Little Vumbura ♥

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Little Vumbura is an intimate, remote but comfortable camp, built on a secluded island in the private Vumbura Reserve. The camp is surrounded by water, both permanent deep channels and seasonal shallower floodplains, with access to good tracts of dry areas of open plains, woodlands and riverine forests. It’s an interesting reserve, which has a particularly diverse set of environments within easy reach of the camp, as well as a high density of game.

Little Vumbura shares its concession with its more opulent and larger sister camp, Vumbura Plains.

Little Vumbura itself is surrounded by water, so to get there it’s a short boat ride from the 4WD that collects guests from the airstrip. The length of the boat transfer varies from three to 25 minutes, depending on water levels at the time.

A new and innovative floating jetty (made of large, hollow, plastic cubes pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle) leads to Little Vumbura’s reception area. The camp’s main areas are all open-sided with tall, circus-style tented roofs which add to the cool and spacious feel, though there are roll-down canvas blinds in case of inclement weather. Unlike most safaris lodges, the lounge at Little Vumbura is decorated in vibrant tones of blue to complement the water setting, which is an attractive departure from the traditional safari khaki. A couple of very comfortable sofas, a few armchairs and coffee tables are arranged to maximise the views over the water.

A little more secluded is the small library area, which feels a little like a tree house built around a vacant termite mound. Furnished with a couple of armchairs and a wooden chair swing suspended from the tree, it has a good selection of reference books and wildlife magazines, including some literature on research that was done in the area on the sable antelope. From the library, a few steps and a short wooden walkway bring you to the launching area for mokoro (a traditional dug-out canoe) activities.

To the other side is the dining area, with a very long wooden dining room table (which can be broken into smaller tables for individual dining), and a wooden buffet counter from where all the meals are served. There’s also a well-stocked bar with a relaxed help-yourself service and a tea and coffee station, where a flask of hot water is available throughout the day.

Down a short walkway is the star deck and fire pit, which juts out over the water. It’s a great spot to retire after dinner, especially when the fire is roaring on a cool evening. Behind the dining area is a secluded plunge pool and decked area, with some comfortable sunloungers and a large sunbed under a shaded canopy.

Wooden walkways, slightly raised to allow for a rise in water levels of the Delta, lead from the central area to the six tented chalets. The tents at Little Vumbura are not especially large, but they are quite smart and they are very comfortable. The pale wooden timber of the floorboards, floor-to-ceiling mesh windows and the circus-top-style canvas roofs lend an air of space and light. The tents are furnished with the usual double or twin beds – with mosquito net – as well as comfortable chairs both inside the room and out on the deck. There is an en-suite shower room, and a separate toilet.

A honeymoon tent has exactly the same furnishings as the tented chalets, but in addition there is an outdoor bathtub on the private deck, with views over the floodplains.

*For a full list of available activities, the best time of the year to visit, and any other relevant enquiries, please contact a Sister Hippo Travel Consultant!