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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The Sands at Nomad - Indian Ocean Mainland
Our View
A fantastic beach getaway is what is in store for you at The Sands at Nomad, with the Swahili and Italian fusion in it's architecture and fantastic location on Diani Beach amidst a lush coastal rainforest.
Our Rating:
Cost: $250
The Silo - Cape Town
Our View
The Silo has set a new standard of hotel in the heart of Cape Town. With beautiful views across the city and Table Mountain, the hotel has been built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex that occupies six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
Our Rating:
Cost: $670
The Taj Cape Town - Cape Town
Our View
The Taj is in the Gardens area of down town Cape Town, away from the popular and vibrant Water front area. Overall the Taj is a good choice for a city centre accommodation though it is also worth looking at the longer established and more historical Mount Nelson Hotel. It depends what you are after though, as it is in a great location and offers a perfectly comfortable stay.
Our Rating:
Cost: $350
The Tides - Tanzania Mainland Coast
We thoroughly enjoyed Tides . We had the Upepo suite so that we could more directly compare with a suite at Ras Katani.All Tides properties face east , so you experience wonderful sunrises . The thatched sunshades provided all day shade , and had comfortable sun beds .I love the warmth ,but cannot be in the sun for too long.. So I rate Tides very highly indeed .The standard bungalows are directly on the beach .We looked inside one of these , and they are very nice. .... so nice I am not sure we would go for the Upepo suite another time. Tides is certainly very peaceful and quiet and enjoys a lovely beach location. It is very very good .Is it as good as Ras Katani ? That is a difficult question to answer . I would say the beach bungalows are better ,the suite does have shade outdoors which you do not have at Ras Katani,albeit in a separate enclosed outside area , but there is no plunge pool.Ras Katani is special , but so too is Tides in a different way . Tides should come highly recommended to your clients. - T Platt
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $200
The View - Al Hajar
Our View
The View's location on the side of a mountain is fantastic, and as the name suggests, the vistas are truly spectacular. The View is located at 1,400 metres above sea level, and is reached by driving through 8 kms of fairly bumpy winding road from Al Hamra to Hail Al Shas. Each room has its own terrace above the rocky valley landscape below.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
The Z Hotel - Zanzibar, North Coast
Great beach, one of the best on the whole island. However Nungwi is the busiest area (by far) of anywhere on Zanzibar and the Z Hotel is right in the thick of it all. In a nutshell, the hotel has impressive standards but caters for young party loving professionals – it tries to be a smart hotel in a busy, lively area – certainly not for a relaxed honeymoon couple trying to escape the crowds, but if you are looking for a taste of nightlife towards then end of your trip then why not give it a go.
Our Rating:
Cost: $150
Thonga - iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Thonga beach is a huge coast all natural with no human presence other than a village in theland and this lodge which is a very exlusive spot. The food is great with a selection of good wines from South Africa. The marine center is a team of 4 with great experience and we felt in good hand during our DSD (discover scuba diving) training and first dive. The local community is very involved with the lodge as the lodge is employing most of the kitchen bar and maintemance staff ...we had a fantastic and relaxing time
- R Oatly
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $300
Three Tree Hill - Drakensberg
Our View
Owned and run by the incredibly welcoming Simon and Cheryl Blackburn, Three Trees at Spioenkop is the perfect blend of simple beauty and tranquillity. An hour’s drive from the Drakensberg this is the perfect base to explore the area.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
Tintswalo Atlantic - Cape Town
Our View
This small and charming luxury hotel is situated at the bottom of Chapman's Peak Drive and has a beautiful ocean view across Hout Bay. With access to the hotel only being through a transfer down the winding slopes, privacy and intimacy is the key to your stay at Tintswalo Atlantic.
Our Rating:
Cost: $650
Tintswalo Safari Lodge - Kruger
Our View
Sandwiched between the Sabi Sands and TImbavati Game Reserves, Tintswalo Safari Lodge is situated in the Manyeleti Game Reserve which also forms part of the Greater Kruger Area where sightings of the 'Big 7' are often completed in a short stay. With six beautifully luxurious rooms, a seperate two-room presidential suite and a seperate Manor House which runs as its own lodge, Tintswalo has something for everyone.
Our Rating:
Cost: $800
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