I went to Vumbura Plains for one reason. I wanted to see the floodplains and stay somewhere comfortable after long days in the bush. Vumbura Plains delivers both. It is inside a private concession in the Okavango Delta, so you get water and land activities.
But it is also one of the most expensive places in Botswana. This is not a simple trip. It is a high-cost safari, and it has limits you should know before booking.
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Key Points
- Book Vumbura Plains if you want both water and land safaris in one location.
- Expect to pay $1,500–$2,500 per person per night. This usually includes meals, drinks, and activities.
- Go in the dry season (May to October) for the most reliable floodplains and best wildlife sightings.
Vumbura Plains Is About Floodplains and Luxury
Vumbura Plains sits on the northern side of the Okavango Delta. The main attraction is the mix of permanent water channels and open floodplains, which gives you both boating and driving in one place.
On my visit, I went from a boat ride in shallow channels in the morning to a game drive across open savannah in the afternoon. Few places in Botswana offer that kind of variety in a single concession.
The downside is cost. A night here is in the $1,500 to $2,500 per person range, making it one of the most expensive options in the Delta. This price typically includes activities, meals, and drinks, but excludes flights.
By contrast, Moremi Game Reserve has mid-range lodges and mobile safaris that can be far cheaper. Vumbura Plains is not suitable for budget travelers, so weigh carefully whether the high-end comfort and design align with your priorities. If your main focus is wildlife rather than luxury, you may find better value elsewhere.
Wildlife You Can Expect
Game viewing at Vumbura Plains can be strong. I saw large herds of red lechwe, which thrive in the waterlogged grasslands. Lions use the drier edges of the floodplains to hunt them. Elephants move through daily, and leopards are often found in the mopane woodlands nearby.
The birdlife is worth its own trip, with wattled cranes and saddle-billed storks common on the floodplains. Cheetahs are seen less often but do appear on the more open plains, and smaller predators like serval or African wildcat are occasionally spotted at night.
What I noticed is that the floodplain system can change fast. In a wetter year, the channels spread wide and limit where you can drive, which can restrict access to big-game areas. In a drier year, you lose some of the water-based feel that makes this area special, and mokoro or boat outings may be limited.
This variability means that a three- or four-night stay is advisable to increase your chances of strong sightings. If your priority is consistency and marquee predator-prey interactions, you might look at Duba Plains Reserve, which has more predictable lion and buffalo action. On the other hand, if you value diversity of species and habitats over guaranteed drama, Vumbura Plains delivers well.
Activities at Vumbura Plains
Here you can do a mix of drives, mokoro trips, and boat cruises. I recommend trying the mokoro (dugout canoe) at least once. Gliding low to the water while watching reed frogs and kingfishers is unforgettable.
But be honest with yourself. Mokoro trips are slow and not for everyone. If you want constant action, the drives deliver more big-game sightings. Also keep in mind that mokoro outings are usually short (about an hour) and weather dependent, so they should be seen as a complement, not the main activity.
On game drives, you cover both floodplains and woodland. I once spent an afternoon following wild dogs across both terrain types. They moved fast, and our guide had to work hard to keep up.
Expect early mornings, late evenings, and some long breaks in the middle of the day due to the heat. Night drives are sometimes possible in private concessions, so ask in advance if this is offered during your stay. They can add a very different perspective with nocturnal species.
Walking safaris are also possible in this concession. They are shorter and usually close to camp. Safety is a factor, so they are limited in range.
If you want a longer walk-focused experience, look into walking safaris in Botswana, where some concessions are set up for multi-day treks. This way you can decide if Vumbura Plains’ short walks will satisfy you or if you should combine it with another destination better suited to walking.
What the Camp Is Like
The camp itself is split into North and South, each with its own lounge and dining area. Suites are on raised decks overlooking the floodplain. The rooms are large, with private plunge pools and outdoor showers.
I enjoyed sitting on the deck in the early morning, watching lechwe graze below.
