hotel chobe safari lodge

+256 372 259300 - +256 200 509001

Chobe Safari Lodge | North-Western Uganda

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in and amongst the Wildest Surroundings

The panoramic views of the magnificent river nile, of relaxation and revitalization, is a unique experience, while watching the sunset, magnificent panoramic view of the river nile, “après safari” world of relaxation and revitalization, the 3 tier pool and the river nile below, signature cottage, deluxe tents, elegance and perched, above the bank of the river nile.

Located in the Murchison Falls National Park, this Five Star lodge is undoubtedly the gem in Uganda's crown of tourism destinations. The breathtaking panoramic views, coupled with the sounds of the River Nile's magnificent rapids, sets the scene for an adventure that will impress even the most discerning of visitors. Chobe Safari Lodge offers a unique opportunity to sample the wildlife, birds, flora and fauna; all in an area of the park that has yet to be discovered. This area of Murchison Falls National Park is ideal for fishing, and will revive this newly refurbished lodge to become one of the best fishing destinations in Africa."10 Gyms With The Most Amazing Views" - CNN 2011

Chobe Safari Lodge Bush Lounge

Tent view from the nile, chobe terrace at sunset, chobe pool with nile view, wildlife views, chobe safari lodge at a glance, this five star lodge is undoubtedly the gem, in uganda’s crown of tourism destination..

Facilities and Services

Chobe Safari Lodge is the perfect bush retreat for a quick getaway from Kampala or the beginning of a longer adventure. View More>

The wildlife biodiversity in Murchison Falls National Park contains the most astonishing number of species... View more>

Offers and Services

A Hidden Gem of Luxury, in and amongst the Wildest Surroundings: come and discover all that Chobe Safari Lodge has to offer! View More>

Our Hotels in Uganda

Chobe safari lodge.

• Mweya Safari Lodge
• Paraa Safari Lodge
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• The Ark Lodge
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• Mara Leisure Camp
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+256 372 259300

+256 200 509001

+256 312 260260

+256 312 260261

+256 414 255992

[email protected]

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Marasa Central Reservations

Plot 96-98, 5th Street Industrial area

P.O. Box 22827

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Stay at the chobe national park.

Chobe Safari Lodge has shared this precious environment with guests (and elephants. And hippos. And crocodiles. And warthogs) for over 60 years! 

Today there are two travel hubs. Chobe Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Chobe River, with the tranquil Chobe Bush Lodge next door within walking distance. .

Welcome to the destination of your wildest dreams!

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ACCOMODATION IN CHOBE

Chobe Safari Lodge has 32 Safari Rooms, 20 River Rooms, 8 Classic Rondavels all facing the Chobe River, 16 spacious family rooms plus a sheltered campsite featuring 23 stands with power points. Set deeper into the bush beside the park, Chobe Bush Lodge has 38 spacious luxury en-suite rooms and 4 large double en-suite family rooms.

CHOBE FACT SHEET

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SAFARI ROOMS

Sip coffee on the river-facing porch and watch warthogs parading across the lush lawns overlooking the Chobe River. It’s an endlessly entertaining animal parade between adventurous activities!

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RIVER ROOMS

It’s easy to savour the Chobe's rumbling hippos and African fish eagles from our River Rooms. This wing sits closest to the main complex of the lodge and faces a secluded indigenous riverside garden. 

An open-plan design ensures a light–filled en-suite room. Enjoy the invigorating air and distant view of the park wilds from the terrace, or sink into the bathtub for a soak after your game drive.

FAMILY ROOMS

Ideal for teens or multi-generational tips, there are four family rooms that are exceptionally spacious and consist of two separate bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities for privacy.

CLASSIC RONDAVELS

These original rooms of old enjoy fantastic Chobe River views and have been lovingly restored to honour their heritage status while providing modern amenities to our safari-loving guests. All units have Wi-Fi, TV and air-conditioning.

RIVERFRONT CAMPSITE

Enjoy the best sunset view in Kasane! There are several level, shaded campsites and three well-tended ablution blocks across our beloved campgrounds. Let’s find your perfect pitch.

OUR FACILITIES

Our helpful lodge amenities enhance every aspect of your safari.   Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge sit beside one another, so guests can freely traverse between the two to enjoy the facilities and restaurants of both.

Enjoy every meal with a view!

  A shaded riverfront terrace at Chobe Safari Lodge has plenty of tables for à la carte lunch or poolside nibbles beside the mighty Chobe River. Scrumptious breakfast buffets and dinner feasts are served in the central dining room at Chobe Safari Lodge in a towering thatched area adorned with fine local basketry and baobab sculptures. This atmospheric heart caters to every diet ranging from traditional beef stew and exotic barbecue dishes (have you ever tried crocodile tail?) to wholesome, healthy vegetarian dishes and gluten-free alternatives. Equally ample dining areas over at Chobe Bush Lodge offer a fine à la carte selection of dishes, from local fish to flavourful pastas and brilliant Botswana steaks.

Our classic riverfront location makes for unforgettable sundowners.

Sip a cocktail (always served with eco-friendly straws) or order a local beer and admire the floodplains from our main deck. Otherwise, enjoy a stroll to Sedudu Bar. Don’t forget to bring the binoculars! You never know what you might spot from this prime location.

