Word is out from Botswana that the flood, much reported to be lower than expected into the Okavango this year, is having a late surge, which is great news for Great Plains Conservation camps of Duba Plains Camp, Duba Explorers and the newly refurbished Okavango Explorers Camp.
A medium or late flood gives travellers access to islands that are cut off in very high waters, but also, the slower surge gives other great opportunities.
Great Plains Conservation are reintroducing mekoro (canoes) to Duba Plains for that flat, shallow water experience. In Okavango Explorers Camp, it’s expected the water flowing down the Selinda Spillway to now last most of the year, allowing for this same experience there.
But the real news is that Great Plains Conservation is officially opening their new ‘water camp, Sitatunga Private Island, after nearly three years of design and planning and 10 months of building. Sharon and Pete Unwin project managed the build with Managing Director Daphne Kadiwa’s oversight.
Six Goirwang, one of Great Plains Conservation’s well-experienced camp managers from Selinda, is taking the helm at Sitatunga. More than 90% of the camp staff comes from the local community. Chefs are on standby; guides are ready to host guests. Sitatunga is to be a model camp in sustainability, community enrichment and guest experience.
And it all thrives off the Okavango and those extraordinary flood cycles each year.
