Wilderness Safaris / Okavango Delta, Botswana
The legendary Abu Camp is situated within a vast private reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and is now owned by the estate of Microsoft co-founder, philanthropist, and elephant lover, the late Paul Allen. The design leans away from the typical safari decor of heavy woods and dark, rich colors, and the camp was designed to rather complement the easy flow of nature, focusing on an array of neutrals and accentuating a feeling of lightness.
Guests often comment that they do not know what to call the camp’s structures, as the word “tent” does not do the high, wide, and airy canvasing style justice. Borrowing from the local African cultures, the interior design gives the camp a unique flair, while every effort was made to build around and protect nature. In fact, Abu Camp was developed with eco-conscious infrastructure, including a hybrid solar-powered system.
Completion Date:
- 2011
Client:
- Vulcan
Our Solutions:
- Desktop Study / Project Definition
- Physical Design
- Project Management
- Procurement
Camp Features
In addition to the accommodations and main areas (lounge, dining areas, pool, gym, and library), a special guest experience—the "starbed"—was built at the camp’s elephant sanctuary. With a sweeping 4-poster bed, chic lounge seating, and a full bathroom, guests can sleep comfortably atop a luxurious platform, overlooking the elephants while under the stars.
Grand, Airy Suites
Each of the exclusive 6 tented suites exhibit their own distinctive elegance and have been independently curated with one-of-a-kind art and artifacts. Each suite has indoor/outdoor showers and its own private elevated teak deck, sculpted around its natural surroundings of lofty sycamore figs or jackal berry trees. Decks boast a grand copper bathtub and private plunge pool.
Camp Features
In addition to the accommodations and main areas (lounge, dining areas, pool, gym, and library), a special guest experience—the "starbed"—was built at the camp’s elephant sanctuary. With a sweeping 4-poster bed, chic lounge seating, and a full bathroom, guests can sleep comfortably atop a luxurious platform, overlooking the elephants while under the stars.