Guma Lagoon Camp Botswana

Botswana

Guma Lagoon Camp is situated along the banks of the Guma Lagoon on the north-western side of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Locality (map)

Guma Lagoon Camp is 280 km from Maun on the Sehitwa / Shakawe road. From Maun drive 101 km towards Ghanzi and turn right at Sehitwa towards Shakawe. Drive past Etsha 6 and then turn into Etsha 13 and follow the signs to Guma Lagoon Camp. Fuel is available at Gumare and Etsha 6. Gumare is 48 km south of Guma Lagoon Camp. The Okavango River known is known as one of the best freshwater sport fishing rivers in Southern Africa, and Guma Lagoon Lodge is no exception.

Seronga (S18o49 06.00 E022o 25 00.00; runway 12/25 1100 m dirt strip) can be used as an airstrip. Guma Lagoon Camp is one hour via boat from Seronga. Guma Lagoon Camp is truly a fisherman's paradise and bird watchers' haven.

Guma offers both self-catering and full board accommodation. Accommodation is provided in spacious canvas chalets, all en suite and located on the edge of the lagoon. Alternatively we have seven campsites under shady trees with private ablutions. With the abundance of fish species in the Okavango Panhandle, Guma Lagoon Camp is the perfect area for spin or fly-fishing.

Fish species caught in Guma Lagoon include barbel, African pike, redbreast tilapia, threespot tilapia, green-headed tilapia and purple largemouth. Tigerfish are plentiful. One of the larger bream species in the Okavango's Panhandle area is the nembwe.

Guma Lagoon Camp is a fantastic Okavango fishing destination throughout the year.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in canvas chalets each with their own private view of the lagoon. Each chalet accommodates two people with lovely teak beds, en-suite bathrooms provide hot showers and flush toilets. Mosquito nets and towels are also provided and we can provide extra bedding to accommodate children.

Awake in the morning with the sunrise over the lagoon streaming into your chalet. Wonder down to our main area and sit on the deck over the lagoon with a complimentary cup of tea or coffee.

Guma Lagoon Camp accommodation

For the self - catered option we have a fully equipped kitchen with all utensils, crockery and fridge/ freezer. For the full board option our set menu offers a delightful array of dishes. Dine on the deck over looking the lagoon. Dinner has to be pre ordered each morning as all meals are freshly prepared. Vegetarians and children are catered for.

Packed lunches can be prepared for your daily activity. Alternatively for the budget minded our large shady garden under the knobthorn trees provides seven campsites, all with their own private ablutions.

Each campsite differs in size with smaller sites suitable for a family of five and the larger sites can accommodate up to five 3x3 dome tents. Campers also have access to the self-catering kitchen, and are also very welcome to dine in our idyllic restaurant.

Activities

Fishing
Whether fly-fishing or spin fishing, the Okavango River is undoubtedly one of the best freshwater sport fishing rivers found anywhere in Southern Africa. Guma Lagoon is one of the most rewarding locations.

All types of fishing are offered at Guma Lagoon Camp. Depending on the season, the prominent species caught while fishing the lagoon are catfish, African pike, red breasted tilapia, three spot tilapia and purple face largemouth.

For those who want to fish the mighty Okavango River, a 40-minute boat ride from camp that passes through a narrow meandering network of channels, will get you there. Fishing takes place in the channels and waterways around Guma Lagoon Camp. The Guma area comprises of many small lagoons, countless small palm fringed islands, narrow winding waterways amongst dense papyrus and reeds and the large Guma Lagoon itself.

Fish species that can be caught at Guma Lagoon Camp are tiger fish, nembwe (olive bream), threespot tilapia, brown spot tilapia, thinface large mouth tilapia, purple face large mouth tilapia, African pike, redbreast tilapia, green-headed tilapia, sharptooth catfish, blunt-tooth catfish and butter barbel.

Guma caters for both the conventional angler and fly-fisherman. To-date the tigerfish record at Guma Lagoon Camp is 7.2 kg (15.8 lbs), and the tigerfish spin-fishing record is 6.8 kg (14.96 lbs).

Experienced local guides accompany all guests on the boats. When fly-fishing only 2 guests are permitted per boat. No private boats are permitted at Guma. Guma Lagoon Camp actively supports a catch-and-release policy for of all fish species.

Mokoro Trips

The traditional dugout canoe, locally known as a mokoro, was the mode of transport chosen by the Okavango’s first inhabitants, the Bayei and Banoka people. Guma Lagoon Camp offers a choice of day trips or overnight camping mokoro trails that take you into the heart of the Okavango. This is an adventurous safari experience not to be missed.

From Guma Lagoon Camp, a 15-minute boat transfer that passes through a narrow meandering channel will get you to the start of your mokoro experience. From here you will get onto a fiberglass or wooden mokoro which can seat two people. The Head Mokoro Poler will then give the group a detailed speech on safety and what to expect on your trip.

You will be poled through the tranquil channels that link the extensive flood plain system to the main river. Water lily beds, palm islands and papyrus stands abound making for the most scenic of experiences. On one of the larger islands you will have time to have your lunch and a guided walk. There is always a chance of seeing large herds of red lechwe bounding through the water and passing elephants feeding amongst the lush wetland vegetation.

