Maxa

Nestled under a canopy of towering Ebony trees, Maxa is sited overlooking the large, hippo frequented, Maxa Lagoon in the North Eastern reaches of the Okavango Delta, at the source of the Selinda Spillway. The philosophy of Maxa centers around exploration, learning and the freedom to be immersed in nature. The camp’s unique appearance captures this with a freeform separated lounge and dining area, set under light canvas roofs, partially enclosed by traditional clay walls.  The design is complemented with handmade local furniture which lends a creative spirit to the decor and lighting

Situated between the lounge and dining areas, with white delta sand underfoot, is the camp “courtyard”, with picnic style tables for meals in the breezy shade or under the stars.  In a culinary twist, a central feature of the main area is a termite mound that originally helped form the island.  Here, guests will be welcomed by the smells of freshly baked bread and muffins from Maxa’s wood fired “oven” which will also produce other delightful meals prepared meticulously by the chef.

At the edge of the camp’s riverine forest tree overlooking the lagoon is another cluster of Ebony trees, forming a natural enclosure. Here, a Sala with a cushioned day bed is complemented by an elevated deck, with a suspended cargo net hammock bedecked with an array of pillows and cushions, from where guests can take in the beautiful surrounds.

Accommodating up to 12 guests, the tented rooms are practical, yet comfortable, with four beautifully designed stretch canvas tents on decks, comprising an ensuite indoor bathroom as well as full outdoor open-air bathroom.  The Maxa family tent has two bedrooms and a shared ensuite bathroom along with an outdoor bathroom.

Maxa boasts a natural swimming pool, combining the natural filtration systems of the Okavango with state-of-the-art environmental water treatment technology, offering guests a welcome spot to cool off and relax while taking in the sounds and smell of the surrounds. The Jackalberry and Sundowner deck offers differing vantage points over the lagoon from within the canopy above. With this of private decks, pool, cosy hideaways, and spacious tents, Maxa is the perfect place to curl up and watch the world pass by until the daylight fades away. Truly a camp that you will not want to leave!

Every day at Maxa is curated as a day of exploration.  Camp excursions include mokoro (dugout canoe), guided walking safaris and nature drives (both by day and night). Activities also incorporate local cultural insights with the exploration of the natural heritage of this immensely diverse region

About the Okavango Delta

The largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta is the most unexpected wonder – water present in a desert. The broad Okavango River sinks into the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert, creating a lush and waterlogged oasis with crystal clear lagoons and channels, reeded islands and fertile floodplains. Dubbed “the river that never finds the sea”, this magical oasis spreads over more than 15 500 km² (almost 6 000 square miles) and yet is so fragile that, if it were denied water for even a decade, it would revert to a semi-desert.

This breath-taking environment constantly adapts and changes with the ebb and flow of the floodwaters that seasonally inundate large portions of the Delta. Although dry for two-thirds of the year, during the winter months the rising floodwaters create a maze of marshes, small wooded islands and shallow lagoons. Water lilies and other aquatic plants flourish in the shallow water, while water birds inhabit the banks of papyrus. As relatively little water can be found elsewhere during this time, the wildlife is drawn to the clear waters of the Delta.

On the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, breeding herds of elephant splash gently through shallow channels, the long necks of a family of giraffe materialise slowly out of the Delta skyline and graceful sitatunga antelope hide in the reeds. It is a place where you can wonder at the antics of wild dog in the morning and cast a line for tiger fish in the afternoon, wake in the dappled shade of a forest and enjoy dinner beneath the boughs of a massive baobab at full moon.

Wildlife
The Okavango Delta is home to a large number of species, including some that are specially adapted to the semi-aquatic lifestyle, like the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Lion prides, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog may be encountered, while hippo resides in deeper channels and lagoons. Honey badgers are observed during daylight hours. Roan and sable antelope favour taller grass in open woodlands and families of dwarf and banded mongoose occupy large termite mounds.

Graceful giraffe, with their impossibly long necks, and herds of zebra can be encountered on the floodplains. Lion, as well as other predators, can also be found in the area, particularly in the drier areas. Although predominantly nocturnal and difficult to spot, leopard occurs in the dense forest are the water’s edge. The sparkling channels teem with a variety of fish, while hundreds of bird species, frogs and insects inhabit the reeded banks.