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
Chem Chem Lodge - Tarangire
Chem Chem is a very high end lodge in the migratory corridor between Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We would not recommend it to those wanting a game rich experience but if you have a few days spare, this is a beautiful place to spend them.
Our Rating:
Cost: $931
Chiawa Camp - Lower Zambezi
Absolutely fascinating to meet Grant Cumings, the owner, who was being transferred from Old Mondoro up to Chiawa with us. He was clearly a little sensitive about the arrival of Anabezi on the scene and that we would feel that Chiawa was dated. To a certain extent he was right but that did not take into account the wonderful atmosphere and friendliness of the staff that we experienced throughout our stay. We were only at Chiawa for 2 nights and I would say that this area of the game park looked rather worn and well-trodden compared to Anabezi and the guides had to work a little harder to find game. Having said that we had some amazing close-up viewings of leopard and our canoe trip was a brilliant experience - slightly nerve-wracking at some points but the reassuring experience of our guide managed to keep me calm! Food gets 5 stars and we really enjoyed dining together, sharing stories and listening to their lovely choir. Having mentioned that it was our 25th wedding anniversary holiday, they arranged some lovely, personal touches; lunch floating on the river, private dining in our tent - we felt very touched and very well looked after. It seems like a camp that has a loyal following for good reason but perhaps Grant is right to think that he needs to keep on his toes. - J Eaton
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,425
Chichele Presidential Lodge - South Luangwa
Our View
Chichele Presidential has brought a new standard of accommodation to Zambian safaris. While this country is known for its characterful bush camps, Chichele Presidential, as its name suggests, offers premium bricks and motar luxury - something that’s usually associated with neighbouring Botswana. If you want all the facilities, but still a family-run feel then this lodge is for you; Chichele is operated by the Cumings family, who are known for their personalised luxury lodges in the valley. But just as they haven’t held back on luxury furnishings, facilities and everything in between, Chichele has got a price tag to match.
Our Rating:
Cost: $595
Chiefs - Moremi
The Game Drives at Chief's Camp were particularly good!! The night of the 'Supermoon' (14th November) was great and produced a fabulous sunset and a Pelican 'fly past', which was truly amazing!! We have photos that captured the event which will provide great memories for us both.- G. Prigmore
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,795
Chikoko Tree Camp - South Luangwa
We stayed 3 nights in total at Chikoko and Crocodile. One night on our own at Crocodile with the wonderful Alex and the next two at Chikoko. I was so impressed by Alex – his guiding skills were incredible and we had great competitive card sessions. (Ted – we put two and two together with the lovely, honey-mooning couple Charlie and Alice and realised that you had organised both our trips. We spent lots of time with them and really enjoyed their company. I am sure we both have unforgettable memories. - M. Riddle
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $685
Chikwenya - Mana Pools
Our View
Chikwenya has proved itself to be a really exciting addition to Mana Pools. Set on the eastern Mana Pools border, sandwiched between the National Park and the newly restored Sapi reserve, it is a world away and very much off the beaten track. Remaining wholly luxurious, Chikwenya is an excellent pick for the seasoned safari goer and truly a phographer's paradise.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,288
Chindeni Bush Camp - South Luangwa
Our View
Recognised as one of the Luangwa’s more luxurious bushcamps, complete with writing desks and solid wooden furniture, Chindeni caters for a client who wants a secure tented camp, but one that also has a sense of adventure. In our view it lacks that sense of wild adventure that the Luangwa’s bushcamps are so famous for. Subsequently we prefer the other Bushcamp camps. However for clients wanting a more secure camp than many of the bushcamps can provide, Chindeni is a good option to combine with other Bushcamp Company walking camps.
Our Rating:
Cost: $870
Chinzombo Camp - South Luangwa
The Norman Carr Chinzombo camp were absolutely fantastic, the guiding especially. The boat trips across the river to get to the game vehicles is also a plus. The rooms are massive with absolutely stunning views over the river. - R. Lloyd-Jones
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,530
Chisa Busanga Camp - Kafue
Our View
Chisa Busanga Camp may look like it’s been plucked out of a gimmicky ‘world’s quirkiest hotels’ article - but its draw doesn’t necessarily lie in its incredible bird nest architecture. The Busanga plains in Kafue is one of Africa’s wildest and most spoiling locations for safar-lovers. Staying here is the epitome of isolation in the wilderness, and Chisa offers a truly intimate, quality stay, which is why we love it.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
Chitabe - Okavango Delta
Chitabe was a real surprise . If you remember it was a sort of last minute addition because of flights or camp availability I can’t remember. If anything this was the best and we would have liked to have stayed longer. Perhaps our view was distorted by the 22 wild dogs which I believe are the same pack as the recent documentary. - G. Bradburn
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,841
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.
