Tawana

• Flights into Maun 
• This camp is not self-driveable, it is only accessible by helicopter transfer from Maun ( $269 pp one way +$20 departure tax as an indicative cost) - please contact [email protected] for updated info, dependent on your travel dates. 
• All items of a personal nature (laundry, gratuities etc.)
• Conservation and Reserve fee of R275 per person per night, payable directly to the property upon booking.

• Children 6 - 18 years are welcome charged 50% of the adult rate per night, in a family unit
• Children under 16 cannot be in their own tent & must be be with at least 1 adult
• Children 19 years and over are charged the full adult rate 
• Please enquire for an exact quotations & availability
• There is a 40% single supplement
• Vehicles accommodate 7 guests. Parties of 6 - 7 guests are allocated a private vehicle at no charge.
  • Families travelling with children 9 years and younger are required to book and pay for a private vehicle.
  • Private vehicles must be booked for the duration of a stay.
  • Rates are per vehicle per night and are subject to availability.

Immerse yourself in one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas. Set amid the pristine landscapes of Botswana’s iconic Moremi Game Reserve, Natural Selection’s new-build camp – Tawana – offers an unrivalled discovery of the Okavango Delta and the wider wilderness ecosystem of northern Botswana.  Opened in May 2024, Tawana has been created to stand in harmony with the lush forests and grasslands that line the banks of the perennial Gomoti river, blending the romance of a contemporary safari camp with unforgettable safari experiences. 

When it comes to wildlife, seasoned African travellers speak of the Moremi in awe. Stretching across nearly 5000 square kilometers [1900 square miles], the Moremi Game Reserve is a magical corner of Botswana renowned for its high concentration of antelope, predators and large herbivores. Tawana is entirely unfenced, allowing the wildlife to wander right through the heart of the camp, unhindered. Here, the wilderness surrounds you each minute of the day.  This new addition to the Natural Selection portfolio is born of a partnership with Chief Tawana Moremi, the paramount chief of the Batawana tribe. For centuries his forefathers have called this land their home. Chief Tawana has partnered with Natural Selection to safeguard this pristine ecosystem for future generations, while providing much-needed opportunities for his people.  In Tawana we celebrate both the cultural heritage and rich wilderness of the region while offering a handful of fortunate guests the freedom to experience one of the last truly wild corners of Africa.

At Tawana, you’ll immerse yourself in one of the greatest wilderness areas on earth, cradled in the comfort and luxury of this newest safari camp.  As a premier camp in the Natural Selection portfolio, Tawana complements Jack’s Camp, Tuludi and North Island Okavango to create a memorable circuit of luxurious, yet deeply characterful, safari destinations in Botswana.

Tawana offers 8 spacious suites, including three family rooms. The suites stretch to approximately 100 square metres in size (130 square metres for family units) and offer a separate lounge area and private terrace with a refreshing plunge pool, while the outdoor sala offers a serene space to relax between excursions. Aesthetic inspiration is drawn from the organic tones and textures of the landscape, as well as the cultural heritage of the local Batawana tribe, to create a stylish and contemporary safari destination with a distinct sense of place. Each suite has been thoughtfully oriented to offer perfect privacy and uninterrupted views of the Gomoti River and game-rich floodplains. Set beneath the boughs of stately ebony and sausage trees, the suites enjoy the deep shade of the lush riverine forest, creating a cool oasis of calm to retreat to between activities.  

Tawana is open year-round, with each season offering its own character and opportunities for unique sightings.  While the game is plentiful year-round the dry months from July to October are peak season for game-viewing, as grassland waterholes dry up and animals are drawn to perennial water sources. Between June and September, the annual floodwaters of the Okavango delta reach their peak. With the Gomoti River flowing in front of Tawana, expect remarkable wildlife sightings in and around the camp. The ‘green’ season from January to March sees the life-giving rains transform the landscape, delivering memorable sunsets and blue-sky days between short but intense downpours. While the game is spread more widely this is the perfect time for keen birders to visit, with the arrival of migrant species in the region. 

