Little Mombo

A total of 4 luxury tented rooms with king size beds comprises the total accommodation at Little Mombo, tucked away beneath a shady canopy of jackalberry and sausage trees, overlooking a floodplain regularly visited by herds of indigenous animals. Decorated and furnished in a sleek, modern design – with a hint of classical safari lodging. All 4 tented accommodations have been newly constructed from predominantly recycled and locally sourced lumber and materials such as teak, thatch and canvas.

Amenities Include:

• En-suite bathroom and toilet facilities
• Outside shower
• Lounge area
• Veranda
• Plunge pool
• Mosquito nets
• Electrical outlets
• Mini bar
• Sala
• Electronic safe
• Hairdryer
• Fan
• A small kettle with tea and coffee provided
• Internet access (complimentary)
• Laundry service (complimentary)

Feel free to swing by Little Mombo’s in-camp bar for a refreshing range of locally sourced and imported alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Accessible via the main boardwalk, their sits a cosy hut built from locally sourced teak and thatch, the perfect place to shelter from the sun while enjoying an all inclusive drink or two in the company of friends. Additionally providing various snacks and lite bites to eat.

Little Mombo provides the opportunity to embark on cultural tours to neighbouring villages, letting you experience first hand the authentic Botswanan way of life. This culturally enlightening experience serves to provide invaluable insight into local peoples and their heritage. Speak with village elders and meet local children, all while visiting local market stalls, bakeries and churches, ensuring an authentic real world experience with wholesome people, and memories to last a lifetime.

Take to the sky’s with an aerial tour of the Okavango Delta in a guided helicopter excursion across the vastness of the Botswanan wilderness. Witness the delta flats and wetlands like never before with a birds-eye view across the vast stretches of bush, and experience exclusive vistas unattainable through conventional land based safari.

Watch in awe as herds of elephant and other large mammals pass beneath you, soaking in the spectacular geography and unique layout of the land. Scenic Helicopter flights are accessible via transit from Little Mombo to a nearby, external location and comes at additional costs.

When a long days adventure draws to a close, you may wish to release some built up tension with a luxurious and relaxing massage, administered by a resident masseuse, fully trained and licensed.  There are few ways better to unwind than a pampering massage, rejuvenating you for the following days activities.

The Okavango Delta is host to quantities of avid birders who flock forth year round to view the spectacular scores of avian life that these indigenous environments have to offer. Experienced and knowledgeable guides will point out different species of bird as you traverse the riverbanks and waterholes frequented by the hundreds of species of avian life.

Binoculars are a must as you peer out amongst flocks of malachite kingfisher and African jacana, with potential to spot some of the more rarer species such as black chested snake eagle, wattled crane and rosy throated long claw. Optimum time for birdwatching is during the wet season, from November to April, when summer migrants swoop to the delta to mate.

Game viewing hides provide the ultimate opportunity to get up-close-and-personal to a variety of exotic wildlife. Observing their natural and social activities in indigenous environments,  you will remain unseen with a subtle presence as you bunker down in a secluded fixture and patiently await for the show to unfold.

Game viewing hides are usually situated close to rivers and waterholes, as these areas provide the perfect vantage with which to view many species of animals as they approach the water to gorge. The perfect activity for wildlife photographers who seek to be immersed in the thick of wild. Ideal during the dry seasons from April to October.

Located in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Little Mombo offers an authentic and immersive safari experience. A wealth of indigenous mammals and avian life awaits you as you embark on guided game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, headed by a team of highly competent licensed guides who will ensure both safety and satisfaction.

Make sure to bring a camera, as not to miss the chance to photograph meandering elephant herds, prowling lion prides, wild dog packs, cheetah, kudu, giraffe, hippopotamus, crocodile and buffalo alike. A bush brunch is also provided at no extra free, so you can relax in the heart of the wild and enjoy exquisite, freshly made bush cuisine.

Elephants serve as a keystone species that have a large effect on both the environment and ecosystem in which they live. There exists a disparity in elephant populations throughout Southern Africa, whereas some countries fear ever dwindling populations, others are faced with the contrasting issue of untamed, ever growing numbers of elephants that, in uncontrolled quantities, can cause detrimental effects to the environment.

In the case of Botswana, the latter holds true. Through the hard work and dedication of Abu Herd members – ambassadors of elephant conservation, a total of seven elephants have been successfully reintroduced into the wild, providing valuable data to local researchers and conservationists. Several elephants have remained in the Abu concession, and cause much delight all round when their wanderings bring them close to camp.

