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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Pafuri Camp - Northern Kruger National Park
Our View
Pafuri Camp has bundles of charm and feels truly wild in the unfenced far north of the Kruger National Park. It’s one for those who don’t want to break the bank, but seek an authentic safari with fabulous wildlife set away from the crowds of the south. While it’s not uber plush, there are comforts like a pool and classic safari luxuries to make your stay special.
Our Rating:
Cost: $451
Palissandre Cote Ouest - Morondava
Our View
Locates 40 minutes form the Avenue of the Baobabs, this makes for a great spot form which to explore Madagascar or just relax with a drink in the hand!
Our Rating:
Cost: $118
Palm Beach - Nosy Be
Our View
Situated on the southwest coast of Nosy Be Island and near the village of Ambondrona just 30 minutes from the airport, this elegant and modern resort has 63 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a pool and luxurious spa, perfect for that relaxing getaway in the sun.
Our Rating:
Cost: $170
Pamushana Lodge - Malilangwe
In short, we loved our stay at Pamushana. Amazing place, amazing people, and such a great stay. Everything worked very smoothly and the transfer from JNB to Buffalo Range airport was very smooth, never done that smooth travel in JNB before. The staff was friendly and since day 1 we felt like the same family.The lodge was in perfect condition and their cooks are simply amazing, we've never so good food in Africa before and best of all, it was local and included game. We've been disappointed in e.g. Kenya when the food was more European pizza-pasta -style. As a private resort it's not as animal rich as some national parks but that was really an advantage as one (read: the guide) had to make some effort to find the animals, especially the more rare ones.
The animals are also less used to cars. In Maasai Mara it was a bit annoying that there was a lion family under every second tree, and the guides made noise simply to wake them up. Zimbabwe got high on our list for future trips so we'll most definitely be back.
- P Ojala
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $895
Park Hyatt, Stone Town - Park Hyatt, Stone Town
The Park Hyatt Stone town features 67 luxury rooms on a great beachfront location. It won’t suit those looking for an intimate, barefoot Indian Ocean experience, but it is well equipped and a good base from which to explore Zanzibar's historical Capital..
Our Rating:
Cost: $250
Pelo - Okavango Delta
Our View
The word Pelo in Setswana means ‘heart’ – a fitting name inspired by the distinct heart-shaped island on which the camp is built in the heart of the Jao Concession. This is the Delta as it is meant to be enjoyed – remote, genuine, and wild.
Our Rating:
Cost: $753
Peponi Lodge - Lamu
the place to stay ! - amazing food and cocktails and 8 kms of private beach just round the corner - l. James
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $225
Phinda Forest Lodge - Phinda
Our View
Set in the ancient Sand Forest, Phinda Forest Lodge is found in the north of Phinda Private Game Reserve and although the facilities are not as extensive as some of &Beyond's other lodges here, the luxurious room and exquisite setting certainly make up for this.
Our Rating:
Cost: $600
Phinda Homestead - Phinda
Our View
Phinda Homestead is a modern, sole use lodge in the north of Phinda and is an enviable spot to explore the reserve from. Designed like a contemporary bush farmhouse, &Beyond's Phinda homestead is both elegant and homely.
Our Rating:
Cost: $7,700
Phinda Mountain Lodge - Phinda
Our View
Mountain Lodge is the southernmost lodge on Phinda Game Reserve and is set on top of a small hill with great views across a patch of open savannah. The lodge itself is the largest on Phinda with twenty-three rooms and a large family room. All rooms have their own plunge pool, apart from the family room which is the closest to the stunning infinity communal pool.
Our Rating:
Cost: $550
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