Okuti Camp
Okuti Camp is located in the northern section of the game rich Moremi Game Reserve, overlooking the permanent waterways of the Okavango Delta.
Okuti is a very comfortable and well run lodge (though called ‘camp’ it has the infrastructure of a lodge), with friendly staff and a good ambience. With just seven unique and very spacious rooms, Okuti is an intimate and exclusive lodge. It is worth noting that whilst the area is fantastic for game viewing, the Moremi Game Reserve is not as exclusive as the surrounding private concession areas, so you do see a few other vehicles on game drives. Boat cruises are also superb, with extensive lagoons and waterways to explore. Being in the reserve also means more restrictions on activities (night drives, walks and fishing are not permitted) and the deep water around the lodge is not suitable for mekoro excursions. We therefore usually suggest combining Okuti with a second camp in the Okavango that can offer these activities. In a part of Africa that is generally very expensive, Okuti represents extremely good value for money when you consider the great location for game viewing and the quality of the camp.
Rooms
Okuti accommodates a maximum of 18 guests in seven unique rooms which are loosely designed on traditional bushman shelters or ‘Masasas’. The spacious, dome shaped rooms are built onto raised plinths and have high ceilings, bamboo-weave interior walls and solid clay en suite plumbed bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers. Each room has a canvas and mosquito gauze front and leads out to a private deck overlooking the waterways. Two of the rooms are family rooms and include a second twin bedroom in an open plan style off the main room with a shared lounge area and bathroom.
Central Areas
The central areas are built on wooden decking and comprise an indoor dining and lounge area, leading out to an outdoor dining deck and campfire area and a swimming pool with sundeck, all overlooking the waterways of the delta.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The big game viewing in the Moremi Game Reserve is some of the best in Africa, with all the major species present (though rhino very hard to find) and excellent predator concentrations. Cheetah and wild dog are regularly seen, as are lion and leopard. There are high numbers of elephant and big herds of buffalo, whilst boat cruises offer the chance to see rarer species such as sitatunga, spotted necked otter and Pel’s fishing owl.
The area immediately around Okuti is mature mixed woodland leading out to floodplains along the edges of the deep water channels. It is a very beautiful part of Moremi. The birdlife is as good as you would imagine, with woodland, savanna and riverine species all present.
Activities
Activities include game drives by day, boat cruises (including a double deck barge which offers morning cruises, brunch/ lunch cruises and sundowner cruises on Xakanaxa Lagoon) and also mokoro excursions. Walking is not permitted in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Seasons
Okuti is open from March to early January, though the best game viewing is generally from late May through to early November.
Okuti accepts children seven years and upwards and has two fantastic family rooms which are spacious and include a second bedroom internally linked to the main bedroom. Specialist guides can be hired through Ker and Downey’s Young Explorers programme who are really geared up for families. With a swimming pool and the chance to undertake both game drives and boat cruises, Okuti offers an excellent all round family experience.
Chobe Impact is the philanthropic, non profit arm of Ker & Downey (owners of Okuti Camp). Every guest pays a donation (added to the accommodation rates) to Chobe Impact and this donation is matched by Ker & Downey Botswana. Chobe Impact applies the funds to initiatives that make a positive impact in the key areas of education, community empowerment, research, and conservation. One of the main projects supported is Bana Ba Letsatsi, a day centre which provides vulnerable and orphaned children with food, skills training, mentoring and counselling as well as sport, art and musical activities.
Support is provided in the form of monthly donations to the organisation to buy essential everyday items such as food, clothing and classroom materials for the children. These regular donations also allow Bana Ba Letsatsi to budget for unexpected expenses, and the charity sets aside a proportion of the donations each month to cover any unforeseen medical emergencies which may occur.
The children also regularly attend the BBL Wildlife Club which is run by Ker & Downey’s specialist guides who encourage them to develop an interest in and respect for wildlife. Annually, groups of children from the Wildlife Club are hosted in the Ker & Downey Botswana camps. It’s a time to put their bush knowledge into practise and enjoy all that the wildlife and wilderness has to offer.
Bana Ba Letsatsi has been introduced to the Pack For A Purpose organisation which means that Ker & Downey Botswana’s guests may use the space in their luggage to bring in donations of clothes, toys and educational materials for the children. Please note the centre is not open for visitors – items will be collected and delivered by Ker & Downey.
