Assessment: Wilderness DumaTau Camp (Botswana)

September 19, 2024

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Wednesday newsletters all the time function a resort or flight evaluate.

Early July, I loved one in all 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 lets you ebook the identical journey). You possibly can learn my journey reviews right here:

As we speak: Assessment of Wilderness DumaTau Camp (Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana)

Nestled deep inside the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, on the northernmost fringe of Botswana, lies DumaTau. The reserve’s various, pristine 95 000 acres affords actually unique excursions and close-up wildlife encounters. Newly rebuilt DumaTau takes full benefit of its 45 km (28 mi) of river frontage to create an unparalleled safari expertise. Eight tented suites with non-public plunge swimming pools sit on wood walkways mere steps from the wildlife corridors, so animals usually wander peacefully by way of camp. Interiors of hand-crafted mosaic tile, acacia wooden, and native textiles mirror the guts of the Linyanti. The camp’s spa, the Osprey Retreat, soothes your soul. As do all of the elephants, whose transferring herds compose one in all Africa’s most elemental rhythms. Comparable in type to DumaTau, Little DumaTau is an intimate haven of subtle class, with simply 4 supremely spacious visitor suites.

Wilderness DumaTau options in my high 10 lists of the finest luxurious safari lodges in Botswana and my favourite Wilderness lodges in Africa.

Have you ever ever stayed at Wildernness DumaTau? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluate (extra information and pictures beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

DumaTau is located within the the Linyanti Concession in Northern Botswana bordering the Chobe Nationwide Park. An abundance of wildlife roams freely between Linyanti and Chobe by way of woodland habitats, historical floodplains and forests that make up this lush, unfenced reserve. The large recreation on this space will increase dramatically throughout the dry season when the realm hosts giant herds of impala, blue wildebeest, giraffe and buffalo in addition to the world’s highest density of elephant. A number of packs of untamed canine are discovered within the space and lion, leopard and cheetah are continuously sighted. This huge, untamed wilderness is the proper location for these in search of a singular African journey in a distant large recreation habitat.

Situated alongside the Osprey Lagoon inside the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Wilderness DumaTau enjoys a very extraordinary setting. The lodge’s intensive lagoon frontage ensures that the visitor suites and the communal space have uninterrupted views over the attractive Osprey Lagoon and the actions of the mega-herds of elephants the Linyanti is so well-known for. Resulting from its unique location, the camp affords an unrivalled wilderness expertise, with non-public entry to Zibadianja Lagoon and greater than 45 km (28 mi) of unique traversing alongside the Linyanti River frontage, in addition to the north and south banks of the Savuti Channel – assume easy house, privateness, seclusion and extraordinary wildlife encounters

The lagoon-side setting – which repeatedly attracts herds of elephants – is essential to the structure and design of Wilderness DumaTau. The primary lodge – which includes a bar, eating room and a “curiosity room” below canvas – supply expansive views out over the water. The camp’s explorer tented type pays tribute to Botswana’s bygone eras, historical migratory paths and the age of exploration, whereas reclaimed timber provides an additional architectural layer to boost the principle lodge (in addition to visitor tents). All through the lodge, a colour palette of berry, blush, terracotta and greens evoke the wilderness past. A spotlight is the lodge’s round fireplace deck, which floats over the tranquil river, related to the principle lodge by a wood staircase.

Wilderness DumaTau options eight spacious tented suites – seven twin suites and one household unit – that are related to the principle lodge by an elevated timber walkway. Every visitor suite has a snug and welcoming indoor lounge, in addition to spacious lavatory with indoor and out of doors showers. The luxurious visitor suites are raised off the bottom to take full benefit of the excellent riverfront views. A sliding gauze door at the back of the tent improves airflow by way of the suite, whereas the en-suite amenities embrace a sliding cloth wall that may be closed to make sure absolute privateness. An prolonged deck, with non-public plunge pool, and awnings create a calming shaded house to soak within the views and watch the wildlife transferring pas.

Wilderness DumaTau was utterly rebuilt and reopened in 2021, with the addition of Little DumaTau, a co-located however smaller and extra intimate camp (with 4 equivalent suites). These two camps are located on the identical web site because the earlier DumaTau and are related by an elevated timber walkway. Midway this walkway, between the 2 camps, is communal space referred to as the ‘Osprey Retreat’. Company who stroll to the centrally situated Osprey Retreat will uncover not solely a pergola with daybeds, a safari boutique, a bar with scrumptious recent and wholesome snacks, and a totally geared up health club, but in addition a welcoming ‘cool deck’ with a pool an in-pool loungers. The pool has been rigorously aligned in order that it seems to merge with the darkish waters past. Proper subsequent to the Osprey Retreat is an opulent spa remedy room.

The design of the camp itself is meant to immediate questions and encourage company to find the goal of DumaTau. The story of the camp and of the area is informed by way of two distinctive, life-size ‘curiosity bins’ within the visitor suites containing compelling particulars about elephant and wild canine – each key species used to elucidate DumaTau’s conservation goal. Extra curiosity bins are additionally discovered within the interpretive library, additional bringing these vital tales to life. The Linyanti is a crucial migration hall for elephants, and serves as a dispersal hub for wild canine, and it’s subsequently essential that the Linyanti is protected, with conservation tourism enjoying an important position. By way of the continuing presence of Dumatau camp on this web site, a significant contribution is made to make the realm a protected haven for a various vary of species.

