Visit Duba Concession, Okavango Delta
The Duba Concession is home to Botswana’s largest herds of buffalo, and as a consequence, to Africa’s densest lion population. The concession is owned by the local Okavango communities, from which most of the guides and camp staff are recruited, and staying here you are in the hands of experts.
Duba Concession
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Driving over the rickety wooden bridge, glassy water and crocodiles underneath, you enter the Duba Plains.
Sweeping yellow grasses, interspersed with wild date palms, pink hippo grass and grey termite mounds stretch endlessly to a vast horizon. The air is still and there’s an eerie silence, broken only by the roar of distant lion. Then, in the distance you see clouds of dust rising up from the grasslands. Oxpeckers and egrets flutter in the air. Dark shapes take form, the grass crackles and a thousand-strong herd of buffalo comes into sight. Welcome to the Duba Concession, the land of the buffalo and lion.
Wildlife of the Duba Concession
Duba Plains is home to Botswana’s largest herds of buffalo. Thousands are in residence, while more migrate in during the low water, so they are never far away. It is also home to Africa’s densest lion population, with anything between around three and six prides protecting their territories at any one time: the frequent battles that result make for unforgettable game-viewing. On day and night game drives the opportunity to photograph lion watching, stalking, and sometimes even killing buffalo is ever present. It’s superb for close up photography and a breathtaking wildlife experience.
The Duba concession is in the far northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. As well as lion and buffalo, there is a variety of plains game and good population of spotted hyena. The concession is owned by the local Okavango communities, from which most of the guides and camp staff are recruited, and staying here you are in the hands of experts.
With just one camp, the concession is as remote as it is wild and however long you stay, it will never be enough.
Other places within Okavango Delta
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- In the southwest of the Okavango Delta, the Abu Concession encompasses deep blue channels and lagoons, verdant green floodplains and sandy islands with ilala and wild date palms. The floodplains are home to large herds of red lechwe which are hunted by several prides of lion and leopards are often seen.
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- Bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the southern Okavango Delta, the Chitabe Concession is both picturesque and rich in game. Though lion are often seen it is Chitabe’s leopard and wild dog pack that perhaps hold the greatest attraction. It is also the base for the three day Chitabe Walking Trail.
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- In the heart of the Okavango Delta, Gunns Concession is dominated by the deep Boro River. Many of the activities in the Gunns' Concession are focused on the water. Mokoro trips are perfect for birding whilst boat trips are ideal for watching crocodiles, hippo and elephant.
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- In the southwest reaches of the Okavango Delta is the Jao Concession. There are a number of small camps on the reserve, ranging from luxury chalets to tree top houses. All offer a variety of activities including game drives, walks and night drives, as well as boating and mokoro trips which are superb.
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- The private Khwai Concession is situated adjacent to the world renowned Moremi Game Reserve. Kwhai also has large palm islands and large dry land areas, where the big game is found.
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- The Kwara Concession borders the Moremi Game Reserve and is a maze of waterways, islands, seasonal floodplains and thick bush. Game viewing is excellent and mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) trips provide a chance to photograph this game as well as the prolific birdlife.
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- Situated deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta, the Nxabega Concession is predominantly about water. Whilst game drives are possible on the larger islands amongst elephant, kudu, tsessebe, giraffe, lion and more, it’s really the water that’s the highlight here.
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- The Nxai Pan National Park is situated on the northern fringes of the ancient Makgadikgadi Lake basin. Being ancient salt lakes, the park itself is very flat with huge open grasslands and is most famous for Baine's Baobab trees.
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- Located on the eastern side of the Okavango Pan Handle this area is great for those on self-drive itineraries with easy access from Namibia's Caprivi Strip along tar roads. The focus here is on bird life, flora and fauna rather than big game viewing
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- The Shinde Concession is located in the northeastern Delta and shares a long southern boundary with the Moremi Reserve. There are a large number of big cats including lion, leopard and cheetah, and given the open nature of the environment it's a good area for wild dog.
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- Stanley's Concession is situated to the south of Chief's Island. With the Moremi Game Reserve as its border this is a classic Okavango concession. As you would expect with such a diverse habitat, the game is varied and prolific.
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- The Vumbura Concession stretches for 30,000 hectares in the far northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. There are three little camps, all of which are excellent. With a mixture of water and dry land, the camps offer game drives, night drives, walks, boat and mokoro trips.
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- The Xigera Concession is situated in the absolute heart of the Okavango Delta. The Xigera Concession is not for those seeking the big five. However, it is an area superb for bird-watching and exploring the Delta by boat and mokoro.
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- Located to the south-west of the Okavango Delta this huge private concession stretches for 25,000 hectares. The plentiful plains game attracts the predators, in particular prides of lion. Activities include game drives, night drives, mokoro and boat trips.
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- Chief's Island is in the very centre of the Okavango Delta and one of its largest islands. On game drives there's always something to see, the photographic opportunities are endless so stay for a while to make the most of this magical island.
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- Ghanzi, also known as 'the capital of the Kalahari' is one of Botswana most intriguing towns situated in the middle of nowhere and separated from the rest of the world by hundreds of kilometres of road. Not far from Ghanzi is an area known as the Kanana Wilderness which has game in abundance.
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Duba Concession
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- The Duba Concession is home to Botswana’s largest herds of buffalo, and as a consequence, to Africa’s densest lion population. The concession is owned by the local Okavango communities, from which most of the guides and camp staff are recruited, and staying here you are in the hands of experts.
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