Read 2 traveller reviews of Pom Pom

Pom Pom Camp is situated on Pom Pom Island, on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve. Surrounded by water, the camp overlooks the Pom Pom Lagoon, which is fringed with reeds, covered with water-lilies and full of hippos.

The camp itself has a large, thatched, curving main area which is divided into three sections – a bar, a seating area and a dining room. This area is large, very spacious, and open-fronted – and is a great space for entertainment. Decorated with large spirit lamp chandeliers and interesting “bird's nest” light fittings, the area is cool and shady, and perfect for relaxing in the heat of the day. The furniture is either teak or rattan, and decorated in muted, calming colours. At the back is a curio shop, filled with local crafts including the famous Botswana hand-woven baskets.

In front of the main area, steps and a ramp lead down to a sandy terrace and boma, which overlooks the lagoon. Shaded by terminalia and jackalberry (ebony) trees, this area has hammocks, loungers and easy chairs dotted about, and here Pom Pom plays host to a variety of birds including the crested barbet, the black-collared barbet (whose melodic duet is often heard in the early morning) and the Heuglin's Robin. The boma area has a large fire pit and steps leading down to the lagoon, where the mekoro are kept.

(A mokoro is a traditional, dug-out canoe – now the term is also used for their modern, fiberglass look-alikes; mekoro is the plural.)

To the side of the main bar area is a plunge pool, with loungers and chairs dotted about. A tea station in the centre of the dining area is always stocked up with a very large selection of teas, coffees and herbal drinks.

The nine rooms at the camp are reached by a sandy path (guests are always escorted after dark) and each has a view over the Pom Pom lagoon from a small deck.

Pom Pom offers a variety of activities. Being an island, mokoro trips are available, and other activities include 4WD drives during the day, night drives and sometimes walking safaris, accompanied by an armed guide. (We didn't get a chance to assess the walking safaris here on our last visit, and hence cannot recommend them to visitors; we recommend that our visitors stick to the mokoro and 4WD activities.)

The area around Pom Pom is very beautiful – swathes of grassland dotted with small islands of acacia trees. It's one of the most scenic areas in the Okavango – and very typical of many people's image of the Delta before they arrive here.

We visited Pom Pom recently in April 2008, the game was rather sparse. We regard this as quite representative of this particular area of the Delta, and fits in with our experiences there over the last decade or so; one of the Expert Africa team first visited Pom Pom in 1992!

On this occasion, we saw giraffe, wildebeest and then finally were called to a sighting of a leopard – who appeared to be rather flummoxed by being surrounded by four game drive vehicles, their spotlights trained straight on him! We did feel that the vehicles stayed for too long with the leopard and perhaps badgered him more than was necessary.

In conclusion ... we happily recommend Pom Pom Camp for its lovely environment, and great bird-watching. The game is relatively sparse here and so come for lovely, scenic mokoro trips, and approach any 4WD game-viewing with very moderate expectations.

Click on a link for more details of:
Tented room at Pom Pom

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 9 rooms – including one family room to sleep

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: Two to three nights.

Geographics

Location: Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana

Directions: The camp is accessed by a 25-minute light aircraft flight from Maun and then a five-minute transfer from the airstrip.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Chobe Lodge

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: When we visited Pom Pom Camp recently, we found the food good, fresh and generally well presented. We were served early morning breakfast before the activities, normally cereal, fruit and toast, juices, tea and coffee and porridge. After our morning activity, brunch was coronation chicken, potato salad, fresh bread and a variety of salads. At tea time, before the afternoon activity, we had a gorgeous carrot cake with a tangy icing, and mini chicken pasties (decorated with onion) offered, along with iced tea, and a wide selection of fruit and herb teas. For our evening meal, dinner was served in the main area was also good – a fantastic tomato tartlet on puff pastry to start, followed by a rolled and stuffed chicken breast (stuffed with blue cheese and bacon). This was served with chunky potato wedges and a selection of vegetables. To finish was a light chocolate mousse. We were offered a selection of wine with the meals, and house spirits were also available. At the end of every meal, coffee, tea and liqueurs were served around the fire – including coffee laced with Amarula and other spirits!

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: No

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Drinks are included, except premium brands.

Special interests

Birdwatching: Being close to water, the birding from Pom Pom camp itself is excellent with notables such as the wattled crane, Pel's fishing owl, slaty and black egrets, black coucals and a variety of bee-eaters, including the blue-cheeked and swallow-tailed. We were told that a shoebill was spotted in the area in 2005 (although we're quite sceptical!) - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Welcome.

Age restrictions: 8 years and over – but will need a private vehicle if under 12 years.

Activities: None

Equipment: None

Generally recommended for children: We would recommend this for children aged 12 and up, unless the family is willing to pay for a private vehicle.

Notes: The camp has a family room with one double bed and two single beds which would be suitable for children. Children aged 12 years and over are allowed to participate in mokoro activities.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: There is no mobile reception at the camp – VHF radio is used for communications.

TV & radio: None

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: Medivac is available from the camp. All the managers are first aid trained and there are full trauma kits on site. The closest doctor is in Maun which is a 20-minute flight.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Guests are walked to their rooms after dark. There are alarm horns in the rooms for emergencies. There are no night-watchmen, but the manager's house is close to the rooms.

Fire safety: When we visited, there was a bucket of sand outside each room, for use in case of a fire. We are told that extinguishers were due to be provided for each room. Fire extinguishers are already found in the common areas.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included at the camp - your clothes are collected in the morning and returned to you in the evening.

Money: There is an electronic safe in all the rooms.

Accepted payment: All currencies are accepted – US$, GB£, Euro, Rand and Pula. Mastercard and Visa are accepted but not Amex or Travellers Cheques. There is no fee charged for credit card payments.

^ Top of page