Tucked away in a remote corner of Botswana's Okavango Delta, Sitatunga Private Island is about as exclusive as safari camps get. With just two tented suites in the main camp plus a separate two-bedroom suite, this place can host a maximum of eight guests at any given time. The camp takes its name from the rare sitatunga antelope, a shy swamp-dwelling creature that's specially adapted to life in these waterways, and this is genuinely one of the few spots where you might actually see one. Opening in 2023 under the Great Plains Conservation banner, the camp was designed by renowned filmmakers and conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who fell in love with this particular island decades ago.
What makes Sitatunga different from most safari camps is its focus on water-based activities rather than traditional game drives. You won't find any 4x4 vehicles here – instead, the experience revolves around motorboat excursions through the Delta's channels, mokoro canoe trips for a quieter pace, seasonal catch-and-release fishing, and guided walks along the water's edge. It's all about slowing down and connecting with the peaceful rhythms of the Delta. You'll spot plenty of elephants wading through the shallows, hippos lounging in the lagoons, crocodiles basking on the banks, and an incredible variety of birds.
The whole place has this wonderful Robinson Crusoe vibe, with design elements inspired by local fishing traditions and lots of natural materials. It's bare-feet luxury in the truest sense – relaxed and intimate, but with exceptional food, service, and that rare commodity in our busy world: genuine tranquility.
