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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Laikipia Wilderness Camp - Laikipia
Our View
Laikipia Wilderness Camp is a no-frills lodge with a relaxed vibe, and is just right for those who want an unrivalled safari experience without fuss. Many people prefer to stay a minimum of four nights at this central Laikipia lodge, with its family-owned feel settling you right in. It’s a perfect family holiday bolthole, but equally thrilling for a couple on an adventure.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,435
Lake Duluti Lodge - Arusha
Lake Duluti Lodge is one of the more expensive properties in the Arusha area which is ideal for a stay at the start of your safari in the north of Tanzania. Some of the rooms have views onto Lake Duluti itself, there are also small walks in the grounds around the lakes which are well worth enjoying. There are a number of hotels in the area, while Onsea House is one of our favourites due to its good price we find that Lake Duluti is one of our most luxurious options in the area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $280
Lake Kivu Serena - Rwanda
Our View
Situated on the North East shores of the stunning Lake Kivu, the Serena Hotel offers great value luxury. It is only a one hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, making it a great base for your gorilla trekking as well as exploring the culture and beauty of the Lake Kivu area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $180
Lake Manyara Ranch - Lake Manyara
Set right next to Tarangire National Park within the Kwakuchinja wildlife migration corridor, home to over 50 species of mammals. Manyara Ranch conservancy is a small permanent tented camp that can offer game drives in both Manyara National Park and Tarangire.The private conservancy is an intimate and undisturbed safari destination, across the lake from Lake Manyara National Park.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,324
Lake Manyara Serena - Lake Manyara
Definitely one of the best Serena Hotels, this hotel is without doubt the best of the large hotels in the Manyara area with good views and easy access to the park around 20 minutes drive away. The views really are the reason to come here. While the rooms are beginning to look a little dated as far as the design is concerned (they have attempted to replicate the colours and curves of the local avian population!), the overall feel of the lodge is that it is not actually as large as it is and a drink at the bar is one of the best places in Tanzania! However, for the same price Kirurumu Tented camp is a preferred option, smaller and give you a break from solid brick structure lodges.
Our Rating:
Cost: $265
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge - Lake Manyara
Of all the &Beyond lodges, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the best kept secret. This is partly due to the fact that anything less than a 2 night stay here is far too short. The park is also not as well known as it should be; this is one of the best places to see a huge array of birds, both migratory and indigenous, vast numbers of elephant as well as some of the more interesting antelope of Africa, such as klipspringers. In our view the lodge is actually one of the top 2 or 3 in Tanzania for the levels of service, the wilderness experience (as it is all on its own in the lower regions of the park there are never any other vehicles) and all round luxury. This is really a special lodge, definitely worth paying a visit to if the budget can stretch!
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,183
Lake Manze Tented Camp - Selous
Your suggestion of Lake Manze was really excellent. We both absolutely loved it and felt that the open nature of the camp really suited the experience. We were hugely comfortable throughout and felt the four days was good value for money. We loved being some close to everything and being totally immersed in the safari experience. I think, if money were no object we could have stayed there for the whole two weeks.- Darbourne, UK
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $561
Lango Camp - Lango Camp
Our View
Lango Camp looks out onto a forest clearing – the Lango Bai – which attracts a huge number of species to its doors. So it’s a delight outside, but also the accommodation is surprisingly luxurious, with its memorable treehouse feel and magical atmosphere. It’s a brilliant place to explore everything Odzala-Kokoua has to offer – so special is this camp that it can only be accessed by foot or kayak!
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Laragai - Laikipia
Our View
Laragai is the private home of the Stephenson family and can be rented while they are away. The house is vast with all of the amenities that you would expect for a comfortable country house with a superb main area and a spread of rooms, all different in style and decoration.
Our Rating:
Cost: $727
Last Word Constantia - Cape Town
Our View
Tucked right back into the flowering suburbs, The Last Word Constantia is a villa-style hotel with fabulous flowering gardens. Its scent alone is therapy, but here you can also swim, take tea beneath the huge, leafy trees, or wander back for a cracking supper. The rooms are vast, great big comfortable beds and baths to return to after your days exploring Cape Town. This charming hotel has all the treats of a big hotel in a more intimate and secluded setting.
Our Rating:
Cost: $350
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