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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Ngoma Safari Lodge - Chobe
Our View
Ngoma Safari Lodge is pricey for Chobe National Park lodges given it’s not in a private concession, but don’t knock it just because of that: there are many things which make this luxurious opening an attractive option. Set in the quieter part of the park - in the Chobe Forest Reserve - it benefits from the incredible wildlife of the national park but without sharing sightings with loads of other tourists. It also has the added creature comforts of private plunge pools - but for half the price you would pay in the private concessions of the Okavango Delta.
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Cost: $
North Island Okavango - Okavango Delta
Our View
North Island Okavango is a truly plush new addition to the Okavango Delta. Crucially, while some safari companies can lose their sense of wilderness in favour of luxury, North Island has kept an authentic intrepid feel with its under canvas soundscapes and wooden aesthetic. Plus, the wildlife area is unmatched.
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Cost: $
Nxai Pan - Makgadikgadi Pans
Nxai Pan: A good place to start our trip. The tracks we could drive were limited, no off road driving here and we had to be back in camp before dark. Our guide was Tabo. The friendly tracker Obi took us on the little nature walk in the camp and told us many things about the Bushman culture. I felt they could do more with the cultural experience. - R Blom
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Cost: $593
Okavango Explorers Camp - Selinda
Our View
Okavango Explorers Camp is the epitome of old school safari magic. Its decor, with oak furnishings and Persian rugs, goes some of the way in convincing guests as such, but its quality isn’t confined to the interiors. With knowledgeable guides, a true explorer feel to the camp, and a brilliant density of wildlife in the Selinda Reserve, this camp is a real find.
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Cost: $
Okavango Horse Safaris - Okavango Delta
I have just ridden a five day safari with Okavango Horse Safaris in northern Botswana. It was absolutely FANTASTIC.- S Ward
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Cost: $675
Okuti - Okavango Delta
Our View
Okuti is a lovely little camp with a lot of heritage which clearly shows through in the experience. Moremi offers year round game viewing and Okuti is well located enough to remain relatively remote within the game reserve. It’s a good value camp and perfect for those looking to keep costs down.
Our Rating:
Cost: $808
Pelo - Okavango Delta
Our View
The word Pelo in Setswana means ‘heart’ – a fitting name inspired by the distinct heart-shaped island on which the camp is built in the heart of the Jao Concession. This is the Delta as it is meant to be enjoyed – remote, genuine, and wild.
Our Rating:
Cost: $753
Pom Pom - Okavango Delta
Our View
A very airy and tropical feel to the camp makes for a jumpy and bright atmosphere, predominantly aided by the sheer brilliant design of the open main area. With everything on your doorstep and only 15 minutes from its private airstrip, Pom Pom is an effortless, comfortable camp with everything on offer. It has a great mix of game and terrain and offers a great value camp in a sensible price bracket.Our Rating:
Cost: $912
Qorokwe - Okavango Delta
Our View
The name Qorokwe means “the place where the buffalo broke through the bush into the water" and is evocative of the high-density game area in which it is situated. Qorokwe in the south-eastern part of the Okavango Delta, reveals diverse habitats supporting a wealth of wildlife, earning the area’s well-deserved reputation as one of the best Botswana safari destinations.
Our Rating:
Cost: $2,023
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