Duba Plains Camp occupies an extraordinary position in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta, built on a tree-shaded island within a vast 77,000-acre private concession. Created by renowned National Geographic filmmakers and conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, this intimate camp has gained worldwide fame thanks to their documentary "Relentless Enemies," which captured the dramatic interactions between the resident lion prides and massive buffalo herds that characterize this area. The Duba lions are notably larger than typical lions – up to fifteen percent bigger – and unusually active during daylight hours, providing guests with extraordinary opportunities to witness predator-prey dynamics and kills. The concession's diverse landscape of palm-fringed islands, expansive floodplains, and varied woodlands supports wildlife densities comparable to the Masai Mara, making it one of the Delta's premier game-viewing destinations.
With just five luxury tented suites plus one two-bedroom family suite, Duba Plains delivers an exceptionally exclusive experience – Great Plains Conservation is the only operator in this entire concession. The camp's design beautifully evokes the elegant safari style of the 1920s while providing thoroughly modern luxury. Each spacious tent is raised on recycled railway sleeper decking under the shade of ebony, fig, and mangosteen trees, offering spectacular views across the floodplains. The main area features open-sided canvas structures with comfortable lounges, a raised dining area, two small swimming pools, and atmospheric fire pits where guests gather in the evenings. The camp has earned prestigious Relais & Châteaux status, reflecting its commitment to excellence in hospitality and cuisine.
Activities are wonderfully varied and flexible, allowing guests to dictate their own schedules based on wildlife movements. Morning and afternoon game drives in specially equipped vehicles offer thrilling encounters with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and fascinating Kalahari species like aardwolf and pangolins. When water levels permit from around June onwards, traditional mokoro canoe trips and motorboat excursions explore the channels and waterways, while guided walking safaris provide intimate encounters with smaller wildlife often missed from vehicles. The guiding here is exceptional, with staff who genuinely know every individual lion in the concession and will go to extraordinary lengths – even delivering meals to vehicles in the field – to ensure guests don't miss spectacular wildlife encounters.
