Vumbura Plains overlooks a vast, attractive floodplain and the rooms are built under the shade of cool and shady trees. Vumbura Plains consists of 2 x 14-bedded camps linked by raised boardwalks and each has its own dining, lounge and bar area although all 28 beds or parts thereof can be utilised for larger parties. All of the luxury rooms are raised off the ground on wooden platforms with walkways connecting them to the main living areas. Each room has a large, very comfortable bedroom, a lounge, a "sala" and en-suite facilities with a shower, a flush toilet and an outdoor shower under the stars. The main dining, lounge and pub area is also raised off the ground and tucked beneath a canopy of shady, indigenous trees with a wonderful vista across the floodplains. Each room has its own plunge pool.

Most enjoyable game viewing - because of the efforts made by our guides to have us notice and learn about all we saw. Animals, birds, and trees. Both guides were good at discovering the unusual. B.C. and C.C., Houston, Texas, USA

Whoever is responsible for selecting Wilderness Safaris as the in-country host deserves a pat on the back. The camps that we visited were excellent! The staff is wonderful, the camps clean, comfortable and in wonderful locations. Every camp somehow got better than the last. This is our first experience with a tour group and have to admit we really liked all of the assistance with ground transport. Particularly, Gordy in Joburg. He met us at the airport as well as took us back at the end of the trip and shepherded us through the entire maze at the Joburg airport. I intend to write a letter to Colin at WS to thank him for his effort and tell him of our wonderful experience. Many thanks for your assistance. D.W. and D.W.

The warm welcome and gracious manner of everyone was instrumental in making this an experience beyond compare. L.F and S.F., La Jolla US

The game was the most enjoyable part of our stay - its my first time in Africa. I loved the camp - it's a good way to experience the "real" Africa. N.B., Bristol, UK

The quality of the camp was beyond anything I ever imagined. I still believe the guides wear binocular contact lenses and have GPS systems in the jeeps. The Vumbura team made our stay so enjoyable it was a quality experience and so rewarding. Keep your country beautiful and preserve the integrity of the camps - many people will come to enjoy what you have to offer. We thank you. P.T., P.T. and L.T., Issaquah USA

Vumbura, Little Vumbura and Kaparota are situated in the extreme north of the Okavango, about 30km north of Mombo, in what is known locally as the Kwedi Reserve. More formally the Kwedi is known as areas NG 22 and 23. The entire area of over 100,000 hectares has been ceded by the Botswana Government and the Tawana Land Board to the people who live along the Okavango's northern boundary so that they can derive direct benefits from the wildlife and the environment on their doorstep.

These people live in five traditional villages to the north of the Okavango and the Kwedi. To ensure that the benefits from this arrangement are spread throughout all the people in this area, the annual payments we make go to a trust called The Okavango Community Trust. This trust represents the interests of all the people living in the five villages to the north of the Okavango. They also get the first job opportunities, the training and the benefits of other community projects that we run in the area from time to time. The five villages involved in this joint venture are Seronga, Gunitsoga, Eretsha, Betsha, and Gudigwa.

This trust has selected Wilderness Safaris as their joint venture partner, to run and manage the lodges and the tourism activities in this area.  Along with this arrangement comes the right to hunt animals - including a large number of elephants leopard etc.  Wilderness Safaris have elected NOT to hunt and in doing so we loose about US$300,000 in nett profit from the hunting operations.  The reasons we have elected not to hunt are many and varied, but one of the most important reasons is that hunting and photographic tourism cannot mix in the same area for many reasons.  One of them is that the animals in the area quickly cotton on that there is hunting and they either move away or become very skittish.  As a result of this "no-hunting" policy in the Kwedi area (and because of the wide ranging habitats and permanent water in the floodplains) the Kwedi now has some of the best wildlife viewing in all of Botswana.

The vegetation ranges from the vast open flood plains to dense mopane bushveld and usually and historically has offered spectacular game viewing and birding opportunities all year round.

Wilderness Safaris operates five camps in this area where both land and water activities can be offered. The camps are Duba Plains, Vumbura, Little Vumbura, Vundumtiki and Kaparota. Each of these has its own identity and character while subscribing to the very high standards set by Wilderness. 2004 poses an interesting challenge to us.  Operationally the Kwedi will be a nightmare for our maintenance people as the open plains will become filled with water to levels never ever witnessed before. We expect our vehicles, starter motors, alternators and gearboxes to take a hammering with the high water levels. Access to this area is only by air.

The suggested guideline for tipping is $10 per person a day at each property visited. The tips are collectively gathered from all guests after their stay at each property and distributed amongst the staff, you either give the tips to the manager or usually there is a staff tip box within which to put your tips. The tips are then divided equally amongst all the staff on the property. Many people like to leave a little extra with their dedicated guides on game drives as they spend so much time with them and it is perfectly fine to give the tip directly to the guide. For guides we suggest approximately $30-$50 total for a stay of 3 days. If you feel your guide has been exceptional, some guests will sometimes give up to $100.

Botswana is an all-year-round wildlife destination. However, there are certain seasonal concerns of which groups with special interests should take note: The best birding months are November - March, when the delta is brimming with migratory birds. The best botanical months are December - May, when the vegetation is lush and green and most plants are in flower. Botswana’s popularity as a destination is such that seasonal differences are not as marked as in other African destinations. Traditionally, however, peak season is from July to October and middle season is from May to June. Note that availability is at a premium during these seasons so you will need to book well in advance. November to April is a less popular time for travel to Botswana. This is the wet season, and due to the abundance of water it is less certain that one will see wildlife at perennial water holes. Also, the heavy rains can make dirt roads impassable.