Make a splash below the African sun

  Take a refreshing dip and recline on sunny poolside loungers to relax between activities.

Browse our thoughtfully curated shelves.

Stocked with informative guide books, regional maps and the most beautiful crafts of Botswana, including intricately-woven baskets and pottery creations.

Set in a peaceful corner of Chobe Safari Lodge, the Kwa Maningi Spa offers an array of treatments sure to soothe weary safari muscles.

Restore and relax with a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. We proudly use indigenous African ingredients, such as Tsamma melon, baobab fruits and wild honey, in our rejuvenating botanical products.  

Indulge in the fantastic flavours of Botswana with a romantic candle-lit banquet on the Chobe River.

  Diners can expect a totally unique evening surrounded by sounds of the waters by night and decompress with an unforgettable feast aboard our boat.

THINGS TO DO AT CHOBE SAFARI LODGE

The lush Chobe Riverfront, or Serondela section, is the most accessible region of the Chobe National Park and supports abundant wildlife. Enjoy close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, water-based antelopes, buffalos, astonishing bird watching and much more on a boat safari with an ice-cold drink in hand. We also provide private boat hire, seamless Victoria Falls day trips to Zimbabwe, fishing excursions and scenic flights.

13 of the best things to do in Chobe

Tel: (+267) 625 0383 / 2480 [email protected]

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Chobe Safari Lodges

President Avenue, Kasana Border of Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana – Excellent location - show map

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Cleanliness

Value for money

• Swimming Pool
• Free parking
• Air conditioning
• 24-hour front desk
• Key card access

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With Mowana Golf Course reachable in 1.1 km, Chobe Safari Lodges features accommodation, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a garden and a bar. Both WiFi and private parking are accessible at the lodge free of charge. Fitted with a patio, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at Chobe Safari Lodges. A sun terrace is available for guests to use at the accommodation. Baobab Prison Tree Kasane is 1.6 km from Chobe Safari Lodges, while Sedudu Gate Chobe National Park is 6.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kasane, 5 km from the lodge, and the property offers a free airport shuttle service.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• Outdoor swimming pool
• Airport shuttle (free)
• Family rooms
• Non-smoking rooms
• Tea/coffee maker in all rooms
• Fabulous breakfast

Property highlights

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.5)

Breakfast info

Free private parking available on-site

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Property practices

Categories:, guests who stayed here loved.

Property surroundings

Restaurants 1 restaurant on site.

• Cuisine African • Local • Grill/BBQ
• Open for Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
• Ambiance Family friendly • Traditional
• Dietary options Vegetarian • Gluten-free

Facilities of Chobe Safari Lodges Great facilities! Review score, 8.6

• Toilet paper
• Private bathroom
• Free toiletries
• Wardrobe or closet
• Outdoor furniture
• Sun terrace
• Coffee machine
• Electric kettle
• Game drives Additional charge
• Fishing Additional charge Off-site
• Golf course (within 3 km) Additional charge
• Flat-screen TV
• Satellite channels
• Coffee house on site
• Wine/champagne Additional charge
• Special diet menus (on request)
• Breakfast in the room
• Tea/Coffee maker
• Invoice provided
• Concierge service
• Currency exchange
• Daily housekeeping
• Ironing service Additional charge
• Laundry Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Security alarm
• 24-hour security
• Designated smoking area
• Mosquito net
• Wake-up service
• Private entrance
• Packed lunches
• Ironing facilities
• Airport shuttle
• Room service
• Entire unit located on ground floor
• Open all year
• All ages welcome
• Pool with view
• Shallow end
• Pool/beach towels

House rules Chobe Safari Lodges takes special requests - add in the next step!

Child policies.

Children of any age are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.

Cot and extra bed policies

Prices for cots and extra beds are not included in the total price, and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds and cots allowed is dependent on the option you choose. Please check your selected option for more information.

All cots and extra beds are subject to availability.

Legal information

Faqs about chobe safari lodges, how far is chobe safari lodges from the centre of kasane.

Chobe Safari Lodges is 700 yards from the centre of Kasane. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

What type of room can I book at Chobe Safari Lodges?

• Twin/Double

Does Chobe Safari Lodges have a pool?

Yes, this hotel has a pool. Find out the details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Chobe Safari Lodges?

Check-in at Chobe Safari Lodges is from 14:00, and check-out is until 10:00.

What kind of breakfast is served at Chobe Safari Lodges?

Guests staying at Chobe Safari Lodges can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 8.8).

Does Chobe Safari Lodges have a restaurant on site?

What is there to do at chobe safari lodges.

• Golf course (within 3 km)
• Game drives

How much does it cost to stay at Chobe Safari Lodges?

The prices at Chobe Safari Lodges may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates you select, hotel's policy etc.). See the prices by entering your dates.

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CHOBE SAFARI LODGE

By far the best in the chobe kasane region., book now and only pay 5% on your booking.

Tel: +27 (0) 21 855 0395 BOOK NOW >>

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CHOBE BUSH LODGE

Chobe Safari Lodge - General

Chobe Safari Lodge are committed to maintaining the highest standards and have renovations scheduled from 8 January 2024, which are due for completion in the third quarter of the year. The dining area, jetty, sunset deck, and block of River Rooms will temporarily close along with reception and the safari shop at Chobe Safari Lodge. However, river cruises and game drives will continue without interruption, and delicious meals, activities, plus shopping are still available at the beautiful Chobe Bush Lodge. Noise levels and building disruptions will be minimal, confined to the furthest eastern wing of the property, away from guest activities and services.

