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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Azura Bazaruto - Benguerra Island
Our View
We regard Azura as a great choice of lodge to experience a complete getaway from normal daily lives. Most importantly, it is located in a national park which offers this sense of remoteness coupled with nature. Azura have taken all of this into account when designing the lodge and its features to create Mozambiques first proper eco lodge. Each of the individually designed rooms are just feet from the beaches of a typical Indian ocean paradise.
Our Rating:
Cost: $795
Azura Selous - Selous
Recently purchased and renamed by luxury brand Azura, this lodge is now set to compete with the major players in Selous. The level of accommodation at Azura Selous (previously 'Amara Selous') is no doubt one of the highest in the reserve with plunge pools and air conditioning in every room. The lodge is south-west of the main cluster in an area known as Upper Selous and its location is a bit of a double edged sword. The area was, until 2005, a hunting concession, meaning game is slightly less abundant than around the other lodges. That was a decade ago though now and substantial quanitites of game have returned. The flip side is that you are incredibly unlikely to see another vehicle, making Azura Selous one of the only camps that can offer a total wilderness experience while on game drives.
Our Rating:
Cost: $751
Babylonstoren - Cape Town
Our View
A refreshing, inspiring and wonderfully different take on the winelands. This is the place to visit. Whether you plan to stay here the night or not, the new wine tasting rooms, with bakery, cheeses and meats promise to make Babylonstoren a must on all driving tours of this region.
Our Rating:
Cost: $350
Baines - Okavango Delta
Our View
The central areas at Baines are stunning and with only 4 rooms the lodge is one of the most exclusive throughout the whole of Botswana. The food and service is top class. Couple all this with the fact that the elephant interaction on offer, with ‘Elephant Guardian’ Douglas Alan Groves, being one of the most unique experiences on offer and you have the making of a top safari lodge. However…the resident game in the area is poor in comparison to elsewhere and neighboring Stanleys is quite a bit cheaper. So, for this reserve we actually prefer Stanleys and believe that a 2 night stay is sufficient. Overall, good but not quite good enough
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,205
Bakers Lodge - Uganda
Our View
In the heart of Murchison Falls National Park is Baker's Lodge - a brilliant lodge and a highlight of Uganda. Set on the white Nile the views out of Camp across the River are beautiful. It is unmatched in terms of tranquility and is the perfect base to explore the Falls, game drive in the Park and much more.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
Banoka - Okavango Delta
Our View
Located on the banks of the Khwai River, Banoka Bush Camp is situated in the north-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta, adjoining the Moremi Game Reserve. The accommodation comprises ten en-suite tented rooms complete with private verandas. As a family camp that welcomes children over 6 years old, Banoka offers two family tents each accommodating two adults and two children. A great selection of game drives, night drives, boating, mokoro trips, fishing and walking activities are available.
Our Rating:
Cost: $695
Banyan Tree - Mahe
Our View
When the Banyan Tree first opened it was one of a kind, huge private suites complete with a private pool, terrace and gardens. In fact you rarely needed to leave your room. Set on a heavenly and private beach its only drawback is the price and the fact that in our summer months the main beach can be dangerous to swim off.
Our Rating:
Cost: $244
Baraza - Zanzibar, East Coast
We then moved to Baraza – this is probably the best hotel I have ever stayed in. Amazing. The villas are GIGANTIC and beautifully furnished – with our own plunge pool and reserved beds on the beach. The beach service was excellent and the restaurant lovely. The pool area was great and selection of water sports excellent. I really couldn’t fault it. They gave us some vouchers to enjoy some of the different facilities including the spa and water sports which was a lovely touch. - C King
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $372
Baros - Central Atolls
Our View
Located in the North Male Atoll just 25 minutes by private speedboat from Male International Airport, Baros offers first-class luxurious accommodation on one of the Maldives’ most beautiful islands.
Our Rating:
Cost: $457
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