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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Rra Dinare - Okavango Delta
Our View
Rra Dinare provides the classic tented safari experience without scrimping on added luxuries like a refreshing main area pool and wooden private viewing decks. Run by old hats Kwando Safaris, Rra Dinare offers a proper safari experience with knowledgeable guides. Set in a private concession adjacent to Moremi in the south-east of the Okavango Delta, it's also packed full of exciting wildlife. You can’t go wrong with Rra Dinare - especially when the price is slashed in low season.
Our Rating:
Cost: $725
Ruaha River Lodge - Ruaha
Ruaha River Camp was great, the food, staff and accommodation were spot on and our guide, Frank, was excellent (although he kept - C&R Mahoney-Ward
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $377
Ruckomechi Camp - Mana Pools
We found Ruckomechi Camp to be one of the most magical places we have ever visited. We loved getting to know the staff and were treated like royalty. It was fun to be able to experience Mana Pools National Park from a car, boat, canoe and by foot.- R.Lane
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,073
Rufiji River Camp - Selous
Rufiji River Lodge is owned and operated by the prestigious Fox Family, owners of the Ruaha River Lodge, Katavi Wildlife camp and many others. The camp itself is in a lovely location with scenic views of the Rufiji River, but it needs money spent on it. They were going to refurbish it, but have never got round to it, and until it begins to tidy up around the edges, it doesn’t remain as good value as some of it neighbours.
Our Rating:
Cost: $474
Sable Alley - Okavango Delta
Our View
Sable Alley is a brilliant option for those who want a world-class safari without compromising on luxury. The price hugely varies from low to high seasons, so it’s definitely worth looking at shoulder months if you want a good deal. The Khwai concession of the Okavango Delta is formerly a hunting reserve, but Natural Selection are proud of its conservation success story, as since they took it over wildlife has flooded back into the area. Set between the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve, the safaris here are now fabulous.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,265
Sable Valley - Hwange National Park
Our View
Providing the perfect base for everyone, Amalinda’s Sable Valley Camp sits on the edges of their famous Dete Vlei which attracts an abundance of wildlife. Some guests don’t feel the need to even go out on game drive, they just wait for the wildlife to come to them. Charming and with conservation and sustainability as the ethos, this lodge provides everything a true safari camp should.
Our Rating:
Cost: $500
Sabuk - Laikipia
Our View
Set in a hidden corner of the Laikipia plateau, Sabuk overlooks the Ewaso Nyiro River as it flows through the valley, providing fantastic views from all of the rooms. Owned and managed by Verity Williams, the lodge has a fantastic feeling of being amongst nature and, with activities such as walking safaris, fly camping, camel rides and game driving, it offers something for just about everyone. A very good spot to relax after a few days in the much busier Mara.
Our Rating:
Cost: $602
Sabyinyo - Rwanda
We found Rwanda to be a beautiful country and were absolutely blown away by the Virungas, and, of course, the gorillas. Pictures and stories cannot convey the sense of being close to these magnificent and gentle mammals in their natural setting. The Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge was a great place to stay. The fireplace in our room was used often. We saw the Titus and Sabyinyo groups and absolutely enjoyed our 60 minutes with each. One evening at the lodge, we met a young woman who is the gorilla doctor. that was a treat. Our driver during our stay in Rwanda (Theogin) was great and we highly recommend him to others - Trice
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $816
Safari Series - Lolldaiga Hills
Our View
Safari Series has it all: being owner-managed, you know it will be a special safari experience here. Set on the southern slopes of the Lolldaiga Hills, this tented camp is all about the location and intimate safari experience, but without compromising on simple luxuries like delicious candle-lit dinners and large comfortable beds.
Our Rating:
Cost: $600
Sala's Camp - 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: $1,365
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