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Brand new Atzaro Okavango Camp Located in the game-rich southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, it is best described as a destination for adventure, eco-consciousness and indulgence.

Okavango Delta

The Okavango River annually discharges 11 cubic kilometers of water into the dry sands of the Kalahari, creating one of the largest wetlands in the world. Over 16,000 km² of waterways, lagoons, shallow channels, reed islands and grassy floodplains, the delta is home to a huge concentration of wildlife, with over 1,000 species, over 480 species of birds, 130 mm species. and numerous species of reptiles and fish. Officially declared UNESCO’s 1,000th World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the delta is one of the world’s most biodiverse wetlands and is undeniably Botswana’s emerald crown jewel.

Atzaro Okavango

As the helicopter rises into the air, it follows a small airport that bustles with silence. The town’s buildings, bars, houses and shacks give way to a patchwork of bushes, shrubs, trees, cattle and dry waterholes. A fence built in the 1980s to keep buffalo away from domestic cattle, the landscape changes as the buffalo fly over the fence. Game trails and animal highways appear, hippo pods can be seen in waterways, elephant families stand under trees, and the bright blues and greens of the Okavango begin to appear. All too soon the outline of the lodge takes shape and the helicopter descends towards the earth, a vehicle arrives to transport us to luxury.

With a seasonal lagoon, river on one side, and surrounded by lush palm islands and vibrant delta vegetation, Atzaro Okavango is a truly stylish camp. 8 elegant, tented rooms are connected by raised wooden walkways leading from the central area. All have air conditioning and fans, and large, romantic, mosquito netting, wrap around beds. Off the private deck, there’s a small shaded area with a plunge pool – vital for cooling off from the heat of the day. Bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor showers and baths, and where one bathtub is beautiful, two are pure decadence! Imagine watching wildlife while enjoying a bubble bath in your outdoor tub! Two family villas add to the options, with their separate rooms connected by a walkway.

The luxury doesn’t stop with the bedrooms. The main thatched lodge area has vaulted ceilings and a large open lounge, with antiques, leather Chesterfield sofas and traditional Kuba (mud) textiles, decorated with embroidery, applique and patchwork. The bar is detailed with woods, velvet and cut glass, and has a sunken seating area around an outdoor firepit, overlooking the seasonal lagoon. Have a high-tea on the observation deck, sip a pre-dinner drink at the bar, or sit in one of the comfortable deck chairs and settle into the firepit after dinner and watch the stars above while you listen to the roars. The sound of hippos or elephants coming to drink. For those looking for something more, there is a wine cellar, complete with a sommelier. For dining, reminiscent of a bird’s nest, the artistically draped, traditional boma adds a rustic option to dinner in the primary dining area. The main lodge also acts as a ‘living museum’ and is filled with a collection of intricate and traditional artefacts collected from across the continent – ​​if you have your eye on something special, similar, specially commissioned pieces are available for purchase in the gift shop. . Amidst all this glamour, however, it is worth noting that in line with their sustainable-principles, but without losing focus on uniqueness and style, the Atzaró Okavango has been built using recycled materials and is entirely solar powered.

The luxury doesn’t stop with the bedrooms. The main thatched lodge area has vaulted ceilings and a large open lounge, with antiques, leather Chesterfield sofas and traditional Kuba (mud) textiles, decorated with embroidery, applique and patchwork. The bar is detailed with woods, velvet and cut glass, and has a sunken seating area around an outdoor firepit, overlooking the seasonal lagoon. Have a high-tea on the observation deck, sip a pre-dinner drink at the bar, or sit in one of the comfortable deck chairs and settle into the firepit after dinner and watch the stars above while you listen to the roars. The sound of hippos or elephants coming to drink. For those looking for something more, there is a wine cellar, complete with a sommelier. For dining, reminiscent of a bird’s nest, the artistically draped, traditional boma adds a rustic option to dinner in the primary dining area. The main lodge also acts as a ‘living museum’ and is filled with a collection of intricate and traditional artefacts collected from across the continent – ​​if you have your eye on something special, similar, specially commissioned pieces are available for purchase in the gift shop. . Amidst all this glamour, however, it is worth noting that in line with their sustainable principles, but without losing focus on uniqueness and style, Atzaró Okavango is built using recycled materials and is entirely solar powered.

