Stanley's Camp, Okavango Delta
"adventure, enchantment and - 'luxury, naturally' - delivered with understated charm"
- Grading:
Address: Sanctuary Stanley's Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Children: Children are welcome
Bed capacity: 8 tented rooms
The setting
Stanley's is a classic tented camp in a private concession which sits amidst 260,000 acres of untamed African bush in the renowned Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta borders the southern section of the famous Moremi Game Reserve. The camp offers a varied game viewing experience and is the home of the Living with Elephants interaction.
The main camp
A large tented lounge, a dining room, bar, curio shop and small library are part of the main guest camp. Service always comes with a smile.
The main camp offers magnificent views over the floodplain. Watch as big game march by and, if your lucky day, glimpse the rare wild dog.
From the rim flow swimming pool you can watch giraffe and other plains game march across the savannah.
- Traditional safari camp with only 8 tented rooms allowing for an authentic safari experience
- Located on a private concession - this means we can offer walking safaris and night drives
- Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the tented rooms
- Our camp offers land and water-based activities
- Electricity supply consists of a silent packed generator and solar power.
Accommodation
The eight en-suite canvas tents at Stanley's Camp each has a different design of understated classic elegance. The large private wooden decks allow for guests to relax in hammocks while enjoying morning coffee or pre-dinner cocktails. Each tent features an indoor shower and is equipped with ceiling fan, in-room safe and complimentary wireless internet access.
- Complimentary mosquito repellent and toiletries
- A hairdryer
- A torch
- Complimentary overnight laundry service
Dining
We pride ourselves on our personalised service, and this includes your culinary preferences. Our meals are freshly prepared, and the standard and choice of our meals are of high quality, yes, in the middle of the African bush.
Come feast with us in spectacular scenes where scrumptious meals are presented - in the company of three elephants - or - with your feet in the cool waters of the Okavango. Talk to us about a romantic private dinner on the deck of your room or by the pool.
With prior notice, our camp can arrange halal meals, but please note our kitchens aren't halal and our chefs are not trained in halal food preparation. Regrettably we cannot provide kosher meals.
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, snacks during activities and dinners are included in your stay. Breakfast is served before the morning safari. During safari we will serve coffee, tea and a choice of scones and biscuits out in the bush. You will savour your lunch back at the camp.
Afternoon tea is served just before the afternoon safari and offers a choice of cakes, sweet and savoury treats, tea, coffee and fresh fruit juices. Afternoon and evening game drives include classic sun-downer cocktails and canapes at particular selected spots before returning to the camp for pre-dinner drinks and dinner.
- Breakfast: Continental and full English Breakfast
- Lunch: Table d'hôte, with a variety of choices, one being a vegetarian
- Dinner: Table d'hôte, 3 course meal with 2 to 3 choices, one being a vegetarian
Game viewing
Game viewing around camp is thrilling. Water crossings are part of the thrill and watching zebra standing belly-deep grazing is a sight to see. The private concession affords the opportunity to venture out after dark on night game drives to see the nocturnal animals.
Key wildlife include lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, impala, zebra, wild dog, hyena, and hippo. Stanley's is one of the best places in Southern Africa for seeing buffalo in large numbers, with herds often exceeding 2,000.
The camp offers an elephant interaction experience in partnership with the Living with Elephants Foundation.
An American couple, Doug and Sandi Groves, launched the Living with Elephants foundation in 1999. The charity is dedicated to creating harmonious relationships between people and elephants. Living with Elephants works to secure the long term future of its elephant ambassadors. Elephants can live for 70 years so when Doug and Sandi adopted Jabu, Thembi and Morula - rescuing them from culling operations that had left them orphans - they knew they were making a lifelong commitment to the trio which will most likely outlive them by decades.
Every year, Living with Elephants offers children from neighbouring villages the opportunity to interact with the elephant trio. Immersed in the world of the African elephant for two days, ten children at a time (aged between 9 and 12 years), along with two adult chaperones, take part in active educational games and share in discussions, art and music. Learning includes the natural history, ecology and behaviour of these animals, their complex interaction with people and actions that encourage a positive relationship between elephants and humans. Sanctuary Retreats is proud to sponsor this valuable cause.
Game drives
Enjoy game drives, spotting wildlife from open-sided 4X4 vehicles, accompanied by professional guides. Because the camp is in a private concession, guests see animals up close and may discover incredible nocturnal species during evening drives.
Mokoro excursions
When the Okavango Delta is flooded, the case for much of the year, experience the gentle pace of a poled mokoro excursion along the narrow channels. Sit back and relax as you glide through lily ponds on local dugout canoes while viewing the surrounding animals - depending on water levels. Mekoros are available January to October but can't be guaranteed.
