Duke's Camp — Hotel in North-West District

If you want a vintage colonial "Out of Africa" setting with posh accommodations, personalized service, and ample animal sightings, then this is the camp for you. We saw a lioness eating a pumba (warthog) while her three cubs played in a nearby tree on our ride from the airstrip to the camp! It wasn't even a game drive!

The accommodations are deluxe "tents" that technically have canvas walls, but this is glamping at a high level: high ceilings, canopy king bed, sitting area, desk area, changing area, connected bathroom tent with double sinks/shower (good water pressure and one-minute wait for hot water), and a private outdoor shower space built around trees and plants. Our tent had a deck overlooking the marsh with regular hippo visitors. There is an electric fence and the tents are elevated to prevent any intruders.

You will be woken at 6am with hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate along with walnut sandy cookies. Then you'll take the personalized water bottle they give you as a gift on arrival and your camera/phone to a high-end safari jeep that has tractor tires and top-notch suspension for off-roading. I had back surgery two years ago, and this jeep minimalized the bumpy terrain for a comfortable ride. Our guide, Chaba, was very thoughtful about stretch breaks as well.

We were provided with hot water bottle pouches to use as hand warmers and fleece-lined ponchos to wear for the chilly early-morning starts. We also stopped mid-way to have a picnic with drinks off the back of the jeep.

Every single game drive resulted in multiple mind-blowing animal sightings. We kept thinking we couldn't possibly see anything new, and then Chaba would lead us to wild dogs or a leopard on a hunt. We also went on a mekoro canoe ride, which was lovely, but it was very similar to a canoe ride through our hometown marshes of Savannah, Georgia. The motor boat ride, however, allowed us to see hippos, a crocodile, several elephants drinking and bathing.

The staff is attentive and thoughtful without hovering. They found out I do not like tomatoes and onions, so the chef prepared separate portions of dishes just for me that were tomato and onion-free...even for the daily tea times! One time they had meatballs at tea, and there was a separate plate of TEN onion-free meatballs on a plate for me. I told them there were plenty of other options for me, but they insisted.

The food is excellent and constant. We always had a choice between two meat/fish options and a veggie option. We had everything from beef filet, spectacular lamb curry, and lemon butter fish to eggplant parmesan and mushroom tarts. They had a full bar with juices and mixers, South African wines, as well as mocktail and nonalcoholic options available at all times (including for game drive stops and sunset picnics. We were always encouraged to have more servings and more drinks. The service is impeccable.

The pool water is very cold in May, but I found it refreshing after laying out in the 80-degree sun for a bit. I also enjoyed all of the antique furniture in the lounge spaces and colorful fabrics that made me feel like I was on a movie set.

We always felt safe. Recommendations: bring a knit hat to wear for cold morning drives. Bring earplugs or noise cancellation headphones to wear at night (otherwise playful hippos, chatty birds, and roaring lions may keep you up. Bring a converter/adapter to charge your electronics. But you do not need to bring soap, shampoo, conditioner, or bug spray. It's provided.

This was the experience of a lifetime, and Duke's made sure every detail...

The guides here are elite. Our guide had many years of knowledge and instinct and it makes a huge difference in finding cats and other animals. There are little details from driving quickly, to instincts on terrain that animals tend to hang around, bird calls that are alarm vs. song calls, communicating with a network of other guides, etc. etc. that make a huge difference in finding elusive animals like leopards and wild dogs. In many ways we got lucky, but you make your own luck.

The staff at the camp were incredibly gracious, the rooms are very nice and clean, and the food is very...

Absolutely beautiful tented lodge, beautifully curated interiors and an overall incredible experience. The people at the lodge are amazing and the service, from the guides, to the food, drink selection etc all great. Everything is thought of and total luxury, with still feeling like home with many self help options (like pouring your own drinks) if you don’t feel like being served. Definitely worth booking, could not find any faults....