Wilderness Mokete: Where architecture meets untamed luxury
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday August 28, 2024 10:12
Nestled in the heart of the Mababe Depression, the luxurious four-star camp has been named one of the winners at the Architectural Digest’s prestigious Great Design Hotel Awards. This recognition highlights the camp’s innovative architectural design, which perfectly blends with the breath-taking natural landscapes of Botswana.
Wilderness Mokete offers an unparalleled experience, with accommodation for 18 guests in nine meticulously-designed tents. Each tent features a cantilevered canvas roof that can slide away, allowing guests to sleep under a blanket of stars, a unique feature that places them right in the heart of Botswana’s dramatic wilderness. The camp’s commitment to eco-friendly luxury ensures that guests enjoy the highest standards of comfort while remaining in harmony with the surrounding environment.
Beyond its stunning design and luxury, Wilderness Mokete is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The camp is situated in a prime location, home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, ostriches, tsessebe, and warthogs, to name but a few. This makes the game drive activity a favourite among guests, offering them the chance to witness the magnificent creatures of Botswana’s wilderness up close.
For those seeking a more intimate experience with nature, Wilderness Mokete also offers a unique hidden dunk, where guests can spend an afternoon in the company of elephants, sipping on a refreshing drink while observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat, a once in a lifetime opportunity that many find to be the highlight of their stay.
Speaking at a recent Wilderness Stakeholder Engagement, group board chairperson, Kabelo Binns, expressed pride in the camp’s achievements.
“Mokete continues to set the standard for excellence in African hospitality.
“The recognition from Architectural Digest solidifies Wilderness Mokete's position as a leading destination for travellers seeking a harmonious blend of luxury, design, and nature.
“As the sole African winner, Wilderness Mokete not only elevates Botswana's tourism profile but also underscores the continent's potential in offering world-class hospitality experiences,” he said.
The camp’s success is also a testament to its commitment to local empowerment.
Kobus Calitz, the camp’s Managing Director, shared that all 22 of their staff members are from the Mababe community. These staff members underwent extensive training last year, gaining skills at different Wilderness camps to ensure they deliver an exceptional guest experience.
He said the name Mokete is derived from a Setswana word meaning celebration or feast symbolising that the camp is a place to feast on the unexplored and celebrate the untamed beauty of nature.
“This fertile environment attracts great herds of wildlife, an active array of predators and plethora of birdlife, making it a prime location for unforgettable game drives.
“Each year the marsh is replenished, drawing wildlife from all directions in search of this life giving resource,” he said.
The Mababe Depression marsh fills in the summer season, creating a wetland of some 2,600 hectares. This progressively disappears in the dry season, although never completely, with permanent water feeding nutrient-rich grasslands, welcoming great herds.
It’s not uncommon to see vast buffalo herds, tsessebe in their hundreds, and large prides of lions following in their wake.
Wilderness Mokete’s rapid rise to acclaim showcases its ability to offer unique and world-class luxury experiences in the heart of nature.
As Wilderness Mokete continues to garner international attention, it stands as a beacon of excellence, drawing travellers from around the globe to experience the untouched beauty of Botswana’s wilderness.