Experience the Okavango Delta at its most wild and intimate
In the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, where the Xudum River’s crystalline channels wind through one of Botswana’s largest private wilderness concessions, a new premier safari camp is taking shape: Mokolwane Plains.
Drawing on Natural Selection’s vast experience creating safaris across Southern Africa, Mokolwane Plains has been conceived around a singular purpose: to bring guests closer to the rhythms of the wild and leave remembering not just the comfort of the camp, but the rare privilege of experiencing one of Botswana’s wildest areas with privacy and space in abundance.
Built to touch the earth lightly, Mokolwane Plains is set deep within 200 000 hectares (490 000 acres) of predator-rich wilderness on an iconic private concession. With only one other camp on the concession, just a handful of guests will enjoy access to this vast wilderness, combining exceptional game viewing with understated luxury in a camp designed to blur the boundary between architecture and landscape: the Okavango Delta, intimately wild.
The Diversity – and Beauty – of NG29
Mokolwane Plains is being created on the private concession known as NG29. But the simplicity of that map reference belies the true wonder of the landscapes that await. As one of the largest private concessions in Botswana – more than twice the size of New York City – here clear channels widen into lagoons where hippos watch warily. Waterways weave past reed-fringed islands, vast floodplains and mature riverine forest. The diversity of these ecosystems is mirrored in the extraordinary array of wildlife resident here, making Mokolwane Plains a standout safari destination year-round, not just during peak floods.
Fertile grasslands attract red lechwe, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, kudu and more. In their wake come predators, and NG29 sustains healthy populations of lion, African wild dog, spotted hyena and cheetah.
But it is the leopard – Africa’s most enigmatic big cat – that is the star of this landscape. NG29 is home to Africa’s third-highest recorded density of leopard, and with remarkably low visitor density, the concession has become known as one of the Okavango’s most rewarding destinations for leopard encounters.
The concentration of these captivating predators has made this remote corner of the Delta a sought-after location for leading wildlife filmmakers. Both the BBC series ‘Big Cats 24/7’ and ‘Living with Leopards’ on Netflix were filmed on the concession, while the Natural History Film Unit Botswana continues to work in the area.
NG29 “is one of the most significant large wilderness areas in the Okavango,” explains ‘Living with Leopards’ filmmaker Brad Bestelink, who has documented the region for more than 25 years. “I believe its greatest asset is the low level of tourist activity, which maintains its remarkable wilderness. We still frequently encounter packs of wild dogs, cheetahs and leopards we have never seen before, simply showing up. The area is surrounded by vast, unexplored, and unused terrain, adding to its wild and exciting nature.”
But abundance alone will not define a safari at Mokolwane Plains. With only two camps sharing this vast private concession, encounters can unfold without the distraction of multiple vehicles, giving guests the time and space to follow the rhythm of the wilderness and to feel a deep sense of immersion in the wilderness.
About Mokolwane Plains
That notion of immersion underpins the architectural language of Mokolwane Plains, which will open in July 2027 with five spacious under-canvas suites, followed by a family suite in September and a two-bedroom private villa in December.
Designed by award-winning Jack Alexander Studio, Mokolwane Plains reimagines the classic tented safari through a contemporary architectural language, employing lightweight structures, organic forms and carefully framed views to connect guests with the landscape.
“Our intention was for the design to be restrained in its physical impact yet uncompromising in its quality, comfort and, ultimately, the guest experience,” says architect Jack Alexander, Founder and Director of Jack Alexander Studio. “The lodge is essentially a bridge between the Delta and the guest, not an object competing with it.”
Mokolwane Plains is set along a riverine forest and is shaped around existing trees, termite mounds and natural landmarks, framing views and the movement of light throughout the day. Even the pathways defer to the wilderness: walkways gently ramp down at key points, allowing elephants to continue moving naturally through the camp.
Each suite comprises interconnected lounge, bedroom and bathroom pods that adapt to the landscape while preserving shade, privacy and sweeping views east across the Xudum River. Offering 100 square metres of interior living space, the suites flow easily from lounge to bedroom and out to generous private outdoor areas. Shaded salas, exclusive dining spaces and daybeds invite guests outdoors, while private decks and plunge pools face the Xudum River and the open plains. En-suite bathrooms include both indoor and outdoor showers. The air conditioned suites are 100% powered by solar energy.
