Extraordinary Africa>Botswana>Kwando, Linyanti and Selinda>Lebala Camp
Lebala Camp is in a wonderfully wild, soul‑stirring corner of Botswana. Set in the vast Kwando Reserve, close to the border with Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, it sits in the open floodplains close to the Kwando River, an area where marshland gives way to sweeping grasslands, roamed by ellies and big cats.
What’s Lebala Camp really like?
The camp itself is relaxed and welcoming, with the main area built from timber and canvas, and sitting on stilts above the wetland below. There’s a firepit for evenings under the stars, a lounge, bar and dining deck overlooking the floodplains. There’s also a small swimming pool, which is a blissful spot in the heat of the day. Wi-Fi is available but limited – however with a viewing deck to watch wildlife drift past, our bet is you won’t miss it too much.
There are just eight tented suites with mozzy net walls allowing cool breezes in and views out. Each tent sits on a raised wooden deck complete with private verandas. Inside, you’ll find Super King beds that can also be configured as twins. One tent also has an additional adjoining twin room for families. There’s spacious en‑suite bathrooms with twin outside showers, fans and comfy seating areas. There’s also the Lebala Private Enclave, a cluster of tents which can be hived off from the main camp. Sleeping up to 10, it’s an exclusive-use mini camp tucked away with its own private dining, lounge, bar, pool and fireplace – plus your own staff, vehicle and guide.
Décor throughout is simple – canvas, wood, soft linens and natural tones. This is a place you come to immerse yourself in the bush so nothing detracts from mother nature’s handywork here. Dining is generous and unfussy: fresh, flavourful meals served communally.
Lebala welcomes families (technically from the age of 6 but we’d say it’s best for tweens and teens especially those who love wildlife and can enjoy the camp’s unfenced, adventurous setting). There’s a family tent and the standard tents are more than large enough to add an extra bed. The team are excellent at tailoring activities to different ages.
What can I do at Lebala Camp?
The Kwando Reserve is one of Botswana’s best for predators, and activities include game drives (you can go off road here as it’s a private concession) with both a guide and a tracker (which ups your chances of spotting those animals that are a little more allusive), night drives and nature walks. The team here are known for their ethics and commitment to the safari experience, and this is a camp that appeals to serious safari-goers.
Giving back at Lebala Camp:
The camp’s part of Kwando Safaris, a proudly Botswanan company that’s completely citizen-owned and managed by people who call Botswana home. Through its non-profit, Kwando Impact, it champions a number of home-grown community and conservation projects. We especially like the Mummy’s Angels initiative that sees baby bags, filled with essential items to vulnerable new mothers and their newborns, get into the right hands. The camp uses solar power, careful water management and low‑impact building materials to minimise its footprint.
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