Where Duba Explorers sits
Duba Explorers Camp is tucked into the north-eastern corner of the private Duba Concession in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. The camp stands on an island surrounded by permanent floodplain, with grassland and pockets of mopane and acacia woodland between the water. It has its own traversing area, separate from Duba Plains Camp on the same concession.
The setting
The camp sits under a canopy of mature jackalberry, leadwood, mangosteen and sycamore-fig trees, with clear, unobstructed views across the water channels. The open aspect is functional as well as attractive: it lets the breeze move through camp and through the tents, which matters a great deal in October.
The tents
There are five airy canvas tents, each raised on decking, with a campaign writing desk, a private veranda and en-suite bathroom facilities. Each tent has an environmentally friendly air-conditioning system, which is unusual in a camp at this price point.
The main area
The central area sits on raised decking under a sweeping marquee canvas, laid out as an open-plan dining and lounge space. There is a pool. The whole camp is designed by Dereck and Beverly Joubert around the idea of the golden age of Botswana exploration.
The Explorer Collection
Duba Explorers is part of Great Plains’ Explorer Collection, positioned as the affordable option that does not compromise on the safari experience, the cuisine, the guiding or the wildlife. It is the counterpart to Duba Plains Camp rather than a lesser version of it — the two have separate traversing areas on the same concession.
Game viewing on the Duba concession
The Duba concession is best known for its lion and buffalo dynamic, where prides cross water to hunt buffalo herds and red lechwe on the permanent floodplains. Leopard and painted dog also occur.
The floodplain landscape
Because the northern Delta holds water permanently, the game viewing here does not collapse when the rest of the country dries. The floodplain is the constant, and the animals arrange themselves around it year-round.
Combining with the other Explorers camps
Great Plains suggests combining a stay here with Selinda Explorers Camp and Okavango Explorers Camp, both Explorer-Collection camps on the Selinda Reserve. The three cover different country and can be linked in one trip.
Who it suits
Travellers who want serious Delta game viewing without the Reserve-Collection price, and who value guiding and location over fittings. It also suits anyone who wants the Duba lion and buffalo experience but does not need a wine cellar to go with it.
When to visit
The permanent floodplains mean the camp works across the year. The dry months concentrate game hardest; the green season is quieter, greener, and better for birds and newborn animals.
