Camp Maru

These six canvas tented units stand elevated above the ground on timber decks, with an atmospheric veranda facing out towards an adjacent, winding lagoon. These pitched rooms possess wide overhangs to keep the interior cool, shading the private veranda.

The beds are either extra length king size or can be made up as two three-quarter length twins. Interior is reminiscent of the classic 1930s safari style, furnished with a host of modern amenities such as an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet, standing fans and high-quality linens. The main area or ‘Map Room’ is also under canvas and has a library well stocked with fascinating books on the flora and fauna of the Delta.

The swimming pool and sun loungers look over the lagoon. A fantastic option for couples, honeymooners and those travellers seeking a true bush experience.

Amenities Include:

• En-suite bathroom
• Shower facilities
• King size or twin beds
• Electronical outlets
• Mosquito nets
• Fan
• Hairdryer (on request)
• Tea and coffee
• Complimentary WIFI
• Complimentary laundry service

Upon your arrival at Camp Maru, you can expect lavish, all-inclusive catering and fine dining throughout the duration of your stay. Breakfast and lunch consist of a help-yourself, buffet style feast, predominantly western style cuisine to keep you energised and satisfied throughout the day’s activities. In the evening, a plated three course dinner is served at an atmospheric, in-camp communal dining area, in the company of friends and guide alike.

With all-inclusive rates, you’re free to indulge in a range of locally sourced alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day and between meals, with a host of lite bites and added extras in-between. Premium and imported products are charged at additional fees. Should you have any specific dietary requirements, be sure to inform the catering staff in advance.

Three set meals are provided throughout the day, with breakfast and lunch comprising a self-service buffet of freshly prepared foods and cereals. Dinner is a lavish, three course meal banquet consisting of primarily western cuisine. However, locally sourced dishes and flavours are available for those seeking an authentic taste of the Botswanan pallet.

High tea presents the perfect opportunity to unwind amidst the junction of a day’s activities with a range of refreshing beverages and sumptuous snacks. Soak in the atmosphere with high tea alfresco for an atmospheric midday refreshment for a classy and memorable reprieve.

Guided game drives provide the opportunity to traverse expansive delta lands in open 4×4 safari vehicles. Thriving game populations within the NG32 Concession make for ample wildlife viewing potential as you travel across open landscapes and merging eco systems. Lion, leopard, lechwe and tsessebe are among some of the major attractions that entice guests year-round, as well as the larger safari staples such as elephant, hippopotamus and buffalo, as do herds of giraffe, frolicking zebra, kudu and wild dog.

Maru Camp offers intrinsic game viewing activities exclusive to the private concession itself. With the opportunity to rent private 4×4 safari vehicles and embark into the night with spotlight-lit drives, revealing the many nocturnal creatures that come to life after dark. Maru Camp puts you at the wheel for a bespoke safari adventure like no other.

Guided game walks allow you to take in the sights and sounds of the Okavango at a more intimate and leisurely pace than is applicable with other modes of safari game viewing. Seasoned guides will lead you safely through the undisturbed delta flat and wetlands while brushing elbows with scores of exotic, thriving game populations.

Guided walks allow you to get up -close-and-personal with meandering elephants, frolicking zebra and all the big cats indigenous to the NG32 Concession, culminating in a unique and insightful safari experience.

Indulge in a tranquil, culturally enlightening water-bound excursion that sees you silently glide across open delta channels in a traditional style African dugout canoe (mokoro) as you pass scores of aquatic creatures and vegetation.

Drifting calmly onward will reveal intricate waterlilies, papyrus grasses, brightly coloured frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies, including predator and prey alike that rear in close to feed on the reeds and drink from river waters.

Set sail for open delta channels with Maru style motorised boat excursions. This enthralling marine safari adventure facilitates a host of inherent activities such as game viewing, birding and the chance to sample exotic barge cuisines while in the company of your private guide and friends.

Observe the abundance of life around you as you calmly traverse delta waters in search of exotic game and staple safari spectacles in hard-bottom aluminium boats. Life jackets provided.

Experience the Okavango Delta as you have never seen it before with this once in a lifetime Maru helicopter safari. View the breath-taking expanse of inaccessible lakes and islands – remote and otherwise unseen, as well as the abundance of roaming wildlife that can be seen passing beneath your feet.

This experience will allow you to truly absorb the full magnitude and beauty of Okavango Delta from high above the sky, covering a considerably larger expanse than what is possible with conventional land-based safari. Scenic helicopter safaris are accessible via external location and come at additional fees.

Birding at Maru Camp is a unique and insightful experience that attracts wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike from all around the world. Over 450 species make for a unique and unparalleled viewing experience. Knowledgeable guides, familiar with the many indigenous birds and their beckoning calls will familiarise you by pointing out different species as you progress. Some of the rarer avian species include the illusive Pel’s fishing owl, endangered wattled crane and the majestic African fish eagle.

Catch and release fishing is one of the many additional activities offered at Maru Camp. Situated within the NG32 Concession, the surrounding wetlands, lagoons and delta channels, rich in tilapia and spotted and silver catfish result in ideal conditions for avid fishers to cast a line and unwind amidst the backdrop of the Okavango landscape. Avid fly-fishers are advised to supply their own equipment.

Agreements between local communities and sustainable tourism operators such as Okavango Hidden Gems aids local communities in the transition from a traditional lifestyle to one more closely associated with modern economics and commodities. The introduction of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) provides benefits for indigenous communities and tourism operators alike. The economic conditions of people within the WMAs have substantially improved, especially where the benefits are shared amongst relatively few households, ‘while there were very few sources of cash in the settlements for Sankuyo, Khwai and Mababe prior to the joint ventures, over 50% of resident adults are employed by the joint ventures.’

Initiatives such as The Okavango Delta Management Plan and The Ngamiland Integrated Land Use Development Plan aim to safeguard the economic and conservation value of the Delta’s natural resources for the country, international community and local residents. Such plans seek to expand currently existing WMAs to incorporate increasing numbers of communities into the sustainable framework that sees higher rates of integration and employment of locals within the sustainable tourism industry and modern economic landscape.

In keeping with the Okavango Hidden Gems ‘Touching the Earth Lightly’ philosophy, Camp Maru operates on completely renewable solar power energy. Solar power initiatives are rapidly becoming the new standard for all ecotourism destinations situated within Southern Africa and beyond, as an increasing number of operators are investing in new, cutting edge renewable energy sources and deviating from ecologically detrimental alternatives such as conventional diesel-powered generators.

With the abundance of sun inherent to Northern Botswana, the installation of solar farms like those implemented at Camp Maru and its newly constructed sister camp Amber River Camp proves to be financially viable and ecologically sustainable.

Camp Maru, in addition to the newly constructed Amber River Camp are constructed from primarily recyclable and locally sourced materials. In order to mediate the inherent footprint on the immediate environment, all in-camp facilities and accommodation are built on timber decks, thereby placing less stress on the ground, with no permanent structures to speak of.

This practice ensures that any construction pieces can be easily and efficiently disassembled, allowing for the swift recovery of the land on which these installations are built – usually returning to its original state within 1 ½ years.

The application of locally sourced and recyclable materials greatly offsets the environmental impact of constructing a property in what can only be considered an environmentally sensitive area, with diminished need to have industrial quantities of lumber and construction materials hauled long distances through otherwise undisturbed ecosystems in order to commence construction.