Tucked along the Xudum River in the remote south-western Okavango Delta, Mokolwane Plains is Natural Selection's newest camp — and a rare chance to experience one of Botswana's wildest, least-visited corners. The camp sits within the sprawling 200,000-hectare concession, an area so vast that, once fully operational, it will be home to just two camps in total. For guests, this translates into genuine space: long, uninterrupted game drives, minimal other vehicles, and a palpable sense of having the wilderness to yourselves.
Accommodation comes in the form of five guest suites, each a remarkably generous 100 square metres. Rather than a single open-plan space, every suite is thoughtfully divided into three connected sections: a bright, airy bedroom, a separate air-conditioned lounge for escaping the midday heat, and a spacious bathroom with the option of showering either indoors or out beneath the sky. Beyond the suite itself, a private deck extends your living space outdoors entirely, anchored by a heated plunge pool and a shaded daybed area — somewhere to while away the hours between safari outings while watching the plains and river change colour through the day. The look throughout is calm and contemporary, built from natural materials and neutral tones that keep your eye on the scenery rather than the décor. Later in 2027, a family suite and a private villa will join the five existing suites.
The camp's communal spaces are built around a magnificent old fig tree at its centre, with wraparound views over the Delta. There's a show kitchen where you can watch dinner being prepared, a private dining room for a quieter evening, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar for those keen to explore South African and international labels. Elsewhere, a cosy den and a small boutique provide places to relax or browse, while an 18-metre pool, spa and gym offer proper downtime during the warmer hours. Come evening, everyone naturally gravitates toward the fire deck, raised above the water, where the sounds of the bush take over as darkness falls.
Wildlife here is the real draw. The area has built a formidable reputation for leopard sightings — strong enough to have attracted television crews for Big Cats 24/7 and Netflix's Living with Leopards — alongside healthy populations of lion, wild dog, cheetah and hyena. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and various antelope species round out the game viewing, while more than 400 recorded bird species make this a rewarding stop for birders too. Day and night drives form the heart of the safari experience, supplemented by seasonal mokoro and boat excursions when Delta water levels allow, typically from June through October.
Getting here is straightforward for somewhere so remote: a short flight from Maun brings you to the new Mokolwane airstrip, with just a brief transfer on to camp — making Mokolwane Plains an easy, rewarding addition to a broader Botswana journey.
