Highlights
- Beautiful waterfront location
- Spectacular wildlife
- Boat trips and fishing
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Kwando Lagoon Camp is nestled among the ebony and marula trees on the banks of the Kwando River in the Linyanti area of northern Botswana. This area offers one of the finest safari experiences in Africa with its superb concentrations of wildlife and discreet number of small-scale, high quality camps. Linyanti is accessed via light aircraft and trips here are frequently combined with camps in the Okavango Delta to contrast water-based safari with the superb game drives of this region. It’s best to visit during the May-October dry season when large herds of elephant and buffalo congregate on the Kwando-Linyanti river front and lion, leopard, cheetah and wild hunting dogs can be seen in action.
The main, thatch-roofed area of the camp is spacious and well set out on multiple levels. The first floor houses a lounge and bar area complete with small library and elevated views of the river and wetlands. Food is of a high standard, served either in the covered dining area or outdoors beneath the shade of the trees. There is also a gift shop and a small plunge pool and viewing deck complete with swing chair and steps leading down towards the riverfront. The camp’s double-decker boat is moored here and a campfire is lit in the mornings and evenings.
Activities in this private concession are plentiful and visitors are free to explore unhindered by the strict regulations and often heavy vehicle traffic that characterise the national parks. Evening and night drives are a speciality. There is a highly professional and serious approach to safari guiding here, with game drives taking place in custom-designed, open-topped vehicles which seat no more than 6 guests at a time so everyone gets a ‘window seat’, providing superb viewing and photography opportunities. The camp also provides a highly skilled guide and a tracker for every vehicle meaning that guests are very well informed and no sightings are missed. Whilst some travellers love the firm focus on predator sightings, notably lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs, others may prefer a slower-paced walking safari or a relaxing trip in a mokoro (dug-out canoe). Note that walking safaris may not be possible at certain times during the dry season due to the large elephant population in the region at the time. Boat cruises are a particular feature of this camp, providing soothing respite from the somewhat intense vehicle safaris and a chance to view the resident Kwando River hippos and fish eagles. Fishing is offered for ten months of the year, although prohibited during the January and February peak breeding seasons. Basic equipment is supplied, although avid fishers may prefer to bring their own.
The accommodation comprises 8 luxury tents which can accommodate up to 18 guests at any one time. Each room has a thatched roof, a private veranda with comfortable loungers overlooking the river, and a lounge area, raised bedroom and dressing area. All tents house a spacious bathroom with free-standing bath, indoor and outdoor showers and a separate WC. There is one family unit. The camp has 24-hour solar and generator power for low voltage lighting, but note that high powered items such as hair-dryers cannot be used. There is a central charging area for electronic equipment, although no internet access, and a laundry service is also available.
Children aged 6-12 years are welcome with children under 6 able to stay if the whole camp is booked for exclusive use. Specialist family safaris are available at additional cost. Programmes for children are offered and might include making castes of footprints, crafting cards out of natural materials, or fishing. 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 Lagoon Camp was fully renovated in 2011 and is run by an enthusiastic team. It provides a comfortable and relaxed place to stay in an extremely privileged location. The atmosphere is pleasant and laid back, with warm and professional service. 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 a top-end safari experience with spectacular wildlife on tap, a stay at this property is very hard to beat.
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M
reviewing Best of Botswana for Families
on 18 November 2024
We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.Will be a trip we remember forever
Maritta B
reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value
on 11 November 2024
Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!
Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.
Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!
All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.
Thanks you once again!
Hardeep S
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 15 April 2024
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M
reviewing Best of Botswana for Families
on 18 November 2024
We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.Will be a trip we remember forever
Maritta B
reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value
on 11 November 2024
Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!
Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.
Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!
All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.
Thanks you once again!
Hardeep S
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 15 April 2024
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
Juhae 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”
Lars 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.
Claudia L
reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday
on 11 January 2024
We had a brilliant trip!
An amazing experience for parents, children and grandparents alike.
We are already planning a trip to Vietnam next year
Kate B
reviewing Morocco Family Holiday: Kasbahs, Mountains & Souks
on 10 January 2024
Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again
Godfrey R
reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana
on 25 September 2023
We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil
Philip R
reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach
on 01 September 2023
It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve
Stephen H
reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari
on 01 September 2023
