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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Tawana - Okavango Delta
Our View
Opened in 2024, Tawana is the newest sleek Okavango Delta offering for those who love all the in-camp luxuries. While this camp is in a hugely wildlife-rich area, the famed Moremi Game Reserve, it does not have the seclusion of a private concession, meaning you will see more vehicles here than in other camps of a similar calibre. Saying that though, if you want unmatched wildlife viewing and all the bells and whistles, Tawana is an excellent new offering.
Our Rating:
Cost: $2,095
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
Tena Tena - South Luangwa
Our View
Having seen all the camps in the area and the fact it has been refurbished recently, there is no immediate ‘wow’ factor to Tena Tena when you arrive in camp. Tena Tena work on the experience more than the actual camp. Safari enthusiasts can really appreciate this camp with its great guiding and passion for the Luangwa valley itself which is infectious.
Our Rating:
Cost: $765
Tengile River Lodge | Sabi Sands - Sabi Sands
Our View
Located in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and nestled into a bend on the Sand River is &Beyond's newest and most luxurious lodge. Tengile River Lodge comprises of nine elegant and modern, secluded suites that all have their own magnificent sweeping views.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,550
The Bay Hotel - Cape Town
Our View
The Bay Hotel is a luxury hotel set in the heart of Camps Bay. Although the setting and the facilities are impressive, the atmosphere is not. The beach club ensures that a young, pretentious Cape Town crowd are permanently in residence.
Our Rating:
Cost: $400
The Chedi - Muscat
Our View
The Chedi is a superb hotel, perfectly situated near the centre of Muscat – yet a world away. It is landscaped in a stunning 21 acre garden, looking out onto the stunning waters of the Oman sea and boasting a private beach.
Our Rating:
Cost: $500
The Hide - Hwange
Our View
The Hide has consistently been voted one of the “Best Tented Safari Camp in Zimbabwe”, and in our view it remains one of the best lodges in Hwange. It is also one of the few lodges actually inside the National Park, with just 10 tents, it’s small and intimate and now beautifully renovated.
Our Rating:
Cost: $650
The Highlands - Ngorongoro Crater
The Highlands redefines the Ngorongoro experience. Set on the edge of the mountain forest hugging the Olmoti volcano to the north of Ngorongoro Crater, The Highlands strikes a perfect balance between a true wilderness experience and a high-style, contemporary escape.
Our Rating:
Cost: $850
The Maji - Indian Ocean Mainland
Our View
The Maji is friendly and luxurious small botique hotel on Diani Beach. As well as being in a fantastic area of powdery beaches and turquoise waters, Maji has a lot going for it inside its walls with its fantastically appointed and varied villas.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
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