Wilderness Vumbura Plains is one of the best camps in the Okavango Delta for couples who want both sides of the Delta in one stay: game drives on dry land and mokoro trips on the water. It sits in a private 60,000-hectare concession in the far north of the Delta, bordering Moremi Game Reserve, where open plains meet floodplains and lagoons.
The camp is split into two small camps, Vumbura Plains North and Vumbura Plains South, each with seven suites. The suites are among the most spacious in the Delta, built on raised wooden decks along the water's edge, with private plunge pools, viewing decks, sun loungers and a covered sala for afternoon siestas or private dinners. Wood, glass and canvas blend with the landscape.
Wildlife is excellent, with lion, wild dog, leopard, hyena, elephant and buffalo, along with rarer antelope such as sable, tsessebe and the elusive sitatunga. Rates are fully inclusive, covering meals, twice-daily activities, park fees, laundry and local drinks. Vumbura Plains welcomes families, so it is not a kid-free camp, but the split into two camps keeps each one quiet. It costs less than Mombo and offers more variety, which makes it a strong single-camp choice for a Delta honeymoon.
Highlights at a glance
- Both land and water activities in one camp
- Private 60,000-hectare concession bordering Moremi
- Spacious suites with plunge pools and covered salas
- Two small camps of seven suites each
- Fully inclusive with park fees
Why Couples Love Vumbura Plains
Variety is the key. Many Delta camps are either land camps or water camps. Vumbura Plains offers both, depending on the season, so you can track lions in the morning and glide through papyrus channels in a mokoro in the afternoon.
The concession is private, which means fewer vehicles and the freedom to go off-road and to drive at night. The mix of habitats brings a wide range of wildlife, from predators to large herds of buffalo and elephants, along with birds such as the African fish eagle, the malachite kingfisher and Pel's fishing owl.
The suites are another draw. They are larger than most in the Delta, with plunge pools and covered salas and the decks face the water. Couples often say that the view from the deck, with elephants or lechwe in front of them, was one of the best moments of their trip.
Suites to Book
Vumbura Plains has 14 suites, seven in each of its two camps. North and South are similar in style and share the same concession and activities, but each has its own lounge, dining area and pool. That keeps groups small and service personal.
Each suite is built on raised decking along the water's edge, with a private plunge pool, a viewing deck, sun loungers and a covered sala for siestas or private dining. Interiors mix wood, glass and canvas in soft colors drawn from the landscape and local culture.
For a honeymoon, any suite works well. Ask for one at the end of the walkway for privacy and ask whether North or South is quieter during your dates, since families sometimes book one camp. Little Vumbura, a separate island camp in the same concession, is a quieter, smaller alternative without plunge pools.
Food and Drink
Meals at Vumbura Plains focus on local and seasonal ingredients, with partnerships with local farmers and suppliers. Signature dishes use tswii, a powdered root from the Okavango water lily and phapata bread is cooked over the morning campfire.
Meals are served in an open lounge and dining room, with brunch after the morning activity, afternoon tea before the second outing and dinner under the stars. Sunset gin and tonics are part of the routine on drives and boat trips.
Private dinners can be set up in the sala on your deck, which is the most romantic way to eat during your stay. Local drinks are included, but premium imported brands and Champagne cost extra. The camp also has a pool, Wi-Fi and a small shop. There is no dedicated spa, so pair Vumbura with a camp that has one if treatments matter.
Why guests fall for it
Safari Activities
Twice-daily game drives in open vehicles are the core of the program, with excellent chances of lion, wild dog, leopard and hyena, along with elephant, buffalo and sable. Because the concession is private, guides can go off-road to follow animals.
Mokoro trips, in traditional dugout canoes, glide through the channels and lagoons when water levels allow. They are quiet and slow, ideal for spotting frogs, birds and small creatures in the reeds. Boat safaris and sundowner cruises are also offered, as is catch-and-release fishing.
Guided walks give a different view of the bush, focusing on tracks, plants and small animals. Water levels change through the year, with the floods usually highest from June to August, so ask your operator what to expect in your month.
Getting There
Vumbura Plains is reached by light aircraft from Maun Airport (MUB), a flight of under an hour depending on stops. Maun connects with Johannesburg, Cape Town and Kasane. Most couples book through a safari operator, who arranges flights and links with other camps.
Light aircraft limit luggage, usually to soft bags with a weight limit, including camera gear. Pack neutral clothes, a warm fleece for cold winter mornings and evenings, sun protection and binoculars.
Vumbura Plains combines well with a land-focused camp such as Mombo or a camp in another region such as Chobe or the Makgadikgadi Pans. Three nights here gives time to try both land and water activities.
Is It Worth It?
Vumbura Plains costs from about $2,018 per person per night in the green season to around $4,000 in peak season (approximate). That is still a lot of money, but it is less than Mombo and offers a wider range of activities, which makes it good value at the top end of the Delta.
It is not a kid-free camp. Families are welcome, with children's menus and a Bush Buddy program for ages 6 to 12. Couples wanting a quieter stay should ask which camp is least busy, or choose Little Vumbura. There is no dedicated spa.
The Delta is a malaria area. Talk to a travel clinic about prevention and use repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Botswana before you book.
Insider tips
- Ask which of the two camps is quieter during your dates.
- Request a private dinner in your sala on your last night.
- Visit from June to August for the highest water and the best mokoro trips.
- Consider Little Vumbura for a smaller island camp in the same concession.
