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
Sunshine Marine Lodge - Zanzibar, East Coast
Over on Zanzibar then, again, Sunshine, was a really great choice. We didn't quite work out that the half board nature of it meant that our evening meal was included! On the first night we headed off to a local restaurant. It was only a small matter as the second night we dined in and I was very delighted when the mega valentines seafood buffet bill arrived at about a tenner each which incuded our wine and drinks etc... It's a lovely hotel and the local feel was excellent as well. Snorkelling was brill as well.- Darbourn
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $130
Sussurro - Sussurro
Our View
Sussurro is incredibly chic. The minimalist design is sleek and fitting among the to-and-fro of the natural world, as turquoise waters lazily lap white sands all within view from your bed. It’s a fantastic place to slow right down and simply enjoy being in a beautiful place.
Our Rating:
Cost: $895
Swala - Tarangire
Swala is up there as one of the best camps in Tarangire National Park. Run by Sanctuary lodges (part owned by Abercrombie and Kent) Swala is the most luxurious outfit in the park offering a service of the highest quality. The camp location bears well for great game viewing and a perfect place to begin walks. Olivers Camp, its competitor round the corner, is a completely different style of camp which has a very adventurous feel to it, whereas Swala is the more luxurious style camp. Both are of the same, high quality standard in their respective categories.
Our Rating:
Cost: $770
Tafika Camp - South Luangwa
Second, I really enjoyed the time with animals and the guides were superb...especially Tafika. - R Schoettger
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,045
Taj Exotica - South Atolls
Our View
Located in the Central Male Atoll Taj Exotica is one of the finest options available in the Malives. With only 64 rooms, this island feels spacious and truly idyllic.
Our Rating:
Cost: $596
Tanda Tula - Timbavati
Our View
Located in the heart of the Greater Kruger, Tanda Tula is situated deep into the Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa. Renowned for its brilliant big five sightings as well as incredible walking opportunities, Tanda Tula is a combination of camps that can offer beautifully luxurious permanent lodge or a rustic and basic temporary walking camp. Whatever camp you choose, you can be sure that the real essence of safari is maintained throughout.
Our Rating:
Cost: $850
Tarangire Sopa Lodge - Tarangire
Probably the pick of the Sopa lodges in Tanzania as it offers a somewhat intimate experience (considering the number of rooms), in a great spot for game viewing. The layout of the lodge is very good and where it is beginning to look slightly dated, the rooms and features are still of a good standard. A good option for those not able to push out the budget and opt for Oliver’s, Swala or Treetops.
Our Rating:
Cost: $250
Tarangire Treetops - Tarangire
Tarangire Treetops is a stunning and quirky property set just to the East of the Tarangire National Park. Owned and operated by the Elewana Company, the lodge is the sister to Migration Camp in the Serengeti and The Manor in Ngorongoro- and equally as luxurious. Tarangire Tree Tops has access to night drives as it just outside the park. A very unique Lodge!
Our Rating:
Cost: $708
Tau Pan - Makgadikgadi Pans
We stayed at Tau Pan for 3 nights and had a most wonderful game viewing experience. The camp staff under the management of Hilda are all extremely friendly, courteous, helpful and skilled. Our guides Mat and Custom were marvelously knowledgeable about all species of mammals, reptiles and birds and extremely sharp-eyed. The accommodation is to a very high standard and extremely comfortable.Each lodge has a veranda with views to the waterhole in the distance. The communal areas were well designed, meals were beautifully prepared and presented. Being part of the national game preserve there are strict rules which prevent vehicles leaving the various various tracks through the preserve. This is to protect the fragile habitat. However it was possible to get very good views of the many species. - M Pepper
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $492
Tembo Hotel - Stone Town, Zanzibar
This hotel has let us down in the past and for that reason we do not like to recommend the place. Some rooms are very good but the reality is that the service standards are not anywhere near the quality of its competitors. More importantly however, it is a dry hotel which for those of us who like that sundowner is nothing short of a nightmare!
Our Rating:
Cost: $110
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.
