Duke's Camp (Okavango Delta) – Great rates and specials

Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East are on a 220 000-acre (89 000-hectare) concession. In the northern sector of the Okavango Delta. It is just north of the iconic Vumbura and Duba Plains and adjoining the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. The unusually large size of the concession, coupled with limited human impact and a vast abundance of wildlife, is a rare opportunity to enjoy a truly wild and untouched corner of the Delta.

Duke’s East is the little sister to Duke’s Camp. Ideal of exclusive-use groups. Or, those seeking out a more intimate safari affair.

The camps are pitched in a remote wilderness area set on a channel of the northern Okavango Delta. They are hidden amid the boughs of indigenous leadwood and ebony trees. This is a landscape of tawny grasslands interwoven with shimmering channels. Where ancient woodland and ilala palm islands speak to the passage of time in this utterly timeless landscape. Dreamed up, and brought to life, by Ralph Bousfield and the creators of Jack’s Camp, an icon of the Kalahari. Enjoy the same yesteryear charm and understated luxury in the wilderness.

The Duke’s Camps draw inspiration from the crystal-clear channels and bountiful islands of the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is one of the most unique wetland areas in the world. Unchanged for centuries. And, regarded by those in the know as one of the best safari destinations there is.

Escape the African sun in the camp pool, with the chance to spot wildlife from your lounger. Enjoy unforgettable sunset from both land and water.

To leave a lighter footprint the camps are run on solar power. In addition, there is no WiFi or hairdryers.

Skip to Rates and Specials at Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East

Duke’s Camp Accommodation

Moremi Game Reserve accommodation — Guest Tent interior

Duke’s Camp offers 8 x canvas safari suites. 5 x twins, 2 x doubles and 1 x family unit. Duke’s East has 4 x spacious tents. 1 x double, 2 x twin and 1 x family unit with a private plunge pool. Each one offers unforgettable views of the Okavango Delta. The tents are on raised wooden decks and sit elegantly amongst Leadwood and Ebony trees.

Each tent offers a spacious en-suite bathroom, bedecked with brass fittings and bespoke amenities. As well as a private viewing deck. Here leather campaign chairs offer a space for quiet reflection on your time in the wilderness. And the opportunity for spontaneous game sightings. Herds of elephant and red lechwe are common here. And moments spent in quiet observation rarely go unrewarded.

Taking their cue from the style and panache of the original Jack’s Camp, the guest tents revel in the much-loved vintage safari aesthetic. Plush fabrics, Persian rugs and hand-carved four-poster beds. Think mahogany sideboards filled with African memorabilia. Richly-patterned rugs atop wooden floors. And a butler tray decked with a steaming pot of filter coffee come morning. It’s a seamless blend of yesteryear charm, safari expertise, and deep respect for the surrounding natural ecosystems.

Both camps can be booked out together to accommodate a larger group.

Okavango Delta accommodation — Duke’s East bedroom

Okavango Delta Wildlife

Where the prey goes, the predators will follow. And with the high carrying capacity of this concession guests can look forward to impressive wildlife sightings throughout the year. Lush grasslands sustain large herds of herbivores – including African buffalo. While the Okavango’s iconic elephants are here in abundance. With guests often enjoying thrilling sightings on the vehicle, mokoro, and boating excursions.

This diverse habitat is also exceptional in its ability to sustain a diversity of wildlife. From healthy populations of herbivores. To leopards, lions, African wild dogs and smaller carnivores. Including serval and caracal. In fact, this corner of the Okavango Delta has some of the highest concentrations of lions in the Delta.

Okavango Delta safari with Wild Dog — Wild dogs

The bird life in this region is equally remarkable, with more than 440 species recorded in the region. The trademark cry of the African fish eagle is the soundtrack to many a game drive. As twitchers tick dozens of new species off their bird life list.

Activities at Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East

Guides combine their in-depth naturalist expertise and years of experience in the bush with the trademark knack for storytelling. Passed on by founder Ralph Bousfield. With all game activities taking place on a vast concession. Away from public access, guests can look forward to utterly unique wilderness experiences.

When you visit the Duke’s Camps, you will be directly supporting Natural Selection conservation initiatives. Some of them are:
Eretsha Primary School Outreach, Elephant Express, Mmogo Coexistence Program, Citizen-Science and large carnivore monitoring, and Wild Vision

Some of the activities are:

Game Drives

Morning, afternoon and night game drives explore the pristine private concession. Home to a rich array of wildlife including healthy populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, and elephant. A highlight of any visit to the Delta is sighting the semi-aquatic red lechwe and rare sitatunga antelope.

Mokoro Safari

Glide through crystal-clear channels on a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) safari. As expert guides introduce you to the remarkable fauna and flora of the Delta. Note that mokoro activities are subject to the annual floodwaters. And in dry years may be restricted or curtailed from October to January.

