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Kwando Lebala Camp

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Superb game viewing
- Excellent predator action
- Vehicle and walking safaris
- Spectacular birdlife

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Overview

Kwando Lebala Camp is an elegant, tented camp set in the vast flood plains of the Linyanti Marshes of northern Botswana. Lebala means ‘wide open spaces’ in Setswana and the camp’s setting affords superb 360 degree views of the stunning surrounding wetlands. Kwando Lebala is one of a small number of high quality camps in the Linyanti area offering a high-quality safari experience. During the May-October dry season, superb concentrations of wildlife are found here, with large herds of elephant and buffalo congregating on the Kwando-Linyanti riverfront. Predator action is phenomenal, with lion, leopard, cheetah and wild hunting dogs in action. The camp is accessible via light aircraft and is frequently combined with a stay in the Okavango Delta to contrast water-based safari with the spectacular game drives in this area.

The camp is accessed via a small wooden bridge leading over a permanent channel of water. The attractive main area or ‘boma’ is raised up on stilts and has a large lounge and bar area with and a light and airy dining space. There is a plunge pool and a game-viewing hide on site, plus a fire pit in the mornings and evenings. There is no internet access so a stay here offers a real chance to ‘switch off’. There are around twenty attentive staff to cater to guests’ needs, although the camp does have a relaxed, ‘help yourself’ feel. The food, although more ‘home cooked’ than ‘gourmet’, is generally very good.

Activities are naturally centred on the abundant wildlife and the private nature of the Kwando Concession means that game-drives are possible both day and night. The Linyanti region is known for its serious approach to safari guiding, with a clear focus on major predator action – this can make for a somewhat demanding visitor experience, although any tiredness is far outweighed by the thrill of spectacular wildlife viewing. After dark, nocturnal sightings of elusive species such as leopard, mongoose and aardwolf are possible; the birdlife is spectacular at night, with a large variety of owls and nightjars in residence. Game drives are undertaken in custom-designed, open-topped vehicles which seat no more than 6 guests at a time so everyone gets a ‘window seat’ with second-to-none viewing and photography opportunities. Kwando Lebala Camp provides a professional guide and a tracker for every vehicle meaning that guests are very well informed and no sightings are missed. More leisurely walking safaris offer visitors the chance to get even closer to nature and can be tailored to individual preferences, although note that these are day-time only and may be limited during the dry season due to the large elephant population in the region at this time.

The pristine accommodation is attractive and simple in style and comprises 8 spacious tents raised on teak sundecks, each with a viewing deck, an entrance foyer, and a large bedroom and living area. All tents have bathroom areas with hot and cold running water, bath, flush toilet and outdoor double shower. Note that it can be very cold towards the beginning of the dry season but hot water bottles are provided for extra warmth. For hotter months there is a ceiling fan above the bed. There is also a family chalet with two smaller twin-bedded rooms accessed from a shared bathroom.

Children aged 6 and over are welcome although families with children aged 6-12 years are required to book a private vehicle for game drives for which there may be an additional charge. Note that the camp is unfenced and whilst it’s true that animals tend to stay away from tents and humans, children need to remain under the constant supervision of their parents.

Kwando Lebala Camp combines a laid-back accommodation style with a single-minded focus on game-viewing. Although this property is perhaps less refined than some of the other camps in the area, it does offer a high level of comfort, with attentive staff creating a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The exclusive nature of the Linyanti region, with its small number of high-end accommodations and relatively low visitor numbers, mean that the camp’s price tag is necessarily high so this is not an option for those with a limited budget. However, for an uncompromising safari experience with abundant wildlife on tap, a stay at this property is worth every penny.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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