Words by Yvonne C Mtengwa

It had been a few days since I had left the opulence of Dubai, a city I have called home for going on six years. Every invitation to experience the magic of Africa’s people and landscapes is always one I welcome with open arms.  I take not for granted the blessing of combining my passion for storytelling and travel. And so, with my checking into North Island Okavango Camp, my second stay from the Natural Selections portfolio in Botswana during a 7-day tour experience of three out of their 16 camps and lodges dotted across this cultural and wildlife rich nation,it was time to switch from my safari ankle boots to barefoot comfort at this luxurious camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

The second leg ofmy journey felt distinctly different, largely because my mind still carried the curiosity of experiencing a new safari brand I had only just heard about. It is customary for me to not carry out any prior research of where I am headed, simply because a sizeable part of what makes an experience so compelling, is traversing the continent with limited expectations beyond the long flights and hopefully shorter queues and wait times between connecting flights.

After a lavish tented camp experience at Duke’s East Camp, the staff had emphatically stated that I ready myself for acamp that would be much different from under-canvas Bousfield style Duke’s East. Few moments rivalthe vast, flat expanse of the dry sandy plains stretching endlessly below as we took to the skies, before almost immediately seeing more emerald glimmers that reveal the shimmering mosaic of water channels forming the Okavango Delta.

Onto North Island Okavango Camp

From the moment your light aircraft touches down on the remote airstrip, the allure of North Island Okavango begins its subtle work. The air, thick with the scent of wild sage and damp earth, immediately recalibrates your senses. I was whisked away in a classic open-sided safari vehicle, with the wind in my mohawk and the promise of the wild very much palpable in every rustle of the bush.

It wasn’t too long before we reached camp. In fact, I’d well recommend that should one book their safari with Natural Selections and experience multiple camps as is customary for most safari enthusiasts, they have the seamless exchange in time spent at both Duke’s East and North Island Camps as part of their itinerary, as the two deliver different experiences.

The camp itself, with its mere handful of exquisite rooms that line a wooded walkway, feels like a secret discovered, an exclusive haven carved out of the wilderness. Natural Selection, known for its dedication to sustainable and authentic safari experiences, has masterfully crafted a space that is both undeniably luxurious and deeply integrated with its surroundings.

Mesh, floor-to-ceiling glass windows in some parts and wooden panels formed the walls of my abode, shielding my luxurious bedand a choice between an indoor and outdoor shower and bathroom made for those that spare no expense on luxury when in the wild.

I was a solo-traveller on this leg but couldn’t help but imagine the romanticism that the spaces at North Island Okavango invoke, with “his and hers” of just about everything set upon a backdrop of verdant grasslands, the gentle caress of the wild and magical sunsets and sunrises most would have never seen anywhere in the world before. This is the allure of the Great Okavango Delta, and I was here for the second time in a few weeks, albeit this time alone, but still remarkably grateful for the soul-enriching experience I was about to experience.

A Sanctuary of Serenity and Sophistication

North Island Okavango’sappeal for travellers lies in its exquisite balance. It is sophisticated without being ostentatious, opulent yet utterly unpretentious. The architecture of the camp itself is a testament to this philosophy. Each of the intimate suites, perched on raised wooden platforms, is a masterpiece of design, blending contemporary African aesthetics with the comfort one craves after a day of exhilarating exploration. Imagine expansive spaces where ebony, mangosteen, and leadwood trees provide natural shade, and private plunge pools overlook a lagoon teeming with life. The rhythmic grunt of hippos became my early morning wake-up call and evening lullaby, and the vivid colours of a Delta sunset paintedmy private vista.

The chatter of the camp was that I had shared a bed with a celebrity. I stayed in “Tent 1” – referred to by the staff at North Island Okavango as The Will Smith Suite after his recent safari experience to Botswana and having stayed in the exact same suite now designated for me. And yes, I took the running joke with all its hearty humour, as brushing shoulders with celebrities is something few would take issue to.

