Located on a small forested island, packed with jackalberry and mangosteen and fringed by bulrush wetlands, Little Vumbura is a six tented camp offering a wide range of activities ranging from land based wildlife drives to mokoro trips through the year.
Overview
Set on the concession east of Duba Plains, the Vumbura Game Management Area (NG23) is slightly more diverse in its terrain and therefore also in its resident wildlife. The camp is accessed by boat which makes for an exciting arrival through the bulrush marsh.
On arrival at the jetty there is a small wooden walkway over a reed marsh full of lily-pads, into the main area of Little Vumbura where there is a dining room, open-air deck, bar, fire pit and plunge pool.
Food & service
Characterised by striking blue seating, dyed by a naturally occurring pigment found in Botswana, and by great swathes of space, the main mess area is a lovely place to eat and meet. The food is beautifully presented, the service amicable without being overbearing.
Rooms
Little Vumbura is connected by pathways on the ground, and shrouded in trees, which lend the camp a very natural feel. Although Little Vumbura originally started life as a four tented camp it was so popular that they decided to add two more. The tents now are extremely luxurious.
Each has a view of the seasonal plains that fill during the flood months (June through to October); each possesses a double bed, lounge and veranda. All the tents are en-suite with hot and cold running water and there is also an external shower area adjoined to each. The style of the rooms is relaxed, with neutral colours and natural fabrics dominating. Please note there is no Wi-Fi at the camp.
Activities
On top of the drives and mekoro trips, activities include guided walks, bush picnics and sundowners.
Impact
Conservation
Researcher Simon Dures is examining the genetic structure of the lion population living in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Commerce
Five local villages worked together to form the Okavango Community Trust, which subsequently partnered with Wilderness. Its main role is to ensure the positive benefits of ecotourism are shared equally among the local community, and it has successfully advocated for greater training in both conservation and work based skills.
Community
Wilderness Safaris supports Children in the Wilderness, a programme which provides educational life skills and environmental awareness for children who live in villages close to conservation areas. At this moment in time (2018) CITW has benefited over 10,000 children from seven African countries.