MOMBO CAMP
Okavango, Botswana

Introduction

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. Mombo Camp is situated deep within the Moremi Game Reserve, on a scenic island about 800 metres from the old Mombo. Large concentrations of wildlife occur right in front of the new camp. It is not impossible 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 Delta. As a year~round exclusive wildlife destination (especially for predators), Mombo has a record unequalled in Africa. This area provides one of the highest quality wildlife viewing opportunities on earth. Many of the Cheetah photos reproduced in National Geographic's December 1999 issue and the photos of wild dog in the May 1999 issue were taken here. Mombo was rated as one of the top destinations of the 'Ultimate Safari' in the March 1999 issue of Conde Nast Traveler. Mombo also ranks as one of the best lodges in Southern Africa according to the July 2000 issue of Harpers and Queen.

Camp Description

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 pools at both camps. We will have raised walkways to link bedrooms and the living area. Mombo Camp & Little Mombo have a "kgotla" or boma for outdoor dining under the stars.

Game Viewing

Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and all the major predators are common in the region. A large pack of Wild Dogs frequents the area around the camp and has been successful in raising many litters in recent years. The excellent game at Mombo has made this area Botswana's top wildlife documentary location. National Geographic, the BBC and many others have filmed here. Birdlife is prolific, with waterfowl and waders being particularly common.

Drives in open 4x4 vehicles explore the savannah and floodplains where large concentrations of wildlife and birds abound. Experienced guides will accompany you, ensuring that early morning and late afternoon excursions are interesting and educational. When the new Moremi regulations come into place, night drives will be allowed.

Location

o Northern Botswana
o Central Okavango Delta
o On Mombo Island on the northern tip of Chief's Island of Moremi Game Reserve, northern area

Accomodation

Number of chalets:
9 super luxury tents with 2 x ¾ twin beds in each tent. Custom-made linen enables twin beds to be converted into a kingsized bed on request.
This camp can accommodate 18 guests with tour leader.
1 twin guide tent
Tent details:
o Bathrooms all en-suite, showers inside tent and also outdoors.
o Separate flush toilet
o Luxury tents on raised decks overlooking the surrounding plains
o Entrance to tent has door not zip
o Veranda in front of tent
o Fans in all tents
o Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room

Activities

Type - 100% Game drives, No water activities although guests will see water.
Game Drives:
o Game drives via 3x10 seater open 4x4 Land Rover each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.
o Game drives on Chiefs Island
o Best game viewing in Botswana
o Night drives not possible at the moment but will change when the new Moremi rules come into place
o Private vehicles are available
Walking Safaris:
o Game walks offered during siesta time on request

Laundry policy

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.

Extras payment

Curios and or imported drinks will be billed to the guest and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard. If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

Flying times

to/from Maun 30 minutes
to/from Kasane 1hr 20 minutes
Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes but allow additional time for customs and immigration

Air strip details

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

Electricity

o Camp has a 220v generator. Electricity is run in the kitchen and main areas when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off (for peace in camp).
o 12v battery power (charged by the generator) is used for lighting and fans in each guest tent 24hrs a day. Hairdryers etc cannot work here.
o Video battery can be charged by the generator when guests on game drives. Hence bring spare battery and charging unit.
o Solar heated water for showers etc.

Guest Comments

An Afternoon Drive at Mombo - 9th February 2001 It had rained during the early afternoon and the feint hearted may have been tempted to spend time indoors rather than go out on a drive. That didn't happen and all our guests arrived at tea keen to go out. Such is the aura and charisma of the Mombo area that a little bit of rain was not going to put anyone off.

I was due to go out that afternoon with long time friend and fellow guide BK, and I loaded up my cameras and set up the tripod in his new landrover. Cinda and Maggie, two of our staff, joined us for the afternoon and we set off to the west of the camp under a grey sky.

