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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Tuningi Safari Lodge - Tuningi Safari Lodge
Our View
Tuningi is a fabulous lodge in the west region of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. It’s a truly magical place that has been built with the purpose of families in mind, but with an added splash of luxury so the adults are as happy as the kids. It’s a huge Madikwe win, with its intimate set up, reasonable price, and brilliant atmosphere.
Our Rating:
Cost: $560
Ubuntu Tented Camp - Serengeti, Central
Our trip began in North Serengeti at Ubuntu, which was absolutely magnificent, both the area and the camp itself. There were only 3 guests in total at the camp for our stay, so the service was outstanding. Our guide, Venant, was excellent - even finding a Rhino mother and calf for us. The North Serengeti is very quiet and so different from the crowded central area we have visited before. - S Rudgyard
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $818
Ulusaba - Kruger
Our View
Sir Richard Branson’s Ulusaba is one of the world’s most famous safari hotels and certainly a top end option for luxury safari. Ulusaba appeals to many, because it has many different room types, categories and prices offering fantastic value. It perfectly achieves the balance of delivering high-end service in a friendly manner, which keeps guests returning year after year. Definitely a great option for Sabi Sands safari.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,200
Unguja Resort - Zanzibar, South Coast
We like Unguja Resort. Ralph and Elies have created a superb lodge that they can be proud of... its only flaw (a potentially major one) is the location; the beach is simply very disappointing. If you can get over this fact then there are few better value lodges on Zanzibar.
Our Rating:
Cost: $230
Vakona Forest Lodge - Mantadia National Park
Our View
Andasibe’s most popular hotel, Vakona has 28 Madagascan-style bungalows nestled in the forest bordering a man-made lake. Vakona also has its own small reserve, Lemur Island, with habituated lemur species including the Bamboo Lemur, Black and White Ruffed Lemur, Brown Lemur and Diademed Sifaka.
Our Rating:
Cost: $97
Vamizi - Quirimbas Archipelago
Vamizi, impossible to leave. Absolutely incredible. recommend it highly enough. Staff, diving, food, accommodation all fantastic. We just want to go back. - Andy C-D
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $890
Vamizi Villas - Quirimbas Archipelago
Our View
For large groups or families the 2 private Vamizi Villas are the best beach villas in Africa, and offer exceptionally good value when staying in groups of 12 or more. Set in their own private grounds on this 12km tropical island the villas are separate to Vamizi Lodge with private management for each villa, incredible food and access to the one of the best beaches on the east coast of Africa.
Our Rating:
Cost: $25,000
Verney's Camp - Hwange
Our View
Verney’s Camp is a brilliant Hwange option for that classic tented safari-style camp elevated with a hefty sprinkling of luxury in its pool and spacious rooms. The beauty of Hwange is you can get Botswana-level opulence, but for half the price. It also helps that the wildlife is phenomenal.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls
In Zimbabwe we stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel which was absolutely lovely with great managers and staff and brilliant location with plenty to do. A great location for Victoria Falls and other activities. Overall a great success. many thanks.- K. Power
Our Rating:
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Cost: $265
Virunga Lodge - Rwanda
Virunga lodge was spectacular and the food was outstanding, everyone was raving! And the birding there just hanging out at the lodge...sunbirds endemic to the Albertine Rift were just common garden birds! - A. Hile
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $650
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