Okavango Delta | Private Camps | Self Catering

Oddballs' Camp

Please share Oddballs' Camp

If you are looking for the “real” Okavango Delta—the one without air-conditioning, generators, or glass windows separating you from the wild—Oddballs' Camp is where you belong.

Located on the edge of Chief’s Island deep in the heart of the Okavango, Oddballs’ is a legend in Botswana tourism. For over 30 years, it has offered travelers an authentic, “back-to-basics” safari experience that focuses on the purity of the environment rather than high-end luxury. This is a camp for the adventurous spirit, where the luxury lies in the location and the silence.

Here, there are no motorized activities to disturb the peace. Your safari is conducted entirely by mokoro (dugout canoe) and on foot, guided by men who were born and raised in these swamps. It is an immersive, low-impact, and deeply personal way to connect with one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

Top 3 Reasons to Visit Oddballs' Camp

• The Authentic Mokoro Experience: Oddballs’ is famous for its “mokoro trails.” You don't just go out for an hour; you can pack a fly-camp and head out for multiple days, camping wild on islands deep in the Delta with your private guide.
• A Walking Safari Specialist: Without game drive vehicles, the focus is entirely on walking. This allows you to track animals, learn about medicinal plants, and experience the thrill of encountering wildlife on foot on Chief's Island.
• Eco-Friendly & Community Rooted: The camp uses no generators (solar only) and has a unique guiding structure where each guest (maximum two per guide) gets their own private guide for the duration of their stay, directly supporting the local community.

Accommodation: Rustic Charm Under Canvas

Oddballs' Camp is designed to blend into the forest canopy. The accommodation is simple, comfortable, and unpretentious, keeping you connected to the sights and sounds of the bush.

The Dome Tents The camp consists of 15 dome tents set on elevated wooden decks. These are not the massive “glamping” suites found elsewhere; they are classic 3m x 3m canvas tents that unzip to reveal the forest.

• The Facilities: Each tent has its own semi-detached bathroom with a hot bucket shower and a flush toilet.
• The Bedding: Inside, you’ll find comfortable mattresses on raised frames, fresh linens, and a bedside light.
• The View: The decks are shaded by tall trees and offer views over the floodplain. It is common to wake up to elephants browsing just meters from your deck.

The “Honeymoon Suite” For those wanting a little more space, the Honeymoon Suite offers a larger deck and a bathtub with a view of the Delta—perfect for a romantic, rustic escape.

Main Area & The Skull Bar The central area is an open-sided structure with comfortable sofas and hammocks for lounging during the midday heat. The “Skull Bar,” adorned with an eclectic collection of animal skulls found in the bush, is a legendary spot to swap stories with other travelers. Dining is communal, fostering a social and friendly atmosphere.

Safari Activities: The “Man & Pole” Tradition

Oddballs' does not offer motorized game drives. The philosophy here is silence and stealth.

Private Guiding A unique feature of Oddballs’ is that every booking (whether a single traveler or a couple) is allocated their own private guide. This man is your host, poler, and tracker for your entire stay. You decide the schedule.

Mokoro Excursions You will spend hours gliding silently through the reed-lined channels. Without the noise of an engine, you can get incredibly close to painted reed frogs, jacanas, and elephants crossing the water.

Walking Safaris on Chief's Island You will pole across the channel to Chief’s Island (part of the Moremi Game Reserve). Here, you leave the boat and walk. Chief’s Island is famous for its density of game, including lions, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes. Tracking these animals on foot is an adrenaline-filled experience.

Multi-Day Camping Trails For the ultimate adventure, you can opt for an overnight (or multi-night) camping trail. You load your equipment into the mokoro and pole deep into the Delta. Your guide sets up a simple fly-camp on a remote island, cooks over an open fire, and you sleep under the stars. Note: This must be requested in advance.

Best Time to Visit Oddballs' Camp

Because Oddballs' relies on water levels for the mokoro experience, seasonality is key.

• Peak Flood (June to September): This is the best time. The water levels are high, allowing access to more channels. The weather is cool and clear.
• Green Season (December to March): It is hot and humid. However, the birding is spectacular. Note that if water levels are very low, mokoro activities might be limited or require a longer walk to reach the water.

Conclusion

Oddballs' Camp is not for the traveler seeking air-conditioning, plunge pools, or Wi-Fi. It is for the traveler who wants to feel the heartbeat of the Okavango. It is a place of stories, of campfire smoke, and of the simple joy of floating through a lily-filled lagoon. It remains one of the best-value and most authentic experiences in Botswana.

Ready to go offline? Click the “Book Now” button to secure your tent, or select “Ask a Question” to ask our team about the multi-day camping trail options.

INCLUDES

• Accommodation in a dome tent on a raised deck.
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
• Teas, coffees, and snacks.
• Private Guide (1 guide per 2 guests).
• Daily mokoro excursions and walking safaris.
• Park fees for Chief’s Island.
• Laundry service.

EXCLUDES

• Alcoholic and soft drinks (billed upon departure).
• Flights and road transfers to the camp airstrip.
• Tips and gratuities for guides and staff.
• Travel insurance.