The Wilderness Mokete tented camp will open in September 2023 in a place no one has been before: the famous Mababe wilderness area on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta. Mababe is a remarkable place to go on adventure in Botswana because of its size, isolation, and abundance of wildlife. Mokete, the first of its kind, will be a limited edition; guests will only be able to reserve the experience for the next two years.

“Picture herds of buffalo by the thousand, the largest concentration in Africa, as well as prolific predators and mega-aggregations of elephants (and, at times, zebra during their migration), drawn to the Mababe Marsh. Meaning feast, ‘Mokete’ is a banquet of astounding wildlife, diverse habitats, and untouched natural beauty, and we are immensely proud to be working with our like-minded partner and owner of Mokete, Cobus Calitz, to launch the first camp in this extraordinary, remote area”, noted Kim Nixon, Wilderness Botswana MD.

The 50,000-hectare Mababe Concession is in a great spot between two protected areas. To the east is the Okavango Delta, and to the south is the famous Moremi Game Reserve. The Mababe River, which began flowing again in 2007, and the waters of the Okavango, which drain into the Mababe wetland, provide a steady source of water for the nutrient-rich grasses that thrive here. There are large populations, plenty of predators, and a plethora of birds because of this.

The annual seasonal inflow revitalises the waters of the 2,600-hectare permanent marsh, attracting animals from far and wide in the dry hinterland in quest of this valuable life source. “It’s this exclusive position and rich ecosystem, combined with the privacy of the concession, that will make this experience utterly special”, added Kim.

There will be nine canvas tents at Wilderness Mokete, each with a private bathroom, as well as a pool and lounge area, all connected by ground-level wooden boardwalks. The ceiling of each room can be slid back to show the night sky. The luxurious touches throughout the large camp will be kept to a minimum on purpose to leave the smallest possible carbon impact while still providing an immersive experience.

“While we have no doubt that the camp itself will offer a wonderful experience with delicious local food and warm hospitality, our focus is on the out-of-camp experience. Lions often spend the daylight hours on the hunt in Mababe; taking down buffalos in and around the marsh, with hyenas in clans of up to 60 often competing with them. With no other commercial properties in the area, our guests can choose to stay out on the road as long as they wish. Here, time is dictated by nature, not the clock”, Kim said.

Cobus Calitz, the owner of Mokete, said that seeing this amazing landscape, which is different from anything else in northern Botswana, will be a lasting memory for people who visit Mokete. “The landscape and the wildlife experience are truly astonishing. Working closely with the Mababe community, we are thrilled to put this beautiful part of the country on the map. Residents will benefit through employment opportunities and many more exciting initiatives that will see our community partners benefit from this development”.

“As Mokete is a limited edition, in 2026 we will be building Meraka, a signature camp, to take its place. Meraka will welcome 24 guests in 10 rooms, including two family units. A first and only one of its kind, Mokete is a taste of things to come, and we look forward to welcoming guests to this wildlife paradise. Through high-value, low-impact photographic tourism, we aim to help conserve one of our planet’s last remaining wild sanctuaries”, concluded Kim.

Discover more: Wilderness Mokete