At the heart of the camp, communal areas draw inspiration from the riverine canopy. Soaring canvas and curved forms wrap around a venerable old fig tree, opening towards the floodplain to offer panoramic views of the Delta. An interactive show kitchen brings guests closer to the culinary team, while a private dining room and a climate-controlled wine cellar provide space for intimate meals and wine pairings.
The ‘Den’ offers a quiet retreat, while the Curiosity Shop showcases Batswana craftsmanship alongside carefully selected safari essentials. An 18-metre swimming pool, spa and gym provide space to unwind between game activities. As evening falls, an elevated fire deck over the water becomes a natural gathering point for guests to swap tales and listen to the Delta come alive after dark.
A Textured Palette, Drawn from the Delta
For the interiors, Hesse Kleinloog Studio has taken an equally considered approach, creating spaces that feel sophisticated and contemporary while remaining unmistakably connected to Botswana.
That philosophy finds expression in both utility and whimsy. Canvas is celebrated rather than concealed, with contemporary ripstop paired with traditional waxed canvas, a nod to the explorers and adventurers who once traversed these landscapes. Natural textures, timber and handcrafted furnishings draw their palette from the Delta: sandy termite mounds, dark storm clouds, iron-rich water, tree bark and russet-red lechwe.
As with the architecture, light and shadow recur throughout. Sunlight filtered through mature trees and reflections from the river become part of the interior experience, while Botswana-based artisans add layers of local craft and storytelling. Maun-based glassmakers reinvigorate recycled bottles, and collaboration with the Kuru Art Project brings the work and stories of San artists into the interiors.
A Sense of Wild Freedom
For all its architectural detail and considered luxury, Mokolwane Plains is ultimately a means to an end: the opportunity to discover one of Botswana’s wildest corners.
Morning and afternoon game drives will explore the mosaic of habitats surrounding camp. And there is no need to hurry back as dusk approaches: guests are free to remain out after sunset, following predator activity or searching for nocturnal species in the company of expert local safari guides.
The camp’s location on the Xudum River brings water-based activities to the wilderness experience. Boat safaris explore deeper waterways, while seasonal mokoro excursions glide quietly through shallow channels, offering a slower perspective on the Delta.
Slowing down will reward birders with sightings of the more than 400 bird species recorded here, from Pel’s fishing owl to wattled crane and martial eagle. Scenic helicopter safaris offer yet another memorable perspective, revealing the true scale of the channels, islands and floodplains from the air.
Whether tracking a leopard through the riverine forest, lingering beside a herd of elephants at sunset, or watching the first light move across the Xudum River from a private deck, the experience at Mokolwane Plains is designed around one idea: bringing guests closer to the rhythms of a genuinely wild corner of the Okavango Delta.
“This private concession has all the ingredients for a great safari destination: a mix of habitats leading to large wildlife biomass and diversity; seasonal flooding that arrives in the dry season enriching the environment; and channels and islands that shift from year to year in typical Okavango fashion meaning no two safaris are ever quite the same.” says Dave van Smeerdijk, co-founder of Natural Selection. “It is also home to a local Botswana film crew, who are based in the concession and bring insights gathered from years of filming here, day after day. So when it came to creating Mokolwane Plains, we set out to design a camp that would not only tread lightly, but be truly attuned to this fascinating landscape.”
A Camp with Purpose
As with all Natural Selection camps, Mokolwane Plains has been conceived with a purpose that extends beyond the guest experience. Its arrival brings increased investment in the protection and understanding of this vast wilderness, supporting wildlife monitoring and proactive conservation across the concession.
Working closely with a wildlife protection NGO and the Botswana Defence Force, the camp is supporting a dedicated ranger camp and vehicle, alongside ongoing monitoring of the species that make NG29 their home. Beyond the concession, Mokolwane Plains is also funding research into the movement ecology of southern giraffe in Botswana.
And because the future of wild places is inseparable from the people who live alongside them, the camp will also support conservation education in local villages as part of Natural Selection’s ongoing commitment to enabling coexistence between people and wildlife and empowering communities.
