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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Dulini Safari Lodge - Sabi Sands
Our View
Dulini Lodge formerly run by &Beyond is our top pick for a lodge in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Well respected as the reserve to offer the best value in the Sabi Sand, Dulini Lodge is a high spec, top class lodge which offers beautiful accommodation and stunning cuisine. The reserve is a great destination for big game, especially leopard and this lodge remains one of our favourites.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,165
Duma Tau - Linyanti
We stayed at Xigera, Dumatau and Toka Leya camps. The accommodations were superb, the guides wonderful AND amazing, and the wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations! What else can I say?Thank you, thank you Edward! - D. Budden
Our Rating:
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Cost: $1,932
Dunia Camp - Serengeti, Central
We were very luck that we were able to see the great migration. All the plans were done with this intention, but I was a little bit afraid that something could happen and animals were not there. But they were!!!! It was absolutely spectacular!!! And now words to describe how wonderful the Dunia Camp team is. I´m in love of them!!! The hotel is comfortable, everything works perfectly and the service is more than perfect! It couldn´t be better! I hope I can have another opportunity to come back to Seremgeti. - Borner, Brazil
Our Rating:
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Cost: $992
Echo Beach - Zanzibar, East Coast
Echo Beach we had a great time here, and it was really relaxing. Our lodge was very nice, and the food throughout was excellent. The staff were all really friendly although some of them were quite new and their English wasn't too good. One example of this was that a cocktail of the day was advertised at the bar but when we ordered it the barman didn't know how to make it so gave us something completely different! However whenever there was an issue the owners and management were more than willing to help resolve it. - J Savage
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $209
Edward Selfe - South Luangwa
Our View
Edward is a professional guide and photographer living full-time in the Luangwa Valley. First and foremost, he's a naturalist and his love is for the park, its inhabitants and the pleasure of being immersed in the park's wild places. He has built a loyal following of guests who like to be hosted by a guide who can lead walking and driving safaris and is also a professional photographer.With 7 years of guiding experience in the South Luangwa National Park, he puts together tours which are both a classic safari and a specialist photographic experience. He plans each safari around making the best of the photographic opportunities on offer, but also ensures that even clients without cameras will enjoy the tour by sharing his knowledge of wildlife and animal behaviour.
Our Rating:
Cost: $575
Elephant Bedroom - Samburu
Our View
In the heart of Samburu on the border with the Laikipia Plateau, Elephant Bedroom is a brilliant option for those who want a splash of luxury in a great location. As its name suggests this spot is home to elephants, as well as other big five wildlife including lion and leopard. Its location on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River means you get an enviable riverside view from your room, while the interiors offer everything you need for a special stay in the wilderness without going overboard with decor or modcons.
Our Rating:
Cost: $780
Elephant Pepper - Greater Mara
We stayed at a few camps on our trip to Kenya. This was the best of the two the staff was incredible the guiding was great and the management outstanding! Highly recommend this camp! - M. Conn
Our Rating:
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Cost: $794
Ellerman House - Cape Town
Our View
Very different from the likes of the Cape Grace and Mount Nelson, Ellerman House is a small, discreet, very luxurious boutique hotel which invites guests who are looking for a quiet and more private Cape Town stay. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from above Bantry Bay, the setting is spectacular, with just a short drive to the Waterfront and a short walk to the beaches of Clifton or Camps Bay.
Our Rating:
Cost: $600
Elsas Kopje - Mount Meru
Our View
The most significant feature of Elsa’s, apart from the views that stretch for years and the perfect tranquility, is the staff and their attitude in the camp. The camp makes a point of growing most of its own produce and so boasts a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables with which to cook. It is this attention and care that makes this lodge what it is. From a gaming point of view, it is true that Meru is still yet to rank up with the Mara…but it is certainly getting better and better as the years go by and it is still mentioned as a favourite by the “old hands” who can be found guiding throughout Kenya. A few days in this lodge is a real treat.
Our Rating:
Cost: $749
Emakoko - Nairobi
Our stay at Giraffe Manor really made our time in Nairobi; the children were thrilled, and in truth, so were we. We were made to feel so welcome, and the relaxed ‘house party’ feeling was great after all the nights we had spent in hotels. We thought the staff were wonderful, and the fun of feeding the giraffes dispelled all our misgivings about adding extra nights to our trip - A Hope
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $523
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