A new chapter is about to unfold in one of Botswana’s most celebrated wilderness areas, with safari operator Desert & Delta Safaris announcing the restoration and reopening of Mapula, a lodge nestled in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta.
Set to welcome guests from March 1, 2027, Mapula occupies a private island at the start of the Selinda Spillway, the waterway linking the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti Wetlands. The lodge sits within the private Mapula and Sekwana Concession (NG12), an area renowned for its mix of wetlands, floodplains, forests and grasslands.
Describing the project as the revival of a treasured safari destination, the company says guests will experience one of Botswana’s most diverse wilderness landscapes.
“In Botswana’s Northern Okavango Delta, there’s a lodge quietly awaiting its next chapter,” Desert & Delta Safaris says. “Here, in the private Sekwana Concession (NG12), Desert & Delta Safaris proudly expands its portfolio, restoring a true lost treasure of this remarkable wilderness: Mapula.”
“In Botswana’s Northern Okavango Delta, there’s a lodge quietly awaiting its next chapter,” Desert & Delta Safaris says. “Here, in the private Sekwana Concession (NG12), Desert & Delta Safaris proudly expands its portfolio, restoring a true lost treasure of this remarkable wilderness: Mapula.”
What makes the destination particularly appealing is its location between two ecological worlds. Unlike many safari areas that are dominated by either water or woodland, Mapula offers both.
“Mapula perfectly encapsulates the Complete Botswana Safari Experience,” the company says. “It’s a place where Botswana’s diverse ecosystems dance in perfect sync, bringing land, water and some of the country’s highest wildlife numbers together for a journey that feels perfectly balanced, lightly visited and ecologically explosive.”
The concession’s varied terrain creates a striking landscape. Mopane forests give way to expansive floodplains, palm islands emerge from winding channels, and acacia trees punctuate open grasslands. This rich habitat supports an abundance of wildlife, including large herbivore populations, predators such as lions and wild dogs, and prolific birdlife.
For travellers seeking a comprehensive Delta experience, Mapula will offer an unusually broad range of activities throughout the year. According to the company, it will be its first Okavango Delta property to provide all activities available across its safari circuit from a single lodge.
Guests can look forward to twice-daily game drives, including night drives, as well as seasonal motorboat safaris, mokoro excursions, guided walks, fishing trips, birdwatching and cultural experiences. Scenic helicopter flights and specialist-guided experiences will also be available. Accommodation will consist of 12 safari suites, including two interleading units designed for families. Each suite will feature an en-suite bathroom, private viewing deck and a range of in-room comforts. The lodge’s communal spaces will include indoor and outdoor dining areas, a swimming pool, lounge areas, a bar, curio shop and an elevated fire pit overlooking the surrounding wilderness.
Beyond luxury and wildlife encounters, Desert & Delta Safaris says the restoration reflects its long-term commitment to responsible tourism and community partnerships.
“With this commitment at the fore, the core foundations for Mapula are not new for the company: restoration over new development, partnership with local communities and businesses, the creation of meaningful opportunities, and delivering exceptional guest experiences,” the company says.
The company adds that its approach seeks to create a tourism model that benefits both people and the environment. “It’s a holistic approach that reinvests directly into Botswana and fosters a regenerative tourism ecosystem that positively impacts entire ecosystems for generations to come.”
Bookings are already open and Mapula is positioning itself as a gateway to one of Botswana’s most wildlife-rich and least crowded safari destinations. A place where the Delta’s waterways, forests and plains converge to offer travellers a safari experience in perfect balance.
