Camp Description Chitabe (pronounced Chitaabee) is located in a 28000 hectare photographic reserve alongside the Moremi Game Reserve. The reserve's boundary in the east is the Gomoti Channel and the Santantadibe River in the west. The area is made up of a superb variety of habitats, which include waterways and marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine areas, open grasslands and seasonally flooded plains. Chitabe has the classic Okavango scenery. Chitabe offers guests game drives in open 4x4 vehicles during the day and at night, as well as nature walks. This is not a water activities camp. Chitabe has been operational since 1997 and has developed an outstanding reputation.
Game Viewing
Activities
The Owners
Guest Comments
Newsletter
Fact Sheet
More Pictures
Camp Description
The camp itself is situated on one of the most beautiful islands in the Delta. Surrounded by ancient ebony, leadwood and sausage trees, Chitabe offers eight luxurious, twin~bedded, East African style tents, built on elevated wooden decks under a lush canopy of indigenous trees. Each luxury tent has en suite facilities with hot and cold running water. A separate thatched dining room, pub, lounge and pool area is linked by raised walkways. The raised decks offer superb views over the open floodplain in front of the camp.
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Game Viewing
Wildlife seen here includes Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. Wild Dog are among the major game attractions of the area. Guests should also see Zebra, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Impala, and all the plains game. Night drives can be very rewarding, giving rare opportunities to view animals such as Pangolin, Civet Cat, Genet Cat, Porcupine and Aardwolf.
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Activities
Move your mouse over each activity/facility icon below to see what they represent. For a full description of activities offered at our properties, click here.
8 Guest Tents Game Drives Night Drives Good Birding Guided Walks Hides Swimming Pool Mekoros water levels permitting
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The Owners - DAVE AND HÉLÈNE HAMMAN
Chitabe (and Chitabe Trails) is owned by Dave and Hélène Hamman, two well~known and respected characters in the Okavango. Dave and Hélène have managed a number of camps in Botswana. It was during their time at Mombo that they really became enthusiastic about wild dogs. They got to know individual dogs and started to follow them on a daily basis and learnt more of their life histories, their trials and tribulations. Three years later they co~produced the book Running Wild ~ Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog, the definitive book on these wonderful animals. Dave's passion for photography and his knowledge of the dogs made him the logical choice to be the cameraman for National Geographic's documentary on the wild dog of the Okavango.
They have moved on from Mombo and now have built and own Chitabe ~ camps which are in an area where wild dog are regularly sighted. Hélène oversees the day to day operation from their Maun base, while Dave still spends much of his time on assignment with National Geographic's photographers.
Wild Dog Conservation Fund
A portion of the accommodation charges from each guest goes towards a wild dog conservation fund which Chitabe has established. Dr Tico McNutt began the wild dog research project in 1989, with a study area of about 3000 square kilometres. About 160 wild dogs in ten to twelve packs inhabit this region. Chitabe is part of this study area. More on the Project
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Guest Comments
The rooms were so comfortable and had a pleaseant atmosphere. The food was fantastic; the table settings so beautiful. I like the way the day was arranged so that there was a lot of time for the game drives. The total ambience of the camp was wonderfol a real "get away from it all" place.
B.B. & C.B., USA

The intermingling of Paul and Sharene in the evening was wonderful. As well as the up front and personal game viewing. B.S. and D.S., USA

The whole experience was wonderful it is difficult to isolate any particular thing, especially meditating in the loo with a view. J.R.

This has been without a doubt the most memorable experience (outside of giving birth to my son) of my life - very thrilling. Chitabe is a beautiful place and you are all super. K.S.W., Florida, USA

OT was one of the best guides we have ever had in Africa. He knows everything, and can see invisible animals. He really made each drive an interesting, rewarding and unique experience. T., USA

The whole experience at Chitabe was phenomenal, the service was friendly, sincere and above and beyond the call of duty. D.K. and E.K., San Francisco, USA

The private dinner by candlelight that was arranged for us on our balcony was such a wonderful special touch. J.T. and G.C., NYC, USA

Enrique and I got back from Africa on Sunday and truly had a WONDERFUL TIME......all the preparation that Enrique did for the past year surely paid off........Everything was perfect. The Safari in the 3 different camps in Botswana was something to behold.........These "Tented Camps" were nothing like Girl Scout camp back in the 60's. King Size beds, in door plumbing.....the only thing that resembled a tent was that the walls were Canvas!!!! Food was great and Animal Viewing was at an all time HIGH!!!! Can't seem to say enough about our trip to do you justice on all your advice on the camps. They were all so different. Jao, of course being our favorite and Chitabe, best animal viewing. There is NOTHING that we would have changed. Certainly a lovely experience which we will treasure for many years. Thanks for helping make our 3rd Safari so Wonderful!!!!

Thank you very much for all the arrangements on our trip. Everything went like clock work and our experience was fantastic. This was the best trip we ever had. Fell in love with Africa, with the people and with their demeanor. Derek and Gordon were great and very informative. It is wonderful to deal with people that enjoy their job. Our guides were excellent, very knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. We saw just about everything that we wanted to see and then some. Please be advised that we stand ready to be in your reference list and won't hesitate to recommend your company, you and the services that you provide. Once again thank you very much.
C.V. and R. V., USA

In a word, the Africa trip was fantastic!! A. and I both had the times of our lives. Everything worked out exactly as promised by you and Wilderness Safaris in terms of arrangements, being met and transfered around, etc. and the accomodations exceeded expectations. A. wants to go back and work for Wilderness Safaris - and I just want to go back and see more!
K.M., USA

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