North Island Okavango is an intimate little camp that packs a lot of punch! On a private island of the Okavango Delta that is surrounded by a mosaic of other islands. All netted together by shining lagoons and transient channels. Between the floodplains, open Savannah and woodlands, there is an abundance of wildlife everywhere. Enjoy blissful comfort and African inspired sophistication in what is undoubtedly one of the most famous wildlife watching destinations in the world.
Here you get to experience the Delta three ways. On land (game drives), on water (mokoro and boat meanders) and in the air (on a scenic helicopter flight). This is a safari experience that’s hard to beat. You’ll find yourself in the thick of it! Home to all the stars of the animal kingdom, from big cats, to buffalo, antelope and aardvark. The adventure here comes to you in waves. As you safari amongst the islands, rich with wild things and extraordinary beauty. This is without doubt, an incredible Okavango Delta safari experience.
The camp sits peacefully in front of a glorious hippo filled lagoon, shaded by a congregation of enormous trees. With a separate lounge and dining area to enjoy delicious dinners, connected by a wooden deck that extends onward for stargazing around a crackling fire pit at night. To the side, there is a separate library for resting and reading and an outdoor gym to exercise in, while surrounded by the wild. The camp is 100% solar powered.
Each of the 4 x tents offer stunning views of the lagoon in front of it and a private plunge pool. With a sunken sundeck for cooling off and for you to enjoy watching the wildlife that comes into view. The tents offer comfort and luxury. Surrounded by a congregation of beautiful big trees. Delights of ebony, mangosteen, rain trees, leadwood and wild fig.
Private plunge pool and Okavango Delta views from deck
The en-suite bathroom has an indoor and outdoor shower, plus a bathtub. The suites have twin beds that can be converted to doubles. Plus a sleeper couch to accommodate two children with their own bathroom. The total floor space is 140 m2 (including deck, outside shower, pool etc). 80 m2 of interior floor space.
Tent interior
For the hotter summer nights, each bed comes with its very own ‘over the bed’ cooling system. And in winter, there is a cozy fireplace to relax in front of. Making each tent a romantic safari experience. Of course, they have WiFi, ceiling fans and mini bars.
In March 2025, 2 more tented suites and 1 x family room will be added, giving a total of 7 rooms. This means the camp will be closed from 5th January to 14th March 2025.
North Island Okavango Landscapes and Wildlife
The landscape is iconic in all its Delta beauty. It’s a pristine wilderness of floodplains and grasslands, lagoons and palm strewn islands. The diverse habitats support an extraordinary range of wildlife. It really is one of the most unique wetland areas in the world. Unchanged for centuries, and one of the best safari destinations there is.
The area around North Island is famed for its large buffalo herds and the lions that hunt them. The plains are also home to a strong population of cheetah and wild dog. While the woodlands host leopard in high numbers. You’ll also spot elusive and lesser-known predators like caracal, serval and mongoose.
Each year approximately 40 000 elephants transit through the area. On the edge of the water, buffalo congregate en masse. Lechwe leap in bounding cascades and the water dwelling sitatunga shyly graze. While trunk swinging elephant bathe, watched closely from the channels by sun basking crocs and hippo. Antelope dot the floodplains in every direction, and zebra and giraffe appear at the flash of a camera.
Lechwe in the Delta
The birdlife here is especially noteworthy. With over 350 bird species. Including the endangered wattled crane, carmine bee-eaters, secretary birds and the Pel’s fishing owl. All regularly spotted to the delight of many a twitcher.
Bee Eater
Here you get to experience the Delta three ways – on land, on water and in the air.