All meals at Wilderness DumaTau (e.g. breakfast, lunch, afternoon and tea) are included within the room charge. By means of acknowledging that sustainability pertains to human livelihoods in addition to ecosystems, the meals providing at Wilderness DumaTau relies totally on seasonal and regionally obtainable substances. Sourcing produce from suppliers in northern Botswana reduces meals miles and helps small companies. Breakfast is served at 6 am round a camp fireplace close to the principle lodge (proper earlier than the morning drive). Visitor can decide to have their lunch al fresco on the camp’s barge. Dinners are served on the principle lodge’ terrace with each day altering menus. As soon as per week, a barbeque , accompanied by dances of the workers, is held within the boma proper behind the principle pavilion.

Sustainability is essential to the DumaTau story – adherence to Wilderness Safaris’ long-standing ban on concrete in its camps meant that when it proved needed, one of many authentic visitor rooms may very well be disassembled and relocated with minimal disruption. Flexibility within the design of the expanded rooms meant that they may very well be constructed round present bushes. The timber cladding impact used all through the camps has been achieved by way of repurposing wood decking from the previous DumaTau. On nearer inspection, the small print on the hand-dyed cushions reveal themselves to have been reduce from previous game-drive automobile tyres. Wilderness DumaTau can also be 100% solar-powered and all sizzling water is heated by photo voltaic geysers. Water-efficient showerheads, faucet aerators and cisterns additionally function.

DumaTau is managed by Wilderness, one in all my favourite safari firms. 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. As we speak, 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 number 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 high lodges in Botswana – Jao, Vumbura Plains and DumaTau – to create an genuine and evocative desert expertise.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

In the course of the South African winter months (June to October), the realm round Wilderness DumaTau is flourishing with wildlife, together with mega-herds of elephants and a great inhabitants of predators. To provide you an concept, throughout my go to within the month of July, I witnessed lions chasing antelopes (proper in entrance of the open automobile automobile), a pack of untamed canines searching some prey and a herd of 200+ elephants visiting a waterhole (multi functional recreation drive). Nonetheless, if you happen to go to outdoors the winter months, the sport drives at Wilderness DumaTau could also be much less rewarding because the density of wildlife within the camp’s instant neighborhood is decrease.

Wilderness DumaTau 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 getting into the realm across the lodge. Elephanst continuously go to the resort grounds. Not at all are company allowed to stroll across the lodge at evening, except accompanied by a workers member. Don’t worry although because it’s all a part of the joy of being immersed in a real African safari.

Wilderness DumaTau can solely be reached by small plane, both from Maun (30 min flight) or straight from one of many different Wilderness Camps within the space. The considered flying in a small one-engine aircraft could make some vacationers – together with myself – nervous. That mentioned, the flight itself is spectacular and affords phenomenal views of the delta, with wildlife gathering or galloping beneath. Additionally, Wilderness Air – the flying wing of Wilderness – is revered for its diversified fleet of sunshine plane suited to land on grime airstrips in distant areas and for its workforce of passionate, skilled pilots devoted to company’ security, consolation, and satisfaction. And Wilderness Air supply greater than only a connection, flying rigorously 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 by way of Maun and flight occasions are all the time between 11 am and 4 pm, permitting you, for example, a morning’s dreamy mokoro trip in a single lodge adopted by an adventurous afternoon recreation drive in one other lodge.

Malaria is widespread within the northern components of Botswana such because the Linyanti Concession (the place Wilderness DumaTau is situated), notably throughout or after wet season from November to April. Drugs can be utilized to stop the probabilities of contracting malaria. For recommendation on the usage of any malaria prophylaxis, it is advisable to contact the well being authorities or your native journey clinic previous to your travels. Along with any prophylactics, the next mitigation measures are advisable: 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
Rooms: 9/10
Meals: 9/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Wow issue: 9/10
Worth for cash: 10/10
Total expertise: distinctive – 9.1/10

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 lets you ebook the identical journey).

Itinerary tip: I like to recommend a safari at Wilderness DumaTau between about June and October when recreation viewing is at its finest.

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious resort like Wilderness DumaTau Camp (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Wilderness DumaTau affords year-round safari actions. Whereas every season brings a singular attraction, wildlife numbers are concentrated between June and October. These drier months affords prime alternatives to witness the annual migration of elephants alongside the Linyanti River, in addition to sightings of predators equivalent to lions and leopards drawn to the focus of prey close to water sources.

HOW TO GET THERE

Wilderness DumaTau can solely be accessed by mild plane into the close by airstrip, which has each day flight connections with all camps in Okavango, Linyanti, Maun Airport (which is the principle vacationer getaway to Botswana) and Kasane (for connections to Livingstone and Victoria Falls). Wilderness takes care of reserving all transfers and flight.