There are plenty to choose from when it comes to food venues. The Terrace Restaurant serves a delicious varied breakfast buffet (English or continental style), as well as sampling indigenous African delicacies. Barbeques, specialist game meats, stir-fries, a selection of mouth-watering vegetarian dishes and Indian cuisine are also on the menu.

The lodge’s Cocktail Bar offers a range of light snacks. Enjoy a refreshing drink as well while you are enjoying the nearby pool facility. The Sedudu Bar, overlooking the Sedudu Island in the Chobe river, is the place to unwind with a sundowner.

Other facilities at the lodge includes an internet cafe, a volleyball and squash court, health and beauty salon, babysitting and a curio and craft shop. Game drives depart three times a day; alternatively, there is an option of booking a full or half-way drive with a picnic lunch. Expert guides lead private cruises throughout the day to suit your individual needs. Fishing for the legendary tiger fish and species of bream provide for an exciting fishing experience. Equipment and a guide is provided.

The Location

Chobe Safari Lodge, located on the banks of the Chobe River in northern Botswana, is the best destination for serious game viewers. Situated in the town of Kasane, the lodge is close to where the borders of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia meet. The Chobe Safari Lodge is the ideal choice of accommodation if you were planning to visit the Chobe area, the majestic Victoria Falls or the Zambezi region (formerly named the Caprivi Strip).

The lodge borders on the Chobe National Park, which is part of the Chobe-Linyati-Kwando- river system. The series of islands, floodplains and lakes ensure an abundance of wildlife. The Park is home to over 80 000 elephants as well as numerous herds of buffalo. In the dry winter season the animals move closer to the Chobe River, so you will be able to view large herds of elephant and buffalo. Other plentiful game include lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, as well as puku, kudu and other antelope.

Accommodation

Guests at the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, Botswana, can choose between a number of accommodation types, making this the best value for money destination among the lodges in Chobe.

The 22 luxurious River Rooms (with twin beds) overlook the Chobe River. All are en suite (bath and shower), air-conditioned and are equipped with telephone, safe, fan and satellite television. Family Rooms (with a second bedroom and bunk beds) are also available. All units have their own private patio.

The River Room complex at the Chobe Safari Lodge boasts a beautiful garden, next to the Chobe river. The complex is connected to the main building at the Chobe Safari Lodge by means of a viewing deck.

The 46 Safari Rooms are a recent addition to the Chobe Safari Lodge and are close to the main building. All are en suite (with bath and shower) and offer telephone, air-conditioning, safe and satellite television. Each Safari Room has its own private patio overlooking the Chobe River.

The 8 thatched rondavels are the traditional accommodation that made the Chobe River Lodge famous. All are freestanding in the gardens of the Chobe River Lodge next to the Chobe River, are en suite and equipped with ceiling fans.

The campsite at the Chobe River Lodge sprawls along the banks of the Chobe River and offers excellent ablution facilities. Each site has its own power point and the camp is designed in such a way that you are always near to the ablution facilities.

The Chobe National Park has one of the largest concentrations of elephant in Africa and a game drive in this park guarantees plenty of game sightings. Boat cruises offer visitors the opportunity to witness a wide variety of birds and animals. There are many activities to choose from: sunset boat cruises, private boat hire, Victoria Falls day trips, fishing, scenic flights or a Namibian Village walk. You can pick and choose, or you can just relax at the pool and gaze out over the river while having a drink.

An exciting new development is the Chobe Safari Lodge’s little sister. Chobe Bush Lodge is 150 m from the Chobe river front. The flagship accommodation has 38 spacious luxury en-suite rooms each one with open plan bathrooms, showers, air-conditioning, TV and a safe. Bottom rooms has verandas while the top rooms have balconies for a breath-taking view on Chobe National Park.

Chobe Safari Lodge

rate per night

About Chobe Safari Lodge

• Lodge Enjoy the many amenities of a lodge in the great outdoors
• Freebies This stay includes Wi-Fi and Breakfast for free

Chobe Safari Lodge provides 5-star accommodation, as well as a laundry service, a 24-hour reception and free Wi-Fi. It is conveniently located for those wishing to visit local attractions.

Chobe Safari Lodge provides comfortable rooms, furnished to accommodate the needs of any guest.

The area surrounding the hotel has a variety of restaurants and cafés.

Latest deals for Chobe Safari Lodge

Amenities at chobe safari lodge.

• Fitness center
• Laundry service
• Complimentary breakfast
• 24hr front desk
• Increased accessibility

Parking and transportation

Accessibility and suitability

Services and conveniences

Family friendly

Reviews of Chobe Safari Lodge

• The location is just amazing. in 8 reviews
• Customer service is excellent. in 2 reviews
• "I loved the buffet breakfast and dinner , loved everything about the place." in 4 reviews
• The bathroom flooded at every use. in 1 review
• The food was terrible we didn’t enjoy any meals at this five star hotel. in 1 review
• "The wild animals - warthogs, hippos, kobs so close walking om the property." in 1 review

Show reviews that mention

Pros. The location is just amazing. Waking up and being so close to the wild life.