As you would expect from this type of camp, the range of facilities and activities are many and exceptional. If you fancy a workout, head to the gym, 20m swimming pool or visit the yoga deck. If looking for some pampering, there is a wellness spa that offers a variety of treatments, and specializes in the best massage I’ve ever had.

Atzaro After all there is a safari lodge and most of your day will be spent exploring the wildlife of the delta, location is very important. An area of ​​the Okavango chosen to build the lodge has a high concentration of game, creating attractive viewing opportunities.

One morning, not ten minutes from camp, we sat quietly in the back of a game drive vehicle. Five cheetahs hide in the grass in front of us. We had seen these same cheetahs resting in a patch of shade the previous afternoon. However, this time they are moving forward. A pair of unsuspecting warthogs and their single cub appear. Cheetahs turn their heads together, checking out the newcomers. Suddenly, panic. A cheetah walks up to the warthogs eyeing a piglet for a snack. The other four get to their feet and stand watching, before spreading out to corner the family. The first leopard runs and falls on the child. We collectively hold our breath. Incredibly, in the face of a charging leopard, the warthog parents stand their ground. Just as their child’s death seems imminent, the parents run toward the approaching cat, who stops in a cloud of dust, turns tail, and saunters off in the opposite direction, pursued by a pair of angry, snorts. The parents return triumphantly to collect their cubs, while the shy cheetah slips quietly into the background, secretly reuniting with her siblings.

Apart from the action-packed morning and afternoon game drives, guests at Atzaró can go on walking safaris (with an armed guide) or birdwatching. Seasonal water levels permitting, there are opportunities to enjoy the gentle pace of boat trips and sunset cruises, catch and release fishing, and mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions. All activities are offered on a private basis, so you can maintain your privacy and not have to share your personal space with strangers.

Atzaro Okavango is a truly luxurious safari lodge, which will captivate you with its elegant design, gorgeous views and amazing wildlife experiences. Wherever you go at this stylish camp, whether it’s sipping a drink from the bar overlooking the lagoon or dipping your toes in your private plunge pool, there’s a sense of relaxed luxury. With an elegant blend of contemporary design and traditional African charm, it’s certainly easy to settle into a luxurious lifestyle like Atzaro Okavango.

Okavango Gin

Atzaro’s in-house mixologist Percy is a master of cocktails. On the way back to camp after the game drive, we found Percy and his ‘mobile sundowner station’ under a tree at the edge of the floodplain. While there was just about any drink you could think of on offer, the star of the show was definitely Okavango Gin.

Okavango Gin is created by a group of like-minded naturalists, safari guides, botanical enthusiasts and hospitality experts, who all share a love for the wilderness of the Okavango Delta. The combination of pure Okavango water, the strong citrus flavors of marula fruit and the distinct flavor of mopane seeds, has created a vibrant, contemporary, small-batch production gin, distilled entirely on off-the-grid premises. The rural village of Tsutsubega, about 20 km from Maun.

Percy’s cocktail of choice, the French 75

60ml Okavango The Sentinel Gin
35ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
20 ml simple syrup
Fresh lemon for garnish
Dry sparkling wine

method

Add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker half filled with ice. Stir for 20 seconds to combine. Strain into a fluted glass. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Planning your Okavango trip

Planning a luxury safari is no easy feat, especially if it is your first time. Locations, seasons, relocation, logistics and more, all have to be considered. What is important when planning your safari is to do it with a company that truly cares about the destination and preserves it for the future.

Mahalatini is a Zulu word meaning ‘lover of the African desert’, so who better to plan the logistics of your trip to the Atzaro Okavango? of Mahalati, a bespoke, luxury travel company, experts in creating memorable adventures, who have been putting together African travel itineraries for over 20 years. At the core of Mahalatini’s ethos is choosing partners and properties that share their commitment to protecting the environment, conserving wildlife and benefiting local communities – in the words of the company’s Sustainability Team Leader Gary Warnock, “We’re always looking for new ways. Make a difference, and we continue to strive to reduce our ecological footprint.”

Atzaró Okavango offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and adventure, offering an unforgettable experience that immerses you in the breathtaking beauty and rich wildlife of the Okavango Delta.