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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Karangoma - Karangoma
Our View
Karangoma is a new camp, having opened in May 2024, but it’s established itself as a desirable Okavango Delta option already. It has a unique selling point in that it was established with the local Bukakhwe San community, so guests gain cultural insights other companies can’t claim.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Karibu Entebbe, - Uganda
Our View
Karibu has a great atmosphere, great rooms and is excellent value. If you wan’t spas, swimming pools and Michelin food this isn’t for you. But if you’re keen to get a well positioned cheerful stay without any fuss, Karibu is just the ticket.
Our Rating:
Cost: $80
Kasaka River Lodge - Lower Zambezi
Our family of 4 had the most amazing time at KRL - thank you so much to all the staff for making our stay so special. Our guide was so incredibly well-informed and entertaining on the subject of all the flora and fauna (and even an expert on the night sky). We saw just about everything we hoped to see in Lower Zambezi - lions, zebra, hippos, elephants, crocs, baboons, various species of antelope, buffalo etc etc. - Jo W
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $590
Kasha Boutique Hotel - Zanzibar, East Coast
Kasha is great value for money. Although, it lacks a beach like most destinations in this area, it does compromise this well with great facilities in-house. Our experience suggests it needs a bit of time to develop to the standard of some of its competitors, having opened in 2009 and still seems to have a few issues. The rooms are need more outdoor privacy as they are pretty close together without much vegetation or barrier in between. Your private plunge pool is rather exposed.
Our Rating:
Cost: $275
Kati Kati Tented Camp - Serengeti, Central
Although this isn’t our preferred location in the Serengeti with regards to getting away from the crowds, Kati Kati does the best it can, given its area. For value for money you can’t really beat it and it is spot on for the migration from April to mid July and November to the beginning of January. It a perfect value for money tented camp and is great for keeping the cost down.
Our Rating:
Cost: $450
Kaya mawa - Lake Malawi
Although slightly awkward to get to, Kaya Mawa is well worth the effort. This is a little bit of barefoot heaven. We are very fond of Ras Kutani, but this is Ras Kutani +++, I would say in a different league, but with the same laid back charm - even more so. It is an idyllic situation between two lovely beaches with a view over the lake to Mozambique five miles away. Lake Malawi is crystal clear, full of myriads of small colourful cichlids. Each cabin is supplied with two sets of snorkels and flippers and there is free sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding. There is also water skiing and scuba diving, but these must be paid for.The cabins themselves are delightful, well spread out and private, beautifully and originally designed around rocks, with large decks , comfortable armchairs and sunbeds, and in some cases like ours, with a plunge pool. The views are stupendous, even from the bed.
The standards of food and service were quite exceptional. The chef was Michelle's partner Rich (who we did not actually meet) and although there was not a choice one's personal dietary quirks were always remembered and everything was delicious. All the staff knew each guest by name, their favourite drinks etc, and thought of every requirement before the guest himself. Very friendly but never obsequious.
I have spent rather a lot of space on Kaya Mara, but I don't think you have been there, unlike the other camps, even though we went at your suggestion. Tell your clients to forget the Caribbean - this is infinitely better!
- P Bullick
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $445
Kazile Island Lodge - Zambezi Region
Our View
A stay at Kazile Island Lodge would be three times the price if it was in the Okavango Delta - and you get an almost identical wildlife experience, with this region’s floodplains and the Kwando River on your doorstep. It’s a brilliant diverse option from the usual Namibian safari spots, and one that’s unparalleled for the price and its exclusivity across southern Africa.
Our Rating:
Cost: $528
Kensington Endoro - Ngorongoro Highlands
Kensington Endoro is a lodge in the Karatu area ideally located in between the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara making it an ideal location to stay when visiting these two game areas. The lodge is a permanent structure with good views and clean and comfortable accommodation. We normally prefer the Plantation Lodge or Gibbs Farm due to their value but find this lodge a suitable option as well.
Our Rating:
Cost: $700
Khayelitshe House - Matobo National Park
Our View
Khayelitshe House is a unique place. Bordering Matobo National Park, this lodge is set between dramatic granite boulders, seemingly in its own little jungled sanctuary. It would be a brilliant place to rent out with the family – and it’s filled with endless exploration possibilities.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Khulu Bush Camp - Hwange National Park
Our View
Located on the Western edge of Hwange National Park, the Khulu Bush Camp sits deep within Amalinda’s fifteen-thousand acre private concession that is full of wildlife. The camp itself is a wonderful, luxurious Bushcamp that enables guests to enjoy the best of Zimbabwe’s Hwange.
Our Rating:
Cost: $700
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