Cons. Staff is eager to help but need some more training on how to do that

The questions and answers provided in this section are generated by an artificial intelligence model based on a summarization of user hotel reviews and hotel information. See more

They offer insights and recommendations from previous guests and hotel information to help future visitors enhance their stay at the hotel.

What can I expect from the food at Chobe Safari Lodge?

You can expect great food at Chobe Safari Lodge, with a spectacular view. Some guests have mentioned that the food was terrible, but others have praised the great food and complimentary breakfast.

Are the beds comfortable at Chobe Safari Lodge?

Chobe Safari Lodge provides comfortable rooms with a fabulous view of the Karuma Falls and the renowned Nile River. While some guests have mentioned slow food service, others have highlighted the amazing location and friendly staff.

Is parking available at Chobe Safari Lodge?

Yes, Chobe Safari Lodge offers free parking for guests, making it convenient for those wishing to visit local attractions and enjoy the amazing location with wild animals roaming around.

How is the cleanliness at Chobe Safari Lodge?

Chobe Safari Lodge provides daily housekeeping and ensures hand sanitizer is available in guest accommodation and key areas. While some guests have mentioned slow food service, others have praised the friendly staff and unbeatable scenic views.

When is the best time to visit Chobe Safari Lodge?

The best time to visit Chobe Safari Lodge is during the high season in October, when you can enjoy the spectacular view and the amazing location with wild animals roaming around. Some guests have mentioned slow food service, but others have highlighted the fabulous National Park and historical hotel.

Opt for a River View Room

Guests highly recommend booking a room with a river view to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Karuma Falls and the Nile River.

Consider Room Repairs

Some guests mentioned that the buildings are in need of repairs, so it may be helpful to inquire about the condition of the rooms before booking.

Enjoy the Wildlife

The hotel's amazing location allows for the opportunity to see wild animals roaming around, providing a unique and memorable experience.

Be Mindful of Food Service

While the food and location received praise, some guests experienced slow food service and expressed dissatisfaction with the meals, so it's advisable to manage expectations regarding dining experiences.

Take Advantage of the Scenic Location

The hotel offers unbeatable scenic views of the Karuma Falls and the Nile River, making it a great choice for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a picturesque setting.

Inquire About Building Accessibility

If accessibility is a concern, it's recommended to inquire about the availability of rooms that meet specific accessibility needs, as the hotel offers increased accessibility features.

Embrace the National Park Proximity

Chobe Safari Lodge is located near Chobe National Park, providing an excellent opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to explore the park's offerings.

Consider Room Selection

Given the mixed reviews about room conditions, it's advisable to carefully select a room based on individual preferences and requirements, such as views, accessibility, and potential maintenance issues.

Plan for Slow Food Service

Some guests experienced slow food service, so it's beneficial to plan dining times accordingly and communicate any time constraints to the staff.

Seek Staff Assistance

The staff were praised for being friendly and helpful, so don't hesitate to seek their assistance for any inquiries or assistance during your stay.

What's nearby

Essential information about chobe safari lodge, when to book a room at chobe safari lodge, top tips for your stay at chobe safari lodge.

• The cheapest price a room at Chobe Safari Lodge was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $421, while the most expensive was $479.
• How long should you stay at Chobe Safari Lodge? KAYAK users usually book their rooms here for 1 day.

FAQs when booking at Chobe Safari Lodge

Where is chobe safari lodge located.

Chobe Safari Lodge is located at , 7.4 miles from the center of Karuma.

When is check-in time and check-out time at Chobe Safari Lodge?

Check-in time is 1:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM at Chobe Safari Lodge.

Does Chobe Safari Lodge offer free Wi-Fi?

Yes, Chobe Safari Lodge offers free Wi-Fi.

How far is Chobe Safari Lodge from the airport?

Chobe Safari Lodge is 40 miles from Gulu. Chobe Safari Lodge is 40.2 miles from Pakuba.

Does Chobe Safari Lodge have a pool?

Yes, Chobe Safari Lodge has a pool onsite.

How does KAYAK find such great Chobe Safari Lodge hotel deals?

KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Chobe Safari Lodge in Karuma and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Chobe Safari Lodge and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Chobe Safari Lodge.

Nearby hotels and places to stay

Good to know.

Chobe Safari Lodge In Botswana: A Complete Review With Photos

Written by BELLA FALK

I stayed four nights at Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana, hosted by the Botswana Tourism Organisation. I wasn’t required to write this post, but I thought it might be useful so I’m doing it anyway! All opinions are my own, honestly held, and I don’t accept freebies or payment in exchange for positive reviews. This post was typed by me with my own ten fingers and no AI was involved, so if you spot any mistakes, I take full responsibility.

Contents (click to view)

On my first morning in Botswana, I woke early, twitchy to get out and make the most of every second in this exciting new country. With a cup of tea in hand, I slid back the glass door of my room and stepped out onto the balcony.

The day had not yet warmed up, and the morning was pleasantly cool. Directly ahead of me, a short stretch of bright green lawn, glistening from overnight rain, led down to the lazy Chobe River. On the other side, close enough to swim if it weren’t for the grumpy hippos and hungry crocodiles, I could see Namibia.

