Okavango Delta, Botswana
Gold Price Level Show Details
Price Level Key:
| Safari camps & resorts | City Hotels | |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $300-500 | |
| Silver | $500-800 | $100-200 |
| Gold | $800-1200 | $200-400 |
| Platinum | $1200+ | $400+ |
| Based on high season rates (non-Christmas) | ||
We crossed Mapula off our list for years as it had slipped. Recently the lodge has been taken over by great operators at Natural Selection, with plans for a full rebuild. For now, the little touches they have added, along with their excellent guide team, make Mapula a compelling option for those looking for value.
~ Mango Opinion
There’s an area on the northern fringes of the famed Okavango Delta, an enormous, 220,000 acre concession that’s a matrix of floodplains, woodlands and channels. Waterways snake across the landscape, spilling into glassy lagoons and encircling islands of stately palms and trumpeting elephant. It’s an iconic Delta landscape, and a magical environment in which to enjoy the abundance of wildlife.
In the middle of it all, on a large tree island surrounded by seasonal floodplains, is the laid back Mapula Lodge. Designed by the creators of the Kalahari legend, Jack’s Camp, this is a stylish safari outpost with serious panache. Even better, it’s located on a private concession making for exhilarating game viewing in a blissfully uncrowded area.
At Mapula there are nine canvas-and-thatch bedroom tents (one family tent), replete with king size metal four-posters and feather-filled pillows. En-suite bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor showers. Safari-chic finishing touches finish the decor.
At the main area, an aquamarine swimming pool is the perfect for hot Delta afternoons. Activities include game drives and boating & mokoro safaris.