Green season: 10 January – 31 March   

Shoulder season: 01 April – 31 May | 01 November – 19 December   

High season: 01 June – 30 June | 01 September – 31 October | 20 December – 09 January   

Peak season: 01 July – 31 August

Covering nearly 5000 square kilometers of wilderness, the Moremi Game Reserve is the oldest protected section of the Okavango Delta, a  proclaimed World Heritage Site. It lies on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta and was named after Chief Moremi of the Batawana tribe. Because this was ancestral land set aside for conservation it is designated as a game reserve, rather than a national park.  Tawana is located in the south-eastern sector of the reserve, immediately to the east of the famous Qorokwe and Chitabe Concessions. The camp is situated on the eastern bank of the Gomoti River, with views out across the river and surrounding game-rich floodplains.  At Tawana guests will awaken to a natural tapestry of sinuous channels, auburn plains and mature riverine forest. The sonorous calls of hippos ring out from the deeper pools in the Gomoti, while tawny grasslands meander between termite mound islands topped with rustling mokolwane and tsaro palms. Within this unspoiled landscape herds of antelope thrive, followed through the seasons by hungry predators.  Wildlife The south-eastern reaches of the Moremi Game Reserve, in which Tawana is located, is renowned for its high concentration of wildlife, including healthy populations of key predators – particularly lion, leopard and African wild dogs – which are frequently sighted just meters from the camp.  The permanent waters of the Gomoti River ensure a wide variety of game is present in the area year-round. Look forward to sighting large herds of antelope, including the semi-aquatic red lechwe and shy sitatunga. Within the lagoons and pools of the Gomoti large pods of hippos make themselves at home, while enormous Nile crocodiles are often seen basking on the banks.  When the first summer rains arrive in November, breeding herds of elephants move into the mopane forests as the natural waterholes begin to fill. This ‘green season’ of summertime brings its own magic, transforming the Moremi into a lush green landscape. Summer is also the best time for birders, with the arrival of the summer migrants. More than 400 bird species have been recorded here, and throughout the year the waterways and grasslands ensure the Moremi is a twitcher’s delight.

Spacious communal areas in the camp include an elegant lounge and indoor and outdoor dining spaces, while the shelves of the curated lodge library are filled with reference works on the history of the Moremi Game Reserve and the local Batawana tribe. A walk-in wine cellar, wood-fired pizza oven and open-air dining kgotla add to the menu of culinary adventures that will be a signature of the Tawana experience.  For downtime between game activities, Tawana includes in-room spa treatments – offering a bespoke menu of facial, body and wellness treatments in the privacy of your room. Stay in shape training in the 16-metre lap pool or using the weights and yoga mat provided in each room. The outdoor lounge around the fire pit offers the opportunity to connect with other guests or contemplate the remarkable wilderness beyond and admire the stars above.

Tawana’s unique location on the Gomoti River, surrounded by grassy game-rich floodplains, makes the camp a hotspot for wildlife. From the comfort of your suite or the wide private decks, enjoy remarkable sightings of the wildlife that wander in and around – or sometimes right through! – the camp.  Daily game excursions are led by experienced wilderness guides and trackers, many of whom grew up in the surrounding area. Experts in everything from botany and biology to local lore, these masterful storytellers bring the wilderness of Botswana to life. Depending on the weather, season and duration of your stay, you can look forward to memorable experiences including: Twice-daily game drives, departing in the early morning and late afternoon, set out to explore the beautiful landscape of the Moremi Game Reserve; a lush tapestry of shimmering lagoons, shallow pans, mopane woodlands and grassy floodplains. Look forward to remarkable sightings of antelope, predators, birds and large herbivores. Your experienced guides will also point out the lesser-known residents of the Delta. The Okavango is renowned for its birdlife. Birding excursions, especially during the summer months, will introduce you to many of the 400 species recorded in the Moremi. Swop wilderness for wellness, at the stylish on-site spa. An extensive menu of facial and body treatments are offered. Work on your holiday fitness in the well-equipped gymnasium, or dive into the 16-metre outdoor lap pool. Discover a new perspective on the Okavango Delta, with a thrilling helicopter flight (at an additional cost). From above you will truly appreciate the network of watery channels that thread their way through the landscape.

Tawana is not driveable, so transfers from Maun Airport are via helicopter transfers. See 'Exclusions' for the latest prices in dollars.