Lagoon Camp
Lagoon Camp is a tented lodge overlooking a lagoon close to the Kwando River in the remote Kwando Concession of the Greater Linyanti region
Lagoon Camp has for many years been recognised as one of the best camps in Africa to see wild dogs. A successful pack of dogs have chosen to den in the wilderness area close to camp for many of the last 10 years and the chances of seeing dogs are always pretty good. Recently the dogs have denned away from the property so it is only in June each year that the camp really knows how good the wild dog viewing is likely to be for the rest of that season! However, the Kwando Concession offers much more with excellent general game viewing.
The ethos of the camp is for their guests to see as much wildlife as possible during their stay, though this can mean that game drives are sometimes quite adventurous with lots of off road driving! Hospitality at Lagoon Camp is friendly and food is fine, but you are not choosing it for its sophisticated hospitality, personal hosting or slick service. You should choose Lagoon Camp because your priority is seeing big game, possibly with a particular interest in wild dogs, in an exclusive wilderness environment, hosted by proactive guides.
Rooms
Lagoon Camp caters for up to 20 guests in eight luxury tented chalets and one family unit, with a shared bathroom, which includes an extra twin bedroom for children. Each of the extremely spacious chalets are built from canvas and set on a raised wooden deck overlooking the Kwando River. The main body of the chalet is split level with a sitting area at the front with a step up into the sleeping area. To the front of each chalet is an enormous gauze window with views over the lagoon. To the rear of the chalet is a large dressing area and to one side the plumbed en suite bathroom with toilet, double vanity, freestanding bath and both indoor and outdoor showers. Each chalet has a small outside deck area with comfortable furniture.
Central Areas
The camp is set in the shade of the riverine woodland and there is a central bar and lounge area, separate dining room and upstairs library. There is also a small swimming pool and plenty of shady areas in which to relax during the heat of the day, including a deck overlooking the lagoon.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – No
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Kwando concession is a remote region of northern Botswana, following the western side of the Kwando River as it heads southwards to join the Linyanti River. The habitat is a mix of mopane and savanna woodland, scrub bush, open grassland and riverine bush, and the area is known as a big game area. Animals likely to be seen include elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, hippo, eland, kudu, impala, zebra, tsessebe, giraffe and a variety of other smaller game. Nocturnal species such as serval, genet, African wild cat and porcupine are also seen often on night drives.
In particular, wild dogs are regularly seen, especially when they den on the property, which they did consistently until 2017. Since then, the dogs have become less predictable, but even if den sites are not close by, the area around Lagoon Camp is still a favourite hunting ground for them. The dogs tend to den in mid-winter (June/ July) and sightings can be most predictable during this time and in the few months afterwards when the young pups are too young to travel.
The birdlife is prolific and the many varieties of kingfishers, bee-eaters, eagles, ducks, egrets, plovers, herons, cranes, storks, geese, woodpeckers, shrikes, thrushes, buntings, chats, owls and parrots are just some of the many different species found.
Activities
Activities focus around game drives by day and night, though walking is also possible. Night drives can be productive. Gentle boat cruises on the Kwando River are offered (subject to water levels – very late in the season from November onwards cruising may be limited), as is fishing, both from a boat and from the deck at the front of camp.
The camp does have a fairly adventurous format for game drives and there is often a focus on the wild dogs when they are in the area. It is not uncommon for game drives to involve off-roading to keep up with the dogs, or fast paced driving to reach sightings. If you have specific interests such as birding or are experienced on safari, then we would recommend taking sole-use of a vehicle with a private guide (this is an additional cost but allows you complete flexibility). If you are seeking a very relaxed, tranquil and sophisticated game viewing experience then there may be other properties in the region that are more suitable. Lagoon is one of the few camps that still uses trackers in addition to guides on game drives.
Seasons
Lagoon Camp is open all year round, though game viewing is best from aJune through to early November. Fishing is not permitted in Botswana during January and February.
Lagoon Camp accepts children from six years and upwards but families with children under 12 years old must pay extra for a private vehicle (unless they are a family of five or six when it is provided automatically). The family unit (main bedroom, lounge, second bedroom and shared bathroom) is also super for families who wish to all be under one roof. However the remote location and big game focus of the camp will tend to appeal to more adventurous families with older children.
Guests at Lagoon Camp have the option to contribute to the Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT) which supports several initiatives throughout Botswana with Kwando Safaris (owners of Lagoon) pledging to match each guest’s contribution.
Kwando’s Bucket Project was created for Botswana’s 50th anniversary of independence in 2016 where Kwando staff sourced donations of household supplies and gave the items out in buckets to rural villages. This practice now takes place during every anniversary of independence around the 31st September.
Kwando are also sponsors of Mummy’s Angels, a project which supports and empowers mothers and their new-born babies in Maun who do not have financial or family support. Mummy’s Angels started out donating their children’s clothes and baby essentials and now Lagoon guests are invited to bring some of the requested items with them on holiday. For each item donated, Kwando pledges to match it with something similar. Along similar lines, Kwando is also a member of Pack for a Purpose where guests may use the empty space in their suitcases for donations of much needed supplies for Mummy’s Angels.
