Lebala 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. Lebala Camp consists of eight good-sized tented suites (including a family suite) set on the wide open floodplains of the Linyanti Marsh. The dark wood used in the construction is very pleasing on the eye and the double outdoor showers are the nicest anywhere.

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.

The activities at this camp are a little more limited with only game drives and walking safaris being possible. However, the ability to drive extensively off-road and going out at night make safaris here extremely exciting and rewarding. Kwando Safaris are one of the few operators to adopt a guide and tracker/spotter which really does increase sightings chances.

We often recommend combining two nights at Lebala Camp with two nights at Lagoon 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.