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
Blue Bay - Zanzibar, East Coast
It is one of the best resort accommodations on Zanzibar. In the same league as Breezes, the hotel has a charming atmosphere, set away from that of a large resort. The rooms are great and there is a real vibrant atmosphere. Like Breezes it is very good for families and groups, but given that they are both very similarly priced, we much prefer Breezes due to it being much smaller, yet it offers a similar product.
Our Rating:
Cost: $180
Bom Bom - Principe Island
Our View
It is no wonder that Bom Bom is probably the most popular hotel on the island. With secluded beaches, a forest teeming with life, a restaurant serving notoriously delicious food and a luscious pool all on your doorstep, you can’t go far wrong with a stay in this little slice of undiscovered paradise.
Our Rating:
Cost: $300
Borana - Lewa Downs
Our rooms at Borana were above and beyond our expectations just given the size of the rooms, how nice the rooms and bathrooms were, the lovely fires that were lit in each of our rooms every night and then connecting our room with our daughters’ room was an outdoor living room area with a large comfortable couch, great chairs and a fire pit that they also lit for us every night. The view from the living room and our rooms was the watering hole down below where baboons, elephants, giraffes and lions drank. After dinner (which was always an incredible experience with superb hosting by Sam and Flick) we would then go to our own “living room” with my parents and daughters and play charades or just hang out. There was a bar in the living room that was well stocked with things for everyone. Borana was probably everyone’s favorite, which is saying a lot given that the other places were fantastic. - K Hooker
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $745
Breezes Beach Club - Zanzibar, East Coast
An elegant choice for luxurious beach accommodation on Zanzibar’s East Coast with all mod-cons and entertainment a plenty - this is the best value of the larger hotels on the island. Breezes does cater for the mainstream market but is the best at doing this on Zanzibar. It is perfect for families and ticks all the boxes, but for couples wanting a smaller hotel with all the perks of a large hotel we prefer Ras Nungwi.
Our Rating:
Cost: $195
Buhoma Lodge - Uganda
Our View
Just North of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Buhoma enjoys incredibly easy access to the park and is a great base from which to explore the area and gorilla trek. Sister lodge to Ishsha Wilderness and Baker's Lodge, these guys really know what they are doing and are one of the best operators in Uganda.
Our Rating:
Cost: $375
Bumi Hills - Lake Kariba
Our View
Visitors to Lake Kariba are usually attracted by the exceptional fishing or the renowned game viewing of the Matusadona National Park on the shore. The unique, elevated situation of Bumi Hills provides guests with stunning views of this vast lake and all the comforts expected of a safari lodge.
Our Rating:
Cost: $650
Busanga Bush Camp - Kafue
Busanga was a special place. The plains were just beginning to be populated with game and we were able to follow a pride of lions for our entire three days there. - E. Young
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $980
Bwindi Lodge - Uganda
Our View
Set in the hills surrounding the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there is no better base than Bwindi Lodge from which to explore the surrounding jungle on safari. Set right in the heart of the action and with beautiful views, this cosy lodge is perfect for relaxing after a day trekking to find the incredible mountain gorillas. There are very, very few places left on Earth where such a special experience with an endangered species can be had.Our Rating:
Cost: $200
Camp Hwange - Hwange
Our View
Camp Hwange is a traditional bush camp, and a brilliant option for those who don’t need cutting edge architecture and all the luxuries to have a good time. Instead, you get atmosphere, cracking campfire tales and brilliant wildlife, with all the comforts you could need and a touch more, but without spending a fortune. It is an excellent value option.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Camp Kipwe - Damaraland
Our View
Camp Kipwe offers a very good value stay in the heart of Damaraland. Offering excursions into the region, including searching for the desert adapted elephants as well as visiting the rock art of Twyfelfontein you can tick off everything you need to in the area. The food is delicous, however the overall experience is not quite as high as you would find at Wilderness' Damaraland property.
Our Rating:
Cost: $350
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.
