Kwetsani Camp
Hotel
Kwetsani Camp is a luxurious tent camp from Wilderness Safaris, located 25 km west from Mombo Island, and west of the Moremi Game Reserve.
The large elongated island is thickly forested with palms, mangosteen and fig trees, and is one of the remotest camps in the Okavango Delta.
Its remoteness contributes to the fascination of this camp: a luxury holiday far from civilization, in the middle of nature.
The camp is built treehouse style: on stilts up in the trees, and offers stunning views read more » over the surrounding countryside.
Just sitting on your private chalet terrace is an adventure, as you can observe all the drama of the hunt played out before your eyes.
It would be hard to come any closer to nature than at Kwetsani Camp. And because the accommodation consists of only five chalets – a maximum of only ten guests at any one time – there’s no noisy tourist hubbub to deal with.
The five generously proportioned treehouse chalets are constructed with all-natural materials: real tree trunks hold up reed thatched roofs. They are appointed with a reverence for the surroundings; small references to the African environment are to be found throughout the camp.
Located on a large island in the constantly-flooded region of the Delta, Kwetsani is one of the few camps to be able to offer land and water safaris – be it in a conventional boat or Mokoro.
The diversity of game viewing at this camp is superlative: hippos, sitatunga antelopes and crocodiles reside in the deeper permanent lily-filled lagoons of the area.
Lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetah, tsessebe and lechwe are among the major game attractions at Kwetsani, and here you’ll also see wild dogs, buffaloes, elephants, zebras, gnu and giraffes.
Nocturnal animals such as porcupines, aardwolves, serval, genet and bushbabies can be observed by joining a night drive.
The camp is reached exclusively by light plane. Depending on the water levels, you will fly into either Jao or Hunda landing strip.
Activities include water safaris in a Mokoro, walking on palm-fringed islands and game drives during the day and night. Due to high flood water levels, the night drives are currently restricted to an hour's drive around the camp island.
In the height of the Okavango's annual floods, boats are used to transfer to the surrounding islands where the game viewing sets off.
Facts about Kwetsani
Cathy and David Kays and their families are the long term leaseholders of Jao Reserve. The Kays are one of Maun's oldest families. David's great grandfather first came to Ngamiland in 1887. In 1912 the Kays family settled in Tsau, at that time the headquarters of the Batawana tribe (Maun was not yet founded).
When the Batawana tribe decided to establish a new village at Maun and move its headquarters there in the mid-twenties, the Kays family moved with them.
David's father, Ronnie, was instrumental in advising the Batawana Tribal Authorities on the formation of Moremi Game Reserve and assisted in the demarcation of the reserve's boundaries.
Like all families raised in and around the Okavango, wildlife was in their blood, and they spent most of their lives out in the bush.
When they won the rights for the Jao Reserve in the recent tender process, they were determined to develop one of Botswana's finest reserves.
They turned their backs on hunting, even though it is allowed in this reserve. They are only the second reserve in Botswana not to allow hunting, even though it is officially permitted.
They have decided to focus all their efforts on developing Jao into a superb photographic reserve, losing in the process an estimated US$300,000 in hunting revenue every year.
In this way, they hope to ensure great game viewing and a superb wildlife product in the long term. The two camps they have built - Jao and Kwetsani - are two of the top camps in the Okavango.
Living
Kwetsani Camp is located within the private Jao Concession, west of Mombo and north of Jao, and on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve. Because it only accepts a maximum of ten guests, this camp not
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only offers an excellent safari experience, but also utmost privacy.
The five spacious tree-house chalets are built three metres from ground level, have reed thatch roofs.
All chalets are appointed with en-suite bathrooms with inside and outside showers, toilet, hand-basin and good ventilation, and a wonderful view of the surrounding flood plain from the veranda.
Personal touches such as soap, shampoo and insect repellent have all been thought of for each chalet.
The main camp is also elevated up under the shady tree canopy, and includes a dining room and bar, each with a stupendous view.
The walkways between the camp’s buildings are high off the ground, allowing uninterrupted pathways for the animals below.
Take in a view of the African star-filled skies over dinner on our veranda area, or make yourself comfortable around the camp’s open fire.
Also on offer is the chance to cool off throughout the day in our beautifully located swimming pool with view across the surrounding countryside, or pick up some African memories in our souvenir shop. Relax anytime with a drink at the bar.
Important Note: The camp is powered by a 220V generator, which is only on when guests are out for the day.
In order to ensure comfort and quiet for all, it is turned off when guests return to camp. This means, however, that hairdryers and electric razors cannot be used at these times.
Video camera batteries can of course be charged in the main building of the camp. Don’t forget your spare battery, though. Lighting and fans in the tents are powered by battery (which is recharged by the generator), and solar panels provide a constant and generous supply of hot water.
Activities
Understandably, Kwetsani’s main activities centre around a safari: this area boasts one of the most intensive populations of wild animals in the world.
There are two varieties of safari to choose read more » from: either on water or on the surrounding land (water levels permitting).
As the summer is drier, there are more opportunities to go animal watching on land, whereas the wetter winter means we get out the boats and go exploring.
Our all-terrain vehicles comfortably accommodate seven guests on day safaris. In the height of the Okavango's annual floods, boats are used to get around the area and also to transfer to the islands where the game viewing vehicles are located. It is of course also possible to organize a private vehicle, or to travel on foot.
During the flood times from April to September, there are large numbers of Lechwe Antelope and Lion in the region.
The best months to see elephants are August to November. Herd and savannah animals are active year-round, as are the local leopards.
We thoroughly recommend a visit to nearby Hunda Island, as it is home to large numbers of wild animals.
Bird lovers will also leave Kwetsani more than satisfied, especially if they visited during the summer months.
Other activities on offer include boat trips in the waterways west of the camp, and also fishing trips. Fishing equipment is available at the camp, and fly-fishing can also be booked through Intosol in advance.
