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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Il Moran Camp - Masai Mara Reserve
Our View
Il Moran is the smartest of the Governors’ Collection and, for the money, offers a superb safari experience for very good value. The rooms themselves are vast and all feature incredible views onto the Mara River. Stunning wooden beds and bronze baths typify the feel of the camp in general. Again, set in a superb location, the camp is very real, and a much cheaper alternative to the nearby Bateleur Camp. If you want to safari in style, then this is a great choice.
Our Rating:
Cost: $876
Ila Safari Lodge - Kafue
Our View
Opened in March 2024, Ila Safari Lodge is Zambia’s most inspiring new offering. Set in the wonderful Kafue National Park, this new luxury option will be a welcome addition for seasoned safari-goers looking for a mind-blowing experience in one of Africa’s remotest parks.
Our Rating:
Cost: $475
Ilala Lodge - Victoria Falls
Our View
Ilala Lodge is everything you need for a Victoria Falls hotel stay. Location is key, and from here all the attractions are on your doorstep. The rooms are well appointed and spacious, and you can hear the thunder of the falls and see the iconic billowing mist from its doors.
Our Rating:
Cost: $220
Impala Camp - Selous
I think you asked for feedback and we can only really award 11/10 in all respects. Manze and Impala were both fabulous - P & C Pearce
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $842
Ishasha Wilderness Lodge - Uganda
Our View
The Ishasha Wilderness Camp is idyllically set on the lush Ntungwe River, this small and friendly camp has ten spacious canvas tented rooms all with a private veranda, perfect for sipping your late afternoon G&T while watching the animals down on the river.
Our Rating:
Cost: $360
Ivory Lodge - Hwange National Park
Our View
Simple and charming, Ivory Lodge provides a perfect blend of authentic safari and family friendliness, giving everything one could need from an authentic Bushcamp experience in Hwange. The camp’s waterhole is always a hive of activity and the tree-house inspired thatch chalets have wonderful views of a portion of the fifteen-thousand acre private concession where game viewing activities take place.
Our Rating:
Cost: $450
Jabali Ridge - Ruaha
Only recently open this luxurious and small camp (only eight suites) is a great choice for Ruaha
Our Rating:
Cost: $660
Jacana - Okavango Delta
Our View
Jacana is a lovely small camp, set well off the beaten track and prides itself on its magical water-based experiences. Being inaccessible by vehicle and only by boat you get a real sense of privacy and exclusivity. For a Wilderness camp, it doesn’t blow your socks off with style but certainly with character. It offers that relaxed feel that a lot of the more formal camps don’t have. Depending on the season, it is always worth considering adding to an itinerary. We love Jacana as it epitomizes the very essence of the Okavango…..this is unpretentious luxury at its best. And it is absolutely exceptional for birding.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,160
Jacks - Makgadikgadi Pans
Our View
Jacks Camp... if only there were more places in Africa that had this kind of atmosphere, dedication and professionalism! To say Jacks is amazing is underselling it, this place is absolutely outstanding but the product is unique and it has to be sold correctly. Many would say this is a connoisseurs product but at the same time it is a product for a first timer…a first timer looking for something different. The guiding here is very well informed and, in our view, is some of the very best in Africa. Overall, the Makgadikgadi is not an explosive destination, it is subtle and sophisticated.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,640
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