Spaces to behold

These however, aren’t “tents” in the conventional sense; they are sanctuaries of canvas and wood, thoughtfully appointed with every conceivable comfort. A king-sized bed, draped in netting, invites restful slumber, while eco-friendly cooling systems ensure comfort even on the warmest nights. For cooler evenings, dim lighting offered me a romantic glow, a perfect accompaniment to a good book or quiet contemplation for some. As alluded to before, the en-suite bathroomwas a revelation, with both indoor and exhilarating outdoor showers – a truly primal experience under a canopy of stars. Every detail, from the artisanal decor to the thoughtfully stocked mini-bar, spoke of a commitment to understated elegance and guest comfort. Once I was in my space, it’s quite difficult to leave, and this proved true during every day of my stay.

The main camp area mirrors this harmony, with a sprawling wooden deck connecting the open-plan lounge, dining areas, a reading library and somewhat of a standalone circular platform off to one side, where guests can convene over sundowners and the warm of a crackling bonfire.

My afternoons post the early morning game drive and subsequent brunch back in camp, were made up of moments I sank into plush sofas with a cool drink in hand, watching the incessant drama of the lagoon unfold before me. Hippos are replete here, often with their young in tow, and reports of elephants possibly ambling by, with their monumental presence a gentle reminder of where I was. A myriad of birds chirped their way through the ancient trees that circled the camp. A crackling fire pit at night transformed the deck into a celestial observatory, where the vastness of the African sky overwhelms with its glittering constellations.

A Culinary Journey Through the Bush

The food journeys at North Island Okavango are as much a part of the safari experience as the wildlife encounters. Natural Selection understands that exceptional cuisine elevates a stay from memorable to truly unforgettable. Meals are not just sustenance; they are carefully curated events, designed to tantalise the taste buds and connect you more deeply with the culture, environment and what the locals grow nearby.

Mornings begin with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and hot pastries, often enjoyed with the first rays of dawn painting the sky in fiery hues. Breakfast was a bit more of a relaxed affair in the main camp after my game drive, on both mornings an hour or two after an exhilarating “bush breakfast” set up in a scenic spot out in the wild.  Imagine crisp bacon, egg and vegetable wraps cooked to perfection, and seasonal fruits, nuts and yoghurt laid out on a table amidst the rustling grasses, a truly immersive way to reflect on the wildlife sighting that carried on from the dawn of a new day.

Lunches were typically light and fresh, for me served al-frescoand also in the main camp with a selection of South African wines to pair each bit with. But it’s the evening meals that truly sang for me. Dinner at North Island Okavango was a culinary adventure served under the vast African sky, with lanterns leading me from my suite to the main camp casting a warm glow.

Chef Chantal was a master at her craft, blending international flair with traditional African flavours, while also schooling me on thedetails of how ingredients are sourced and brought into camp. On my first night I indulged a delicate cut of succulent grilled impala, and the second brought with it freshwater fish from the Delta showcasing the Botswana’s bounty.

Supporting local communities through food sourcing

One thing that always stands out when on safari, particularly for international guests, is the freshness of produce, often from nearby community gardens. Always transformed into artistic and flavourful plates, each dish is a story often presented by the resident chef, and an exhibition of the connection to the land and its people.

When other guests were back from their game drives, we traded sighting stories and additional tales of the day’s adventures. Sundowners, a quintessential safari ritual, are always a highlight during my travels. Add to that the opportunity to connect with my guide and Chef Chantal as I shared the highlights from my day over exquisite canapés, also made from locally sourced produce.

The Heart of the Delta: Location and Unforgettable Wildlife

North Island Okavango’s prime location is arguably its greatest asset, placing it in a semi-private, game-rich concession on the northern fringes of the Delta. This strategic positioning offers an unparalleled advantage: it is one of the first areas to receive the Delta’s annual floodwaters, ensuring year-round access to water-based activities that many other camps can only offer seasonally. This means whether you visit during the dry season when wildlife congregates around permanent water sources, or the wet season when the Delta bursts into verdant life, North Island offers exceptional viewing.

