andBeyond - Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp - Okavango Delta, Botswana
The interiors are mid-century Safari Style with blackened steel and brass elements. The feel is contemporary safari club.
THE BRIEF
Our brief from andBeyond was to retain the feel of the existing lodge, using the existing footprint but give the camp a fresh, contemporary feel. It still had to feel like a tented camp, but it had to be glamorous with an updated look.
THE INSPIRATION
The inspiration is mid-century Safari Style with blackened steel and brass elements. The feel is contemporary safari club, modern explorer.
We used simple tents with wide overhangs for shaded, outdoor living and added dramatic gum pole colonnades to create architectural interest and dappled light. We gave each room a private sala with a swinging bench for guests to take in the views across the delta. Canvas and leather panelled walls divide the spacious bathroom from the bedroom for privacy and soundproofing. The bronzed calabash bedside lamps are a nod to desert ecology - traditionally used in southern Africa for serving, drinking and storing liquid. The finest quality bed linen is hand stitched referencing the traditional Botswana basket designs.
THE RESULT
Although simple, the tents are well appointed and extremely comfortable. The guest areas, shop and arrival, received the same updated interiors. A series of walkways with lath pergolas connects the different buildings creating a seamless flow from one area to another, completing the transformation.
