Assessment: Wilderness Vumbura Plains (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

September 11, 2024

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Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight assessment.

Early July, I loved one among my finest holidays ever, an ultra-luxe safari in Botswana with Wilderness, Africa’s award-winning, main eco-tourism firm. My precise itinerary with Wilderness in Botswana will be discovered right here (this web site additionally means that you can ebook the identical journey). You possibly can learn my journey experiences right here:

Right now: Assessment of Wilderness Vumbura Plains (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

Vumbura Plains provides vacationers a elegant African wilderness journey, with arguably the most effective wildlife encounters in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. A contemporary-style safari camp that wouldn’t look misplaced in an structure journal, Wilderness Vumbura Plains is designed and operated in whole empathy with its various environment. Partnerships with native communities on this area of the Okavango Delta have created empowerment alternatives whereas permitting company entry to its many treasures. Fourteen mild, ethereal visitor suites characteristic designer fittings and touches of unabashed luxurious, together with non-public plunge swimming pools and salas, in addition to indoor and out of doors showers. Safari actions concentrate on day and night time sport drives by way of quite a lot of game-rich terrains. Seasonal water actions will be very rewarding.

Have you ever ever stayed at Wilderness Vumbura Plains? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this assessment (extra data and pictures under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Wilderness Vumbura Plains is among the high lodges within the Okavango Delta – a World Heritage Website as it’s the largest inland delta on the planet – within the northwestern nook of Botswana. The magnificent Okavango River sprawls out over the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert forming this flourishing waterlogged oasis that includes numerous meandering waterways and crystal clear lagoons studded with water lilies, in addition to fertile floodplains and reeded islands inhabited with ample wildlife. Guests within the Okavango Delta can get pleasure from a lot of fantastic actions resembling sport viewing, fishing, hen watching or taking an genuine guided mokoro tour by way of this wetland paradise in a conventional dugout canoe. Generally noticed animals embody: lion, rhino, leopard, giraffe, hippos, elephants, crocodiles and numerous species of hen.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains lies within the far north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The lodge is positioned in a 60 000-hectare non-public wilderness space identified for its wonderful wildlife recognizing alternatives and water actions. The enthralling mopane bushveld and huge floodplains are house to an enormous variety of animal species, together with wild canine, lion, hyena, and leopard (these species are probably the most generally noticed) in addition to giraffes, elephants, Burchell’s zebra, and quite a few antelope species. The reserve provides day and night time sport drives, in addition to guided walks and pictures excursions. Fringing the world-famous Moremi Recreation Reserve, the lodge’s non-public wildlife reserve is embellished with everlasting waterways, tree islands, and swamps – offering the prospect for kayaking, boat excursions, and hen recognizing.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains is reached by mild plane from close by Maun (or from different Wilderness lodges). The bush airplane flies at low altitude over golden-grassed floodplains, framed by lush palm islands, which are inhabited by a staggering number of wildlife which will be noticed from a hen’s-eye perspective. For the flights, Wilderness makes use of its personal fleet of Cessna plane. Wilderness Air has gained a status for steadfast operations and wonderful visitor service, revered for its assorted fleet of sunshine plane suited to land on grime airstrips in distant areas and for its staff of passionate, skilled pilots devoted to company’ security, consolation, and satisfaction. In Maun, company awaiting their flights or transfers have full entry to the Wilderness Lounge, which is positioned in a constructing adjoining to the airport. The lounge provides seating and eating amenities in its totally air-conditioned house. Wi-Fi, showers, snacks and drinks.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains is made up of two satellite tv for pc safari camps – North Camp and South Camp – that are run semi-independently and related by an elevated, timber walkway that hangs over the floodplain. Though North and South Camp have a barely completely different structure, they each are very related in design and have an identical amenities. Every camp includes seven giant pool suites: all suites on the South Camp are single bed room suites whereas two of the seven suites at North Camp are designed with households in thoughts (every with two bedrooms). On the coronary heart of each camps is a communal pavilion, with giant indoor and out of doors residing & eating areas, a bar and sunken lounges. Each camps embody expansive vistas throughout the huge floodplains and its native wildlife.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains underwent an intensive refurbishment of its exteriors and interiors in 2022. All furnishings was changed or enhanced to mix into the African bush, leading to a refreshed feel and look that showcases a way of place and tradition. The camp’s fashionable design is finest described as fashionable, natural and minimalist, with numerous design parts bringing nature inside. The open-sided lounges at each camps boast art work, screens, and maps on the Delta’s formation and the huge vary of life it helps. One complete lounge wall is hung with colourful domestically woven baskets, whose various patterns inform completely different tales or depict explicit animal patterns. The camp’s muted earth shade palette flows in shades of turquoise, blue, purple, and inexperienced, paying homage to the encompassing wilderness.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains’ 14 luxurious suites are break up equally between noth satellite tv for pc camps (North & south Camp), with all suites spaced effectively aside and raised up on decks. Every suite options a big out of doors deck with a shaded lounge space, some solar beds, and a plunge pool. Inside, every suite options excessive thatched ceilings, an enormous kingsize mattress, a sunken lounge space, and an ensuite open-plan toilet with double vainness and indoor- & out of doors showers. Enlarged underwater images by Andrea Crawford adorn clad wardrobe doorways and bathe screens. Redesigned doorways and home windows all through maximise expansive views of the floodplains, ilala palms, and small islands. The suites characteristic all 5 star amenities you’d count on in a top-notch lodge, resembling WiFi and a mini bar, stocked filled with complimentary beers, wine, and spirits.

