Okavango Delta Accommodation | African Safari Accommodation

Duba Plains

DUBA PLAINS AT A GLANCE

Duba Plains is perhaps the Okavango Delta's most remote camp. The camp is located in the furthermost reaches of the Delta and is situated on an island, surrounded by expansive seasonally flooded plains and shaded by tall ebony, fig and garcinia trees. This pristine area is home to Lion, Leopard, Lechwe, Elephant and huge herds of Buffalo, as well as a large variety of delta bird life. Wattled cranes and slaty egrets are some of the Okavango specials found in the area. The camp is small and intimate, with accommodation for only 12 people. The tents have en-suite bathrooms, with hot and cold running water, and a verandah overlooking the floodplain.

The dining room and bar area is raised on decks, and there is a great pool with a view! The camp offers a variety of activities, ranging from game drives in open 4 x 4 Land Rovers, to walking safaris or mokoro excursions (water levels permitting). Guests may take night drives, which often provide opportunities to photograph Africa's elusive nocturnal animals in action. Access is by aircraft only.

DUBA PLAINS FACT SHEET

LOCATION

Northern Okavango Delta in massive exclusive private reserve

PRICING
January - end June - shoulder rates
July - end October - highest prices
November - end December - shoulder rates

ACCOMMODATION
Number of tents:
6 tents in total consisting of:
5 ¾ twin bedded tents
1 kingsize-bedded honeymoon tent (1 tent can be used as a guide tent)
This camp can accommodate 10 guests on a FIT basis with tour leader or alternatively groups of 12 guests without tour leader.
Tent details:

Large walk-in luxury safari tents at ground level
Tent entrance is a door
Fans in all guest tents
En-suite facilities with showers, interleading door to bathroom at back of tent
All tents have verandas overlooking the flood plains
Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room

CAMP DESCRIPTION
Communal Area:

Remote camp situated in farthest reaches of Okavango Delta

GAME VIEWING
Buffalo (huge herds), elephant, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, warthog, wild dog, lechwe, hippo, leopard, tsessebe, kudu and sable antelope.

ACTIVITIES
Mixed activity camp largely determined by the water levels.
Game Drives:

Land game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers - the camp has 2x 10-seater Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.
Night drives with spot light.

Walking Safaris:

These can be offered from camp to view fauna and flora not normally seen from vehicles.

Water Activities: (seasonally available-best April to September)

Water game viewing in mekoros (a traditional dug-out canoe) 4x 2 seater mekoros
No boats
No mokoros during low flood levels (usually late October to December) due to hippos.

ELECTRICITY & WATER

Camp has a 220v generator. Electricity is run in the kitchen and main areas when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off (for peace in camp).
12v battery power (charged by the generator) is used for lighting and fans in each guest tent 24hrs a day. Hairdryers etc cannot work here.
Video battery can be charged by the generator when guests on game drives. Hence bring spare battery and charging unit.
Solar heated water for showers etc.

DRINKS POLICY
All local drinks beers, wines and mineral water are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of premium wines & champagne, and premium liqueurs & spirits.

LAUNDRY POLICY
Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.

EXTRAS PAYMENT
Curios and or imported drinks will be billed to the guest and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard. If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

FLYING TIMES
to/from Maun 40 minutes
to/from Kasane 1hr 20 minutes
Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes but allow additional time for customs and immigration

AIR STRIP DETAILS
Omdop airstrip located 5 minutes' drive from camp
Max aircraft weight: 2300kg. Unlicensed for heavier aircraft such as King Airs, however, King Airs can utilise Vumbura air strip.
Driving time from Vumbura to Duba Plains Camp is approximately 1 hour. (not possible from May to September when water levels are high).
Air strip co-ordinates: S19.01.39, E022.41.59

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Duba Plains is in an enormous tract of prime wildlife country, on the Moremi's northern boundary. Our landlords at Duba Plains are the Okavango Community Trust, a trust which represents and administers the interests of all the local folk who live to the north of the Okavango Delta in these remote villages. These communities have been ceded this reserve by Government to manage in a joint venture, for photographic safaris. The villagers lease the land to Duba Plains and derive all the direct benefits in return. Money, jobs, training and the secondary businesses that can flow from such arrangements, all accrue directly to these communities. It is these villagers who can determine the well~being of the the wildlife in their area depending on their attitudes and survival needs.