North Island Okavango 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. NB water activities are subject to water levels in the Delta. But the best part about North Island Okavango is that it gets water almost all year round). Try your hand at a spot of fishing (from 1st March – 31st December). Fishing is not permitted from January to February due to breeding season). Tick off some of the Okavango specials from your bird list. The slaty egret, Pel’s fishing owl and the African skimmer to name a few. Cruise over the vast landscapes of the Okavango Delta on a scenic helicopter flight. Or to visit community based outreach partners in the nearby villages. Another option is a helicopter flight to view ancient rock art at Tsodilo Hills, less than 100km away. All at an additional cost. Spend time with one of our conservation partners, to see first hand how we are making a difference to wildlife conservation in the area. At an additional cost.
Conservation and Community
Natural Selection has partnered with the Magobagoba Youth Trust on this camp. The presence of a camp here can have a very positive impact on both conservation and local communities.
The Magobagoba Youth Trust uses proceeds generated from the camp to support educational projects and employment creating opportunities for the youth of nearby villages who live along the northern fringes of the Okavango Delta. This is an important way to not only support the communities whose lives have formed part of this spectacular landscape for hundreds of years, but to also protect the animals whose movements form a critical part in sustaining this rich, yet fragile Eco-system.
North Island Okavango is open all year round. So when is the ‘best’ time of year to visit? It all depends on your preferences. What you would like to see and do, and how you like to safari.
April to October in the Delta are the dry, winter months. Confusingly, this means the water levels are at their highest. And it’s the best time of year for water and mokoro safaris. However, in saying that, what makes North Island Okavango so unique, is that there is water around the camp almost all year round. This means that guests can enjoy water based activities sooner in the year and for longer than most other areas of the Delta.
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, but there is always permanent water around North Island Okavango and mokoro and boat safaris are still possible. It’s also the best time of year to spot breeding animals and the migrant birds.
Namibia: Safarihoek Lodge (and Safari House), Etosha Mountain Lodge, Kwessi Dunes, and Hoanib Valley Camp
It excludes Natural Selections Shipwreck Lodge
North Island Okavango Accommodation 2024 Rates
1-5 Night Rate
6+ Night Rate
High Season: 1st September – 31st October 2024
$2,765
$2,489
Shoulder Season: 1st November – 19th December 2024
$1,895
$1,706
High Season: 20th December 2024 – 5th January 2025
$2,765
$2,489
The above rates are per person sharing.
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
North Island Okavango Accommodation 2025 Rates
1-5 Night Rate
6+ Night Rate
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
Green Season: 14th – 31st March 2025*
$1,465
0
$1,319
0
Shoulder Season: 1st – 30th April 2025
$1,995
$800
$1,796
$720
Shoulder Season: 1st – 31st May 2025
$2,395
$960
$2,156
$865
High Season: 1st June – 30th June 2025
$2,895
$1,160
$2,750
$1,100
Peak Season: 1st July – 31st August 2025
$3,395
$1,360
$3,225
$1,290
High Season: 1st September – 31st October 2025
$2,895
$1,160
$2,606
$1,045
Shoulder Season: 1st November – 19th December 2025
$1,995
$800
$1,796
$720
High Season: 20th December 2025 – 9th January 2026
$2,895
$1,160
$2,606
$1,045
*Don’t forget North Island Okavango will be closed from 5th January to 14th March 2025 as the new 2 x standard units and 1 x family unit are added.
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 North Island Okavango. 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.
North Island Okavango Accommodation Special Offers
Okavango Delta Honeymoon Offer
Spend your honeymoon with us and one spouse receives 50% off the nightly rate at North Island Okavango. The offer is valid all year and is valid up to 12 months from the date of marriage.
Lebala Camp – accommodation situated in the Linyanti area is renowned for excellent wild dog sightings and other predators and are able to do night game drives
In the heart of the Okavango Delta, on a diverse, wildlife-rich private concession, is andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, luxury accommodation – honeymoon
Rates and safari offers at &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp – luxury accommodation in the Okavango Delta (perfect for honeymooners or families on safari)
Mma and Rra Dinare are sister camps overlooking the Gomoti River in the South Eastern Okavango Delta – luxury Gomoti accommodation with excellent game viewing