On a branch at eye-level to my first-floor vantage point, a pretty brown-and-orange bird (that I later learned was a white-browed robin-chat) launched into a jaunty song, lustily informing the world that a new day had begun. His welcome was heard not just by me, but by a family of vervet monkeys, which hopped about on the grass below, foraging for a breakfast of roots and seeds.

All this wonder without even leaving my hotel room. I knew immediately that I was going to love Botswana.

Introducing Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana

This wonderful oasis of tranquility was Chobe Safari Lodge, a 4* hotel in the town of Kasane, in the north of Botswana, right up next to the border with Namibia.

Kasane is one of Botswana’s two main tourism hubs, offering quick and easy access to Chobe National Park, one of the country’s most sensational wildlife-viewing destinations.

The lodge is located on the edge of Kasane, only about a ten-minute drive from the airport, and right next to the Chobe River, giving the hotel fabulous river views and easy access for wildlife-spotting boat cruises along the river and into the National Park.

Chobe Safari Lodge: at a glance

Here are some basic facts about Chobe Safari Lodge:

• Age: Established in 1959, Chobe Safari Lodge is nearly 65 years old! It was the first hotel to be built in Kasane.
• Number of rooms: Chobe Safari Lodge has 52 double rooms, four family rooms, and eight traditional riverfront thatched huts called Rondavels.
• Campsite: For the budget-conscious, the lodge also has a campsite offering 23 pitches with power points.
• Facilities: Chobe Safari Lodge has a pool, a restaurant, two bars, spa treatments and a gift shop. There’s no gym.
• Wi-Fi: There is Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, though it’s stronger closer to the main reception.
• Air-Con: All the rooms have air conditioning.
• Price: Prices vary depending on type of room and dates, but rooms start from about £250/$300 a night, on a room-only basis. More on room rates below.

Chobe safari lodges: which is which?

Before I get into my review, I’ll just clear up some confusion. Chobe Safari Lodge is by no means the only safari hotel or lodge in the Chobe area, and they all have very similar names! Which means that when I first arrived and was trying to get there from the airport, I got into a bit of a muddle and nearly went to the wrong one!

Here are some of the other safari lodges in Chobe that you might confuse it for (or want to consider for your stay in Kasane):

Chobe Bush Lodge

Chobe Bush Lodge is the recently-built sister hotel to Chobe Safari Lodge and sits just opposite, sharing the same grounds and some of the same facilities. Chobe Bush Lodge has 38 luxury rooms plus 4 family suites all facing directly onto Chobe National Park, so you don’t get the river views but you do get animals running through the garden.

Chobe Game Lodge

Unrelated to Safari and Bush, Chobe Game Lodge is a luxury five-star lodge run by Desert & Delta Safaris. Established in 1973, it was the first five-star lodge in Botswana and it remains the only permanent accommodation inside the Chobe National Park boundary, right on the shore of the Chobe River. It’s also famously the place where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton remarried just over a year after they had divorced from their first 10-year marriage.

I stayed two nights at Chobe Game Lodge at the end of my trip, and there’ll be a separate review of my experience travelling with Desert & Delta coming soon.

Chobe Savanna Lodge

Also run by Desert & Delta, Chobe Savanna Lodge is a small boutique safari camp with only twelve chalets. It sits on the Namibia side of the Chobe River but you get there by crossing the river from Kasane.

Mowana Safari Resort

This one doesn’t have such a confusing name, but I’m including it here as another option for Chobe accommodation. Mowana Safari Resort is a very nice but big five-star hotel with two pools, a gym, Clarins spa, and 9-hole golf course. I didn’t spend the night here, but I visited daily for four days as it’s where the conference I was attending was held, and I thought it looked like another great place to stay in Chobe.

Chobe Marina Lodge

As the name suggests, Chobe Marina Lodge is also located on the Chobe River, just along from Chobe Safari Lodge. Rooms and suites are luxuriously decorated in a chic African style and it has a pool and spa, but at roughly £350/$430 a night for a standard room, it’s a bit more expensive than Chobe Safari Lodge.

Chobe River Lodge

Goodness me, there are a lot of places named ‘Chobe X Lodge’, aren’t there?! Chobe River Lodge is another very smart four-star hotel with a pool, 12 luxurious and newly-renovated rooms, and a riverfront setting. Prices start from $275 per person per night.

Rooms at Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana

Now that we’ve cleared that up, and you know which hotel we’re talking about, let’s get back to the matter in hand.

Chobe Safari Lodge has five different types of rooms, as follows:

• Safari Rooms: These are large doubles, relatively recently redecorated, set back from the river with gardens in front.
• River Rooms: This is the type of room I had. These are closest to the main reception and dining areas of the lodge, and look out over the Chobe River. They are a bit smaller than the safari rooms (though still large), and in mine at least the décor was a little dated and could do with being renovated.
• Bush Rooms: Large, modern rooms with garden or forest views and an open-plan design – so no separation between the bedroom and bathroom, though the toilet is in a separate room, don’t worry!
• Rondavels: These are the original accommodation: traditional thatched huts, right on the river, with riverfront verandas. They’re smaller than the other rooms but are totally private and you’ll feel like you’re right in the bush.
• Family Rooms: Made up of two adjoining doubles with two bathrooms.

Chobe Safari Lodge camping

If you’re on a budget, another great option is to take advantage of the campsite at Chobe Safari Lodge. There are 23 pitches, each with power points, and three bathroom blocks. I didn’t camp, but I met some fellow travellers who were camping and they seemed to be enjoying it. Take care not to walk around after dark as animals can come into the campsite.

