Botswana lodges are the crème de la crème of the world of luxury safari. As the country is made up of private concessions unless you go to the extremely busy Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve, the prices naturally inflate. Botswana has followed a model of high quality, low quantity in their approach to tourism and it is exceptional at just this. Botswana is home to some of the most spoiling experiences on the continent. The private reserves mean that a lodge which would cost you $700 per person per night in say, southern Tanzania, would cost you $1,300 per person per night in the watery and beautiful Okavango Delta… To get fantastic wildlife viewing and a huge diversity in activities, all in the privacy of your own slice of wilderness, you have to pay a premium!
Best value quality safari lodges in Botswana
Prices have inflated a lot in Botswana in recent years, and they just seem to be going up and up. A lodge like Pom Pom, which admittedly is in an exceptional game viewing area, is now $1,150 per person per night. Aside from the exceptional guiding and wildlife, the actual accommodation is fairly rustic. A fantastic option for some people, though we wonder whether Botswana isn’t going a bit over the top in prices across the board...
A fantastic new property has opened in the Kwara concession; Splash Camp which is a part of the Kwando range. It is very nicely presented and offers a bit more luxury for your money in an exceptional wildlife area but still comes in at $1,416 per person per night.
In order to slash the price of being in these private wildernesses though, we would recommend travelling off season in either May or November, to get still exceptional wildlife, but for a lot less. For example, Pom Pom over these months decreases to $826 per person per night, and Splash reduces to $1,040.
The best barefoot luxury safari lodges in Botswana
Barefoot-luxury safari lodges are a pretty special experience. Little Vumbura in particular is an office favourite. Set on a little island surrounded by water and in one of the most enviable parts of the Delta, Little Vumbura is a seriously special experience. The style is understated, yet authentically luxurious and we absolutely love it. It is not cheap though! Even without all the added luxuries like private pools and a more glitzy design, Little Vumbura is priced at $2,830 per person per night.
Going a little more intrepid, but no less luxurious is Duba Explorers. This is a tented camp, and really does capture the spirit of exploration in the wilderness, certainly without compromising on luxury. Duba Explorers is for those who crave authentic experiences, but expect a certain standard of opulence on their adventure. It is not a cheap camping experience at $1,900 per person per night.
The most luxurious safari lodges in Botswana
The most luxurious safari camp in Africa, and probably one of the best hospitality experiences in the world comes in Mombo Camp located on Chief’s Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Private pool galore, the world’s most impressive wildlife viewing opportunities, golden bathtubs, huge rooms and excellent food; it doesn’t get much better than this. As it is one of Africa’s flagship safari lodges… There is again, a price tag to match! In recent years, prices have soared and now in peak season, for one night the per person price is $3,800 USD… If you want the life of luxury, have a good Botswana budget, but can’t justify that per night amount, you could look at the still exceptionally spoiling Vumbura Plains, Duba Plains or Zarafa which are all priced at $3,000 per person per night.
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12 Apostles - Cape Town
Our View
Located south of the main drag of Camps Bay the 12 Apostels is a great hotel and is certainly a 5 star property but its the location on the main road and the fact that the hotel is neither in Camps bay or in the city centre make this hotel an odd choice. Overall a good option, but not one of the very best.
Our Rating:
Cost: $180
236 Hurumzi - Stone Town, Zanzibar
236 Hurumzi – Yes, the rooms are full of character and unique but it is style over quality and is looking quite tired. The sheets didn’t feel or look very new and although the place was clean it didn’t really feel it due to everything looking so worn. East is a unique room and an experience to stay particularly during Ramadan and listening to early morning prayer at 5am! The roof top dinner is more atmospheric than haute cuisine and rather expensive at $25PP compared to eating at one of the restaurants in the town. I know this was our choice and not your recommendation so you probably know all this feedback already and you were right that 1 night in Stone is sufficient. It’s quite sad really how the whole town is falling apart as there are some beautiful buildings - J. Howitt
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $120
4 Rivers - Okavango Delta
Our View
4 Rivers is the latest Kwando Safaris offering in one of the Delta’s best private reserves. It’s stylish, but earthy and in keeping with its wild surroundings. Here, everything is about unforgettable wildlife experiences, but Kwando has added a splash of luxury to make for a less rustic and more chic safari experience. It’s one for safari buffs who don’t want to give up on a few creature comforts.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Al Bastan Palace - Muscat
Our View
The Al Bustan Palace is one of the most elegant hotels in Oman. It perfectly blends the old and the new, really understanding the city of Muscat. It offers opportunities to engage in new experiences whilst retaining a sense of Arab tradition, it creates an impression that awakens all senses. Al Bustan palace is a stunning hotel and part of the Ritz-Carlton group.
Our Rating:
Cost: $500
Alex Walkers Serian North - Serengeti, Mobile
Masha guided us in the Southern Serengeti while staying at Alex Walker's Serian. Thank you for convincing us to stay at Alex Walker's Serian tented camp. Alex provides an experience that we will never forget. We saw amazing animals and met other adventurous travelers who will become life-long friends. - S Jones
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,173
Alex Walkers Serian South - Serengeti, Mobile
Our trip to Alex Walker's Serian was unforgettable! The camp was picturesque and just blended in with the bush to make you really feel part of nature - so much so that we had a herd of elephants roam through our site one night! Our guide Geoffrey taught us so many fascinating facts about the wildlife and the Serengeti and we were even lucky enough to see two (yes two!) leopards on our last day! Our spotter, Pius was incredible - you've never known eyesight like it! He could spot a lizard from 300 feet away! We had so many laughs with them both and we were sad to leave! We hope to go back again in the future and would recommend Alex Walker and his team to everyone - B Casalis
Our Rating:
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Cost: $1,173
Alfajiri Villas - Indian Ocean Mainland
Alfajiri from start to finish blew us away, these are the biggest and most impressive beach villa’s we have ever stayed in and we have travelled extensively. This is a first class set up and we were pampered from start to finish, absolutely incredible - F. Knowles
Our Rating:
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Cost: $700
Alila Jabal Akdar - AL Hajar Mountains
Our View
Alila Jabal Akhdar, meaning “The Green Mountain” in Arabic, is part of the Al Hajar mountain range, one of Oman’s most spectacular regions. Perched here 2,000 metres above sea level, Alila Jabal Akhdar overlooks a dramatic gorge, surrounded by awe-inspiring views of the Al Hajar Mountains.
Our Rating:
Cost: $450
Almanara Luxury Villas - Indian Ocean Mainland
Our View
Set on a peaceful stretch of Diani Beach, Almanara is a real find. It’s not on the cutting edge of interior design, but it is luxurious all the same in an old school way. Plus, its location is undeniably luxurious, as are its well-appointed garden villas and brilliant boutique hotel. It’s one of the best in the region for no-fuss luxury and quality experience.
Our Rating:
Cost: $465
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