Lagoon Camp

Kwando Safaris, who operate this camp, are known for concentrating on the safari experience above all else. Whilst their camps are certainly very comfortable, the focus is certainly more on the incredible wilderness areas in which they operate. Lagoon Camp consists of eight good-sized tented suites (including a family suite) perched on the banks of the Kwando River, overlooking the Mudumu National Park in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. The view from the pool means that elephants, hippos and other animals can often be seen throughout the middle of the day.

The Kwando concession is the largest private reserve in Botswana, offering one of the lowest guest densities anywhere in Africa. With only two camps and 36 guests sharing 580,000 acres it really doesn’t get more exclusive. Most of the area is made up of relatively unproductive mopane woodland, which can make game viewing more challenging in the wet season. In the dry season, however, the floodplains team with game and herds of more than a thousand elephant and buffalo are not uncommon. The predator viewing here is intense but it is the rare African wild dogs which steal the show – this is the best place to see them anywhere.

Game drives, night drives and walking safaris are available at both camps on this reserve and the ability to drive extensively off-road is a huge drawcard. Kwando Safaris are one of the few operators to adopt a guide and tracker/spotter which really does increase sightings chances. The extra attraction at Lagoon Camp is the boating safaris, where guests can glide down the river, sipping a sundowner of their choice and even try a spot of fishing if they so wish.

We often recommend combining two nights at Lagoon Camp with two nights at Lebala Camp in order to maximise the chances of seeing wild dogs. Kwara or Little Kwara are also often used in combination with this camp or alternatively Nxai Pan and Tau Pan Camp if you are looking for even more contrast of habitats.