Wilderness Safaris take the welfare of elephant herds and those who care for them with the utmost seriousness and resolve. It is considered a great honour to care for these majestic creatures and to work in the presence of them. All safari activities and elephant related experiences are meticulously planned with a heightened consciousness of the needs, requirements and boundaries inherent of such an undertaking.

Elephant herd members hold extensive knowledge with regards to elephant welfare and wellbeing, routinely observing the herds for signs of stress and illness, in which case the appropriate measures are put into place with immediate effect to rectify whatever issue may arise. The wellbeing of elephants sits at the heart of all Wilderness Safaris operations and serves as the foundation on which all efforts have been undertaken.

Wilderness Safaris aim is that if the camps ever needed to be moved they could do so without leaving an imprint on the land. All Wilderness Safari camps are built in the most eco-friendly way possible. To reduce their carbon footprint and to help them become carbon neutral in their operations, they invest in new technologies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Wilderness Safaris partner properties all work under the sustainability ethos of conservation, culture, commerce and community. Pack for a Purpose is one of the community projects that Wilderness Safaris has partnered with, it is “a non-profit organisation that provides travellers with up-to-date information about required supplies for community-based projects.” With no one inhabiting these rural areas of Africa accurate recordings of species could not be undertaken.

Wilderness Safaris are present throughout the whole year which allows them to provide not just financial support but also logistical support to anti-poaching initiatives. Due to their presence wildlife numbers have increased dramatically with elephant, lechwe and puku growing markedly. The emphasis on ecotourism is changing lives “camps and lodges bring employment and training, opportunities for growth and travel, and exposure to another world.”

This is an educational programme created by Wilderness Safaris which aims to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders by teaching them life skills and environmental issues. This programme aims to “create a network of learning sanctuaries that uplifts and cares for our children and conserves the planet.” Great numbers of children are involved in these programmes – 2,500 children attend rural, school-based clubs per year; more than 300 children per year are granted a scholarship which pays for their education and Wilderness Safaris and their partner destination host annual camps, which more than 500 children attend.

Wilderness Safaris created their own Trust in 2003, this is an independent entity that fund-raises for money to be put into various conservation projects. This engages with projects which can be beyond the scope of the areas in which Wilderness Safaris operate, ensuring that “conservation is a driving force in reaching more people, wildlife and places.” The Jao Concession and the University of Botswana have created a committee hoping to “encourage better engagement between local communities and the Jao Concession, specifically regarding curbing poaching and overfishing.”

A total of 25 different projects are funded by the Trust annually, the past 10 years has seen the Trust finance more than 100 different projects throughout 8 different countries in Africa. Whilst Wilderness Safaris contributes to these projects logistically, the Trust “is involved financially in the projects, supporting research, habitat management and community upliftment.”

Little Mombo employs a catalogue of local workers and tradespeople for use in the construction of its facilities and maintenance, as well as the sourcing and training of local nationals to serve the role of guides and in-camp staff. It is essential to impart a positive effect on not only the environment, but on the people and communities that without whom, sustainable tourism would be but a dream.

There are few people more qualified to provide the ultimate safari experience than the locals themselves, and as such, Wilderness Safaris recognises the importance of providing local people with opportunities and employment, stressing careers as opposed to jobs, and giving back to the communities who have given so much.

Mombo Camp (Little Mombo included) is completely sustained through use of solar powered energy, utilising the abundance of sun, aiding in the production of renewable energy that is used in applications throughout the camp. The need for conventional diesel powered generators is non-existent, stowed away for only the utmost emergencies and necessities.

To tread as lightly a possible, use only whatever resources are necessary and leave a minimal carbon footprint is the ethos at the heart of all Wilderness Safaris lodges, and Mombo Camp serves as pristine example of how to conduct and operate an ecologically friendly, sustainable tourism model, setting a standard from which the whole industry can learn.

Mombo and its closely situated sister camp Little Mombo is proudly constructed from locally sourced and recyclable materials. The recent reconstruction and renovation project undertaken by Wilderness Safaris has seen a range of new facilities and accommodations constructed primarily from repurposed lumber and sustainable materials such teak and thatch – negating the need to source vast quantities of timber and other construction necessities long hauls to reach the camp.

Such practices equate to significantly lowered carbon emissions and minimal ecological disruption – crucial factors that must be taken into account when seeking to expand the reach and accessibility of sustainable, eco friendly tourism.