Mapula Lodge (Okavango Delta) Reopening 1st March 2027

Mapula Lodge has now been taken over by Desert and Delta and will be reopening on 1st March 2027. There will be 12 safari suites in total, 2 of which can be booked as interleading for families. Each suite will feature an en suite bathroom, a private viewing deck, and plush in-room comforts (refreshment station, wardrobe, desk, and 2 fans). Inclusive Activities: Twice daily scheduled activities including game drives (by day and night), motorboat safaris (seasonal), mokoro excursions, walking safaris, fishing, birding, and cultural excursions.

Below info relates to the old camp until we have further info although location obviously doesn’t change.

Mapula Lodge is a funky little camp in the game rich northern Okavango Delta, Botswana. An excellent safari without the crowds.

Location, location, location

This enormous, 220,000 acre Mapula concession is slightly north of the renowned Vumbura and Duba Plains concessions on the northern side of the Okavango Delta. Despite its vast size (and the abundance of the game), the area is home to only a few camps. This makes it a prime destination for those looking for an exclusive experience; in a blissfully uncrowded area.

The camp itself occupies an enviable position on a large, treed island at the edge of seasonal floodplains along the upper reaches of the famous Selinda Spillway. The Selinda river connects the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti.

The landscape is iconic in all its Delta beauty. A pristine wilderness of floodplains and grasslands, lagoons, and palm strewn islands. These diverse habitats support an extraordinary range of wildlife. It truly is one of the most unique wetland areas in the world, and, in our eyes (and many others!) one of the best safari destinations there is.

Accommodation & Amenities

Designed by the creators of the Kalahari legend, Jack’s Camp, this is a stylish safari outpost with serious panache. A little bit quirky and jam packed with character. The 9 x canvas and thatch bedroom tents have king-size metal four posters and feather filled pillows to fall face first into after a day’s game viewing. There are 6 x twins, 2 x doubles, and 1 x family tents. En-suite bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor showers. Safari-chic finishing touches include rich Kilims on the floors, polished butler trays, and brass lanterns.

Mapula Lodge view from bedroom — Mapula Lodge view from the bedroom

In the main area, a swimming pool is a perfect antidote to hot Delta afternoons with views over the hippo filled lagoon. If you’d rather stay dry, pick a perch in the lounge to keep watch over the wildlife action. A sunken lounge area overlooking the lagoon offers a variety of comfy sofas and slouchy armchairs to watch the wildlife.

The lodge is as authentic and real as possible. To leave a lighter footprint there is no WiFi or hairdryers. Battery charging facilities are available in the mess tent & in the room.

Family safaris at Mapula Lodge:

Mapula accepts children 6 years and older.
Children 6 years & older may take part in a mokoro or boat safari and must wear a life jacket on a mokoro or boat.
Children 6 years old & taller than 1.2m are allowed in the hot air balloon.

Mapula Lodge Wildlife and Activities ↓

Wildlife Safari

This incredible concession in the Okavango Delta is a true wildlife stronghold. In fact; those in the know say that the area has the highest concentration of lions anywhere in the Okavango Delta. The allure isn’t simply in the number of animals you’ll see but in the diversity of species in the reserve. Yes, there are lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs. But you’ll also spot elusive and lesser known predators like caracal, serval, and mongoose. On the edge of the water; buffalo congregate en masse. Trunk swinging elephants bathe, watched from the channels by sun basking crocs and hippos. Antelope, zebra, and giraffe dot the floodplains in every direction.

The birdlife here is especially noteworthy. The endangered wattled crane, carmine bee-eaters, and the African paradise flycatcher are all regularly spotted. This is a delight of many a twitcher.

Birding safari - Little bee eater — Birding safari – Little bee-eater

Activities

Game drive through vast tracts of pristine wilderness in search of lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, and the rare sitatunga antelope.
View the wildlife at eye level on a boat or traditional mokoro safari through the lily filled channels. Water activities are subject to water levels in the Okavango Delta. Therefore; they may be limited in the low water season from October until January.

Try your hand at a spot of fishing. Fishing is not permitted from January until March due to it being the breeding season.
Tick off some of the Okavango specials from your bird list. Some important ones are the slaty egret, Pel’s fishing owl, and the African skimmer to name a few.
Pour a G&T, pick your spot, and watch in awe as the sun sinks below the watery plains; the perfect sundowner.
Cruise over the vast landscapes on a soaring helicopter flight (at an additional cost).
Take to the skies on an evocative hot air balloon flight. This is at an additional cost. It needs to be combined with a helicopter transfer between 15th April – 15th September.
Spa treatments at an additional cost.

When Is A Good Time To Go

Mapula Lodge is open all year round. So which is the ‘best time of year to visit? There isn’t one as it all depends on your preferences, what you would like to see and do.

April to October in the Delta is the dry, winter months. Confusingly; this means the water levels are at their highest. Consequently, it’s the best time of year for water and mokoro safaris; when you’ll be able to access remote areas. Game viewing at this time of year is exceptional; it always is. This combined with the pleasant, mid-20s temperatures and sunshine filled skies, makes it a great time to experience the Delta.

October to March are the green season months. Rain comes in the form of short, sharp thunderstorms. The dramatic skies make for even more dramatic sunsets. Water levels are slightly lower at this time of year. However, there is always permanent water around Mapula Lodge and mokoro and boat safaris are usually still possible. It’s also the best time of year to spot breeding animals and migrant birds.

Mapula Lodge accommodation rates:

Mapula Lodge is currently closed until 1st March 2027. As soon as we have the rates for 2027, we will publish them here.

It will be common rated with the other Desert and Delta camps in the Okavango Delta so there will be great combo offers:

Combine your stay at one or more Desert and Delta Camps and get discounts. These are:
Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve:
Camp Okavango / Xugana Island Lodge / Camp Xakanaxa / Nxamaseri Island Lodge / Camp Moremi / Sediba Sa Rona / Mapula Lodge.
Chobe National Park:
Chobe Game Lodge / Chobe Savanna Lodge* / Savute Safari Lodge
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (Boteti River Valley):
Leroo La Tau

*Chobe Savanna Lodge doesn’t have long stay discounts but can be added to itineraries.

Okavango Delta Accommodation ↓

This list is getting very long so we recommend visiting our Botswana Accommodation to zoom into map and see lodges.

Shinde concession, Okavango Delta safari

Mapula Lodge (Okavango Delta) Reopening 1st March 2027

Mapula Lodge
Mapula Okavango Delta Botswana