Name: Mapula Lodge
Address: Moremi Game Reserve Okavango Delta, Okavango Delta, Okavango Delta, Okavango Delta, not available, Botswana
Rating: 9

24-hour reception

Smoke-free property

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Mapula Lodge

Okavango Delta

Mapula Lodge is a high end, small scale safari lodge in prime location at the Okavango delta. It’s located on an island amidst beautiful scenery. We were welcomed warmly by the staff, Rati and Tabo, who made the greatest effort during our stay. The central lodge and its sundecks overlook the water with its rich wildlife. There are approx 10 private lodges for guests. Ours was very well equipped with bathroom, comfortable large bed, seating area, terrace. A fan offers cooling in this accommodation without airconditioning, due to the non glazed windows with mosquito nets. In September this worked perfectly well. The number of wall outlets were limited for modern day travellers with lots of equipments to be charged. All meals were very good, from the breakfast at the deck or during game drive, via lunch to starry sky dinners in the evening. The staff joins the dinners, which we enjoyed a lot. A special highlight were the high tea’s at 16.00 hours with a large variety of freshly baked sweets and savoury snacks. A great advantage of the Okavango delta is that beside regular game drives also expeditions by boat and longboat are offered: a great experience! Sundowners during the evening game drives were always at a beautiful spot and well prepared. Our guides TH and Leo (longboat) were very professional, knowledgeable and very friendly. They showed us the most amazing scenery and animals. Lots of great photo opportunities. Evening game drives after dark were another highlight of our stay. A special thank you to the staff, who surprised us by organised two unforgettable events related to our celebration. Mapula Lodge made us feel very much ‘Out of Afrika’. Highly recommended.

Great hospitality at wonderful Okavango delta.

Mapula Lodge was a marvelous experience for the friends we were with. The accommodation was comfortable with a lovely outside shower.
Our game drives were marvelous as was our Mokoro outing with our poler finishing with sundowners.
The mess tent was an excellent place to get together for sundowners after a game drive.

Mapula Lodge in the Okavango Delta

Fantastic all around.  Great guides, great service, great food.  The rating is 3 stars based on facilities, but we were never around for much - we were out on safaris!  And it was fantastic.  While at the lodge, the employees were kind, perceptive, and going out of their way to make sure we had an amazing time.  The beds were comfortable, the cabins spacious and clean.  Between all that and great food, what else do you need?  Would readily return.  Message me with any questions.

had never been to this camp previously and the accommodations were on par with prices , but not as superior as many of the other camps. Partly poor planning on our part but mid-May was cold in morning and night. Macula showers were poor and you would freeze unless it was mid-afternoon. But the savior was Kan, our guide, who was one of the most knowledgeable and informative we have ever come across in our trips to Okavango. Animals, birds, flora.. Kan knew it all. For the Northern part of the Okavango the animals were exceptional. Photographed (Kan knew how to get best light) and filmed everything except Rhino (of course)


Cabin okay, game & Guides excellent

We were there with a group of 6 plus 2 supplemental guides for a photo safari.  The drivers were OK but not intuitive in terms of where to locate for natural lighting for wildlife photography.  Our guides directed most of that so it was fine in the end.

The main common building was comfortable and well stocked with all of the drinks and amenities you expect at a camp.  Was more of a self service situation which is a bit different than most camps.  The main platform where the meals are served has wonderful views of the plains and some local birds nest in the trunks so stuff is happening all around you all the time.  

We were less impressed with the room.  LIMITED electrical power plugs.  If you are a photographer and have a lot of chargers etc its a bit of a pain.  Also missing from the room is a desk which may seem odd as a complaint but photographers want to edit and work between game drives or at night.  The common building area isn't convenient in terms of power accessibility or working at night as the staff has to hang around waiting to walk you back to your tent..  The layout was a bit awkward for our use but others may find it just fine.  The access to the bathroom was crazy tight.  I had to go in sideways to fit thru the opening.  No idea why that was planned that poorly.  The front door had a goofy lock configuration so that was also awkward.  Minimal lighting in the room also.  Just seemed like it was missing some detailed thoughts.

