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.
ALL COUNTRIES
TANZANIABOTSWANAZAMBIAKENYAZIMBABWEMOZAMBIQUENAMIBIASOUTH AFRICARWANDAUGANDAEGYPTMADAGASCARCONGOMAURITIUSSEYCHELLESMALDIVES
See more:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
Shinde - Okavango Delta
The camp at Shinde was outstanding. The staff was fantastic. The Managers there appear to take all the feedback from their guests and implement their suggestions. The 4WD’s were beautifully equipped with insect spray, tissues and lollies as well as hot water bottles inserted into the car blankets in the morning. Hot water bottles were put into the beds at night time (which happened at all the other camps too except Linyanti Lagoon). Their library was equipped with many animal guide books and maps were on the walls. Sherry was even delivered to the rooms at night time. In addition to this, they served champagne for their sundowner drinks and nothing was a problem to any staff. They thought up fabulous places to set up the most beautiful sundowner drinks with delicious nibbles to accompany. Each location was a wonderful surprise and wonderfully executed. For our last night, they gave us our own private dinner party which was very lovely.- E. French
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,021
Shipwreck Lodge - Skeleton Coast
Our View
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is a place quite like no other in the whole of Africa, and in all honestly, the world. There are not many other better places to base yourself in the eerie isolation of the sandy Namibian Skeleton Coast than in the quirky and fabulous Shipwreck Lodge. The unique nature of the area and the wildlife you do see in this unbelievably harsh climate is extraordinary to see. It is not just about the wildlife itself, but the whole surrounding atmosphere which makes the excursions here so special.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,192
Shooting Star - Zanzibar, East Coast
Now back in Berlin, we just wanted to give feedback for our unforgettable Christmas safari to Tanzania. Everything was flawless and highly enjoyable. All transfers worked perfectly (not to be taken for granted), and all the guides were very knowledgeable, but also very empathetic and focused on what we were looking for. Truly a superb performance.We especially liked the Tree Lodge, Oyster Bay and Shooting Star. Special thanks to Tom McGail for pointing us to those early on.
- M Young
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $124
Shumba Camp - Kufue
Our View
We vote Wilderness Safaris' Shumba Camp as Kafue’s best. It's in a great setting and has a real emphasis on the luxury experience. The area is visited by few guests so safaris here are very exclusive and the quality of guiding set very high. The Busanga Plains is famous for its predator concentrations and Shumba is set right in the best area….big game driving here is superb.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,173
Sindabezi Island Lodge - Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Our View
Sindabezi is a five roomed private island lodge in the centre of the Zambezi River. Owned by Ben Parker, the owner of Tongabezi, this is an old favourite in the office and a great lodge for the client wanting something close to a bush camp in Livingstone. Brilliant for groups wanting to be completely shut off from the rest of the world, but still accessible to getting the best out of the area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $635
Singita Boulders - Sabi Sands
We never wanted to leave!!! What an incredible place! As soon as we were welcomed we felt as though we had arrived at a hidden oasis of luxury and peace. The wildlife viewing was great and the guiding good. Everything back in camp was above anything standards we could expect, incredible food and wines!! Can’t wait to go back!! - S Peters
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,650
Singita Ebony - Sabi Sands
Our View
Located close to Singita Boulders, Singita Ebony is a much more traditional camp than its super famous neighbour; a seriously good safari camp with the same levels of service and hospitality as BouldersOur Rating:
Cost: $1,750
Singita Explore - Serengeti, Grumeti Reserves
Just wanted to let you know that I had the best time on the riding safari trip, it was everything I had hoped for, plus so much more. Everything was perfect, even the weather wasn't too hot, hence no mosquito bites until the very last day. My friend who went with me was so impressed with everything, from the variety and number of animals to the level of comfort at the tented camp. I've attached a video taken by one of my guides taken during one of the many long canters across the open plains, a lot of times joined by herds of zebras and wildebeest (not in this one though) The riding was just unbelievable and I don't think you can get it anywhere else in the world, so thank you again so much for introducing this place to me. Incidentally, I was told I am the first ever Asian person who's gone riding with them. I think you need to up your marketing game in Asia ;o)- L Chan
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,425
Singita Kwitonda Lodge - Rwanda
Our View
Singita Kwitonda Lodge is based on a 178-acre pocket of land with uninterrupted views of Volcanoes National Park. Owned by the luxury and completely spoiling Singita, it is a real gem in the midst of this beautiful part of the world. Exuding the highest level of luxury and opulence, Kwitonda maintains Singita's five-star standards that are so prevalent throughout their lodges all across the continent.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,500
Singita Lebombo - Kruger
For the first drive and a bit we were driving around not seeing a whole lot. I understand that can happen but neither the guide nor the tracker seemed to be pro-actively trying/looking for anything. It did improve and if we had only gone to Singita or went there first I am sure we would have been truly amazed too.The accommodation and food at Singitta were spectacular. A definite notch or two above Kirkmans. Also the gym was very useful. - N Coles
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,650
We create fabulous safari itineraries and honeymoons throughout Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. Our knowledge and experience will guarantee you the very best possible itinerary for
your budget and travel dates, and your money is protected
by our ATOL bond.
your budget and travel dates, and your money is protected
by our ATOL bond.
