Love in the Wild: Our Romantic Safari Escape at Little Machaba Camp

Ever since my husband, Justin, introduced me to the magic of safari five years ago, I’ve been completely captivated. There’s something incredibly restorative about waking up surrounded by nature, enjoying fresh farm-to-table meals, learning about wildlife, and immersing yourself in the culture of each destination. It’s a kind of wellness that nourishes both your body and feeds your sense of wonder. So far, our safari adventures have taken us to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, Kruger National Park in South Africa, and Namibia. But one destination that had been sitting high on our wish list was Botswana’s legendary Okavango Delta. When we finally had the opportunity to experience it, Little Machaba Camp delivered a stay that was even more magical than we imagined.

For starters, Little Machaba is surrounded by beautiful trees and overlooks the floodplain, so you truly feel like you’re right in the middle of nature. There are no barriers keeping the animals away from the camp, which may sound scary, but honestly, it was way more exciting than intimidating. We stayed in a tented suite with an outdoor bathtub and a private deck where we could sip our morning coffee and take in the views. It was exactly the kind of peace we needed, especially from our hectic work lives. Waking up to that beautiful landscape every morning truly felt like a dream.

Let’s get into my favorite safari topic after the animals: the food! Everything we ate was flavorful, beautifully plated, perfectly portioned, and absolutely delicious! A typical safari day starts with a light breakfast and tea before the morning game drive. Once you return, you pick up right where you left off with brunch, which is sooo filling but also nearly impossible to pass up, haha!

After brunch, there’s time to relax around the lodge before afternoon tea, which comes with amazing bites like mini pizzas, egg rolls, and cake. You can wash it all down with tea, a cocktail, or the juice of the day.

Then, after the evening game drive, it’s time for dinner because nothing increases your appetite more than hanging with wild animals. Each meal was balanced and thoughtfully prepared, usually including soup, salad, light appetizers, an entrée, and dessert. And yes, we ate everything. That was just one day of eating on safari!

And let’s not forget about sundowners! There’s nothing better than enjoying a drink and a few snacks while watching the sun set over the Delta. Our favorite drink was Amarula, but you also can’t go wrong with a little gin o’clock! I really loved this part of the day because it gave us a chance to slow down and truly soak in the beauty of the stunning landscape. Our guide, Shato, also used this time to share interesting facts and updates about what was happening in the animal kingdom, which made the experience even more special.

That same evening, we returned to our tent to find an elegant dinner set up right outside, complete with candles and a beautiful table under the stars. It was such a romantic surprise and easily one of the most memorable moments of our stay. As a somewhat newly married couple, it felt really special to have that quiet moment to ourselves, surrounded by nature and the night sky. It was a night to remember, if I’m being honest.

They really go all out with the surprises here because the next day, we were treated to a beautiful picnic brunch! What made it even sweeter was that they remembered how much Justin loved the naan bread and made sure to include it in the spread. It was such a thoughtful touch, and everything was so tasty. My personal favorites were the charcuterie and the mini quiches, but the entire setup made the experience feel extra special.

Our final dinner was also really special. It was served family style, and we shared the meal with another couple who had just arrived that day. The spread was incredible, with steak, lasagna, potatoes, salad, broccoli, and chocolate mousse for dessert. The chef even came out to introduce herself and walk us through the meal she had thoughtfully prepared for us. That personal touch made the dinner feel so intimate and made the entire experience even more memorable.

Outside of the incredible food and thoughtful surprises, the staff was truly top-tier. Everyone went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, cared for, and completely at home throughout our stay.

The game drives were unforgettable. One of the most incredible moments was watching a cheetah mum call for her cub, only for the cub to suddenly appear from the bushes and run over to greet her. I never thought I would get to witness something like that in real life! I assumed they would quickly run off, but instead, they climbed onto a tree branch and practically posed for photos. It was such an adorable and rare moment. We also saw zebras, elephants, giraffes, and so much more. No two game drives felt the same, which made every outing exciting in its own way.

Overall, I would give Little Machaba a solid 5 out of 5. The service was elite, the food was immaculate, the accommodations were comfortable, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Between the unforgettable game drives, thoughtful surprises, beautiful setting, and personal touches throughout our stay, Little Machaba gave us the kind of safari experience we will be talking about for years.