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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Kirurumu Tarangire - Tarangire
Although the camp is outside the park, it sits next to a flood plain that attracts animals throughout the dry season. It is not uncommon to have animals in and around the camp which is an important asset given the slightly un-remote location, setting it apart from its competitors in similar positions. It’s a ten minute drive down a dirt road off the main, tarmac road that leads from Arusha into Tarangire. Once inside the park this is the busiest area but, because the camp is close to the gate, you can drive a bit further into Tarangire than most of the crowds.
Our Rating:
Cost: $403
Kirurumu Tented Camp - Lake Manyara
Kirurumu Manyara Lodge is an extremely friendly and comfortable lodge with a fantastic view of the Great Rift Valley of Lake Manyara National Park. The staff are charming and be sure to ask them teach you Swahili – they will love the challenge. The team spirit of the staff seems to shape the refreshing atmosphere of the camp, making Kirurumu Manyara Lodge a desirable and more homely alternative for those of us who do not want to stay in large impersonal hotels.
Our Rating:
Cost: $650
Kitich Camp - Laikipia
Our View
Since it has recently changed hands, Kitich Camp has moved away from the once very rustic experience it was with Guilio. There is still no compromising on the experience, but with electricity throughout the night it is has a slightly softer feel. The onus is still, however, very much on getting out into this stunning region with walking a particular recommendation. If you are looking for a touch of utter wilderness and a great place to relax….the only drawback is getting there!
Our Rating:
Cost: $440
Kiwayu - Lamu
Kiwayu is closed, but Mike's Camp is its brilliant replacement on the island.
Our Rating:
Cost: $480
Kizingo - Lamu
Our View
With its conservation credentials such as using solar paneling to heat water, the lodge ticks quite a few boxes in our view. Mary Jo and Louis are charming hosts and regale many an interesting tale about their years spent in Africa and the areas they have seen. With rooms larger than plenty of London flats, the feel inside is of an airy and calm space and are perfect to relax and forget about the rest of the world. The main issue that they have is a lack of pool, but, with good swimming year round in either the sea or the nearby channel this is not a huge issue. At the price it is offered, this really is a bargain and, as such, will be difficult to get into. A perfect combination with a stay in the nearby Shela village.
Our Rating:
Cost: $225
Kizingoni Kabanas - Lamu
Our View
Kizingoni Kabanas offer complete tranquility and seclusion, whose ethos is barefoot luxury. The kabanas are very accomodating and comfortable, but maybe lack the finnesse of some other possible luxury Indian Ocean retreats. Saying that though, it is still luxurious - not due to it's decor and flamboyant additions, but due to it's amazing beach and complete privacy.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
Kizingoni Villas - Lamu
Our View
The houses are a relatively new addition to the Lamu coastline but offer a great alternative to private houses of Lamu and Shela. Each of the houses has been built to a very high standard and, with the luxury of having staff to pick up groceries from Lamu and, if you are not in the mood for cooking, to cook, a stay in one of the houses is fantastic.The only drawback that we can mention is that the plot they have, while benefitting from being around the point, is not in as good a location as the nearby Kizingo.
Our Rating:
Cost: $225
Kleins Camp - Serengeti, North
Kleins is one of our favourite Serengeti camps, as it offers a wide range of safari experiences, including night drives and walking safaris, with superb guides. Fabulously positioned half way up a valley, the camp overlooks the valley floor which fills with the migrating herds when they come back in October and early November. Even when the migration isn’t around, safaris at Kleins are simply fantastic due to it being a private concession with excellent resident game and walking and night drives options.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,273
Kono Kono - Zanzibar, East Coast
Kono Kono was a very high standard of accommodation. The Villas are about the same size as our garden flat! The verandah is very nice although the plunge pool is a bit wasted as there aren’t any sun loungers to lie on. The beach is very nice – fine white sand, clear blue sea and not tidal so you can swim in it at anytime. The other major positive is that it is very quiet with no beach hawkers and as the hotel wasn’t full we were the only guests on it one day. We did walk along the beach and there are a couple hotels being built KK so I’m not sure if that will change the traffic across their beach. The gardens are also beautiful and it’s very nice to walk about the place. They were always people working in them so they tend them very well.Food and Service are the areas they need to improve (as you warned us). For the most part it is okay and they are really trying to offer 5 star western service but the staff do need more training to give them the confidence to carry out service competently and efficiently. Breakfast and dinner service was efficient but we did wait 30-40 minutes for our lunch. I think this is due to the kitchen being at the back of the property away from the beach. It came down to you wrapped in tin foil but wasn’t that warm when it arrived. I know you had said they have an extensive wine list but they only ever offered one white and one red at dinner and when we asked for the list they said they didn’t have one. Breakfast was fruit, pastries and cooked breakfast or pancakes but sadly the latter was not good. They did have cereal on the menu but I never saw it out and when I asked they only had rice krispies! We did have it delivered to our villa twice and it was nice to sit on the verandah looking out to sea. They also bring fresh fruit and afternoon cake and biscuits to the room every day which is a nice touch. Dinner was a set menu with a cold starter, followed by a strange soup which was always brown and gruel like(!) and then a choice of 2 main courses and then a dessert. The main courses were varied but the dessert was often a cold mousse/pannacotta chilled style pudding that often didn’t taste of much.
I know I have pointed out several negatives about KK but we really did have a nice stay and it is the place to go if you want to relax and do nothing.
- J Howitt
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $250
Kulala Desert Lodge - Sossusvlei
Our View
A good value camp in Sossusvlei - Situated on over 21, 000 hectares of private property and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib and offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei as well as magnificent mountainous scenery and vast open plains.
Our Rating:
Cost: $574
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