Moremi
Stay & safaris
When to go
Wildlife & experiences
Areas of the reserve
Planning your trip
Booking with us
Khwai Leadwood
Grown-up polish on the river — and the whole family invited.
From our guest surveys — how we gather evidence
The river at arm's length
Khwai Leadwood is tucked under the trees at the exact line where the concession meets the water — the Khwai River a few metres from the decks, Moremi Game Reserve on the far bank, and the crossing traffic of elephant, hippo and occasionally lion performing the day's programme between the two. With seven tents it keeps the intimacy of a small camp while carrying serious polish: contemporary African design in warm naturals, a wooden main deck and fireplace set over the water, and a shaded pool deck with loungers under the canopy.
The trick of the place is tonal — elegant enough that couples book it for honeymoons, relaxed enough that children belong — and evenings gather everyone the same way, at the fire above the river while the far bank empties into the dark.
Seven tents under the trees
The tents sit low and private under the riverine canopy, and the river is the atmosphere: mornings open to mist on the water and francolin calling the light up, and the last thing you hear at night is hippo hauling out below the deck. Inside, the design runs contemporary and calm — generous beds dressed in warm naturals, timber and canvas filtering the light soft, en-suite bathrooms finished to the same quiet standard — the sort of room that photographs like a boutique hotel and still smells of woodsmoke and river by the second morning.
Each tent keeps a private deck pointed at the water traffic, and the deck earns every hour you give it — elephant crossing at midday, the far bank's nightjars taking over at dusk, a lamp and a drink doing the rest. Six tents take a double or twin; the family tent holds two adults and two children — or three adults — behind one front door.
Both banks, all hours
The concession's full freedoms run from this camp: game drives by day — working both the community ground and Moremi across the river — and night drives after dinner, when the spotlight takes over and leopard, hyena and the small nocturnal cast come out to work. Walking safaris put the same country underfoot at tracking pace, and mokoro trips pole the river's channels when the water allows. The wildlife needs no summoning: the river in front of camp is a crossing point, and a full day in camp is a legitimate safari strategy here.
For children the Ngwana Club runs its own version of all of it — safari activities built for young ranks of every age — which buys parents a guilt-free siesta and gives the youngest guests a safari that is theirs.
The Khwai concession's ground is shared with other camps and self-drivers, and its best sightings can draw company. What this camp trades on is position and hours — the river crossing in front, the night drives after dark — rather than solitude on the traverse. For a private-ground alternative, the reserve next door has our ear.
The leadwood tree the camp is named for is one of Africa's slowest growers and longest standers — living wood for over a thousand years, and standing dead for centuries more. The giants shading these tents predate every map of Botswana.
All ages, without the compromise
Leadwood takes children of every age and has built the machinery to mean it: the Ngwana Club's programme of safari activities for all ages, a family tent that keeps everyone behind one door, and a river in front of camp that delivers elephant to children too young for a full drive. Families with children under six book a private vehicle for the stay — your own guide, your own hours — and the age-restricted activities (walks, mokoro) have adult-polished alternatives on the same timetable.
The concession's waterline
Khwai Leadwood faces the Khwai River from community-concession ground at Moremi's north-eastern edge: the water in front of camp marks the reserve's boundary, and the concession stretches away behind. Light aircraft from Maun land at Khwai Airstrip, with a game-drive transfer to camp.
What it costs.
Rates are per person per night, based on two guests travelling together (sharing).
Pay for two nights and the third is free, from the deep dry season into the green months: elephant and buffalo gather at the river, wild dog range the floodplains, and the late weeks bring young animals and migrant birds.
Polish and freedom in one small camp
Most camps make you choose: the finish or the freedoms, the honeymoon or the family. Leadwood's seven tents manage all four — contemporary design at the water's edge, night drives and walks on the programme, a children's operation, and a river that performs whether you drive or stay put. On the Khwai leg of a journey, it is the small camp that gives nothing up.
Is this for you
- ✓You're mixing generations and refuse to choose between style and welcome
- ✓Day AND night drives from a small, personal camp matter to you
- ✓You want the river's crossing traffic at the foot of your deck
The Staff at the Lodge were amazing, and couldn't do enough for us. They made us feel so welcome. The Accommodation was 1st Class, and really comfortable. Overall, a perfect stay.
Tell us your dates and your party — we'll build the journey around Khwai Leadwood, from the flights to the family tent to the water levels for the mokoro.
The fine print.
- —All meals
- —Beverages
- —Two scheduled camp activities daily
- —Return shared Khwai airstrip transfers
- —Laundry
- —Flights to and from Khwai Airstrip
- —Premium-brand drinks and champagne
- —Conservation levy (charged per person per night)
- —Private vehicle hire
- —Travel and medical insurance
- —Gratuities and items of a personal nature
Children of all ages are welcome, with the Ngwana Club programme running safari activities for every age. The family tent sleeps three adults, or two adults plus two children aged under sixteen — and families with children under six pre-book a private vehicle. Some activities, such as walks and mokoro trips, carry age restrictions.
By light aircraft from Maun to Khwai Airstrip, then a game-drive transfer to camp.
The camp is open all year, mokoro trips depend on water levels, and the river's wildlife moves through camp freely — staff walk you to your tent after dark.