Safari Under Canvas: A New Way to Experience Botswana's Okavango Delta
- Expats Lifestyle
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
andBeyond expands its Botswana safari portfolio with two intimate camps designed to bring travelers closer to the wild
Luxury safari travel often promises immersion in nature. Few experiences, however, blur the line between comfort and wilderness quite like sleeping beneath canvas in Botswana's Okavango Delta.
This year, andBeyond is expanding its Botswana Under Canvas collection with the launch of two new mobile-style safari camps: andBeyond Sandibe Under Canvas and andBeyond Nxabega Under Canvas. Together with the recently refurbished andBeyond Chobe Under Canvas, the trio creates a new seven-night safari circuit through some of Botswana's most celebrated landscapes.
For travelers seeking a more intimate alternative to traditional safari lodges, the concept offers something increasingly rare in luxury travel: simplicity, solitude, and a direct connection to the natural world.
A Safari in the Heart of Predator Country
Located within one of the Okavango Delta's most wildlife-rich concessions, andBeyond Sandibe Under Canvas places guests in prime territory for sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, and African wild dog throughout the year.
Days revolve around classic safari experiences, including guided game drives, walking safaris, and visits to nearby communities. Unlike larger lodges, the camp's small scale allows guides to tailor each outing around wildlife movements and guest interests.
As evening falls, the sounds of the Delta replace city noise, while lantern-lit dinners unfold beneath some of Africa's clearest night skies.
The Softer Side of the Okavango
Further west, andBeyond Nxabega Under Canvas offers a distinctly different safari experience.
Instead of predator-dense plains, the landscape here is shaped by seasonal waterways, floodplains, and reed-lined channels. Guests can explore the Delta by mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe synonymous with Botswana safari adventures, drifting quietly through water-laced landscapes where birdlife and aquatic ecosystems take center stage.
Depending on water levels, activities also include catch-and-release fishing, guided walks, and game drives. The emphasis is less on adrenaline and more on slowing down, observing, and connecting with the Delta's quieter rhythms.
Small Camps, Big Wilderness
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the new safari camps is their scale.
Each camp features just three tents and accommodates a maximum of six guests, creating one of the most exclusive safari experiences in the region.
Despite the remote setting, comfort remains firmly part of the experience. Guests can expect super king beds, double showers, running water, Starlink Wi-Fi, solar-powered energy systems, and thoughtfully designed interiors inspired by the colors and textures of the Delta.
Rather than overwhelming the landscape, the camps are designed to blend into it, allowing nature to remain the focal point.
A Safari Route Across Botswana's Greatest Landscapes
Together, Chobe, Sandibe, and Nxabega create a journey that showcases three distinct sides of Botswana.
The itinerary begins among Chobe's famous elephant herds before moving into Sandibe's predator-rich ecosystems and ending amid the tranquil waterways of Nxabega. The result is a safari that balances wildlife encounters with moments of stillness and reflection.
The seven-night "Chobe and the Okavango Delta: An Under Canvas Adventure" itinerary starts from USD 4,840 per person sharing and is designed for couples, families, and small groups seeking a more personal approach to safari travel.
Conservation at the Core
As with all andBeyond experiences, conservation remains central to the safari offering.
The camps operate with a low-impact model that minimizes environmental footprint while supporting nearby communities including Shorobe, Sexaxa, Gogomoga, and Tsutsubega through employment, mentorship, and conservation awareness initiatives.
It is a reminder that the best safari experiences are not only about observing wildlife, but also about helping protect the ecosystems and communities that make these journeys possible.
Botswana's New Generation of Safari Travel
As luxury travelers increasingly seek meaningful experiences over excess, Botswana continues to stand out as one of Africa's most compelling safari destinations.
The new Under Canvas camps embrace a style of travel that feels both nostalgic and contemporary: sleeping beneath canvas, gathering around a fire under the stars, and waking to the sounds of the wild, while still enjoying the comforts expected of modern luxury.
[PHOTO: Courtesy of andBeyond]
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