This private concession is situated in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta (rightly considered to be one of the most incredible wildlife sanctuaries on the continent) and is known locally as the Kwedi Reserve or more formally as areas NG 22 and 23. It comprises of the Duba Plains and Vumbura areas. Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura and Duba Plains Camps are located within the reserve. Kwedi is accessible only by air, which combines remoteness with outstanding wildlife.

The entire region of over 100,000ha has been ceded by the Botswana Government and the Tawana Land Board to the people who live along the Okavango's northern boundary. They benefit directly from the from the wildlife and the environment. These people live in 5 traditional villages to the north of the Okavango and the Kwedi, and are offered job opportunities and community projects run in the area.

The western parts of the concession, notably the large Duba Island, consist of open, seasonally inundated floodplains and small palm islands. In the eastern parts, a more diverse habitat can be discovered ranging from permanent swamp to seasonal floodplains, productive acacia woodlands, large stands of mopane and Kalahari appleleaf.

Environment:

Permanent waterways and channels are formed by seasonal summer rains or by the annual flood waters that pass through the Delta in the winter season. Subsequently, permanent swamp and island habitats are structured, and beautiful tree-islands of every size imaginable flourish. Jackalberry, African mangosteen and the ubiquitous sausage tree, provide shade, food and shelter for an enormous range of wildlife.

Wildlife:

The Duba area is famous for regular dramatic interaction between large herds of buffalo and resident prides of lion, as well as regular viewings of a number of unusual small carnivores such as aardwolf, bat-eared fox and side-striped jackal. Vumburu in contrast features a wider range of big game including good populations of elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe and all the large predators: lion, spotted hyena, leopard, wild dog and cheetah.

Ornithology:

Birdlife is abundant throughout the reserve, with Okavango specials such as rosy-throated longclaw, wattled crane and the uncommon summer resident, the black coucal. The woodlands in the eastern part of the concession harbour gems such as white-breasted cuckoo-shrike and racket-tailed roller.

Unusual events:

In early 2010, The Kwedi Concession had a fair amount of leopard action, with authentic reports and sightings of a leopard successfully hunting a Comb Duck (previously known as a Knob-billed Duck). Some visitors were fortunate enough to leave Vumbura with sensational pictures of sitatunga, a very elusive semi-aquatic antelope, seen on an early morning mokoro trip. It is stressed that as with all wildlife safari's, these are unusual events and not guaranteed.

Okavango Delta Accommodation