With properties spanning over the African countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe, Machaba Safaris’ purposefully built camps comprise the best of the different concessions, with conservation and sustainability at the heart of the brand.
Commencing my journey between Cape Town and Maun on a Saturday morning, I’m filled with excitement at the prospect of spending three blissful nights at the stunning Monachira Camp in Moremi Game Reserve. The latest camp in the Botswana portfolio, it is the perfect combination of eco-luxury and untamed wilderness. Situated on the northern fringes of Botswana in the world-famous Okavango Delta, the diverse habitat fluctuates from mopane woodlands to magnificent floodplains.
Looking out the window from the comfort of my airline seat, I have never seen Botswana so lush and green. The recent rains and floods have turned the landscape into a tapestry of emerald, with trees towering across the topography. After having my passport stamped by a friendly immigration official, I step into the arrivals hall to scan for a signboard with my name on it. What was supposed to be a fixed-wing aircraft transfer with Mack Air has turned into a flight with Helicopter Horizons! How lucky am I? Commercial Pilot Zakai starts the Robinson R44, and 25 minutes later, we land right in front of Monachira Camp.
Warmly welcomed with song and dance by members of the team, the front of house manager, Manila, shows me to the dining area. Meals are served here and are expertly prepared by a team of chefs. There is no shortage of food at Monachira Camp. The day starts with ‘the most important meal of the day’ – breakfast before safari, followed by brunch, then high tea, and ending your day with dinner, which is a gastronomical delight. Great care is taken to produce healthy and delicious food, which goes a long way in ensuring a great stay.
The dream team of Lisa Rorich from Lisa Rorich Architects and Andrew Irving from Interdeco was the obvious choice for collaborating on Monachira Camp. With a superb track record of working on a number of camps, they set out to make this one spectacular! “The brief was to create a small, intimate river camp that feels completely in tune with its surroundings,” Lisa tells me. “Because it’s a river setting, we drew a lot of inspiration from natural textures – woven reed, soft organic shapes, and structures that feel light and breathable. The tents are all raised off the ground on timber platforms, which protects the environment and works with the seasonal nature of the Delta.”
“Machaba Safaris wanted Monachira to be a contemporary classic tented camp,” Andrew confirms. For both Lisa and Andrew, the running thread for Machaba Safaris is their commitment to conservation and sustainability, which influenced the architecture and interior design. Andrew’s interior design philosophy ensured that everything came from sustainable sources. These included fabrics that were woven in-house for many things, and the involvement of local craftsmen.
“Sustainability wasn’t just a consideration — it guided the whole design,” says Lisa. “The camp has a very light footprint and was carefully positioned between existing trees, so we didn’t have to clear large areas. The idea was to let the landscape lead and to build around it rather than over it. My main inspiration behind the build and structures came from the river. Its movement, textures, and softness really shaped the look and feel of the camp. The woven reed elements echo the papyrus and grasses you see along the waterways, and there’s a strong focus on natural materials and simple forms. We wanted it to feel calm, organic, and almost like it grew out of the terrain.”
I am staying in tented suite number 10, which is at the end of a sandy, treelined pathway. Spaced far apart for privacy, a maximum of 24 guests can be accommodated, giving Monachira the feeling of exclusivity that Machaba Safaris properties are renowned for. “Spacing is a very important factor,” Lisa discloses. “Part of the luxury in a bush camp is feeling like you have your own private piece of wilderness. The tents are spaced generously apart, and the bathroom screening is positioned to create natural privacy between units. It makes the experience feel much more exclusive and peaceful.”
My tented suite is beautifully furnished in a mix of beiges, black and white stripes, and mustard, adding a dollop of color. Using a striped lining in the interiors adds a contemporary twist to the usual khaki. Andrew was inspired by the reeded river fish traps and surrounding grasslands, as well as the tannin color of the water in the area. The architectural team implemented locally sourced materials, including letaka (reed), and kept the color palette neutral for the camp to blend into the bush. Structures were intentionally kept lightweight, with open views and generous decks so that guests feel immersed in nature at all times.
The bathroom is absolutely stunning, with his-and-hers vanities framed by illuminated mirrors. Gouged-out timber vanities are a modern twist on normal timber vanities, blending in with the partition between the shower and the flush loo. There is an inside shower, and when I look outside, I’m delighted to see that there is a deep soaking tub and shower on my outdoor deck! What a great idea to indulge in a bubble bath before retiring for bed with the fragrant Healing Earth products while the sky above is littered with a blanket of stars on a clear night.
What would a stay at a safari lodge be without going out to see which wildlife inhabit the area? Moremi Game Reserve is known for being one of the most picturesque reserves in Botswana, and guide Harold is keen to embark on our first safari. This afternoon, we’re heading in a southerly direction. Some of the areas are inaccessible due to the heavy rains, so we go where we (hopefully) won’t get stuck in the mud. We find an elephant feeding on a marula tree, a Woodland Kingfisher at the end of a bare tree branch, a side-striped jackal hiding in the tall grass, and a mating pair of lions! The male has a gorgeous mane, and it looks as though he’s just been to the hairdresser.
One of the most requested sightings on safari is seeing a leopard, and those who have been fortunate to set eyes on these spectacular rosetted cats grasp that they are very elusive. Knowing that there is a female with a grown-up cub somewhere in the surroundings of the lodge has me very excited. With their camouflaged coats, they blend in really well within the bush environs, and the current state of the really tall grass makes them even harder to spot. I’m on a drive with guide KG as Harold’s guests have opted for a boating safari. She listens intently on the two-way radio to what guide Roy is saying – they have found the duo! Mom and cub are moving through the terrain, and Mom is anticipating the cub’s playfulness, giving as good as she gets.
Guests at Monachira Camp can choose from a variety of activities – there are game drives, mokoro (dug-out canoe, water level dependent), nature walks, and the aforementioned boating safari, also subject to water levels. Spending my last morning on the Monachira channel, it’s such a different perspective being on the water. As KG steers the speedboat, two elephants are immersed in the channel with only their heads and trunks sticking out. They emerge from the water, their bodies shiny from the cooling substance they clearly enjoyed.
The authenticity of all Machaba Safaris camps is what makes them special and truly unique. Perched quietly within the panorama, the rhythm of nature is what guests can expect when staying at any of their camps. But why only visit one? With a quick flight with either Mack Air or Helicopter Horizons between Monachira Camp and Kiri Camp in the Okavango Delta, you can have the best of both worlds and experience the magnificence of Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta. The immersion in nature is something that will stay with you forever, together with a lifetime of memories that only Machaba Safaris can offer.