During the banter as we set off, I happened to mention that good things usually happen on days like this and that BK and I had always been extraordinarily lucky together at Mombo. Perhaps the greatest skill one develops as a guide is listening for alarm calls and learning to notice the signs the animal's show when they see a predator. As things turned out they were skills we were both going to put to good use that very afternoon.

Our drive that day started with us travelling slowly along looking at birds and all the plains game grazing in the open to the west of the camp. There were plenty of Zebra and Red Lechwe and the odd small herd of Wildebeest and Tsessebe as we drove past the old trail's hippo pool. We spotted a herd of a few hundred Buffalo in the distance but had our attention diverted when we saw a magnificent herd of about seven Kudu bulls browsing around the edge of a small island. I had seen this herd several times before and they are particularly relaxed. A big Kudu is such a superb sight and we watched them for a long time. BK was the first to notice something amiss when he said that the Buffalo must be getting closer because he could see the egrets. We had lost track of the time caught up in looking at the Kudu and didn't even consider that the buffalo had got to us rather quickly for such a large herd. It was just then that I noticed that the lead Kudu was focused and tense looking away to our left. Soon the whole herd was doing the same thing and almost simultaneously we heard the grunt of a lion among the sounds of the Buffalo.

Things happen quickly as you realize that a kill is on and BK soon had us round the island and we saw the whole herd of Buffalo chasing a huge black-maned male lion. We could see one other lion in the distance but three of the Buffalo continued to chase the one closest to us when the rest of the herd stopped and managed to get separated. There were two adult buffalos and a calf - and the lion soon swung around and was chasing the Buffalo. One of the adults split away and the lion missed his opportunity to bring down the calf's mother. Instead, he chased after the lone adult while the others ran away to safety. For a lion the chase went on a long way - at least two kilometers before he finally gave up. It had happened so quickly and so haphazardly that I thought the lion had lost the sent of the Buffalo early on but when we checked we could clearly see the tracks of the running Buffalo.

The lion slowly made his way back to where he had started, trying to link up with his brother. We could see he was one of the Wheat field males - a coalition of four huge lions that dominate the central territory at Mombo. We stopped at the start of the floodplain where he lay and watched the rest of the Buffalo herd for some time before walking away into the distance. Suddenly we saw some Giraffe running in the distance away to our left and set off to investigate. Sure enough walking towards the action was another male of the coalition and we followed him as he marked territory along the way. We followed for quite a way and then heard the distinct growling of lion fighting over a kill. When we found them the two original males were locked in battle over a warthog. The wrestling match that ensued was quite one of the most awesome pieces of action I have ever seen. They were evenly matched in terms of strength and at one time during the battle one of them managed to throw the other right over on to his back - something similar to a body slam in the World Wrestling Federation.

We were not destined to see the end of the battle though, as in true Mombo fashion, we were called on the radio to another amazing sighting. Nandi was taking some of the staff for a drive and had found a python still in the act of strangling a young Kudu. We were faced with the dreaded Hobson's choice ....and heading off to the Python won. It was a fair journey to get there. The mother Kudu had done everything she could to save her young calf and her distress was such a sad thing to be witness to. The Python had started to swallow its enormous meal when we got there. It was coiled around the body with its mouth split completely open forcing its gigantic meal down its throat. In twenty-five years of guiding this was the first time I had seen this and it made for compelling viewing. I was concerned because during the constriction some of the rumen content of the Kudu had been squeezed out and I felt sure that it was only a matter of time before it attracted a Hyena. We watched for over an hour and it looked to me as though the Python would never be able to devour the entire Kudu. We reluctantly decided to head back to the camp.

As we drove I let my mind drift over the sequence of what we had seen. There had not been a dull moment and I wanted to store it all in my memory among my greatest drives ever. We passed the Hyena den at the end of the airstrip and watched them for a while before carrying on. I didn't think it was possible to fit anything more in when we saw something come in to the beam of the headlight and realized we were looking at an Aardvark. It was quite relaxed initially and we had a good view before it moved off slowly into the night. It's been at least three years since I last saw an Aardvark and BK said he had seen this one and it's mother three times recently. He was just about to say we should keep a look out - when we saw this one.