All meals at Vumbura Plains are included within the room price. The lodge’s delicacies is intently aligned with conventional native fare. The delicious eating choices have a good time the scrumptious native, seasonal substances of the area, its traditions and Wilderness’ partnerships with the native farmers, suppliers and artisans. Components are bought domestically, thereby lowering the meals miles inherent in each meal, and offering neighboring communities with another income stream. Every meal is a journey into the tradition and traditions of the individuals of northern Botswana, whereas in-camp interplay with cooks and repair workers brings the tales and proverbs related to every dish to life. Signature dishes use the normal powdered root of the Okavango waterlily, ‘tswii’. Native ‘phapata’ bread cooked over the morning camp hearth is an early morning safari staple.

The 60 000-hectare Vumbura Plains Non-public Wilderness Space is leased from 5 villages by way of the Okavango Neighborhood Belief (OCT), a partnership that spans 20 profitable years of impactful conservation tourism within the space. The advantages of income era, job creation, and different sources of revenue are shared with its neighboring rural stakeholders. The OCT was fashioned in 1996 to signify the pursuits of the camp’s 5 neighbouring villages – Seronga, Gunotsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha and Gudigwa – within the jap panhandle of the Okavango Delta. In co-operation with the Botswana Authorities and numerous stakeholders, it distributes funds for group upliftment and assist to those distant northern communities. Greater than 150 workers from OCT villages are employed throughout Wilderness camps.

Vumbura’s prolific wildlife and assorted habitats – mopane, acacia woodland, floodplains and everlasting swamp – provide company an thrilling year-round water- and land-based actions within the Okavango Delta with extraordinary sport viewing. Wilderness experiences embody day and night time sport drives in 4WD safari autos, bush walks and mokoro rides (dugout canoes), in addition to scenic helicopter flights and scorching air ballooning. It makes Vumbura Plains one of the vital unique locations within the Okavango Delta for the discerning adventure-seeker. Vumbura Plains’ distinctive group concession settlement implies that lots of the skilled guides right here grew up on this space, including an additional layer of authenticity and cultural relevance to their knowledgeable monitoring and identification expertise. Every visitor’s expertise is tailor-made to swimsuit their explicit pursuits.

Wilderness Vumbura Camp is managed by Wilderness Safaris, one among my favourite safari corporations. Wilderness was based in 1983 in Botswana by two younger guides, who wished to make sure each conservation of wildlife areas and that the monetary advantages of their safaris move to Botswana and its individuals. Right now, Wilderness Safaris is broadly acclaimed because the continent’s foremost ecotourism operator, devoted to conserving and restoring Africa’s wilderness and wildlife. They do that by creating life-changing journeys in a few of the most distant and pristine areas in Africa, hereby serving to to preserve Africa’s spectacular biodiversity and share ecotourism’s advantages with the native communities. Jao will be mixed with a keep at Wilderness’ different lodges in Botswana to create an genuine and evocative desert expertise, from Jao and Mombo to DumaTau within the far north.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Opposite to different Wilderness premium safari camps in Botswana (DumaTau, Jao and Mombo), Vumbura Plains doesn’t characteristic communal wellness- and leisure amenities, resembling a pool space, spa or gymnasium. The thought is that company chill out at their huge suites in between safari actions, the place they will get pleasure from their non-public plunge swimming pools overlooking the flood plains. And whereas there isn’t a devoted spa, company can request in-tent therapeutic massage remedies (at a further value). These safari therapeutic massage remedies are fairly standard, so be sure you ebook your session while you arrive. The suites on the camp additionally embody a gym-in-a-basket, consists of an train mat, weights and resistance bands. And whereas there aren’t devoted leisure amenities on the lodge, don’t miss out on the excellent curio store (positioned between North & South Camp) because it’s the most effective in Botswana.

