About this hotel
General information
Wilderness Mombo is the flagship of the Wilderness portfolio in the Okavango Delta — the company calls it its “Mother of all Camps”. It sits in a thicket of giant African mangosteen and wild fig trees on the north-eastern tip of Chief’s Island, looking out over a floodplain of exceptional wildlife density. Hence its other name, the Place of Plenty: red lechwe, impala, giraffe and vast herds of buffalo and elephant graze the plains, followed closely by lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog.
The camp keeps to the traditions of the classic safari: eight spacious wood-and-canvas suites and one family suite, a pool, The Sanctuary spa, a gym above the floodplain, a wine cellar and a wildlife hide. Wilderness has looked after the concession since the 1980s, and every part of the operation — materials, logistics, water, energy and waste — is regularly reviewed for its environmental impact. Stays include all meals, two daily drives or other activities, laundry and local drinks, except premium imported brands and champagne.
Location
The camp lies in the north-eastern corner of Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta. Guests have private traversing rights over the area, and the Simbira Channel at the Delta’s southern end acts as a natural barrier that keeps wildlife close to Mombo. After customs and immigration at Maun Airport, a Wilderness representative meets guests for the light-aircraft circuit transfer to camp; a helicopter transfer can be arranged instead.
Spa
The Sanctuary at Mombo is the camp’s spa, built with a minimal footprint: treatment rooms for massages, facials and body treatments, a lap pool overlooking the floodplains, a sauna and ice bath, meditation cocoons facing the bush and a remedy bar. Treatments draw on African ingredients — baobab oil, shea butter, marula, aloe, Atlantic sea salt and essential oils. Rituals include a baobab, cedarwood and geranium exfoliation followed by a citrus massage, the Mombo signature treatment with an African mud mask for the back and a rosemary, black pepper and pine oil massage, a ritual for two, a marula oil massage, and dedicated hand and foot rituals.
Sports & leisure
Chief’s Island is known for the density of its wildlife: several lion prides, leopards often seen resting in the trees, cheetah, wild dog, spotted and brown hyena, and more than 500 recorded bird species. Activities at the camp:
- day and night game drives in open vehicles — after dark, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox and aardwolf are regulars;
- boating and mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions, depending on the season and water levels;
- a hide for watching and photographing wildlife at very close range;
- helicopter flights over the Delta;
- stargazing;
- a boma evening of song and dance around the fire;
- a gym with treadmills and free weights overlooking the floodplain.
Children under 13 join game drives only when the family books a private vehicle.
Restaurants & bars
Cooking at Mombo is planned with conservation in mind: menus build on indigenous heritage ingredients and heirloom produce, with a particular place for the baobab, whose fruit powder is remarkably nutritious. Sundowners are served by the pool or on the suite veranda, the wine cellar offers African wines and romantic private dinners, and one evening can be spent at the boma with song and dance.
Swimming
There is a pool in the main area, private plunge pools on the suite verandas, and a lap pool overlooking the floodplains at The Sanctuary spa.
Rooms
The camp has eight double suites and one family suite — spacious, raised wood-and-canvas tents facing the floodplain.
Open-air lounge, en-suite bathroom with outdoor shower, panoramic windows and a private veranda with a day bed.
Tented Suite
A spacious wood-and-canvas suite for two facing the floodplain, with an open-air lounge, en-suite bathroom with outdoor shower, panoramic windows and a veranda with a day bed and private plunge pool.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.