Mombo has a way of continuously producing the unusual when you least expect it. I love watching the change in the habitat from wet to dry, summer and winter and the ebb and flow of the animals as they change grazing and browsing areas. To be a part of and watch each day's drama unfold in the floodplains and islands of this exquisite area always makes me feel privileged, but also humbled. We were cold and wet and elated when we got home and I went to bed after a great dinner wondering if the Python would make it through the night and escape the attention off the Hyenas. I didn't think the odds were on its side.

It rained during the night and the morning dawned. After a quick cup of coffee BK and I headed out to look for the Python. We got there just in time to see it slowly pulling itself under some thick cover with the young Kudu nothing more than a big lump in its mid-section.

P.C. & A.C., USA

Little Mombo was a wonderful surprise. The small, cozy atmosphere was a wonderful way to end our journey. Corli, Julius and B. K. really exceeded themselves in offering us a most memorable experience. Corli is the perfect Pied Kingfisher hovering beautifully around everyone attending to our every need. Corli should be considered the Julia Child of the Bush. We rarely ate at the same location twice. One day our brunch was served on an island where Corli called the pearl spotted owl and it magically appeared and answered back. She truly invented the most impressive meals. Many times we felt we didn't want to eat the meals because they were so artfully arranged. A fellow tourist from Boston actually videotaped the meals because they were so artfully arranged. We marveled at the mountain of vegetables crowned with our own porkie pot of beef. Every meal was dressed in a different table cloth or place mates. We were truly exhausted just watching Corli. The traditional dance before supper at little Mombo was so different from Jao. Corli actually sang with the staff, and danced an exhausting two minute clip, and arm in arm joined the staff if their farewell song. Now we ask you, who wouldn't want to work with Corli? She offered us a position when we retire and we are seriously taking her up on the offer. Hearing the adventures of Julius in California was refreshing. He came from Mombo just to be with us at Little Mombo. He is a gentle giant, patient and kind. He had wooden steps to assist me in and out of the vehicles. He put on a fabulous slide show for the first time and certainly got two thumbs up. Whatever the client wants to see Julius will put forth extraordinary effort to find. The best photographer will be lucky to have Julius because he knows the exact light that will make a brilliant photo. Leopard climbing down a tree, dusting himself in the sand, and finishing up with a drink of water seems like an everyday occasion, It doesn't get any better than an African sunset provided by Julius. This summer we took our son and daughter-in-law along with us. Their jaws were opened most of the time. We only wish we could take more Americans to Botswana and let them experience your remarkable African adventure. P.S . David is looking forward to next summer already.

David & Ruth Arendsen

That was FANTASTIC. Mombo is simply superb - and the new camp is beyond anything I could have imagined. Really - we don't know how to put it - but we are absolutely overwhelmed that we had the opportunity to see and experience the new camp and the spectacular wildlife. I have no way to state how impressed I am with everything and everybody associated with that unbelievable operation.

I am waiting for my trannies to be processed and they will be back on Sat. I know that I will have some pics that you might be interested in as the sun was in a cloudless sky for our entire stay. Perfect photography weather. I will e-mail low res scans of some of the stuff that I got, guests watching elephants (only 2 metres away) from the boardwalk - lots of different angles, leopards in trees, unbelievable blackmaned lions that have migrated up from Chiefs Island area, and so on. I wish I had been warned how good the boardwalk was for wildlife watching and photo ops. Not knowing this I left my powerful flash equipment for night shots at home knowing that there was no night drives. I mention this as I was in the ghastly position of watching 2 leopards mate, twice, from the boardwalk without any equipment to photograph them with. If I had had my 135 f2 lens and Metz flash gear I would have had some unique pics. I boobed big time!!!!!

