Tawana

LOCATION:

Moremi Game Reserve

NUMBER OF ROOMS:

8

PRICE RANGE:

US$ 2,195 — US$ 3,495 per night

DATES OPEN:

Year Round

LOCATION:

Moremi Game Reserve

NUMBER OF ROOMS:

8

PRICE RANGE:

US$ 2,195 — US$ 3,495 per night

DATES OPEN:

Year Round

Heed the call of the wild

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.

Why You’ll Love Tawana:

  • Spectacular location in the game-rich south-eastern sector of Botswana’s iconic Moremi Game Reserve.
  • Luxurious accommodation in 8 expansive suites (including 3 family) with air-conditioning over beds – each with its own lounge, private terrace, plunge pool and outdoor sala – positioned for perfect privacy amid lush riverine forest.
  • Beautiful riverside location on the perennial Gomoti River, delivering water and grassland views year-round.
  • High concentration of large herbivores, antelope and predators (including healthy populations of lion, leopard and African wild dogs) in close proximity to the lodge.
  • Immerse yourself in this wilderness experience, enjoying some of the best land based game-viewing in Botswana.
  • A personalised experience in camp, with the warm and engaging service Natural Selection is known for.
  • Enjoy the 16-metre lap pool, or an in-room spa treatment.
  • Joins Jack’s Camp, Tuludi and North Island Okavango in our premier camp circuit, allowing you to discover Botswana’s diverse eco-systems in a single curated journey.

We recommend booking Tawana as part of a complete Natural Selection safari, but if you want to book it separately or just check availability, click here to select dates and book.

Interested in learning more about the prices? View Rates

Tawana Accommodations

At Tawana, you’ll immerse yourself in one of the greatest wilderness areas on earth, cradled in the comfort and luxury of our newest safari camp.

As a premier camp in our 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.

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 and wood-fired pizza oven add to the menu of culinary adventures that will be a signature of the Tawana experience.

For some down-time, spa and wellness treatments are available to guests in the privacy of their own room, along with in-room weights and yoga mats. For the more energetic stay in shape training in the 16-metre lap pool or the well-equipped gym. The outdoor lounge around the fire pit offers the opportunity for connecting with other guests or contemplating the remarkable wilderness beyond and admiring the stars above.

Accommodation & Amenities

  • 8 suites, including 5 standard and three family suites
  • Private plunge pool and outdoor sala in each suite
  • 100% solar powered, for 24-hour electricity in camp
  • Ceiling fans and eco-efficient over-bed air-conditioning system
  • Beautifully appointed en-suite facilities, including indoor and outdoor showers, and a luxurious bath
  • Total guest suite floor space is 100-square-metres (130-square metres for family units)
  • In-room bean-to-cup coffee machine and tea-making facilities, plus inclusive minibar
  • Weights and yoga mat provided in suites
  • Wi-Fi available in all suites
  • Spa treatments available. At an additional cost
  • Outdoor pizza oven
  • Raised suites and walkways, allowing the wildlife to wander freely through camp while guests are safe at all times
  • 16-metre lap pool
  • Curated gift shop

When to Visit Tawana

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.

Seasonality

  •   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

Tawana Activities

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 our 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.

At Tawana we pride ourselves on tailoring an experience unique to each guest, allowing you to curate and create the perfect safari experience. 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 our 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 Landscape & Wildlife

Landscape

Covering nearly 5000 square kilometers [1900 square miles] 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.

Tawana Story

Tawana is named in honour of Chief Tawana Moremi, the paramount chief of the Batawana tribe, whose forebears have been instrumental in conserving the wilderness of northern Botswana.

It was the current chief’s father and grandmother who in 1963 took the visionary step to set aside much of their ancestral hunting grounds to protect the wildlife and help establish the Moremi Game Reserve. Recognising Natural Selection’s commitment to conservation, environmental sustainability and community development, the current Chief Tawana chose to partner with Natural Selection in the construction of the camp, safeguarding these ancestral lands for future generations and providing much-needed social upliftment for the Batawana people.

In addition to providing vital employment and skills development in the region, Natural Selection will also be working closely with the women of the local basket-weaving centre to produce unique pieces for both the camp décor, as well as the on-site gift shop. We are also partnering with the nearby Shorobe community to build an early learning centre for preschool children.

The tribe’s rich cultural heritage and deep roots in the landscape also provided rich inspiration for architect Michael Kornmuller in the architecture and aesthetic of Tawana, resulting in a camp with an indelible sense of place.

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