One drawback is that the camp design feels a little more like a hotel than a traditional tented safari. If you are looking for a classic canvas tent feel, this may not be your best match. For pure luxury though, it is hard to beat.
The décor is modern and sleek, with open-plan layouts and lots of glass, which some travelers love but others find out of place in a wilderness setting.
Food and drink are included, and meals are plated with wine pairings. You won’t go hungry. But keep in mind that being remote means supplies can run thin if logistics don’t go to plan.
Dietary needs can usually be accommodated, but it is best to communicate them in advance. Service standards are high, but turnover of staff in remote camps can affect consistency, so temper expectations if you want flawless five-star service every meal.
Overall, it delivers comfort, but it comes with the trade-off of less of a classic bush atmosphere.
When to Go
The dry season, from May to October, is the best time for Vumbura Plains. Water levels peak around June and July, which makes the mokoro and boat trips possible. Wildlife also concentrates along the floodplains in the dry months, so sightings are stronger.
I went in late September and saw large herds of lechwe with predators close by.
November to April is the wet season. Rates are lower, sometimes down to around $1,000 per person per night, but rain can make activities harder. The wildlife disperses and the floodplains may not have the same feel.
If your goal is to save money, it is worth considering, but I would not recommend it for a first safari.
For a full guide to planning, read my post on the best time to safari in Botswana.
Costs and Booking
Vumbura Plains is firmly in the luxury bracket. You are looking at $1,500–$2,500 per person per night in the high season. That usually includes meals, drinks, laundry, park fees, and daily activities. Flights from Maun or Kasane to the airstrip are extra, usually $200–$300 each way per person.
For perspective, these nightly rates are on par with top-tier safari lodges across Africa, so consider if your budget aligns before committing.
If that price is too steep, you can still see similar habitats by visiting other concessions in the Delta. For example, Kwando Concessions and Selinda Reserve offer strong wildlife and a more traditional safari feel at slightly lower rates.
Budget-conscious travelers might also look at mobile safaris, where you sleep in simpler tented camps but access the same game areas for a fraction of the price.
Before booking, check what is included. Some camps charge extra for premium drinks, scenic helicopter flights, or private vehicles. Ask in advance so you know where the costs stop.
Also confirm cancellation policies and seasonal discounts. Luxury operators sometimes offer long-stay deals (stay 4 nights, pay 3), which can make a high-cost trip more manageable.
What to Pack
Even if the lodge is high-end, you still need the right gear. I made the mistake of bringing new shoes, which was a problem on sandy tracks. Wear shoes you have broken in.
If you want recommendations, I’ve shared my guide on the best shoes for safari in Botswana.
Pack neutral-colored clothing. It helps you blend in on walks and keeps you cooler. Temperatures can swing from cold mornings to hot afternoons. I always bring a fleece for dawn drives.
My full tips are here: what to wear on safari in Botswana.
Travel Logistics
Reaching Vumbura Plains means a charter flight. Most guests fly from Maun, about 40 minutes, or Kasane, about 1.5 hours. The airstrips are basic, and luggage weight limits are strict. Stick to soft-sided bags under 20 kg.
Weather and water levels can sometimes affect flights, so allow buffer time if you are connecting to international departures. Private charter options exist but are very expensive, usually $2,000+ per leg.
If you are planning a longer Botswana circuit, Vumbura connects well with Chobe National Park to the northeast or Nxai Pan National Park further south.
Many travelers combine Vumbura with desert landscapes like Central Kalahari Game Reserve or pans such as Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to balance water and dry habitats.
If you want to combine it with other destinations, see my full guide on Botswana safaris.
For official entry details, check the Botswana Tourism Organization.
Final Thoughts
Vumbura Plains is for travelers who want comfort and variety in one of the best concessions in the Okavango Delta. The mix of land and water activities is a big plus.
But it is expensive and has a hotel-style feel that not everyone will want. If you go, plan your timing well, pack properly, and be ready for both luxury and long days in the bush.