The suites at Wilderness Vumbura Plains are spaced effectively aside alongside the boardwalk, so this may imply lengthy up-and-down strolls while you’re staying in one of many suites additional away from the primary lodge. When you’ve got difficulties strolling, be sure to tell the workers upfront and request a collection nearer to the primary lodge.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains is not fenced off, so company are required to be vigilant always. Leopards, lions, buffalos, and elephants are current within the Okavango Delta, and there’s no bodily obstacle to them coming into the realm across the lodge. Not at all are company allowed to stroll across the lodge at night time, except accompanied by a workers member. Don’t worry although because it’s all a part of the thrill of being immersed in a real African safari.

Wilderness Vumbura Plains can solely be reached by small plane, both from Maun (a 30 min flight) or immediately from one of many different Wilderness Camps within the space. The considered flying in a small one-engine airplane could make some vacationers – together with myself – nervous. That mentioned, the flight itself is spectacular and provides phenomenal views of the delta, with wildlife gathering or galloping under. Additionally, Wilderness Air – the flying wing of Wilderness – is revered for its assorted fleet of sunshine plane suited to land on grime airstrips in distant areas and for its staff of passionate, skilled pilots devoted to company’ security, consolation, and satisfaction. And Wilderness Air provide greater than only a connection, flying fastidiously orchestrated circuits maximizing the time of company within the Okavango Delta. For instance, when transferring from one lodge to a different, you’ll by no means should backtrack through Maun and flight occasions are all the time between 11 am and 4 pm, permitting you, for example, a morning’s dreamy mokoro experience in a single lodge adopted by an adventurous afternoon sport drive in one other lodge.

Malaria is frequent within the northern components of Botswana such because the Okavango Delta (the place Wilderness Vumbura Plains is positioned) and Chobe areas, notably throughout or after wet season from November to April. Medicines can be utilized to stop the possibilities of contracting malaria. For recommendation on using any malaria prophylaxis, it’s worthwhile to contact the well being authorities or your native journey clinic previous to your travels. Along with any prophylactics, the next mitigation measures are really useful: cowl your arms, legs and ft within the evenings and apply a mosquito repellent containing DEET.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 9/10 (solely non-public plunge swimming pools)
Rooms: 9/10
Meals: 9/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 8/10 (solely in-room remedies)
Service: 10/10
Wow issue: 9/10
Worth for cash: 10/10
Total expertise: distinctive 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Itinerary tip: My precise itinerary with Wilderness in Botswana – which included a keep at Jao, Vumbura Plains and DumaTau safari camps – will be discovered right here (this web site additionally means that you can ebook the identical journey).

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the most effective deal at a luxurious lodge like Wilderness Vumbura Plains Camp (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Wilderness Vumbura Plains provides year-round safari actions. Whereas every season brings a novel attraction, wildlife numbers are concentrated between June and October. These drier months additionally enable for seasonal sport drive alternatives.

The most effective time to go to the Okavango Delta is in the course of the dry season from June to September. Though referred to as the ‘dry season’, the water ranges of the Okavango Delta are at their highest level in these months because the flood waters are arriving from Angola, with animals flocking to the waters from the dry hinterland. That is additionally when many camps can provide water actions (e.g. boat rides, mokoro excursions). Going by the rule of thumb, water within the Delta begins to move in June (when it arrives from the Angolan Highlands), whereas by the tip of August, many of the water has handed by way of the Delta and water ranges begin to drop once more.
In the summertime months (December to February), the temperatures are hovering and thundershowers are frequent. Throughout this time of the 12 months, some areas within the delta change into waterlogged, making highway journey difficult and airstrips trickier to traverse. That mentioned, wonderful sport viewing will be loved in the summertime months too, in the best areas with good resident sport and everlasting water channels. Additionally, in case you are a birder, the most effective time to go to the Okavango Delta is usually in the course of the summer season months when the Okavango is bursting with resident and migratory birds.

HOW TO GET THERE

Wilderness Vumbura Plains can solely be accessed by mild plane into the close by Jao Airstrip, which has every day flight connections with all different camps in Okavango, Linyanti, Maun Airport (which is the primary vacationer getaway to Botswana) and north to Kasane (for connections to Livingstone and Victoria Falls). Wilderness takes care of reserving all transfers and flight.

PHOTOS

Beneath is a choice of my pictures of Wilderness Vumbura Plains. To view extra pictures (together with meals and safari actions), click on right here.