Mombo Camp sits on the northern point of Chief’s Island in the wild and watery heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Winner of numerous awards and accolades, this small and exclusive tented camp is famous not only for its apartment-sized suites but also for its superb game viewing which is said to be amongst the best in Africa.
Chief’s Island is the largest area of dry land in the Okavango Delta and as such is packed with wildlife, particularly predators. Game drives are the order of the day here, and although Mombo Camp doesn’t offer mokoro or walking safaris this hardly seems to matter when most guests are treated to up-close sightings of lion, spotted hyena and leopard. After all, the National Geographic documentary “Eye of the Leopard” was filmed here!
Between game drives you’ll find that Mombo Camp is a wonderful place to relax in luxury, surrounded by the tranquillity of the delta. Shaded by ebony and fig trees, this camp makes the most of its surroundings with an open-sided lounge, shaded daybeds and two plunge pools all overlooking a floodplain invariably dotted with game. Opt for a massage on your private deck or visit the small but well equipped outdoor gym to work off any twinges of guilt after all the delicious food.
Since Chief’s Island falls within Moremi Game Reserve, night drives are not allowed so evenings are spent chatting to other guests around the fire, drink in hand, as the sun goes down over the grassy plains. A candlelit dinner is served in the dining room, out on the main deck or in the lantern-lit boma where Mombo Camp hosts a weekly cultural evening with singing, dancing and traditional food served under a sky bright with stars.
Mombo Camp’s nine elegant suites are raised a couple of metres off the ground and connected to the main camp via wooden walkways. Each suite has canvas walls and sliding doors opening onto a generous deck which includes a thatched sala with a daybed – the perfect place to while away the heat of the day reading, napping and watching antelope grazing on the floodplains below.
Inside each tent you’ll find a bedroom area with a king-size bed and plenty of closet space, a mahogany writing desk with a recharge station for your camera, and an inviting sitting area. It’s easy to feel at home here: grab a drink from the well-stocked fridge and settle back in the cushioned couch, gazing out at the views over the pages of a coffee table book.
The luxury continues in the spacious en-suite bathroom which has his and hers basins, a double-headed shower (big enough for two) and a door leading to a very private outdoor shower area again with those ever-present floodplain views. You might even see an impala or elephant wandering by!
Viewing the high concentrations of plains game and all the predators – including the big cats – is the order of a day at Mombo.
Activities at Mombo camp include game drives & massage treatments. There is a hide 20 minutes from camp from which you can view and photograph animals and birds.
Game drives via open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodate a maximum of six or seven guests, allowing each guest a 'window' seat. Please note that as we are in Moremi Game Reserve, night drives are not possible at Mombo Camp.
Mombo Camp has a well-earned reputation for phenomenal predator sightings, making it a top choice for thrilling tooth-and-claw action. This small luxury camp overlooks a floodplain on the northwest point of Chief’s Island, an area of land that is home to large prides of lion, some of which hunt buffalo – the ultimate wildlife battle!
Chief’s Island is also known for its spotted hyena and incredible leopard sightings; you’ve even got a chance of seeing the famous leopard Legedema, the star of Dereck and Beverly Joubert’s documentary “Eye of the Leopard”. A large pack of wild dogs was often seen close to Mombo, however they were chased away by lions although at the time of writing there is still one wild dog named “Solo” who’s teamed up with a pack of jackals. A unique and endearing relationship!
Both black and white rhino have been reintroduced onto Chief’s Island, completing the Big Five. Other common big game sightings include giraffe, blue wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, numerous elephant and large herds of buffalo grazing the grassy plains. The birdlife too is prolific, and keen birders are sure to add a few more species to their life list including African Jacana, pygmy-geese, goliath heron and migrant waders.
Children:
Mombo Camp can only accommodate children 12 years and older.
Please Note:
Between 11 January 2017 and 30 June 2017, Mombo only will be operational with a total of 8 rooms. Little Mombo is closed over this period
Rates
Luxury room
- Unit sleeps: 2
Includes : Accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry and all local drinks - excludes premium imported brands and champagne
Reviews
"Mombo is the best safari experience in Africa, the range of wildlife is extraordinary on Chiefs island. The camp is fabulous, the best of all is the wonderful staff, who are so kind and have a huge service ethic. The trackers are amazing finding animals in the most unbelievable places. I will certainly return. Gordon Jones."
- Gordon
"What a great camp. The sleeping accommodations are impressive. The "tents" are so cool. All open air, it's so incredibly refreshing. Being there just as winter sets in, the nights can be very cold. Putting down the "flaps" makes all the difference in the world. They even put a hot water bottle in your bed at turn-down. A very special touch that gives you an idea of the thought they put into making your time in Mombo fantastic! The staff is very personable and attentive. All the meals were so good and every one was better than the last. Doc was our guide on our game drives. A great sense of humor. His knowledge of the wildlife, the delta and it's history was impressive. We had a fantastic time @ Mombo and would definitely go again."