After your hearty lunch and walk you will make your way slowly back to the Mokoro station where our motorboats will be waiting for you to take you back to camp.

Overnight Mokoro Trip

Guests must be sure to have enough water, sunscreen and hats before embarking on the motorboat that takes them to the mokoro station.
From camp it will be a 40-minute boat ride through a narrow meandering channel to our mokoro station. From here you will get onto a fibre-glass or wooden mokoros which can seat 2 people. The Head Poler will then give the group a detailed speech on safety and what to expect on the trip. If you are taking camera's you must be sure to keep them in a plastic bag that is water tight in case of the mokoro tipping over at the start of the trip.
You will be poled through the tranquil channels that link the extensive flood plain system to the main river. The polers will pole you for +/- 1 ½ to 2 hours through the floodplains and stop on one of the islands for you to set up camp. In the afternoon the polers will take you by mokoro to a larger island where you can do a guided bush walk by the Head Poler.

You can ask the Head Poler for firewood if you wish to have a fire at night. You can also ask the polers to fetch water for washing up after dinner and in the morning after breakfast. The Head Poler will bury the ash from the fire the following day before you leave the island.
Guma is not in a Game Area but there is a chance of seeing large herds of red letchwe, sitatunga, warthogs, elephants and many water birds.

After camping on the Mokoro Island the group will pack up camp and head slowly back to the Mokoro station where our motorboats will be waiting to take you back to camp.

Campsite on the Mokoro Island

There is nothing on the island where you will be camping so all camping equipment must be provided by yourselves i.e. tents, mattresses, pillows, s/bags, cutlery, crockery, table, chairs, food, drinks, basins, portable shower, braai grid, lamps etc. We do have a portable toilet that the luggage mokoro will take to the island. The polers will dig a hole for the toilet in the bush near the camp. There are no showers.

Accommodation at Guma

Guma offers guests a choice of Camping and Tented Units. For those camping, our campsites are situated amongst beautiful shady knob-thorn trees. The campsites have private ablutions with flush toilets and hot water. Others may choose our Tented Units overlooking the Lagoon that are comfortably fitted with beds and linen and have private bathroom facilities.

Guma has a restaurant serving a fixed dinner menu which must be pre booked before arrival in order for us to cater for everyone. Alternatively we offer self-catering facilities, which includes a large kitchen with fridge/freezer facilities alongside a comfortable lounge, dining and bar complex with stunning views over the lagoon.
Guma is only accessible with 4x4 vehicles. Guests who do not have 4x4 vehicles would need to arrange for transfers beforehand from Etsha 13 village to camp.

Camping at Guma

The campsites do not have power points as the camp run's on an inverter system.
The only plug point is in our kitchen which can be used for charging small items such as cell phones, camera batteries, laptops etc. Small fridges & hairdryers will not be able to be plugged in as our inverter system is mainly used for lights in camp and won’t be able to handle the load.

Important information: Guma Lagoon Camp

Guma Lagoon Camp is only accessible in 4x4 vehicles. Guests who do not have 4x4 vehicles need to arrange transfers beforehand from Etsha 13 village to camp. Guma has 7 x campsites and 10 x cabins. The cabins have 2 beds with linen and an en-suite bathroom. All campsites have their own private ablutions with hot water and flush toilets.
The campsites do not have power points as the camp runs on an inverter system. The only plug point is in our kitchen – this may be used for charging cell phones, i-pods, laptops or cameras. Small fridges and hairdryers will not be allowed to be plugged in as our battery system won't be able to handle the load.
Guma has a communal kitchen which all guests are more than welcome to use. The kitchen is fully equipped with a gas fridge/freezer, gas stove, cutlery, crockery etc. We also have a bar/dining room area that overlooks the lagoon. Guma has a restaurant serving a fixed dinner menu which must be pre booked before arrival in order for us to cater for everyone.
Please note: There is Foot and Mouth veterinary check points around our area, from Maun to the Mohembo Border. These check points are looking for fresh red meat. If they find any red meat it will be confiscated. You are allowed to bring through cooked red meat, chicken, eggs, long life milk, processed foods etc.

Directions to Guma

GPS CO-ORDINATES

S18° 57’730
E22° 22’389

Coming from Maun - It’s +/- 100 km from Maun to Sehitwa. Turn right at Sehitwa onto the Shakawe/Mohembo road. From Maun to Etsha 13 is +/- 270 km, a 3 hr drive. The Etsha 13 turn-off is +/-10 km after Etsha 6.

Coming from Mohembo – It’s +/- 90 km from Shakawe and +/-100 km from the Mohembo border post. Just after Ikoga (15 km) turn left into Etsha 13. This road will take you straight into the village. If you see a sign saying Nguma Island Lodge do not take this turn-off as it will lead you to the camp next-door.

Once in the village follow the power line through the village and follow the white painted arrows/signs. Once through the village follow the most used sandy track and white hand-painted signs all the way to Guma. From Etsha 13 to Guma is +/- 10-13 km, a 45 min drive. Please note that Guma is only accessible with 4x4 vehicles and it is advisable to deflate some air from your vehicle and trailer tyres once you reach the village as the road to Guma is thick sand.

FUEL AT GUMARE AND ETSHA 6

Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.

Terms & conditions, Payment options and Cancellation policy