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Skybeds

Skybeds

Khwai Concession, Botswana

Skybeds

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Responsible Choice

We've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.

A night in the Skybeds is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience that has not yet been matched anywhere else in Botswana. Situated deep in the Khwai Private Reserve, you arrive at the camp via a guided walk or a game drive. Soon, the three elevated wooden platforms come into view, their structures designed to blend into the bush surroundings. 

Set well apart for privacy, each platform stands 5 m (16 ft) high and has two levels — one accommodates an enclosed bathroom and the other forms your bedroom, open to the skies. From here, you have uninterrupted views across the grassland and a nearby waterhole, often visited by elephant, giraffe, hyena, impala, sable antelope and the occasional big cat.

Staff will be present at the camp all times should you need assistance with anything. You fall asleep to the sounds of distant animal calls, the gentle chirping of crickets and the rustle of foliage in the light breeze. In the morning, breakfast is served before you head out on another game drive or return to your main camp. 

OUR OPINION:

Much more than just a sleepout, the rustic charm of the Skybeds adds another dimension to a safari. While your sleep might be disturbed by the sounds of the bush, we think the overall experience is worth it.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Photos of Skybeds

  • Wake with the sun after a night in the Skybeds, Khwai
    Wake with the sun after a night in the Skybeds, Khwai
  • Skybeds, Khwai Concession
    Skybeds, Khwai Concession
  • A magical experience to sleep under the stars, Skybeds
    A magical experience to sleep under the stars, Skybeds
  • The elevated view over a busy waterhole, Skybeds, Khwai Concession
    The elevated view over a busy waterhole, Skybeds, Khwai Concession

Rooms

There are just three Skybeds, which are set well apart from one another to ensure privacy. Each has a lower level where an enclosed bathroom includes a shower, flush toilet and changing area. Climb the wooden steps to the top level and you’ll find an open-air bedroom lit by lanterns. The four-poster bed is draped with a mosquito net and adorned with cushions, and a hot water bottle is provided for cooler nights. There are also a couple of seats, allowing you to sit and look out for passing wildlife from your elevated viewpoint while sipping a glass of wine. 

Location

Skybeds is set up in the Khwai Private Reserve, within the Okavango Delta. Completely surrounded by open plains and with views over a nearby waterhole, the camp gives you prime position for wildlife viewing. Another camp, Hyena Pan, is just a short drive away, and during the wetter months (November to April) a tent will be kept on standby for you there in case of inclement weather. 

Food and drink

As the sun sets, the camp is lit by the glow of lanterns and dinner is cooked over an open fire by the dedicated chef. You dine around the campfire, and can choose to share a sundowner with fellow guests on the communal platform (no more than six guests can stay here at a time). Alternatively, enjoy a romantic evening up on your own platform. Breakfast is also served in the morning before you head off on a game drive.

Families

Children must be aged 12 and over to stay at Skybeds. It’s possible to enjoy the entire camp on an exclusive basis, which works well for families with older children. 

Facilities and activities

During your stay, you can join a guide for morning and afternoon game drives in the concession and along the Khwai River, looking out for hippo, elephant, lion and hyena, among other wildlife. You can also embark on guided bush walks, gaining a greater understanding on the Delta’s ecosystem. We also suggest visiting the camp’s ground-level hide, which is just 10 m (33 ft) away from the waterhole.

Tour ideas in Khwai Concession

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Skybeds as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    • Hyena Pan, Khwai Concession
      Responsible Choice

      Hyena Pan

      Khwai Concession
      Medium
    • Plenty of space for all the family at Sable Alley
      Responsible Choice

      Sable Alley

      Khwai Concession
      First Class

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • Spot lion from Sango Camp
      Okavango Delta, Botswana

      Spot lion from Sango Camp

      Spot lion from Sango Camp

      Your morning and afternoon activities will be taken either within the Khwai Concession, or in the lodge's community owned concession area, where you will be able to take part in night drives.

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    Khwai Concession and nearby places