- Tom
"Mombo Camp deserves its outstanding reputation as a mecca for safari goers interested in fantastic sightings of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, hippo and many others. Can't recommend it more highly."
- Rose
"Unbelievable guides and wildlife viewing!!- a plethora of animals whichever way we looked. Saw everything including the elusive leopard and white rhino!! Great rooms!! Fantastic food!! Impeccable service! Enjoyed every minute of our stay!! Can't wait to come back!!"
- Dave
"This was our 4th stay at Mombo and beforehand I was concerned that our experience would not match our memories. I need not have worried as we yet again had the most fantastic experience. In camp every member of staff is really friendly and they go out of their way to ensure guests have a good stay. Given the challenges of catering in the Bush, the food is excellent especially afternoon tea. The rooms are extremely comfortable, well equipped and characterful in keeping with the location. Danny and Tanya are doing an excellent job in hosting and managing the camp along traditional Mombo ways. Having said all that, what makes Mombo so special for us is the wildlife. Yes the lion population is "relatively" low at the moment but this means that other species are on the increase particularly Wild dogs. We had several sightings of Wild dogs including an amazing interaction with some hyena. Some of the rhino are nervous of the cars but one came very close to us as we set quietly watching. We were privileged to spend one afternoon watching leopards mating on the ground and then in a tree. The guides are all exceptional. At our request this was our 4th time being guided by the Doc. His love of the Delta is infectious. He is extremely knowledgeable and is always happy to share this with us. His tracking is legendary. As Doc was not available for our first night we were with Cisco who is also great and together with Tsile they make a great team. I am pleased to say this is still our favourite place in the whole world and we will definitely be back."
- Lucy
"We stayed at Mombo for three nights on an extended safari trip. From the moment you arrive, you can see that the staff takes great care of all of their guests. We were greeted by the staff with a song right as we pulled into camp. They gave us a fresh towel and some drinks to welcome us. We had lunch and then visited our rooms and were given a full briefing of all the camp and the services provided. The rooms are amazing, providing a great view of the water and plains that the animals walk through to graze. We even had an elephant right in the camp providing great photo and video opportunities. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we saw all of the main attractions you want to see while on safari. The dinners were exceptional and the chef always came out after to check on our group. The staff also would recommend the proper wine to go with the meals and were always spot on in their choices. This is a PREMIER camp for a reason and you will not be disappointed!"
- Mike
"We stayed for 2 nights and were spoilt from arrival to departure by the fabulous staff as well as enjoying great game viewing. to lie in bed and savour the view over the vlei area in front of the room was a highlight for me - the swamps are just fantastic! thanks team Mombo - a great safari!"
- Jaci
"We couldn't have asked for a better stay in Mombo. First the lodge - The food was delicious, and the rooms expansive and beautiful. I spent my afternoons between drives sitting in the lovely outdoor seating area taking in the beautiful scenery and occasional elephant visitor. Then there was the game. We saw everything in Mombo! The land of plenty certainly did not disappoint. Lastly the staff was just wonderful. That all said, Tanya, from guest relations, deserves a special mention. She went above and beyond the call of duty, during our stay at Mombo and even afterward. Thank you, Tanya!"
- Maria
"I don't know if it was the elephant outside the mesh window of our tent, the baboons playing outside our tent or the amazing views of wildlife inhabitants from our permanent tent and the dining area that completed my bucket list dream. The game drive was spectacular. We experienced a flat tire fix during the time that we were following a pack of wild dogs who faced off with a group of hyenas. Our final farewell was a male leopard casually watching us from 20 feet as we transferred from one vehicle to the other without touching the ground. The camp staff, guides and managers were wonderful in personality, service and talent. My wife and I loved the night of singing and dancing before dinner at the Boma."
- Jason
"Last stop on our ultimate safari and what a way to finish! So much wildlife. The floodplains look like a scene from "The Lion King". From the special Botswana welcome, to the Ferrari safari chase with hunting dogs at the end. Loved using the outside shower and looking across to see an elephant having a mud bath at the same time. The camp is not just glamping, it is superglamping! However the most important ingredient though are the people. Everyone we met made as feel welcome and special. Special mention has to go to Tsile. Guide extraordinaire. Not only did he show us the best of the Okavango, he is also the owner of the best laugh in Africa. We were also lucky to have the company and experience of Brookes. Ashley, at camp, came up with the most wonderful surprises and entertainments, listening to guests' ideas and being flexible, for example, with Boma nights. And finally to Neil, camp manager. Sincerely interested, welcoming, leading by example. If you were only allowed to go on place for safari in your whole life, it would have to be Mombo."
- Annette
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