The Great Okavango Delta: A uniquely wild experience

The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas. It’s an inland delta, a phenomenon where the Okavango River, instead of flowing into the sea, empties into a vast, fan-shaped basin, creating shimmering lagoons, winding channels, islands, and floodplains. This unique ecosystem supports an astonishing diversity and density of wildlife.

What makes the wildlife viewing opportunities at North Island Okavango truly unforgettable is the sheer variety of ways you can experience it. Natural Selection ensures a multi-faceted approach, offering an immersive safari that goes beyond the traditional game drive.

More to get up to beyond the game drives

1. Game Drives: The backbone of any safari, these are conducted in open-sided 4×4 vehicles with expert guides who possess an encyclopaedic knowledge of the bush. The guides are not just drivers; they are storytellers, trackers, and naturalists, able to read the subtle signs of the wild and lead you to incredible encounters.

Here, if you are lucky, you’ll witness most of “Big Five” – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino (though rhino sightings are rare and precious) – alongside an array of plains game like zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and various antelope species. The Khwai area, where North Island is located, is particularly renowned for its predator sightings, with a high concentration of lions and frequent leopard encounters. We were fortunate to spot a leopard enjoying a fill of its fresh kill, and a coalition of 4 male lions, brothers, resting under the shade of an indigenous tree. Night drives, a special treat, revealed the nocturnal world, offering glimpses of civets, genets, bushbabies, and perhaps even the elusive aardvark.

2. Mokoro Excursions: Gliding silently through the labyrinthine channels of the Delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), expertly poled by your guide, is an experience of profound peace and intimacy. This water-level perspective allows for up-close encounters with dazzling birdlife – kingfishers, African fish eagles, malachite sunbirds – and submerged life like frogs and water lilies. I enjoyed my Mokoro experience from Duke’s East, and so I was happy to carve out more time in camp enjoying game viewing from the comfort of my private deck at Tent 1.
3. Boat Safaris: For deeper water exploration, motorboat safaris offer a different pace, allowing you to cover more ground and access larger lagoons and waterways. These provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching, photography of aquatic life, and observing animals coming to drink along the banks.
4. Walking Safaris: There’s nothing quite like feeling the earth beneath your feet and exploring the bush on foot. Accompanied by armed and experienced guides, walking safaris allow you to engage with the smaller, often overlooked details of the wilderness – the intricate patterns of a dung beetle, the delicate footprint of a leopard, the medicinal properties of a plant. It’s a chance to truly connect with the ecosystem at its most elemental level.
5. Scenic Helicopter Flights (optional): For the ultimate bird’s-eye view, a helicopter flight over the Delta reveals its astonishing scale and beauty – the intricate waterways, the verdant islands, and the vast herds of animals moving across the landscape. It’s a perspective that truly underscores the magic of this unique environment.

The blend of these diverse activities, coupled with North Island Okavango’s intimate setting and the exceptional guiding from Natural Selection, ensures that every day is a fresh adventure. The unhurried pace of the camp allows for flexibility, tailoring activities to your interests and the day’s unfolding wildlife drama. It’s not just about ticking off a list of animals; it’s about understanding their behaviour, appreciating their habitat, and witnessing the raw, unfiltered beauty of the wild.

Why North Island Okavango by Natural Selection?

In essence, North Island Okavango by Natural Selection is more than a luxury safari; it’s an awakening. It’s an invitation to step away from the noise of the modern world and surrender to the timeless rhythm of the bush. It’s a place where every sunrise brings new possibilities, every meal is a celebration, and every encounter with wildlife etches itself into your memory, leaving an indelible mark on your soul. It is, quite simply, unforgettable.

To learn more about North Island Camp and Natural Selection, visit https://naturalselection.travel/camps/north-island-okavango/