camp Wilderness Little Mombo, including a Safari Boutique, spa, gym, and lap pool. Dine in Mombo’s iconic boma, where every meal is a tribute to conservation, with nourishing and flavourful dishes prepared to minimise ecological impact. Mombo’s chefs proudly embrace indigenous heritage ingredients and heirloom produce, expertly paired with wines selected by our in-house sommelier.