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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Miavana - Nosy Ankao
Dreamy, dreamy dreamy - we put off our trip to Madagascar until Miavana had finally opened and it was amazing - so well worth the wait. Getting to Diego Suarez was an adventure in itself but from then the helicopter to and from the island was a breeze.- J Elliot
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Cost: $2,000
Migration Camp - Serengeti, North
Migration Camp was our favourite - a bit off the beaten tourist trap so not so many vehicles around. Game was a little harder to find as landscape is not so open but it was a good contrast with the central Serengeti area and we did see thousands of grazing migration animals in the north and along the Western Corridor.- J Stirrat
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Cost: $895
Mikes Camp, Kiwayu Island - Kiwayu Island
Our View
Mike's Camp - formerly Kiwayu - is an Indian Ocean dream. The idea here is that sand should always be under foot, the breeze always in your hair, and immersed in its unique private location. It’s a really special place and we couldn’t recommend it enough. Its price also matches its laid back ethos.
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Cost: $300
Mivumo - Selous
We absolutely loved Mivumo. It was amazing to be able to step out onto our balcony to look over the river and hear the hippos in the water. Have never been anywhere more peaceful. The food was great and the staff were so friendly. It was our first safari, so didn’t have anything to compare it to, but we saw so many animals and loved every second of it. - V. Ainsworth
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Cost: $465
Mma Dinare - Okavango Delta
Our View
Mma Dinare is a brilliant option for those who want a private slice of the Okavango Delta and a serious safari experience but with a splash of poolside luxury. While water-based Okavango activities including mekoro rides are usually allowed (water level dependent), you don’t get the winding waterways of other concessions. Saying that though, Kwando - the trusted and experienced company running the concession - are serious about safari, so you’re in exceptionally good hands.
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Cost: $725
Mnemba Island lodge - Zanzibar Islands
I guess this has to be the perfect ending, the pictures pretty much sum it up as a lost Maldivian Island and that's exactly as it is. A luxurious stay with everything you'd expect from a 5 star experience. Friendly staff intent on making the feel of a private Island as private as you want it to be. Superb diving and private dining. - C&P Monksfield
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Cost: $1,672
Moivaro Coffee Estate - Arusha
With quite a range of lodges and small hotels to choose from these days in and around Arusha, this lodge stands out as being a good choice. With good service and clean, airy rooms the lodge is well managed. It has a good sized pool for those who may have come off Kilimanjaro, otherwise ideal for a quick dip in the afternoon after arriving from anywhere else. A good option for those looking for a quiet and charming stoop over point on their way through. Excellent for families, but if you are looking for small intimate place, look elsewhere.
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Cost: $120
Mokete Camp - Mababe
Our View
Botswana is renowned for having some of the most exclusive safari experiences in Africa, yet location is still key for the best experience. Mokete, meaning ‘celebration or feast’ in Sesotho is exactly what is provided. Feast your eyes on some of the best game viewing in the country and celebrate exploring an area only a select few have had the privilege of doing.
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Cost: $1,200
Mokolwane Camp - Okavango Delta
Our View
Mokolwane is an intimate but relaxed Okavango Delta camp set in a brilliant leopard-viewing, 200,000-hectre concession. This is an ideal base for small groups looking for an exclusive Okavango experience without breaking the bank. It’s also just a really barefoot luxury existence here - but the food, guiding and experience is top notch.
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Cost: $785
Molori Mashuma - Mana Pools
Our View
Mana Pools is without doubt one of the best places for a pure, wilderness safari. And whilst bush camps and Mana Pools often go hand in hand, there’s no denying that some guests prefer their creature comforts. And Molori Mashuma provides this, plus much more in the heart of walking safari heaven.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,700
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