Okavango Delta Sleep Under the Stars

On a stay of 2 nights or more, it is possible to include fly-camping on a remote, lantern-lit island. Sleep under the stars armed with a mozzie net and a bedroll.
A surcharge of USD 600 per person per night will be charged when more than one guest is doing the sleep out (max 16 guests).
For one guest, the surcharge is USD 900.
Minimum age is 6 years and children 6-18 are charged at the full rate and must be accompanied by one parent.
The sleep out is available from 1st April – 31st October and is weather permitting.

Okavango Delta Fly Camping — Sleep under the stars in the Delta

Fishing

Cast a line for the myriad fish species of the Okavango Delta, including African pike, Nembwe and Tilapia. Note that fishing is catch and release and is not permitted during the breeding season, from 1st January – 31st March.

Birding

The Okavango Delta is a haven for birders, with more than 440 species spotted in the region. While the arrival of northern hemisphere migrants makes summer the best time for birding. Twitchers will be mesmerized year-round.

Tsodilo Hills Rock Art

The Tsodilo Hills is a fascinating World Heritage Site that is located just 30 minutes flight away by helicopter. They have a special significance to the Bushmen who have been living here for thousands of years. With over 4,500 individual paintings, Tsodilo is a treasure trove of ancient rock art. With some of the highest concentrations in the world dating back between 800 to 1300 AD. A half-day helicopter trip should be booked in advance to spend a morning exploring these Hills and their paintings.

Scenic Helicopter Flights Over the Okavango Delta

Scenic helicopter flights offer an entirely new perspective of the Okavango Delta. (Additional cost).

Wining and Dining at Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East

The main mess area at the 2 camps are a delight. With 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.

Enjoy meals under the shade of the giant Ebony or Leadwood trees. Or in the communal dining tent, where the long vintage dining table dominates the space. Guests gather to trade tales of their days in the wilderness. Or admire the cabinets of curiosities filled with Africana and collectables. Gathered by the Bousfield family through generations of African travel.

Meals are a lavish affair of crystal glasses and antique silverware. With three-course dinners that celebrate the rich tradition of honoring 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. At day’s end, gather by the fire pit to watch the mopane wood smoke curl up into the southern skies. Hinting at tomorrow’s promise of yet more African adventure.

Best time to visit Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East

Both camps are open year-round. With each season offering its own unique character and opportunities for adventure in the Okavango Delta.

Arguably the best time to visit is between April and October. And these dry winter months are the peak seasons in the Okavango Delta. Though they are the ‘dry’ months, there is water everywhere! Rainfall is almost unheard of.

At this time most of the Delta is in full flood. From the constant pulses of waters arriving from the moist Angolan highlands around 1000km away. Channels fill with crystalline waters. Marking this to be the best time for mokoro and boat activities. Game viewing is exceptional. With photo opportunities of elephants and antelope navigating flooded channels. Daytime temperatures during winter are mild, with clear blue skies. While mornings and evenings are cool enough to call for a light jacket. This is, undoubtedly, the best time to visit the Delta.

With the change of weather in October, we welcome the ‘Green’ season. When the landscape erupts in a riot of bright green foliage fed by the summer rains. Temperatures begin to climb. And rain falls in intense afternoon thunderstorms that lend an undeniable drama to the Okavango.

Though water levels in the channels begin to recede from October, the unique location of Duke’s Camp up north ensures that it receives the first pulses of new floodwaters. Often as early as February ensuring near year-round* access to perennial channels for mokoros and boat safaris.

*During low water season from October – January, mokoro & boating may be limited as these activities are subject to water levels.

These warmer summer months are also best for bird watching. With the arrival of summer migrants from central Africa and Europe that set the bush alive with birdsong.

Dukes Camp and Duke’s East Accommodation 2024 Rates per person	1-5 Night Rate	6+ Night Rate	8+ Night Rate
Green Season: 10th January – 31st March 2024	$960	$864
Shoulder Season: 1st – 30th April 2024	$1,205	$1,085
Shoulder Season: 1st – 31st May 2024	$1,205		$1,145
High Season: 1st June – 30th June 2024	$1,650		$1,568
Peak Season: 1st July – 31st August 2024	$1,840		$1,748
High Season: 1st September – 31st October 2024	$1,650	$1,485
Shoulder Season: 1st November – 19th December 2024	$1,205	$1,085
High Season: 20th December 2024 – 9th January 2025	$1,650	$1,485

2024 Single Supplement

There is no single supplement from 10th January – 31st March (Green Season).
For the remainder of the year a single supplement of 40% applies to all

Rates Include:
Accommodation, all meals, beverages, guest laundry, daily activities, expert guiding, park entry fees, and VAT.
Rates Exclude:
Premium brand drinks, gratuities, flights, and fully comprehensive personal travel insurance. There is also a nightly Conservation, Community & Reserve Fee.

Child Policy:

Children from 6 years are welcome at Duke’s Camp and Duke’s East. When sharing with adults, children are charged 50% of the per person rate per night. Children refer to kids aged between 6 to 18 years.
Families traveling with children up to the age of 9 are required to book and pay for a private vehicle.