Okavango Delta, Botswana
Wilderness Pelo Camp
A remote water-based camp deep in the Delta
Named after the heart shaped island on which its sits – Pelo means ‘heart’ in Setswana – this camp is located in the middle of the Jao Concession and about as remote as you can get in the Delta.
Five intimate tents are shaded by wild date palms, Jackalberry and mahogany trees, featuring covered front verandas and en-suite bathrooms with both an indoor and outdoor shower.
The main area is made up of a tented dining area and lounge with a plunge pool at the water’s edge. There is also an outdoor boma area and a raised lookout deck perfect for sundowners. The camp has a minimal environmental footprint and a real sense of being at one with nature.
Situated as it is on an island surrounded by water, Wilderness Pelo Camp specialises in waterborne activities such as peaceful mokoro excursions, boat cruises and seasonal catch-and-release fishing. It’s also possible to take guided walks on one of a number of low sandy islands and learn about the river bushman way of life in this area.
The wetlands are the ideal habitat for the elusive sitatunga antelope and red lechwe. Hippo and crocodile are also regularly sighted. Birdlife is exceptional with the concentrations of wattled crane found here as well as slaty egrets, African skimmer and Pel’s fishing-owl.
Highlights
Mokoro excursions
Boating
Nature walks
Fishing
Five tents
Plunge pool
Trip Inspiration
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Places to combine Wilderness Pelo Camp with
Namibia
Anderssons at Ongava offers an unforgettable Namibian safari experience imbued with Afro-Mediterranean elegance. This extraordinary lodge invites you to explore nature with unparalleled comfort and style. From the moment sunlight filters through the mopane bush, awakening the landscape, Anderssons promises a seamless blend of relaxation and adventure.
The lodge’s nine suites serve as a harmonious extension of the surrounding environment. Constructed with natural stone and warm wood elements, each suite is a sanctuary of tranquility, featuring climate-controlled interiors and expansive glass frontages that frame the wilderness. Step onto your private viewing deck, where a sweeping 180-degree panorama immerses you in the sights and sounds of Ongava Game Reserve. Wildlife viewing becomes a part of your daily routine as the animals roam freely here, often within view of your suite.
Central to the lodge is a bar and relaxation area that seamlessly integrates with the landscape, overlooking a vibrant waterhole. Here, you can gather in convivial surroundings, sipping cocktails while observing wildlife. Nearby, the Ongava Research Centre invites you to delve into the cutting-edge efforts that drive conservation and expands understanding of African ecology.
Begin a day here with an early morning game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle. For a different perspective, venture into the underground photographic hide, where you can capture intimate moments of wildlife at eye level. Back at the lodge, the infinity-edge pool is a serene oasis that is perfect for cooling off under the African sun. Relax in the library, taking in the tranquil ambiance and panoramic waterhole views.
Tanzania
Rubondo Island lies in the tranquil southwest corner of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and is enveloped in lush subtropical rainforest. The island is a protected sanctuary, teeming with endangered chimpanzees and a wealth of other wildlife.
The camp features eight secluded cottages that sit at the edge of the forest, each crafted from traditional materials to harmonise with the island’s natural beauty. A spacious family unit provides an ideal retreat for larger groups, while every cottage offers a private veranda overlooking the lake.
Wake up to the gentle sounds of the forest: the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a fish eagle and the occasional splash of water as hippos stir in the lake’s shallows. Here sitatunga antelope move silently through the papyrus swamps, bushbuck graze at the forest edges and forest elephants forge trails through dense greenery.
Your mornings might begin with the aroma of fresh coffee, enjoyed as the lake shimmers under the soft morning light. From here you can embark on a variety of adventures. Days on Rubondo Island invite a range of immersive adventures. Trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees, traverse the lake on a boating safari or set off on a guided game drive.
