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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Little Vumbura - Okavango Delta
Little Vumbura where we took part in a wild dog hunt, and then later, watched the aftermath of a wild dog kill and a fight with ascavenging hyena. We had a marvellous guide in Little Vumbura too –
easily the best of the trip.
- L Ramsay
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $2,023
Liuwa Plains Camp - Liuwa Plains
Our View
This camp has now closed.Described on the Norman Carr Safaris website as ‘simple yet extremely comfortable’, Liuwa Plains rather undersells itself! It is certainly extremely comfortable and although ‘simple’ that’s the last thing that crosses your mind on entering camp, it is a simply stunning bush camp in a fantastic game viewing area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $750
Loisaba - Laikipia
Our View
Located on a sheer escarpment that overlooks the Laikipia, it is impossible not to have your breath taken away by the views! This truly is to experience the African sky at its largest. The lodge itself is set on a private cattle ranch that now features wandering oryx and the occasional elephant....but the idea of coming here is to unwind and take in that view. Again, a great accompaniment to the nearby Mara, and with activities such as horse riding, helicopter rides, tennis, a full spa and plenty more, you can be as energised as you like.
Our Rating:
Cost: $740
Londolozi Founders - Sabi Sands
Our View
Londolozi’s Founders Camp has a spectacular location on the banks of the Sand River. Its fresh bush bohemian feel gives a nice twist to an African safari lodge. It is situated on the Sand River in the very heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. This reserve in turn forms part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a vast and growing area, currently covering 6 million acres and incorporating the famous Kruger National Park. This rich, wild wonderland assures exceptional game drives and a true wilderness experience. Breeding herds of elephant and buffalo roam throughout the Londolozi area, while white rhino and lion concentrations are amongst the highest recorded on the African continent.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,250
Londolozi Granite - Sabi Sands
Our View
Located in the famous Sabi Sands game reserve, Londolozi Granite Camp is one of the finest game viewing camps throughout South Africa. Famous for the very good leopard viewing at all of the Londolozi properties, Granite is Londolozi’s exclusive and private camp property and one of the Sabi sands most luxurious properties.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,900
Londolozi Pioneer - Sabi Sands
Our View
Londolozi’s Pioneer Camp is located in the Londolozi Reserve in the heart of the Sabi Sands. It helps to form part of the Greater Kruger which is located to the West of the Kruger National Park. Pioneer Camp was recently redesigned and now reflects Londolozi's early history of a bygone era. It is the most secluded of Londolozi's camp and although it is one of Londolozi's more pricey camps, the exclusivity and privacy offered certainly makes it worth it.Our Rating:
Cost: $1,800
Londolozi Tree - Sabi Sands
I have travelled extensively throughout Africa on many safaris, including to all of the big names, but Londolozi is by far the best place I have ever been to. We stayed at Tree Camp which is absolutely stunning, the rooms are spacious and light, with stunning views, the managers and butlers are all incredibly kind and make you feel part of the family straight away. Our game drives were also incredible; our ranger James was superb, very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. Never have we seen more fantastic sightings of leopard, lion and the rest. - T Lombard
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,780
Londolozi Varty - Sabi Sands
Our View
Londolozi’s lovely Varty Camp is the original camp at Londolozi, dating back to more than ninety years ago. Although newly refurbished, the chalets are slightly on the small side but offer inter-leading rooms, spectacular river views and private plunge pools. All rooms have private swimming pools framed by timber decks that overlook the lush riverine bush. The living spaces are raised off the ground and shaded under a cathedral of trees.Our Rating:
Cost: $1,050
Luangwa River Camp - South Luangwa
Our View
Luangwa River Camp is located in a really beautiful setting on the main river and accesses the park from a different point to the main gate. It has had a face lift since Robin Pope Safaris took it over, they've done a great job and run a good ship. It just doesn't have that 'wow' factor we look for - it's awkward to get to, which arguably gives it that remote feeling, but then the game driving area is mainly Mfuwe and therefore the busy part of the park. There are more convenient options than this for exploring the main area of the Luangwa.
Our Rating:
Cost: $640
Luangwa Safari House - South Luangwa
Our View
In the office here we have previously put Luangwa Safari House forward for the Good Safari Guide awards for 'best private home in Africa'. Needless to say, we think it is exceptional! With all the luxuries you could ever need, and a fine balance with the surrounding environment, we think Luangwa Safari House is architect Neil Rocher's finest piece of work. The area and location is stunning; without doubt the best place in the valley for groups who don't want the bush camp approach to safari.
Our Rating:
Cost: $4,000
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