Introducing Tumani Tented Camp

Have you ever stood somewhere and felt as though you were completely immersed in the sky above you? Perhaps on a mountain ridge, or from the top of a skyscraper in Soho. And yet, there are places in the world where you can stand on level ground and feel that same sensation; where the sky seems inexplicably close.

Botswana is one of those places.

Far from towns and artificial light, the stars settle sharply over the bush. The familiar arc of the Milky Way stretches across the deep navy night and the sounds of the wild carry effortlessly across open grasslands and winding river channels. It feels almost as if the constellations themselves have marked the spot - where the Khwai and Mababe River quietly converge - that place has become the home of Tumani Tented Camp.

Set within a Southern extension of the Chobe National Park, the camp occupies a peaceful stretch of land within a natural wildlife corridor linking the Okavango Delta with the wider Chobe ecosystem.

One of Tumani’s most compelling features is its access to both Mababe and the southern reaches of Chobe National Park. While Chobe is often associated with the busy riverfront further north, the southern sector offers a very different safari experience. Here the park opens into broad grasslands, mopane woodland and seasonal wetlands that support some of northern Botswana’s most dynamic wildlife movements.

This region is particularly known for its large elephant herds, strong lion prides and seasonal zebra migrations crossing the Mababe Depression. With relatively few camps operating in the area, game drives often feel exploratory, exciting and new.

For guests staying at Tumani, it offers the opportunity to traverse one of Botswana’s most productive yet lesser travelled safari routes.

Star Beds and Sleeping Under Botswana’s Night Sky

Eight guest tents and a family tent sit along the riverbed, each raised on a wooden deck and spaced thoughtfully through the bush.

Off every tent’s veranda a staircase leads to something spectacular; a private star deck.

Each deck holds a comfortable outdoor bed, protected by a mosquito net and positioned to face the open sky. Instead of being reserved for a special sleep-out activity, the star bed is built into the accommodation itself; available whenever guests feel inclined to spend the night outdoors.

Inside the tents, the design follows the rhythm of a classic safari camp while offering thoughtful comforts for time spent in the bush. Each canvas en suite tent opens through sliding doors onto a shaded veranda with a sensational river view.

En-suite bathrooms include indoor and outdoor showers, another touch to bring the outside in – a golden thread of Tumani’s design. Ceiling fans keep the tents cool, while carefully chosen furnishings, a writing desk and natural textiles, create a space that feels relaxed and understated.

Whether sleeping indoors or on the star deck above, the intention is the same; to keep guests as close to the rhythm of the bush as possible.

Life at Tumani Tented Camp

At the heart of Tumani is a broad thatched main area overlooking the river. Lounge spaces flow easily into indoor and outdoor dining areas, with wide decks facing the surrounding bush.

A swimming pool sits to one side, while a fire deck hovering over the riverbank becomes a natural gathering point in the evenings.

Meals draw inspiration from traditional Motswana cuisine, interpreted in a way that feels familiar to international tastes while remaining rooted in local ingredients and flavours. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious; centred around a familial feeling and warm, classic hospitality values.

Activities from Tumani: Game Drives and Walking Safaris

With traversing access within Mababe and the southern reaches of Chobe National Park, game drives are the key to understanding just how special this camp is; The region’s open terrain allows long views across the plains, and wildlife encounters often feel immediate and immersive.

In addition to game drives, Tumani also offers guided walking safaris as part of the daily activities. Walking brings a different dimension to a safari. Instead of covering distance quickly in a vehicle, guests move slowly through the bush with a guide; reading tracks in the sand, noticing birds and plants – encouraged to lean into the adventure of being on foot in the wilderness. A natural complement to game drives and a privileged offering included in the Tumani experience.

For those wanting to see the region from another perspective, scenic helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta can also be arranged.

An Owner-Run Safari Camp in Botswana

Tumani is shaped by a group of owners working together to create a camp that reflects their experience and enthusiasm for Botswana.

Firstly, the camp takes its name from one of its founders, Tumani Chimbisa, born and raised in Botswana and whose career has long been connected to the Mababe region and to citizen-led tourism in the country. For many years he has worked alongside the Mababe community; helping to develop tourism opportunities that keep local people actively involved in the industry. He discovered the property on which Tumani is built and immediately recognised its potential, bringing on Kelly and Greg Butler as partners to collectively bring this shared vision to life.

Kelly and Greg, with their unbridled energy, have spent over two decades working as safari operators in Botswana, creating and running some of the Delta’s most recognised camps. Tumani is part of a new chapter creating a collection of camps that reflect the places they know and love most. Having personally designed and built the camp, their imaginative yet unassuming influence is immediately felt – encapsulating why independent camps are truly special.  

Lars Gorschlüter, whose work in Botswana has long centred on conservation and environmental education joins the team with a grounding presence and passion for Botswana. Through his organisation, the Save Wildlife Conservation Fund, Lars has supported a range of initiatives focused on community education and wildlife protection under the guiding principle of “Education for Conservation”.

No visitor leaves Botswana unchanged – the spirit of the place and it’s people have the power to cosmically shift your perspective. For Tumani’s founders, sharing this experience is their way of paying it forward.

Exploring the Mababe Region Between the Okavango Delta and Chobe

The Mababe region sits between two of Botswana’s best known safari regions; the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.

While the Delta is defined by water and floodplains, Mababe is shaped by seasonal rainfall, open grasslands and woodland habitats. The result is a landscape that feels expansive and transitional; where wildlife moves between ecosystems.

The open plains of the Mababe Depression support large herds of zebra, buffalo and antelope; which in turn attract predators moving through the region. During certain times of year it becomes one of northern Botswana’s most active wildlife areas.

Tumani also sits just 1.5 hours from its sister property, MmaTsebe Tented Camp in Khwai, making it a natural pairing for travellers wanting to experience both environments within one safari.

Together, the two camps reveal different sides of northern Botswana’s wilderness.

Opening June 2026

As the final details fall into place, Tumani now awaits its first guests. From June 2026 the camp will open its doors, inviting travellers to discover this remarkable region.

And if they do, as night settles over Mababe and the fire burns low, they will drift back to their tents; some stepping inside beneath canvas, others climbing the short staircase to the star deck above. Whichever way they choose to tuck in for the night, it will be with the quiet satisfaction of a day spent exploring one of Botswana’s wildest places.