We liked the warthogs that play under the room and out in the plains outside the room.  Once you got used to the noises they make it was amusing.

Food was good but not spectacular.  No real complaints just not impressionable.  

The camp has a lot of night time visitors (elephants and hippos) that forage so you have to be attentive.  They will walk down the paths and up to your tents so its imperative to have local assistance when out and about in the dark there.  The elephants misbehaved several nights knocking over posts, etc.

Solid wildlife sightings of hippos, leopards, jackals, birds, small pack of 4 wild dogs and the usual prey, etc. If you are here for the wildlife then you will not be disappointed.  Boat experiences were good.

A good experience overall.  We have been on 3 African safari's and would consider this a low mid range camp.  Good but could use some room improvements.

Very nice experience

This was first camp we stayed in during our 10 days itinerary in Botswana. 
Upon arrival, the lodge is very welcoming and homey.  Lounge area filled with comfy couches, poofs, lovely fire pit, everything is positioned to overlook water lagoon filled with hippos.
We had tent/cabin number 1.  Very rustic, but comfortable. Beware of spiders! Even though there is protective netting over bed, every night we had huge, huge spiders in the bed itself, so we learned to shake the blankets and sheets before we went to sleep.
Food was good, but very simple, they ask you if you have any special dietary needs   and they will adjust the meal, but there are no choices which at the price tag was surprising.
Our game drives were good, we also tried mokoro ride and boat safari and they were all good experiences.
One big disappointment was pool. It was out of service and while they built new plunge pool area- it's not in the camp. Your guide has to drive you there and then sit in the car while you are lounging, which was very uncomfortable as we knew we were cutting into his free time. Also, as this is not at the camp, there was nothing there as to drinks/water etc, I think little ice chest with beer, wine and soft drinks would be very useful.
Overall, camp is in fantastic setting, game drives were great, I hope they resolve the pool situation soon,

Rustic Lodge in incredible setting

This was the midpoint camp in our safari. Quite interesting animal sightings, particularly lions.  Good game drives; the guide worked hard to find us animals.  Meals were good.  The cabin was large but a bit "old" in that there was very little in the way of lighting.  But, on the other hand, most time here was sleeping as we were out game driving.  The mokoro trip through the lagoon was very peaceful and interesting,

Excellent time here

We were booked into Mapula Lodge from the 8th to 11th October 2021. Their website pictures of the lodge look fantastic. The reality was completely the opposite, extremely disappointing. The swimming pool is not functioning and popped out of the deck. 38'C. There is a small plunge pool which accomodates max 2 persons, to get there the guide has to drive one there and wait as it is unfenced, not ideal. The rooms on the website show double bed, we had 2 separate singles. The staff are served before the guests, one meal there was not enough deserts for one of the guests. The food was mediocre at best and insufficient at times. The housekeeping was non existent at the main lounge area, dirty and untidy, a T shirt lying on a side table was left there for the duration of our stay. Lack of management is evident. Luckily the abundance of game made up for the lack of hospitality. 


Disappointing Mapula  Botswana Lodge

Everything from A-Z was perfect at Mapula Lodge. I went there with high expectations which were definitely exceeded. The rooms were comfortable and rustic; dining area, fire pit and lounge were warm and welcoming and the all the staff treated us like royalty! Considering the fact that we were a group of 13 and booked very last minute, everything was well prepared. You will get value for money at Mapula. Can't wait to go back!

Diamond In The Delta

On arrival at the airstrip, we were met by Eric who took us by boat to the lodge. This all depends on the water levels and the number of people. As we rounded the first corner of the channel, a beautiful huge elephant was waiting. A perfect beginning. Eric the manager was charming. The eclectic little lodge was charming. The staff was lovely and the game drives were the best we had done on our trip. This is a unique, old-fashioned, no-frills lodge with everything you need for an adventure in the Delta. Good food, good wine, good guides, and sightings in spite of the high water levels at this time. It completed our Natural Selection circuit perfectly. Thank you to Eric, Kegiso, Leo, Ricardo, and the team.

Mapula Lodge

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