About This Property
Sanctuary Baines' Camp is one of the most unique glamping experiences in Africa — a collection of elevated treehouse suites perched on stilts above the floodplains of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Named after the famous Victorian explorer-artist Thomas Baines, this intimate camp combines the romance of sleeping among the treetops with world-class wildlife encounters.
Each of the six suites is raised on wooden platforms with views over the Boro River and the surrounding delta landscape. The design is a beautiful fusion of contemporary safari chic and natural materials — polished wood floors, canvas walls that roll up to reveal panoramic views, copper bathtubs positioned to face the sunset, and private star beds on the upper deck where you can sleep under the African sky.
What makes Baines' truly special is its star bed experience. Each suite has an elevated sleep-out deck above the main room. As night falls, your host prepares the star bed with plush bedding and mosquito netting, and you drift off to sleep watching the Southern Cross wheel overhead while elephants browse below.
The camp sits on a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, offering exceptional wildlife density without the crowds of the public reserves. Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions through the lily-studded waterways are a highlight — gliding silently past hippos, crocodiles, and a staggering diversity of birdlife.
Why We Love It
Baines' Camp is the kind of place that turns sceptics into safari converts. The star beds alone are worth the trip — there is nothing on earth quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the delta with a ceiling of stars above you.
But it's the elephants that steal the show. The camp's location on the floodplain means herds regularly pass through camp, sometimes close enough to hear them breathing. It's a humbling, heart-stopping experience that no game drive can replicate.
The mokoro excursions are magical — that silence, the reflections, the feeling of being completely immersed in a watery wilderness. This is Botswana at its absolute finest.
Rooms & Details
Treehouse Suites (6):
Elevated wooden suites on stilts with canvas walls, king-size or twin beds, en-suite bathroom with copper bathtub and indoor/outdoor shower, private veranda with delta views, writing desk, and ceiling fans. Each suite includes a star bed on the upper deck for open-air sleeping.
Star Bed:
Every suite features a private elevated sleep-out platform above the main room, dressed with luxury bedding and mosquito netting. The ultimate Okavango experience.
Amenities & Features
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation 60+ days before arrival. 50% charge 30-60 days. Full charge under 30 days.
Rates
Prices start from $950 per night. Final pricing depends on season, room type, and availability. Check current rates on our booking partner's site for the most accurate pricing.
Fully inclusive — all meals, premium drinks, activities, laundry, and park fees included. Minimum 2-night stay required. Children 6+ welcome. Star bed experience is weather-dependent.
What's Included
- Full breakfast
- Bush lunch
- Afternoon tea and cake
- Gourmet dinner
- Premium wines and spirits
- Soft drinks and juices
- Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles
- Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions
- Guided bush walks
- Boat cruises on the Boro River
- Star bed sleep-out experience
- Birdwatching with expert guides
- Night drives
Fully inclusive rate covers all meals, premium drinks, two activities per day, laundry, park fees, and mokoro excursions. Helicopter excursions available at additional cost.
Location
How to Get There
Guests fly into Maun International Airport and transfer by scheduled light aircraft (approximately 30 minutes) to the camp's private airstrip. A game drive transfer from the airstrip to camp takes approximately 20 minutes — with wildlife sightings highly likely en route. The camp is not accessible by road during high-water season.
Nearby Attractions
Moremi Game Reserve (adjacent), Chief's Island, Xakanaxa Lagoon, Okavango Delta waterways, Tsodilo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site — day trip by air)
Things to Do
Mokoro excursions: Glide through the crystal-clear waterways of the Okavango in a traditional dugout canoe, guided by expert polers who know every channel and island.
Game drives: Open 4×4 vehicles explore the private concession and Moremi Game Reserve — big cats, elephants, wild dogs, and buffalo are regularly sighted.
Star bed: Perhaps the camp's most iconic experience. Sleep on your private elevated deck under the Milky Way.
Bush walks: Explore the delta on foot with armed guides — tracking, birding, and learning about the ecosystem's incredible biodiversity.
Boat cruises: Sunset boat trips on the Boro River with drinks and snacks — exceptional for birding and hippo sightings.
Good to Know
Malaria: The Okavango Delta is a malaria area. Prophylaxis is essential.
Flights: Light aircraft from Maun. Soft bags only, 20 kg limit.
Water levels: The Delta floods annually (May–September). High water means more mokoro opportunities but some roads may be impassable. Low water (October–March) offers better terrestrial game viewing.
Connectivity: Very limited. The camp has satellite Wi-Fi in the main area — expect slow speeds. Embrace the disconnect.
Tipping: USD $20–30 per guest per day is customary for guides and camp staff.
Who It's For
Couples, honeymooners, photographers, and nature lovers seeking an exclusive, intimate delta experience. The star beds make it a bucket-list romantic destination. Suitable for families with children 6+.
Best Time to Visit
May–September for high water (best mokoro season and green landscapes). July–October for peak game viewing as animals concentrate around remaining water. Year-round for birding.
