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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Vumbura Plains - Okavango Delta
I wanted to drop you a note and tell you what an absolutely fantastic trip I had to Mombo and Vumbura Plains. I walked away with 2900 photos and am, by no means, a serious photographer. Thank you again for all your wonderful suggestions. They really paid off for me. You can be certain this is not my last trip there.- A Luchechko
Our Rating:
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Cost: $2,723
Vundu - Mana Pools
Our View
Vundu and its smaller sister camp Little Vundu are owned and run by husband and wife team Nick and Des Murrary, both excellent and well-respected professional guides, who also continue to oversee the Bushlife Conservancy charity which has helped eradicate poaching in the region. Both camps are located in a small private concession next to Mana Pools National Park which gives them access to both of these wildlife-rich areas.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,073
Waterberry Lodge - Victoria Falls
In Zambia we stayed at Waterberry Lodge 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.- S. Power
Our Rating:
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Cost: $331
Waterlovers - Indian Ocean Mainland
Our View
Waterlovers is a small eco-friendly resort in the centre of Diani and directly on the beach; an area known for prisitne beaches and turquoise Indian Ocean shores.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
White Pearl - Southern Mozambique
Wow, White Pearl really is a gem, it blew us away! It was such a surprise to find this oasis of style and charm, miles away from anywhere in the depths of southern Mozambique. We thoroughly enjoyed the sophisticated staff and style and delicious meals, morning, noon and night. The beach is beautiful, absolutely wild, and we loved our forays out into the Indian Ocean on ‘sea safaris’; it was just brilliant to swim with sleepy dolphin, and snorkel massive reefs with the kids. The horseriding was fun too, not too taxing, but lovely to see the local area… all in all White Pearl is a dream beach lodge. (Just annoyingly VERY far away!) - A Skinner
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Cost: $420
White Sand Villas - Zanzibar, East Coast
White sands apartments were beautiful and we had a very relaxing few days. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. 5*- S Uden,
Our Rating:
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Cost: $608
Winter Palace - Luxor
Our View
The Winter Palace is THE place to stay in Luxor, despite the fact that it really has seen considerably better days. It is falling down, the curtains are threadbare and the service is distinctly idiosyncratic... but it is hugely historic, and brilliantly placed for exploring Luxor. We enjoy the waterfront, the gardens and pool too, especially after a hot day...
Our Rating:
Cost: $150
Wolwedans - Sossusvlei
Our View
The Wolwedans Collection is a group of lodges located in a private reserve 3 hours drive South of the Sossusvlei dunes. Home to the original Wolwedans Dune Lodge and Wolwedans Dune Camp, the collection recently built the stunning Boulders Camp and subsequently offers a range of accommodations to suit all budgets. Famous for its approach to sustainable tourism, Wolwedans is one of Namibia’s most impressive private reserves and a company whose ethos others should learn from. Seeing as it is not possible to visit the Sossusvlei Dunes from Wolwedans we often recommend combining Wolwedans with a couple of nights in Sossusvlei itself before retreating to the privacy the collection offers.
Our Rating:
Cost: $700
Xakanaxa - Moremi
Our View
Xakanaxa Camp is a small and unique little camp located at the edge of the “Mopani Tongue” region of the Moremi NP. Set in a cluster of 3 lodges, including Okuti and Camp Moremi, Xakanaxa ia slightly set away from the other two and is, in our opinion, the best of the three. With a stunning communal lounge and dining area, the rooms, while on the cosy side, are comfortable. The area around is renowned for its game year round and so is well worth a visit.
Our Rating:
Cost: $829
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