Top 10 luxury safari lodges and camps
Going on safari doesn’t have to mean sleeping under the stars. In Botswana, many of the lodges and camps are award-winning and each has its own unique offering.
Check out our top ten list of luxury safari accommodations with everything from wine cellars to plunge pools, for the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.
10. Xugana Island Lodge, Okavango Delta
This reed and thatch lodge located in the Delta features eight raised ensuite chalets. Each face over the lagoon, with private decking. A canopy of trees gently shade the main lounge and dining area, and there is a swimming pool and open area for dining al fresco.
9. Xigera Camp, Okavango Delta
Xigera Camp lies on one of the most beautiful parts of the Delta, on aptly named Paradise Island. The wetland paradise is perfect for birdwatchers and those wanting a true tranquil experience, with crystal clear water channels and lush vegetation surrounding the area. Ten luxury tents overlook a year-round waterhole.
8. Chobe Savanna Lodge, Chobe National Park
Overlooking the vast floodplains of Chobe National Park’s Puku Flats, the lodge offers a secluded safari experience. Being on the northern bank of the Chobe River, the classic African Savanna environment is home to large herds of elephant, buffalo and hippo, as well as much other wildlife. Each thatched chalet is air-conditioned, with a private deck and ensuite.
7. Chitabe Camp, Okavango Delta
The camp is elevated above the surrounding waterways, woodland, and open grassland, allowing for spectacular views over the floodplains. Raised walkways link the ensuite rooms and lounge and dining area. The eight spacious walk-in tents are uniquely decorated, with an indoor and outdoor shower.
6. Leroo La Tau, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Leroo La Tau translates to ‘lion’s paw’, but as well as abundant lion, zebra and wildebeest, there is everything from cheetah to porcupine to be seen. The lodge offers guided day and night game drives, and features a panoramic river vista from a game-viewing hide built into the bank of the river. There are 12 luxurious thatched and glass-fronted suites, a refreshing swimming pool and boat activities available.
5. Savuti Camp, Savute
This intimate camp has seven large walk-in tents with ensuite facilities, a thatched lodge housing the dining and lounge areas, and a small pool. The expansive raised viewing area faces a waterhole, which draws a variety of wildlife day and night, including a large number of elephants. The camp is situated in the private Linyati Concession, so guests benefit from exclusive access to abundant game and geological marvels.
4. Khwai River Lodge, Moremi
Khwai River Lodge overlooks vibrant floodplains and is a wildlife haven. 15 air-conditioned thatch and tented rooms sit on raised platforms with private decks complete with a hammock for enjoying the panoramic views. There is a luxury private suite for a more romantic, secluded experience, and the lodge has a 20m swimming pool, a library, a telescope and spa facilities available.
3. Jao Camp, Okavango Delta
Jao is set in a remote wetland paradise where riverine forests merge with vast floodplains, and is frequently visited by a variety of wildlife. The sparkling waters and swaying reeds provide the ultimate Delta water experience, but for those wanting to remain on land there is a spa with a range of massage therapies available. The luxurious camp also has two plunge pools, a wine cellar, gym, and nine beautiful ensuite tents, all shaded by a canopy of trees.
2. Kings Pool, Linyanti
This luxurious and historic safari base is located in the middle of Africa’s highest density of elephants. The camp’s nine luxury tents each have a large bedroom, a spacious double ensuite, and lounge area leading out onto a private veranda with plunge pool. The lounge, bar and dining area is set on expansive raised decking, and there is a pool and open-air ‘kgotla’ for evening dining under the stars.
1. Vumbura Plains, Okavango Delta
Perhaps the most extravagant of all, Vumbura Plains consists of two luxury camps, North and South, with 14 rooms between them. Each camp has a raised lounge, dining and bar area, with a deck overlooking the floodplain perfect for star-gazing or just relaxing by the camp fire. The spacious ensuite rooms have glass walls, an indoor and outdoor shower, and private decking area with refreshing plunge pool ideal for cooling off in while observing the passing wildlife.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Read about our first-hand safari experience.
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