Facilities at Chobe Safari hotel

Since it’s a reasonably-sized hotel, Chobe Safari Lodge has most of the facilities you’d expect, including:

Bar: There are two bars: a cocktail bar next to the restaurant and overlooking the river, and the Sedudu Bar which is a short walk away from the main building, also offering fabulous sunset river views. I’m lazy so I mostly ended up at the bar by the restaurant from where you can happily sit and watch the sunset and the boats returning from their sundowner cruises (see below).

Pool: The pool is located right next to the restaurant in the middle of the main area, and is quite small, though plenty big enough for cooling off after a hot and dusty game drive. I did feel like it was a bit central and everyone walking past can watch you swimming, so if you’re self-conscious in your bikini you might feel a bit exposed. But during the day most people are doing other stuff anyway.

Spa: I didn’t use the spa services, but you can book facials and massages at reception. There’s no gym, sauna or jacuzzi.

Laundry: A laundry service is available, but unlike at many other safari camps, you have to pay per item.

Room amenities: All rooms have a kettle with tea and coffee and a hairdryer. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. Shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and insect repellent are provided in the bathroom.

Food at Chobe Safari Lodge

You have two options for meals at Chobe Safari Lodge. Unlike at some of the other safari camps I stayed, the food is not included in the room rate.

Main restaurant

There’s a big restaurant in the main building, with some tables inside (where it’s spacious but quite dark) and some on a patio overlooking the pool and the river beyond. Food here is served buffet-style with a huge range of dishes to choose from.

At breakfast you can have eggs cooked to order as well as pancakes, waffles, fruit, cereals, pastries and bread, and some traditional Setswana dishes.

Dinner was similar, with a wide variety of things to try, different meats and fish, vegetarian options, some stuff pre-prepared and some quicker dishes cooked to order.

Overall I thought that as buffets go it was pretty decent – buffet-style food is never going to be the very best but I thought they did a good job. However, at 350 Pula per person for dinner (about £20 or $26) it was pretty expensive, but that’s what you get in a nice hotel in touristy Kasane!

Read more: Which Is The Best Botswana Safari Lodge? My Favourites With Photos

Chobe Bush Lodge à la carte

Guests at Chobe Safari Lodge can also walk across to the restaurant in the sister hotel, Chobe Bush Lodge, where meals are served with a menu, à la carte. They have a range of meat and fish dishes as well as some local options – you can even try crocodile tail! Prices start from about BWP 70 (£4 or $5.20) for a starter and BWP 170 (£10 or $12.60) for a main. At busy times it’s a good idea to book ahead.

Tandurei Restaurant, Kasane

As another option, just outside the main gate to the complex is a local restaurant, Tandurei. To save money we ate here once, and although the service was suuuper slow (and I’m not sure why as we were the only people there!) the food was pretty decent, and much cheaper than eating in the hotel. They have a huge menu of Indian and Asian dishes such as curry and noodles, as well as kebabs, steaks, ribs, fried chicken and fish.

Activities at Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana

Of course you don’t come all the way to Botswana to sit in the hotel! There’s wildlife to see and adventures to be had, and here’s where I thought Chobe Safari Lodge did great. Here are some of the activities and day trips they offer:

Game drives in Chobe National Park

Every day in the morning and late afternoon you have the chance to do a game drive into Chobe National Park. Depending on the season and weather, game drives typically start at 6 am and 3 pm, and last about 3 hours, before you return to the lodge for breakfast or dinner.

Game drives cost from BWP 360 (US$46) for an adult, with park entry fees of BWP 190 (US$20) not included.

The Sedudu Gate park entrance is about a ten minute drive from the lodge along the main road. After your guide has signed you in, you then drive around in an open-sided car, looking at all the amazing animals. On our first drive we saw impala, waterbuck, jackals, warthogs, crocodiles, hippos, a lion, buffalo and many, many birds, and on our second we saw more of the above plus two male lions, kudu and elephants.

One thing I liked less about the game drives here is that due to the number of guests, the cars are quite big. Unlike the cars they use at the smaller lodges in the Okavango Delta, which tend to seat no more than 6 guests with everyone getting a window seat and sometimes even a row to themselves, the cars used by Chobe Safari Lodge are bigger, sometimes seating 9 or even 12 passengers in rows of three.

As a photographer I found this frustrating because I couldn’t always get a good angle on the thing we were looking at, and I had to shoot across people. Also more people means more noise and more opinions about whether you stay for a bit longer, or leave!

Read more: Amazing African Safari Animals – A Photo Guide

If you’re a photographer and this sort of thing matters to you, you have three options:

• Accept that this is just the way it is and that you will have better safari photography opportunities elsewhere in your trip.
• Pay more to book a private game drive (BWP 2860 / US$370 per car).
• Stay in a smaller lodge where they use smaller cars.

But no matter what, you’re going to have a fantastic time on your game drive. There’s loads of wildlife to see in Chobe National Park, the landscapes are beautiful and the guides are extremely knowledgeable and informative.  

Read more: Using The Canon R5 For Wildlife Photography: A Full Review

Boat cruises along the Chobe River

The other activity you’re definitely going to want to do during your stay in Kasane is a wildlife boat cruise.

