Nine years in, and Camille Kostek is still making Sports Illustrated Swimsuit history. The television host and former NFL cheerleader just revealed she's back for the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue — her ninth consecutive year with the brand — and this time she was photographed in the breathtaking Okavango Delta of Botswana.
"I've been keeping a secret!!! I'm back for my 9th year shooting for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2026 in Botswana," Kostek posted to her 1 million Instagram followers. And if the sneak peek photos are any indication, year nine is her most stunning yet.
Photo via NY Post / Yahoo Entertainment
Nine Years Strong in Botswana's Okavango Delta
For the 2026 issue, SI Swimsuit partnered with luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent to bring its models to two stunning properties — Stanley's Camp and Baines' Lodge — both nestled along the Boro River at the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve. Think lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes as backdrops for a bikini shoot. It's giving major safari chic.
Kostek was photographed by acclaimed photographer Ruven Afanador in a cream-colored, structured bikini top from Myra Swim, paired with off-white high-waisted linen pants — a look that's simultaneously resort-ready and effortlessly elevated. She also modeled a cheetah-print sheer top layered over a brown one-piece with army green knee-high boots, because why not bring high fashion to the African bush?
Behind the scenes, Kostek shared Instagram Stories of "safari rides to get to each shoot location" — the kind of logistics that most influencer shoots could only dream of. And for the record, she looked equally stunning on the safari truck as she did in front of Afanador's lens.
Photo via NY Post / Yahoo Entertainment
Why Camille Kostek Is the SI Swimsuit GOAT
Let's put her track record in perspective: Kostek won the SI Swimsuit Model Search in 2018, then landed the cover of the 2019 issue in her very first year. She didn't slow down after that. Nine consecutive years is a level of consistency that puts her in rare company — she's the definition of a franchise player. The Connecticut native now adds TV hosting and swimwear design to her résumé, all while staying one of the most recognizable faces in sports-adjacent fashion.
Beyond the photos, Kostek uses her platform to champion body positivity and inner strength — and works closely with the Pete Frates Family Foundation and Gronk Nation Youth Foundation alongside longtime partner Rob Gronkowski. It's that combination of confidence and purpose that makes her swimwear moments feel genuinely inspiring rather than just aspirational.
Get the Look: Minimalist White Bikini Energy
Camille's structured cream-and-white bikini aesthetic is clean, confident, and wildly easy to pull off — especially when you're not spending designer prices. If her Botswana look is giving you all the vacation inspiration, here's how to channel it for under $60 with Audi Swim's Bow Babe Collection:
- Bow Babe Contrast Top in Sky Blue — $24.99. The adjustable triangle silhouette mirrors Camille's structured top energy, but make it coastal.
- Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Sky Blue — $24.99. Cheeky silhouette for that polished, resort-ready finish.
- Bow Babe Contrast Top in Black — $24.99. For those who prefer a bold contrast to Camille's cream palette — equally stunning.
The full Bow Babe Collection is built in our signature Luxe-Flex nylon-spandex — the kind that stays put whether you're shooting in the African bush or just owning the beach. Pair with linen pants and boots if you're feeling Botswana-inspired, or let the bikini do the talking on its own.
What to Read Next
If Camille's string bikini styling has you ready to go bold this spring, check out our complete guide: String Bikini: The Complete 2026 Style & Fit Guide. And for the minimalist black option she also rocked, our Black Bikini 2026 Style Guide has every angle covered.
Camille isn't the only one making SI Swimsuit waves this year — see our coverage of Alix Earle's pearl-covered bikini debut and Penny Lane's third Botswana appearance.
The full 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands in May. For Camille Kostek — nine years in, the wait is always worth it.
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