All you need to know

Intro

Set in a grove of trees, and surrounded by papyrus beds, Sanctuary Baines’ Camp is built on raised platforms high above the Boro River in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. We encouraged the local community in Maun to collect cans, with a fee paid for every can, which were recycled to form the backbone of the camp’s structures. Baines’ is also one of only two camps to offer you the opportunity to walk with elephants.

Highlights

Offers unique Living with Elephants activity
Romantic sky beds and star baths on your private deck
Located on a private concession which means we can offer walking and night drives
Seasonal Mokoro excursions and motorised boating available
Eco-friendly camp built from cans

Safaris

GAME DRIVES

Famed for its big cat and bird population, the Okavango Delta is a peaceful haven where animals have been protected for decades and know they will not be disturbed. At Baines' Camp, you have the opportunity to see animals up close with your expert guide on morning and evening game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles. A night game drive is the perfect means to see some of the nocturnal animals one wouldn't see during the day time. The concession also boasts a diversity of landscapes with desert, dry savannah, lagoon and swamps all in close proximity. During higher water levels game drives will be combined with motorised boating excursions. (Night drives are seasonal, depending on water levels.)

WALKING SAFARIS

Find out how to track and follow even the most elusive of animals in the Okavango. With the camp being set in a private concession, there is the opportunity to get very close on foot in perfect safety with one of our guides. This is an exciting activity and a little nerve wracking for first-timers who have only ever driven around in a safari vehicle and enjoyed sitting above lion, elephants and other animals. On foot, one cannot approach these animals, obviously, but learning about them, walking their walk and seeing the bush at their level is a wonderful and educational experience.

MOKORO & MOTORISED BOAT EXCURSIONS

One of the best ways to see the wildlife around Sanctuary Baines' Camp is in one of the locally made dugout canoes, known as mokoros. These used to be carved from ebony but are now made from commercially grown wood and fibreglass to protect the fragile environment of the Okavango. In one of these traditional crafts it is possible to float around the waterways and lagoons that make up the delta, looking for crocodiles in the water, but also getting a remarkable view of the plains game from a new and exciting angle. This gentle and informative mode of safari is unique to the river Bushmen, comprising three different tribes who made the Delta their home. For the less intrepid, the camp also has motorised speedboats that can be used when the rivers are in flood. (All water based activities are seasonal and based on the water levels of the delta)

LIVING WITH ELEPHANTS INTERACTION

An extraordinary treat available at Sanctuary Baines' Camp is the opportunity to go walking in the bush with three semi-habituated elephants. Jabu, Thembi and Morula are elephants that were orphaned nearby and adopted by Doug and Sandi Groves. The elephants 'take' guests on long walks, foraging in the area in absolute safety. They show travellers how they look for food, strip leaves from branches with their long trunks and take showers in the lagoons of the delta. What better guide to the African bush than a fully-grown African elephant? This activity includes a leisurely paced walk with a trio of semi-habituated elephants, observing and interacting with them, and a picnic lunch in their company.

SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHTS

These scenic flights involve flying west towards the permanent delta, exposing areas which are unreachable by vehicle or boat and showcasing the sheer enormity of the Okavango Delta. There is the option of the doors being removed for unrestricted photographic opportunities. Choose between 30, 45 or 60 minute tour in a one turbine Bell Jetranger helicopter with 3 seats. This activity is offered on a year round basis. Being a personalised activity, it's up to you what time of day you would like to do the activity, however we would recommend early morning and late afternoon as this time usually provides the best light for photography. Preferred flight times can be requested on booking.

Wildlife

Key wildlife include: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, impala, zebra, wild dog, hyena, and hippo.

Quick Facts

Region

Africa

Property Type

Safari Lodge (less than 20 rooms)

Child Policy

Children aged 6 and over are welcome

Accommodation

Named after the 19th century explorer and painter Thomas Baines, this is Sanctuary's smallest camp with just five suites. An eco-friendly property built using only commercially grown wood, with over 150,000 recycled aluminium cans incorporated within the walls to provide insulation. The camp is raised above the permanent water of the Boro River while wooden walkways connect the main areas and luxury rooms. The swimming pool and the wide wooden deck that surrounds the main dining and sitting room is the ideal place to relax while observing the varied wildlife present here. Watch hippos wallow at the edge of the lagoon that the camp overlooks, or see one of the many elephants who live in the area.

The five suites at Sanctuary Baines' are opulent and luxurious, with ensuite facilities and four-poster beds. Traditional safari ceiling fans create a cooling breeze at even the hottest times of the year. Should you wish, your bed can be wheeled out onto the private wooden deck for a night under the stars, overlooking the shimmering waters of the Boro River where hippo can often be spotted. Or take an indulgent soak under the stars on your own private viewing deck in our opulent star bath. At Baines' Camp, the sky's the limit.