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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Princesse Bora - Nosy Boraha
Our View
Princesse Bora, Nosy Boraha is the best hotel in Nosy Boraha (Ile Sainte Marie) and an ideal honeymoon destination; jam packed with beachy romance, and with fantastic facvilities and spacious luxury villas, it is a fantastic choice for a Madagascan holiday.
Our Rating:
Cost: $212
Puku Ridge - South Luangwa
Our View
Puku Ridge is one of the most luxurious offerings in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, with brilliant views over a floodplain in front of camp. With Old Mondoro and Chiawa Camp also in the Cumings family’s safari portfolio, you know what you’re getting here: luxury in the wilderness with world-class guiding and an intimate, personalised experience.
Our Rating:
Cost: $2,000
Qorokwe - Okavango Delta
Our View
The name Qorokwe means “the place where the buffalo broke through the bush into the water" and is evocative of the high-density game area in which it is situated. Qorokwe in the south-eastern part of the Okavango Delta, reveals diverse habitats supporting a wealth of wildlife, earning the area’s well-deserved reputation as one of the best Botswana safari destinations.
Our Rating:
Cost: $2,023
Quilalea - Quirimbas Archipelago
The island is beautiful and we had a fantastic time. The helicopter transfer makes it a lot of fun. The room was great and the snorkelling was fantastic fun. The reef was less than 5m from the shore! The food was excellent but the included wine was poor compared to the safaris. The main criticism here would be the cost of the extras. The activities and spa treatments were very expensive. For example, kayaking is free but guided kayaking was $25ppph. For us that was $75ph for not very much in return. There is no way that reflects the real cost. The Spa treatments were also hugely expensive (it would be cheaper in a 5 start London hotel). Finally, we wanted to visit Ibo. It was a 40 minute boat trip but we had to go by helicopter at $220 pp. for a 3 hour trip. Whilst Ibo is interesting it is not really worth that sort of money. Tipping was also a bit rich. There was suggested tipping at $10-20 pppd for our “butler". Whilst the guy was charming he didn’t do very much. He served breakfast, lunch and dinner and brought us pre-dinner drinks. It seemed a bit excessive given what guides on safari do. The suggested tipping for the remainder of the staff was also $10-20 pppd which looked pricey for a beach resort. I accept that tips are important to supplement salary but I did wonder if the owners were upping the tipping guidance in order that they could get away with lower salaries. It just felt a little bit more exploitative that the other hotels. - G Gibb UK
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $750
Ras Al-Jinz - Sur
Our View
Located on the Eastern Peninsula of Oman, Ras AI Jinz beach is world renown for the nesting endangered green turtle, Chelonia mydas, probably the most important nesting concentration on the Indian Ocean. This is the only place where the public can watch the nesting process of these amazing sea giants.
Our Rating:
Cost: $500
Ras Kutani - Tanzania Mainland Coast
Ras Kutani's setting on the Indian Ocean could not be more beautiful and the staff more helpful. Our suite up the hill had an amazing view and was completely private. The staff immediately made us feel at home and like a part of their family.- A Kerwin USA
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $371
Ras Nungwi - Zanzibar, North Coast
Then to spend a week on Zanzibar afterwards just relaxing and taking it all in was the perfect end to the holiday, we enjoyed snorkelling, kayaking, boat trips and a visit to the local fishing village. Raz Nungwi was lovely, really relaxed, great food and staff and a lovely beach / pool area, our room was also very comfortable, clean and a good size.- H Murphy
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $185
Ras Nungwi - The Ocean Suite - Zanzibar, North Coast
This is one of the best private suite accommodations on the island. The Ocean suite is in fact a small luxurious house with a four poster bed, your own bar and upstairs lounge area (as well as the down stairs one). The suite has stunning views out to sea and privacy is unrivalled.
Our Rating:
Cost: $390
Rekero - Masai Mara Reserve
Great Tented camp. Obviously not as luxurious as Joys, but excellent position in Mara. Guides excellent.- A Jones
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,072
Richards Camp - Greater Mara
Our View
Richard and the Roberts’ family have long been synonymous with the Mara…as has Richard’s Camp, formerly Willie’s camp and also formerly the family home. The great thing about the lodge is that it has retained its air of being a family home and so, while not really offering the views of some of the other camps in the Mara, it feels totally comfortable and relaxed. This camp is ideal for a family or group booking, but also superb for a couple. Definitely a top choice!
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,050
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