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Magical moments in the Okavango Delta

Last updated: May 19, 2026

Written by: Melissa Kirby

There are few wake-up calls I truly enjoy. However, when in Africa, I am always the first to rise, no matter how early. A soft ‘knock knock’ and a cheerful ‘good morning’, followed by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tea at the tent door, gently starts the day. The sky is still ink-blue, yet already alive with the sound of baboons chattering, birds calling and the occasional splash from something unseen in the waterways below.

By 6.15am, coffee to go in hand, we are off. Water bottles clink softly as the vehicle hums to life. Today, it is just the two of us – one of the touches that makes Duba Explorers feel so special. The camp always aims to offer a private experience, though when occupancy is high, pairings are made thoughtfully.

The first light spills across the seasonal floodplains, glinting off the ring islands formed by termite mounds. A marabou stork teeters on a jackalberry branch while warthogs and zebra wander through the morning mist. We pause for a giant eagle owl, its dark eyes glinting in the low light. Fresh lion tracks cross the sand, large paw prints that keep us guessing but this morning they’ve decided to stay hidden. Prides in this area tend to be smaller, usually three to seven, and judging by the maze of tracks, they’ve clearly earned their lie-in.

The birdlife more than makes up for it. Rollers flash turquoise, fish eagles call from the trees and kingfishers dart like tiny jewels through the air. Just as thoughts drift towards breakfast, the vehicle slows and turns off track. Beneath the shade of the trees, with views across the savannah, a table is laid with linen and glassware. With a faint whiff of coals, a surprise bush breakfast appears. Kitso, our guide, joins us with his usual good humour, pouring mimosas while eggs are cooked to order and a small feast of cheeses and fruit appears as if by magic.

Back at Duba Explorers, everything feels beautifully balanced between comfort and wilderness. The camp sits within a 33,000-hectare concession – unfenced, untamed and deeply peaceful. The tents are elevated over the marshlands, each with a private deck overlooking the floodplains where zebra, impala, wildebeest, buffalo and baboons pass through. Inside, the details are thoughtful rather than fussy: multi-charging points, air-conditioning over the bed, a tea and coffee station and even a walkie-talkie for calling the main area after dark. There is no Wi-Fi in the main area (rooms only), which feels less like an inconvenience and more like an invitation to slow down.

Habanna, the ever-smiling camp manager, keeps everything running seamlessly, supported by Bonono and Harris, along with BK, Sam and Miakano, whose quiet attentiveness makes you feel entirely at home.

Explore Botswana with cazenove+loyd

It is these small, considered moments – the stillness of the Okavango Delta at dawn, the thrill of following fresh tracks, the warmth of a perfectly timed coffee or a breakfast laid out in the bush – that stay with you long after you leave. Duba Explorers offers an authentic, mind-expanding experience you will never forget.

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Melissa Kirby

After growing up surrounded by natural beauty in Sussex, I decided to embark on what was meant to be a three-month trip to South Africa. Those months stretched into nearly five years of captivating experiences.

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