Chobe Safari Lodge occupies a prime spot on the bank of the Chobe River, just a short cruise from the riverside park entrance, where you pull in briefly to sign in before continuing your cruise into the park.

They have their own jetty with three or four boats of different sizes, including one large one with a rooftop viewing area and smaller ones for private cruises.

I took one of their sunset boat cruises, which leaves at 3 pm and returns around sunset, which when I visited in December was about 6.45 pm. This cruise costs BWP 350 (US$42) and does not include the park entry fee of BWP 190 (US$20) or any drinks you might want to buy from the on-board bar (you can charge these to your room so you don’t need to bring cash).

Game viewing from a boat is an incredible experience as the animals come right to the water’s edge to drink and you can get really close to them. On our 3-hour cruise we saw dozens of hippos and buffalo, as well as many storks, herons and other water birds, elephants, impala, baboons and crocodiles.

As the sun gets low in the sky it can shine right in your face under the canopy, so make sure you’re wearing suncream and bring a hat and sunglasses.

Read more: Top 50 African Birds: A Safari Photo Guide

Watch the sunset from the bar at Chobe Safari Lodge

One of the things I really loved about Chobe Safari Lodge was its west-facing river front location, meaning that you get really wonderful sunset views over the river.

If you’re not already out having sunset drinks on a boat cruise or game drive, a wonderful way to end the day is with a cold beer or an Okavanago gin and tonic at one of the bars, looking out as the sky turns from yellow to tangerine to rose to indigo and the cruise boats slowly make their way back to the jetty.

Visit Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, with a width of 1708 m (5604 ft). The falls sit on the Zambezi River on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, about an hour’s drive from Kasane (the thing that takes the time in getting there is not so much the drive, but the border formalities you have to do to be able to cross into Zimbabwe).

I only found out you could visit them from Kasane when it was too late for me to organise a trip, and I’m gutted I missed out. Everyone who’d been said a visit to Vic Falls is a must-do when you’re in Kasane, and it’s very easy to organise at the reception in Chobe Safari Lodge.

Day trips last from 8 am to 5 pm with most of the day spent at the Victoria Falls, and cost from BWP 995 (US$110).

Read more: What To Wear On Safari: My Detailed Safari Packing List With Photos

Kazungula Bridge

Another nearby point of interest that’s worth a quick look if you have time is the brand new Kazungula Bridge over the Zambezi River.

The Zambezi forms the border between Botswana and Zambia, and until the bridge opened in May 2021, the only way you could travel between the two countries was by ferry. This caused huge tailbacks and often the ferry would break down, making crossing impossible.

Eventually, in an epic work of international collaboration, the two governments got together and agreed to build a bridge, with border checkpoints at either end. The new bridge is a massive feat of engineering: at 923 metres (3,028 ft) long, it took 7 years to build and cost US$259.3 million.

There are road, rail and pedestrian sections, so you can walk over the bridge and admire the spectacular views.

One remarkable point of interest to look out for when you’re there (though sadly its not something you can actually see) is the only quadripoint in the world, where the borders of four countries meet. There are plenty of tripoints, but this is the only quadripoint.

Standing on the bridge you can see Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which is pretty cool. But there’s no marker post because the quadripoint itself is in the river!

Other activities

If you’re on honeymoon, feeling adventurous, or want to do something really special, there are a few other activities on offer at Chobe Safari Lodge, such as:

• Going fishing in the Chobe River
• Namibian village walk and cultural visit
• Romantic dinner cruise
• Scenic helicopter flight over Chobe National Park

Read more: Is Cardamom House In Vipingo The Best Beach Hotel In Kenya?

How much do Chobe Safari Lodge activities cost?

For ease of reference, here are the prices for all the activities Chobe Safari Lodge offer. These are 2023 prices, so may change in 2024.

Chobe Safari Lodge prices

So how much does Chobe Safari Lodge cost?

Well, let’s say you’re a couple staying in a standard room with garden view for three nights next March (which is the end of low season, when rates are cheaper). On top of this you want to do one morning and one afternoon game drive, and one morning and one afternoon boat cruise.

According to Booking Dotcom , that will cost you £772 ($986) with breakfast from £14 ($18) per person, or £845 ($1079) with breakfast included.

Your activities will cost £138 ($176) per person, or £276 ($352) for both of you.

On top of this you’ll need to factor in lunches, dinners, and any drinks you may want.

Is Chobe Safari Lodge family friendly?

I don’t have kids so I can’t really comment on exactly how family friendly the lodge is, but what I can tell you is that unlike quite a few Botswana safari camps where children under six are not allowed, Chobe Safari Lodge welcomes children of all ages and allows them on game drives and wildlife viewing activities.

They also offer babysitting services and run a kids’ club over the Christmas period.

Whether you’d want to bring very young children on safari in Botswana is a different question, and one only you can answer.

How to get to Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana

Chobe Safari Lodge is just a 10-minute drive from Kasane International Airport. There are no direct flights from the USA or Europe to Kasane, but you can easily get a flight to an African hub like Johannesburg or Addis Ababa, and from there connect with a flight to Kasane. The flight from Johannesburg to Kasane with Airlink took about two hours.

Chobe Safari Lodge Botswana: my final verdict

So after all that, what did I really think about Chobe Safari Lodge and would I recommend it?

