Kiri Waka Airstrip

Kiri Waka Airstrip is a private safari airstrip in the southern Okavango Delta of Botswana, serving Kiri Camp in the NG32 private concession. The airstrip is specifically listed by Machaba Safaris as “Kiri Waka”, with a 1,200-metre runway. Kiri Camp is accessed by air only, and the transfer from the airstrip to camp takes about 5 minutes.



The airstrip's approximate coordinates are 19°46′36.06″S, 23°13′16.37″E, or -19.776683, 23.221215. It is at approximately 3,110 ft (948 m) elevation. Aviation data identifies it as Kiri-Waka Airstrip, with the identifier BW-0071 rather than a normal scheduled-airport ICAO code.



What are the advantages of Kiri Waka Airstrip?



The biggest advantage is direct access to Kiri Camp and the remote NG32 concession. Visitors do not need a long road transfer from a major airport; they can fly directly into the safari area and reach camp within roughly five minutes. This is particularly valuable because Kiri Camp is fly-in only.



Another advantage is its 1,200-metre runway, which provides a substantial landing surface for the light aircraft commonly used for Botswana safari transfers. Kiri Waka is incorporated into Machaba Safaris' current fly-in safari routes, including connections from Maun, Kasane and other safari camps.



The airstrip also provides excellent access to a remote wildlife environment. Kiri Camp is located near the Kiri River and combines game drives with seasonal water activities such as mokoro excursions and boating. The area supports wildlife including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, antelope and African wild dogs. Machaba's February 2026 wildlife report even recorded African wild dogs using the Kiri Waka airstrip area.



For a safari operation, another important benefit is that Kiri Waka can function as part of a multi-camp fly-in circuit. For example, Machaba currently lists routes connecting Shinde Airstrip → Kiri Waka → Maun, allowing visitors to move between remote camps without returning to a major airport by road.