Anyway, over a twenty minute period of time they mated on either side of the board walk, crossing over it at the low point at the trading store walking almost underneath your sign! We were only ten to fifteen metres away from them and they ignored us completely. I could have had spectacular shots had I had my flash equipment!!!!!!!! Some advice here - if you send up any photographers to Mombo - tell them about the boardwalk opportunity and advise them to keep cameras and flash equipment grafted permanently to their sides after the sun goes down. Certainly if I ever get the opportunity to go back there I would go totally laden with flash gear, trip sensors, remote cameras etc and stay up all night long.

The game viewing from the camp was obscenely good. One day a group of guests arrived at midday. Linda was giving them their orientation chat in the lounge as they sipped their frosty drinks. They could hardly concentrate as in front of the lodge 2 elephants walked by, a group of buffalo were sitting in the shade of one of the trees and in the distance two male lions walked down and drank from the marsh lagoon. One of the buffalo then rushed the lions and chased them off. The guests hadn't been in Mombo for more than ten minutes and they had seen lion elephant and buffalo plus interaction! They were impressed no end - heck, I was impressed even more than they were. The views from the tents are better than Treetops in Kenya - when it was at its very best. From our own sala in Tent 7 we saw lions and lionesses at midday on six of the fourteen days we were there - it was hard to lie back and rest, there was so much going on. Who knows what happened on that floodplain when we were out on drives in the mornings and evenings? Frankly I did not want to know as on several occasions we came back to find buffalo, elephant, lion, lechwe and bushbuck in front of the camp right next to the main deck - but the good light for photography was gone. It was tricky deciding whether to go out for game drives or staying in camp!!!!!!! Also, I have never been to any place else that has the potential that Mombo Camp has for unique, mind blowing, set-up, wildlife/camp/guest combination photographs - especially so as the camp itself is very photogenic. It's a work of art in its own right and I don't know who was responsible for the overall design but they did a great job. Superb in fact. The only problem was that even 14 days is not enough to appreciate all the different design and furnishing touches that make the place so peaceful, artistic, and tasteful. The only problem was that one has to go home eventually - a real tragedy that! Even the mechanics of the camp are a wonder - I refer to your water system! And your electricity generators!!!! No noise at all - a gold medal there.

Nandi was our guide and what a superb guide he was. Sophisticated, responsible, consistent, confident, incredibly knowledgeable, amusing and charming all rolled into one. If all your other guides are as good as he is then your operation is one hell of a successful example of building capacity. Congratulations! The camp staff were really outstanding as well - Charles, Linda, Peter, Jo-Anne, Maggie,Thys, BK and Greg - all of them incredibly charming hosts at a camp that seemed to run as smoothly and efficiently as a Swiss watch. Please send my compliments to all of them for a wonderful stay.

I had forgotten what a fantastic place Botswana is. It made me think a lot about the whirlwind passage of the last few years. I am going to have to make some changes - possibly move back to Botswana on a more permanent basis for a few months of each year at least.

Paul Augustinus - [Wildlife author and painter - www.paulaugustinus.com]

Little Mombo was a wonderful surprise. The small, cozy atmosphere was a wonderful way to end our journey. Corli, Julius and B. K. really exceeded themselves in offering us a most memorable experience. Corli is the perfect Pied Kingfisher hovering beautifully around everyone attending to our every need. Corli should be considered the Julia Child of the Bush. We rarely ate at the same location twice. One day our brunch was served on an island where Corli called the pearl spotted owl and it magically appeared and answered back. She truly invented the most impressive meals. Many times we felt we didn't want to eat the meals because they were so artfully arranged. A fellow tourist from Boston actually videotaped the meals because they were so artfully arranged. We marveled at the mountain of vegetables crowned with our own porkie pot of beef. Every meal was dressed in a different table cloth or place mates. We were truly exhausted just watching Corli. The traditional dance before supper at little Mombo was so different from Jao. Corli actually sang with the staff, and danced an exhausting two minute clip, and arm in arm joined the staff if their farewell song. Now we ask you, who wouldn't want to work with Corli? She offered us a position when we retire and we are seriously taking her up on the offer. Hearing the adventures of Julius in California was refreshing. He came from Mombo just to be with us at Little Mombo. He is a gentle giant, patient and kind. He had wooden steps to assist me in and out of the vehicles. He put on a fabulous slide show for the first time and certainly got two thumbs up. Whatever the client wants to see Julius will put forth extraordinary effort to find. The best photographer will be lucky to have Julius because he knows the exact light that will make a brilliant photo. Leopard climbing down a tree, dusting himself in the sand, and finishing up with a drink of water seems like an everyday occasion, It doesn't get any better than an African sunset provided by Julius. This summer we took our son and daughter-in-law along with us. Their jaws were opened most of the time. We only wish we could take more Americans to Botswana and let them experience your remarkable African adventure. P.S . David is looking forward to next summer already.

