Wilderness Vumbura Plains
WILDERNESS Vumbura Plains is a high end lodge located overlooking beautiful wetlands in the heart of the Vumbura concession in the northern Okavango Delta.
Wilderness Vumbura Plains is a wonderful property if you are looking to combine a high level of luxury (and a little pampering and personal service) with fantastic game viewing and a lovely Okavango Delta experience. The Vumbura concession is varied and beautiful, and whilst super for game viewing, it also offers good wetland Okavango experiences with boat cruises, mekoro excursions and fishing all possible. This makes Wilderness Vumbura Plains one of the best lodges from which to enjoy the full range of Okavango habitats and activities. The lodge is expensive, especially in high season, but for guests accepting of the price tag, Vumbura Plains is fantastic lodge in a great area.
Vumbura Plains is divided into two sections, North and South, which are ‘self-contained’ units. North Camp caters for up to 20 guests in eight suites (including two family suites); whilst South Camp accommodates up to 12 guests in six suites.
Rooms
The suites are all raised off the ground on wooden platforms, and feature a spacious open plan bedroom, living room and bathroom, and an extensive private deck. Accommodation is well appointed and furnished to a high standard with a contemporary feel. The suites have thatched roofs, solid frames and roll down canvas blinds to the front and sides and have a split level design with the bedroom and open plan en suite on one level, and a sunken lounge set on a slightly lower level. The bed is centrally placed and has wonderful views over the Delta, while the extensive verandah has a plunge pool (on the lower level) and private sala. En suite facilities include a double vanity, hairdryer, and both indoor and outside showers. Ceiling fans and standing fans help during the hotter months. Wi-Fi is available in the suites (connections may be intermittent). The two family suites have a similar design, but the sala space is used as a second smaller bedroom. In one family suite the two bedrooms are connected externally via the shared deck, while the second family suite has an inter-leading shaded outdoor lounge area connecting the bedrooms, with roll down canvas blinds.
Central Areas
Wooden walkways link the suites to the main reception areas (one for each section of camp) which are open plan and also built on timber decking. There is a lounge and bar, covered dining room and extensive deck for outdoor dining, together with fire pit area. The curio shop is located between the two camp sections.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Private Plunge Pools
Habitat & Wildlife
The Vumbura private concession is extremely exclusive with some 230 sq. miles of pristine big game territory and waterways to explore. The habitat is a wonderful mix or permanent waterways, seasonal floodplains, mature woodland, scrub bush and open plains. Game drives are very productive with all major predators seen regularly and night drives can be good too with nocturnal creatures such as honey badger, leopard, civet, serval, genet and porcupine often encountered. The area is also a good place to see the rare and beautiful Sable antelope – a particular part of the concession is known for them.
A permanent channel flows through the concession so water activities are available year round, though more extensive exploration of the delta is possible during the flood season from May to August (during this time, game drives often require driving through shallow water in areas close to the permanent water). Birdlife is excellent and varied with woodland, grassland and wetland species all in abundance.
Activities
Vumbura Plains offers the full range of Okavango activities, including walks, local mokoro safaris (dugout canoes), boating trips, fishing and game drives by open four-wheel drive vehicles. Late afternoon drives are often extended after dark when you will have the opportunity to see some of the many nocturnally active species of wildlife – honey badger, leopard, civet, serval, genet, aardvark, pangolin, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, and hyaena under spotlight. It is also possible to arrange scenic helicopter flights at extra costs, including trips further afield to explore the Tsodilo Hills.
Seasons
Wilderness Vumbura Plains is open all year round, though game viewing is best from June through to early November. Water activities are best from May to September when water levels are highest. Fishing is not permitted in Botswana during January and February.
The variety of activities on offer and the high levels of personal service offered by the staff make Wilderness Vumbura Plains an exceptional high end safari and wilderness experience for any family. North Camp is most suitable for families with children who need to sleep close to one another as they have two spacious family units (with extra bedrooms though not internally connected), whilst South Camp is more orientated towards couples only. A complimentary, and optional, Bush Buddy service is offered where children may be paired with a local mentor for the duration of their stay who is experienced in childcare and engaging with children.
Wilderness Safaris has established two non-profit organisations to achieve their mission of protecting and expanding Africa’s wilderness through conservation and community empowerment.
Children in the Wilderness (CITW) focuses on the children from villages close to the remote areas in which Wilderness Safaris operates, providing environmental education and awareness and training them in the life skills needed to care for and nurture their natural surroundings.
The Wilderness Wildlife Trust is involved in research and conservation, anti-poaching and community empowerment and education. The Trust has many projects throughout Botswana (as well as other areas of Africa in which Wilderness Safaris operates) including the Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Project and the Botswana Vulture Conservation Project.
The Vumbura Concession is in a Wildlife Management Area and is leased to Wilderness Safaris through The Okavango Community Trust ensuring the five local villages benefit from the operation (for example, all staff members that are employed on the concession must be from one of the villages). Furthermore CITW focuses on the children from these communities.
Guests also have the option (at an extra cost) of arranging an excursion by helicopter to learn more about CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainability – an organisation focussing on reducing conflict between people and predators) or a “Life With Elephants” village visit with EcoExist (an NGO aiming to reduce conflict between people and elephants.
The camp is operated entirely on solar power.
