About This Property
Mapula Lodge occupies one of the northern Okavango’s better addresses: a private island on the Selinda Spillway, the channel that links the Delta to the Linyanti, inside the private Mapula and Sekwana Concession (NG12). The camp has been part of the Delta for decades under a series of owners, and is now closed for a complete rebuild by Desert & Delta Safaris.
The rebuilt lodge is scheduled to reopen on 1 March 2027 with 12 safari suites, two of which interlead for families. Each suite is planned with an en-suite bathroom, a private viewing deck over the lagoon and in-room comforts including a refreshment station, desk, wardrobe and fans. Main areas will combine covered and open-air dining, an elevated fire pit, a bar, curio shop, lounge seating and a swimming pool with a gazebo.
Because it sits on a private concession rather than inside a national park, Mapula can offer off-road driving and night drives alongside water-based activities, which is what gives the northern Delta concessions their edge. Rates are quoted fully inclusive of all meals and selected beverages.
Why We Love It
What makes this one worth watching is the concession itself. NG12 straddles dry land and permanent water, so a single stay can cover predator-heavy drives, mokoro channels and floodplain birding without moving camp, which is unusual even in the Okavango.
The setting has long outrun the camp that sat on it. A rebuild under an operator with Desert & Delta’s track record is the obvious fix, and the 12-suite footprint keeps it small enough to stay quiet.
Rooms & Details
Safari Suites (from March 2027)
Twelve safari suites are planned, each with an en-suite bathroom, a private viewing deck facing the lagoon and a contemporary interior kept deliberately spare. Image shown is the architect’s render, not a photograph.
Family Safari Suites
Two of the twelve suites will interlead, giving families or groups connected bedrooms with their own outdoor space. Children under 12 are welcome. Render, not a photograph.
Main Areas, Pool and Fire Pit
Plans include covered and open-air dining, a bar, lounge seating, curio shop, an elevated fire pit and a swimming pool with a gazebo and decking over the lagoon. Render, not a photograph.
Out on the Concession
The private NG12 concession mixes floodplain, riverine forest and woodland, which supports both strong predator viewing and water-based activity. This image is general Okavango wildlife, not the lodge.
Amenities & Features
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation terms follow Desert & Delta Safaris' booking conditions. Given the pre-opening booking window, request the current terms in writing before paying a deposit.
Photo Gallery
Rates
Prices start from $740 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.
Rates from USD 740 per person per night sharing, fully inclusive of all meals and selected beverages, rising to USD 1,410 in peak season. Published bands start 6 January 2027, after the 1 March 2027 reopening date. Prices checked August 2026 and subject to change and availability.
What's Included
- All meals included
- Selected beverages included
- Communal dining, private dining on request
- Dinners overlooking the lagoon
- Day and night game drives
- Seasonal mokoro excursions
- Boat safaris on the Selinda Spillway
- Guided walking safaris
- Bird watching
- Fishing
- Star gazing and sundowners
Fully inclusive rates cover all meals, selected beverages and scheduled safari activities. Private activities, specialist guiding, helicopter flights and signature experiences carry surcharges and need advance booking. Flights, premium imported drinks, gratuities, park and concession levies where not stated, and travel insurance are typically excluded.
Location
How to Get There
Access is by light aircraft. Fly into Maun (MUB), Botswana’s safari gateway, then connect by scheduled charter to the concession airstrip, with a short game-drive transfer to camp. Maun is reached via Johannesburg, Gaborone or Kasane.
The northern Delta combines naturally with Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park or the Makgadikgadi Pans on a two or three camp Botswana circuit.
Nearby Attractions
Moremi Game Reserve, the wider Okavango panhandle and the Linyanti system are all close enough to combine. Chobe National Park and the Makgadikgadi Pans work well as contrasting second and third stops.
Things to Do
The concession’s private status allows day and night game drives with off-road following, which national park camps cannot offer. Predator viewing is what the area has historically been known for.
Water activities depend on the annual flood: mokoro excursions and motorboat trips on the Spillway run seasonally, alongside guided walking safaris, fishing and birding around the lagoon. Much of the wildlife viewing happens from camp itself.
Good to Know
The lodge is closed. It is being completely rebuilt by Desert & Delta Safaris and is scheduled to reopen on 1 March 2027, with bookings already open. All current imagery is architect’s renders rather than photographs of the finished camp, and the specification below reflects the published plans.
Rates are fully inclusive of all meals and selected beverages. Children under 12 are welcome. Access is fly-in only. The Okavango is a malaria area, so take the usual precautions and speak to your doctor before travelling.
Who It's For
Safari travellers who want one camp to cover both land and water activity in the Okavango, and families who need interleading rooms on a private concession.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is the dry season and the strongest period for game viewing.