Walking safaris
Discover the signs of the bush, escorted by your guide and armed ranger on exciting walking safaris. The wildlife is spectacular year-round and, because the camp is set in a private concession, guests can get close by in perfect safety with one of our guides.
Elephant interaction
We invite you to explore Africa from an elephant's viewpoint. Enjoy the great experience of a leisurely walk - lasting up to 4 hours - with a trio of semi-habituated elephants, followed by a picnic lunch in their company. This uplifting experience creates a permanent impact on those sharing time with the elephants.Interaction will be granted to at least 2 guests; is limited to 10 guests, and is possible for children 9 years and older. Please note the elephants are on leave each year from 15 January to 15 February. Pre-booking is a must.
Scenic helicopter flights
Enjoy scenic helicopter flights over the permanent delta, exposing areas unreachable by vehicle or boat, and showcasing the sheer enormity of the Okavango Delta. You may choose between a 30, 45 or 60 minute tour in a three seater, one turbine Bell Jet Ranger helicopter. The doors can be removed for unrestricted photographic opportunities. Guests may choose when to go on their helicopter flights - we recommend early morning and late afternoon as these times offer the best light for photography. Flights are offered on a year round basis. Preferred flight times can be requested in camp when booking.
Extra activities are not included in the tariff and can be pre-booked or while guests are in camp.
Rates
Please contact us for our latest rates and availability.
Lodges offer varied rates which change from time to time. Rates depend on service levels, the type of lodge or hotel, number and age of guests, the time of year, location and any specials which may apply at time of enquiry.
We welcome children at Stanley's Camp.
Our friendly guides may offer dedicated children's activities:
- teaching them the art of poling a mokoro - a local dug-out canoe used in the Delta
- finding water and edible plants in the bush
- making rope out of natural materials
Children aged 2 and younger stay free of charge
Children aged 15 years and younger are required to share with an adult. The camp can accommodate 2 triples per night - triples are subject to availability upon booking
Children aged 3 - 15 inclusive pay child reduction rate when sharing with 2 paying adults.
In all other circumstances children pay the applicable adult fare.
Children aged 15 years and younger are not allowed on walking safaris. A private vehicle must be booked for children aged 5 and younger.
Housekeepers will babysit children while adults are on an outing. Child minding is charged at a nominal fee paid to the child minder.
Included
- all meals
- game viewing
- park fees
- laundry services
- emergency medical evacuation
- beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic - with the exception of champagne and premium brands)
Excluded
- Walking with Elephants and the Scenic Helicopter Flight
- Babysitting
- Tips/ Gratuities
- Curios and personal items
- Champagne and premium brand alcoholic beverages
- Any in-room treatments
- International air travel
- Visas - where required
- Departure tax
- Road transfers
- Internal flights
Special occasions
Guests celebrating their honeymoon will receive special surprises during their stay. We attempt to keep honeymooners separate from other guests.
Honeymoon services
- Sparkling wine in honeymoon guests' tent upon arrival
- Private dinner at the pool or boma
- Romantic setups done in bigger rooms
- Private bush sun-downers
- Depending on water levels, an aquatic sun-downer in the floodplain where a table is set in the water on a sandbank
Useful information
Clothing
Clothing should be cool and comfortable. Greens, browns and khaki coloured clothing are advisable for safaris, especially when on a walking safari. We suggest long sleeves and long trousers for morning and evenings due to mosquitoes, and a fleece jacket as it could be cool in the early morning. Sturdy and comfortable shoes are essential.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats are essential, and binoculars and good cameras are a must.
The camp provides a torch, and complimentary mosquito repellent and toiletries.
Climate
Green season usually begins in late November and lasts through early March. This season has hot sunny days with occasional afternoon thundershowers cooling the surrounding bush. Average daily temperatures range from 20°C-38°C. The dry season runs from late May to early October. In winter (June-August) temperatures can plummet as low as 0°C at night with a daily high of around 26°C-28°C.
Health
We recommend travellers to take precautions against malaria and we recommend speaking with your GP or personal physician four to six weeks before departure.
Travellers from, or passing through, countries declared as yellow fever infected areas must possess an international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever upon arrival into Botswana.
Money & credit cards
Extras can be paid for with Visa, MasterCard and traveller's cheques. US dollars, Pounds, Euros and Rands are accepted but we will give change in the local currency. Diners Card and American Express Cards are not accepted.
Tipping guideline
Tipping is not obligatory but is generally accepted. Rates are US$15 per guest per day for the guide and US$10 per guest per day for the rest of the staff.
Special requests
Stanley's Camp prides itself on its personalised services. Please let us know if you have any special requests, interests, dietary requirements, allergies or medical conditions.
