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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One and Only St Geran - Mauritius, East Coast
Our View
The One and Only St Geran is yet another of Mauritius's most famous hotels. Often refered to as the Grand Dame of Mauritius this hotel is reasuringly expensive and delivers time and time again.
Our Rating:
Cost: $420
Ongava Lodge - Etosha
Our View
Ongava Game lodge is the largest of Wilderness Safaris lodges in Etosha and ultimately are least favourite. As much as we appreciate the quality of the operational side of this lodge we don’t see the point of spending the same amount here as at Ongava Tented Lodge but getting what we believe is a far less quality experience. In our view the only reason to stay here would be because clients are hesitant about staying in a tented camp! It is rare for us not to like a Wilderness Safaris lodge – they are after all the best operator in the whole of Southern Africa but as much as this lodge is quite good value, the experience at Ongava Tented right next door is far superior.
Our Rating:
Cost: $837
Ongava Tented Lodge - Etosha
Our View
Ongava Tented Camp is a charming small tented camp in a private reserve owned by Wilderness Safaris just outside Etosha. There are only eight rooms here, all of which look over a small watering hole that attracts game throughout the day and night. The camp is stylish, very well run and is beautifully unpretentious. The location enables guests to make use of the private reserve it is located in but also to game drive into Etosha. Overall a great little camp and our first choice for good value accommodation in Etosha.
Our Rating:
Cost: $837
Onguma Bush Camp - Etosha
Our View
Onguma Bush Camp is exceptionally good value for money and perfect for families with children. You get a sprinkling of all the luxuries you could need - including a pool - but for a fraction of the cost as you would get on safari in other southern African countries.
Our Rating:
Cost: $182
Onguma Camp Kala - Etosha
Our View
Opened in 2022, Onguma Camp Kala is one of Etosha National Park’s crown jewels. It’s exclusive, slick, and importantly, located on the banks of an action-packed waterhole - meaning you don’t even have to leave the luxury of camp to be on safari.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,338
Onguma Forest Camp - Etosha
Our View
Onguma Forest Camp is a barefoot luxury safari experience that takes things back to basics, but with a sprinkling of safari romance. Recently renovated - and formerly called Onguma Etosha Aoba - this camp is a brilliant value for money, with everything you could possibly want for an authentic and memorable safari experience.
Our Rating:
Cost: $170
Onguma Tented Camp - Etosha
Our View
Onguma Tented Camp is old school safari romance, with elegant dining and the draw of a brilliant waterhole out the front of camp which acts like a magnet to passing wildlife. It’s chic, luxurious, but still has the under canvas safari magic, where you feel totally immersed in the surrounding nature.
Our Rating:
Cost: $815
Onguma The Fort - Etosha
Our View
Onguma’s The Fort’s name is warranted. The desert-coloured geometric complex sits in the middle of the Etosha with brilliant views into the surrounding pans. Set in amongst 100s of camel thorn trees, it feels like The Fort could have been there for years, weaving in and out of its natural surroundings. It’s also exceptionally good value for money.
Our Rating:
Cost: $573
Onsea House - Arusha
A beautiful property, loved the view of the lush vegetation around the propertyLoved cleaning up after our time in the bush and taking a nice swim in the pool
Excellent food at the restaurant
- J&S Ansbaugh
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $179
Oyster Bay - Dar es Salaam
Oyster Bay - just the best boutique hotel I have ever stayed in (room, garden, food, lounge, service) though the location not quite as good as the first two.- M Braithwaite
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $404
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