There’s no denying that the Okavango-based magical Mboma Island Expeditions has stolen our hearts and captivated safari-goers from around the globe. There’s something about being located in the depths of the Delta’s remote waters that brings a certain enigmatic avenue to the safari experience: it’s unrivalled and soul stirring. The thing is, Mboma doesn’t just focus on the water based safari experience. It offers a fantastic holistic safari experience where everything from traditional mokoro experiences to boating and game drives forms part of your safari. Mboma Island Expeditions redefines the Okavango Delta camping experience, ensuring an air of luxury is added to the iconic Okavango Delta mobile safari that we’ve all come to know and love.
Magical Mboma has 5 light Meru-style canvas tents equipped with twin beds and en suite, open-air bathrooms. Everything about this mobile expedition camp is eco-friendly, from the sole use of solar-power, to bucket showers, and chemical eco-friendly toilets. Tents are fully furnished using the finest linen and kitted out in the creature comforts from home. Decor is in perfect harmony with the surrounds – neutral tones are interrupted by bold pops of colour that reflect the colourful spirit of Botswana. Because Moremi’s ecosystem is so diverse, the team at Mboma have ensured that all aspects of safaris are covered, from mokoro to boating and game drives.
5 ultra-cool, quick facts about Mboma Island Expeditions
- Located in the depths of the Okavango Delta waters in the Moremi, overlooking the Okavango Delta floodplains
- Completely remote, off-grid and eco-friendly destination
- Elephants frequently walk through camp and you can hear the honking of hippos at night
- Offers the best of both worlds: land based game viewing and water based game viewing
- For a low impact camp, Mboma Island Expeditions is ultra-stylish and effortlessly cool
Now that you’re armed with smidgen of information about this magical Delta camp, we’re going to expand your knowledge further by unpacking the finer details.
How Life at Mboma Island Expeditions Unfolds
It’s easy to describe to features and facilities of camp, but we thought we’d approach this with a different angle to create all the “feels”. We asked our portfolio manager, Chelsea Lee, what life was like at camp and she gave us a rough account of how life unfolds at Mboma.
Mornings start with the “iconic” early wake-up call, where everyone heads to the campfire. While taking in the gentle hues of sunrise, you are rewarded with a morning cuppa along with the FAMOUS jaffles cooked over an open fire. For those who can’t stomach eating so early, the team will gladly pack your jaffle for you to eat en route. Because of the dangers of being in the Okavango Delta at dawn, your morning activity usually starts a bit later.
The morning tends to meander into a boating activity where you can spot big game on the reed-lined banks, African fish-eagles, and an array of wading birds. From here, you can enjoy game drives into the Moremi Game Reserve. Because the day is filled with an array of activities, you will stop in a scenic open area to enjoy lunch with a view. It’s so rugged and wild out there, with such high concentrations of birdlife and big game. After a day spent exploring the World Heritage Site, guests return to enjoy a unique outdoor bucket shower experience in the open air. The showers are amazingly powerful and offer an opportunity to experience the wild from a unique vantage point while being at one with nature.
Once showered and fresh, a delectable high tea is served—you can have your sponge cake while kicking back and relaxing in the lounge area under a small canvas canopy overlooking the calm waters of the Delta. During the free time, guests often wander around camp taking photos of the setting or simply relax with a book. As the day draws to a close, the group is whisked off to a palm-fringed beach like area for a sundowner session. Celebrating the sizzling colours of a Botswana sunset is a must. A spread of canapes and drinks of your choice is carefully laid out for your enjoyment. Then, it’s back to camp for an alfresco dinner under the stars and endless boma nights around a roaring campfire.
The above is subject to change according to weather, group dynamics and the needs of guests.
The Sleeping Set-up at Mboma Island Expeditions
This is “levelled-up” glamping, with a focus on a high level of comfort. Your Botswana safari accommodation for the duration of your safari is in 5 Meru-style tents, each with their own rustic small outdoor seating area (safari chairs and table). At no stage does the Mboma team compromise on style, offering hints of luxury when it comes to soft furnishings such as warm-hued rugs and scatter cushions. Kitted out with swag beds, storage space and ensuite bathrooms; Mboma’s tents set a new standard of mobile camping luxury.
Activities at Mboma Island Expeditions
Aside from the added value in-camp activities such as stargazing, sundowner set-ups, boma nights, and high tea; Mboma offers the best of both land and water based safari activities. Mokoro adventures take place in the narrow channels and boating activities on the open waters. Game drives are conducted in the world-renown Moremi Game Reserve, where it’s possible to spot a plethora of game. Because the area is diverse, your birding and wildlife bucket list should be extensive.
Your safari to magical Mboma awaits. Contact reservations@sundestinations.co.za to book an iconic Okavango Delta safari.
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