D.A & R.A., USA

Our stay at Mombo was an experience we will never forget - the cats, the dogs, the impala! The staff were friendly and we felt quite at home. The game drives were exceptional, Wild Dog chase, Cheetah kill, Leopard spotting, Nandi is an expert guide and we appreciate it. We will be recommending to friends and family in Australia that they came and visit you and do themselves a favor.

S.M., L.M., S.M. and D.M., Australia

Cannot be compared with anything I have experienced before, they just pale into dim memories.

G.E., South Africa

It will stay for us one of the most enjoyable times, this is the real Africa, like you see on the movies, and we found it. We will never forget Mombo and we will try and come back as soon as possible. Thanks again for all.

F.P. and B.P., Bois Colones, France

Absolutely wonderful, and then some. It is hard to top being in the center of a pride of Lions or 15 yards from a Cheetah and her three babies. No fancy hotels ... but the accommodation, service, food and game are a wonderful combination.

J.K., USA

Our guide was the best that we have had in 12 years of bush experiences. All truly fantastic and memorable beyond words. I.M., Camps Bay, South Africa Mombo Trails was fantastic - a must for anyone coming to the Delta. We would highly recommend it.

R.K and K.K., Austin, USA

We enjoyed the game drives of course that's what its all about, and our four game drives were amazing. Watching 'Nixon' eat the Impala up the tree, the Cheetah cubs playing with the seat belt on the out front seat on the buggy, the bull elephant mock charge, Hyenas playing with a stick in the afternoon sun - lucky us.

C.H. and A.H., London, U.K.

Mombo left us speechless. We must go back there. Copper our guide there, was great and what we saw, especially a Leopard/Hyena/Baboon/Vulture interaction was the highlight for all of us.

L.K., USA

We are back home one week after our African trip and are pleased to report that on a scale of 1-10 this experience was a 20!!!!! Wilderness Safaris did an excellent job throughout our journey. The Grace Hotel in Joburg was the perfect start . Then off to Lesedi which we should have done as a day trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the activities there but the overnight stay a little rough for our tastes.We missed the Grace. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was a better choice on your part than the Hotel. That provided a good introduction to the game viewing. The Falls were spectacular and we took a jetboat ride on the upper Zambesi River. Our small plane ride to DumaTau was exciting. The staff was very friendly and accomodating. We saw all the game including Wild Dogs but no Leopard . We had numerous Elephant encounters especially in camp . We had nightime visits and one of the local residents parked in front of our door blocking our return to the tent. Birds galore. The highlight of the trip was luxurious Mombo which exceeded our expectations. The staff and facilities were outstanding. The game viewing was the best. We saw 3 different Leopards on 3 different occasions. We didn't want to leave.

D.M. and D.M., USA

Mombo is like no other place in the world. The new "tents" are exquisite and the animal viewing is wonderful. We have become very vocal ambassadors for Wilderness Safaris. I think you strike just the right balance between comfort and having the sensation that you're on the frontier of civilization as we know it. We look forward to planning our next trip.

J M FAHEY National Geographic Society

Read more about:

Moremi game Reserve

Please contact us for current rates: