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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Last Word Kommetjie - Cape Town
Our View
Anyone wishing to explore the more natural joys of Cape Town will welcome the tranquillity of The Last Word, Long Beach at Kommetjie. It is far from the centre of town and menus are simple, but the National Parks and beaches of the peninsula are close at hand, and there is a lot to explore here.
Our Rating:
Cost: $400
Lazy Lagoon Island - Tanzania Mainland Coast
Lazy Lagoon was perfect for us; as I think we discussed, the laidback "bush chic" style might not suit the spa brigade, but we loved it. The journey out is of course a bit of an experience.- P&C Pearce
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $175
Le Paradis - Mauritius, West Coast
Our View
The larger Beachcomber property in the south-west of the island. This is a large hotel with underwhelming rooms though this area is wonderful for water sports and golf and the backdrop of Le Morne makes a great and amazing setting.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
Lebala - Kwando
Great guide and tracker (Bali and TT). Great sense of humour, very knowledgeable. They seemed just as keen as we were to find that leopard (and we did find it!!)!- R Blom
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,350
Leeu Collection - Cape Town
Our View
The Leeu Eastate, Leeu House and Le Quartier Francais help make up the Leeu Collection. Situated in the unique Franschhoek valley, each property has its own style and feel to it. The Eastate is a mountainside country house with its own boutique winery whereas Leeu House and Le Quartier Francais are both set in the heart of Franschhoek village with access to some of South Africa's finest restaurants.
Our Rating:
Cost: $220
Legendary Serengeti Camp - Serengeti
The Legendary Serengeti Camp is a luxury mobile tented camp, moving continuously throughout the year, in pursuit of the Great Wildebeest Migration, ensuring the best game viewing experience for guests in the Serengeti.
Our Rating:
Cost: $913
Lemala Kuria Hills - Serengeti, North
A new and permanent fixture in the north of the Serengeti, Lemala Kuria Hills has filled a gap in the market. Glass-fronted bedrooms with slightly colourful décor are not Africa Odyssey’s style but we acknowledge that for many, especially honeymooners, Kuria Hills might be the perfect lodge. Private plunge pools, good location and great sunsets.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,020
Lemala Ngorongoro - Ngorongoro Crater
For so long, camping at the Ngorongoro a bit of a nightmare as temperatures can regularly fall below freezing due to the altitude. However, Lemala has gas heaters in every room and has, by far, the most luxurious tented accommodation on the Crater rim. The camp is well located (though do not be fooled, the views are not into the Crater itself as the camp lies on the other side of the rim looking out into the Conservation area as opposed to into the Crater itself) and does have some game in the surrounding area. Overall a quality product and a welcome breath of fresh air; Ngorongoro needed better lodges and now, finally it has one! But it lacks in access and location for rather a lot of money.
Our Rating:
Cost: $794
Lemala Serengeti Camp - Serengeti, Mobile
Lemala Ndutu/Serengeti is a great mobile camp and offers some of the best value of all the mobile camps in the Serengeti. The company is quite new to the whole Tanzanian safari game. However, so far so good! The location in the North is stunning and the tents really are very large and very good. It doesn't have the pedigree of its competitors but if you're looking for a value mobile tented camp this is well worth considering.
Our Rating:
Cost: $835
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