We have exciting news from Botswana! Our friends from the wonderful Natural Selection, have just announced the opening of a brand-new camp, Duke’s Camp, set to open its doors in the wilds of Northern part of the Okavango Delta. We cannot wait to see this place open its doors as one of our top camps from Natural Selection is Jack’s Camp. This is probably their flagship property, and definitely one of our top stays within Botswana. Located in the wonderfully different Makgadikgadi Pans, this is the perfect end, or even start to your Botswana adventure, as the location of this camp is in a wildly different and totally varied eco-system to that of the Linyanti and Delta. So, as you can imagine, we cannot wait to see what the new Duke’s Camp in the Northern part of the Delta has to offer – we are already imagining this to be a perfect camp to combine with Jack’s Camp!

While Jack’s Camp has long taken its cue from the desert, Duke’s Camp draws its inspiration from the crystal-clear channels and the bountiful islands of the Okavango Delta. This landmark permanent camp is names in honour of Sarefo ‘Duke’ Sarefo, the custodian of this special piece of wilderness. Duke was born 80 years ago on the very island that the camp now occupies, and his ancestral roots run deep into these sandy soils.

With expert guides honed in the bushcraft and lore of the Delta, there are few better ways to discover this wild landscape. Glide quietly on a mokoro through the channels, go on enthralling game drives or boat rides with some of the best safari guides in the business, and enjoy a scenic hot-air balloon ride or heli flip over the Delta.

Pitched on raised wooden decks beneath a canopy of ebony and leadwood trees, the camp will open with eight luxurious safari tents, with a further four coming in March 2023. Each room reveals a much-loved vintage safari aesthetic of plush fabrics, Persian rugs, and hand-carved four-poster beds. Think mahogany sideboards filled with African memorabilia; richly patterned kilims atop wooden floors and a butler tray decked with a steaming pot of filter coffee come morning. It’s seamless blend of yesteryear charm, safari savoir-faire and deep respect for the surrounding natural eco-systems.

The main mess area at Duke’s Camp is a delight with its old-world glamour and elegant Persian tea-tent. Grab a drink from the well-stocked drinks cabinet and settle into the small lounge furnished with intricately carved tables, antique oriental rugs, and campaign furniture. At days end, guests gather to trade tales amidst the cabinets of curiosities filled with Africana and collectables gathered by the Bousfield family through generations of African travel.

Meal’s area a lavish affair of crystal glasses and antique silverware, with three course dinners that celebrate the rich Jack’s Camp tradition of honouring guests with fine food and wine in the African bush. Beside the flickering lanterns you’ll find, of course, pots of the Bousfield’s legendary hot chilli relish. After dinner, gather by the firepit to watch the mopane wood smoke curl up into the southern skies, hinting at tomorrow’s promise of yet more African adventure.

We cannot wait to see what the new Duke’s Camp has to offer first hand, you can be assured once it opens its doors, we will be the first people to plan a visit there!