Machaba Safaris

Located in the Chobe Forest Reserve just 3km from the Chobe National Park (a region renowned for its outstanding wildlife, in particular the famous Chobe Elephants, and home to more than 75 mammal and 450 bird species), Ngoma Safari Lodge commands awe-inspiring views over the Chobe River and floodplains. 

The lodge’s central area includes a well-appointed sitting room, dining room and bar area as well as a plunge pool.  Each private river-facing suite offers quiet refuge, and is one of only eight luxuriously styled and spacious lodges, each complete with bath, indoor and outdoor showers and a private outdoor living area with a “refresh and relax pool”.

Due to it’s location in the Chobe Forest Reserve, the lodge can offer game walks with a professional guide as well as night drives. Activities include a full day safari comprising a drive in the Chobe National Park, a cruise and a picnic lunch, day or night drives, walks and birding.  Visits to the local village may also be arranged.

Ngoma Safari Lodge, developed with the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust, is committed to making a sustainable difference to the local communities and their environment.

The style of the camp is “Less is more”. A non-pretentious camp designed to blend in with the rock and bush which occur on this slight rise above the Deteema Springs. The tents are smaller than the traditional Machaba style tent, fitting in with the surroundings of one of the most iconic parts of Hwange National Park. The tents are comfortable with all the facilities of a luxury camp, including hot and cold running water, flush toilet and decks. The main area is tented on decks overlooking the Deteema Springs, offering one an opportunity to sit and watch the African bush unfold in front of you.

Verney’s is a private concession area in a typically un-used part of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. It is a beautiful amphitheatre fringed by teak forest that opens up onto an impressive waterhole that is a playground to the famous elephant herds of Hwange. The camp is situated on the central side of the popular south eastern part of Hwange National Park, Verney’s Camp is a private concession of 10 000 hectares (24 710 acres).

Ingwe Pan is situated at a secluded pan in the wilderness area of Mana Pools National Park, just a few kilometres inland of the Zambezi River and within walking distance of the Chiruwe river bed. The pan is one of the biggest in the park and is surrounded by a grove of large ebony trees. A magnificent fig and ancient ebony form the canopy of the main lounge and dining area of the camp. An ancient baobab is a few minutes walk from the camp and the perfect spot for picnics and sundowners in the evening.

Located in Mana Pools National Park, Mana River Camp is positioned on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River nestled between this enormous perennial river and a much visited water pan, particularly enjoyed by elephants for mud bathing. Shade in the camp is provided by riverine forest predominately Trichilia Emetica and the fabled Faidherbia Albida (apple ring or Anna Tree)

The beauty of this camp is that it is a mobile tented camp known as a TEC – Temporary Extended Camp. The whole camp is taken down at the end of each season, before the wet season begins. This gives the feeling of the old, real bush, camping experience. The camp is unfenced and many different animals may be viewed from the camp, whilst enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. Common visitors into camp are elephants.

Little Machaba is situated in the game rich Khwai area. The Khwai Concession is a 180 000 hectare reserve situated in the north eastern Okavango adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. Little Machaba is situated on the same island as Machaba Main Camp, but is run separately from Machaba Main Camp. The camp is built in the classic 1950’s style, with luxury safari tents, en-suite bathrooms and living areas, not forgetting the romantic outdoor showers. All the tents are situated on decks and the pathways to the tents meander between the large riverine trees. The Main dining and bar area are also on wooden decks overlooking a large flood plain.

The Gomoti Plains is located in a community run concession, on the edge of the Gomoti river system southeast of the Okavango Delta. The Gomoti tree is locally known as the water fig and grows alongside waterways in the Okavango delta. It’s a smallish tree which sometimes grows no bigger than a bush. The area is known for its large concentrations of wildlife which thrive on the Gomoti plains and waterways. The Gomoti trees line the waterways and provide excellent cover for nesting water birds such as herons and storks.This exclusive area has been a well-kept secret for many years. The Gomoti region has been the local haunt of many of the older guides and Okavango dwellers who refer to it in nostalgic terms when they used to camp along this river system.This new camp has 10 luxury tents which include 2 luxury family tents and 8 luxury double tents, all with en-suite bathroom facilities.. In addition to day and night 4WD game drives, the camp offers water based activities such as mokoro excursions and motor boat trips. 

Gomoti Private is a small exclusive camp attached to Gomoti Plains Camp, offering total exclusivity and privacy for its guests. The design of the camp includes a small intimate dining and lounge area with its own private plunge pool. Relax and enjoy the sounds of Africa from around the campfire at night, indulging in one of Africa’s primal pleasures.

Kiri Camp is named after the Kiri channel which flows passed the island on which the camp is situated. The camp is raised on wooden decks to give one a view of the mighty Kiri floodplains which stretch out in front of the camp. The luxury tents are designed to incorporate the surrounding ebony forest under which the camp is situated. The use of wood, canvas and reeds are primary to the architecture of this stunning camp. 

Kiri Camp offers a combination of both game drives and water activities. Based on a private concession, these activities will take you to some of the more remote areas in the delta, previously inaccessible. A motorboat ride during peak flood times promises to enthrall you and captivate you, with the chance of seeing iconic wildlife from the river. Glide on quiet mokoro’s through the water lilies and view wildlife from below as you sail along at water level height. The wildlife in the Kiri area is diverse and plentiful, renown for its lion and buffalo interactions and rare wild dog numbers.