While it wasn’t my favourite place I stayed during my three weeks in Botswana, that may partly be because I was lucky enough to stay in some truly amazing places , and I much prefer the smaller, more intimate bush camps to a larger hotel like this one.

But as a place to start your Botswana adventure, I think Chobe Safari Lodge is great. It has everything you need, it’s in the perfect location close to Chobe National Park, there are loads of activities, and it’s a great way to ease yourself into the safari vibe – a sort of halfway step between the modern comforts and practicality of home, and the raw wonder of being deep in the Botswana wilderness.

After a few days of settling in here, you’ll then be ready to go all-out into the remote corners of the Okavango Delta or Makgadikgadi Pans National Park , to really get up close and personal with Botswana’s incredible landscapes and wildlife.

If you want to know more about that, there are loads more blog posts on the way, so why not subscribe to get an email alert when they’re posted?

Where to next?

If you liked this post, why not read some of my other Africa adventures?

• How To Train For Kilimanjaro: A Complete Overthinker’s Guide
• 7 Best Weekend Trips from Kampala, Uganda
• 28 Brilliant Things To Do In Uganda
• Kenya Vs Tanzania: Travel Experts Decide
• How To Climb Kilimanjaro In 10 Easy Steps

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4-day Chobe National Park SAFARI

Exclusive all-inclusive luxury experience - promotion 33% off, considered to be botswana's oldest reserve.

Chobe National Park nestles in northern Botswana and is renowned for Africa's largest herds of elephant and Cape Buffalo. Chobe offers a true wilderness experience with private concessions and camps that are unfenced and open to free roaming wildlife.

There are only 8x suites available at Ngoma Safari Lodge, which speaks to the intimacy of lodge. Each suite has a view of the river offering the opportunity to see the famous Chobe elephants, migrating zebra or buffalo grazing on the floodplain below.

Located in the Chobe Forest Reserve, on a private concession, and only 3km away from Chobe National Park. This means it offers seclusion and privacy, while being close to the popular tourist destinations and boasting the exclusivity you'd expect on a private reserve.

Bush walks, night drives, full day safaris, bird-watching, cultural experiences and, last but not least, game-viewing by boat! A private vehicle for game viewing is available on request at an additional charge.

Location and getting here

Firstly, we'll handle everything including your lodging, flights and transfers! Ngoma Safari Lodge has three nearby airports.  The great news is your safari begins at the airport, as the drive features game-viewing en-route. - Kasane Airport (BBK), which is 45min away from the lodge ‍ - Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) is a 2h drive to the lodge ‍ - Livingstone Airport (LVI) in Zambia is also a 2h drive from the lodge Guests can do a self-drive by picking up a rental car at the airport, or we can arrange a transfer for you.

Our 5-star service

1 ‍ Place your enquiry. Be sure to include number of travelers, dates and whether you require flights and/or transfers

2 ‍ A reservations agent will liaise with you directly to coordinate all the details of your trip.

3 ‍ You'll receive a provisional booking via email. Complete payment and you're ready to travel!

THE ROOMs - ONLY 8 UNITS AT LODGE

Suites with balcony, outside shower and private pool.

Each of the lodge’s river-facing suites offers quiet refuge in a luxurious setting with an emphasis on space and comfort, and comes complete with overhead fan, air conditioning, mini-bar and tea/coffee facilities, bath, indoor and outdoor showers as well as a private outdoor living area with a ‘refresh and relax’ pool.

PROMOTION:  4 DAY package in a river-view suite

Meet anja, our resident expert, she'll help you book your trip..

Our reviews from TripAdvisor

Intimate luxury near the chobe national park.

Chobe Safari Lodge

INFO FACILITIES PACKAGES

Chobe Safari Lodges are the new collective name for Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge.

Chobe Safari Lodge consist of Safari Rooms, River Rooms and Rondavels on the Chobe riverfront, whilst Chobe Bush Lodge has Bush Rooms overlooking the Chobe National Park. They are ‘sister lodges’ situated within walking distance from each other, and the rooms and packages are common rated.

Chobe Safari Lodg e borders on the Chobe National Park. The lodge is situated in Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River, with the Sedudu entrance gate to the park a short 5-minute drive from the lodge.

The lodge’s accommodation is spread across lush riverfront gardens with local wildlife like antelope and warthogs, and indigenous bush with viewing decks. You can choose from camping to luxurious accommodation.

The Sedudu bar and restaurant serves a la carte as well as buffet-style meals, and recently introduced a new outdoor fireside dining option on the backdrop of the Chobe River.

Most of Botswana traditional meals are cooked over the flames, with the most crucial element being the fire. The Sedudu Grill cooks everything over hard mopane wood offering Botswana beef espetada’s, hearty stews, sadza maize, wrapped line fish and flavourful vegetarian meals like tofu-stuffed roasted pumpkin, creamy samp and a local favourite, morogo spinach.

The cocktail bar and pool areas are most welcoming. The lodge’s setting is remarkable, as it overlooks both the beautiful river and the Chobe floodplains.

The restaurant serves a la carte as well as buffet-style meals. The cocktail bar and pool areas are most welcoming.

Chobe Safari Lodge offers Photographic Boat Safaris with custom-made photographic boats and 360-degree revolving chairs and adjustable gimble rig swivels. Guests need to supply their own camera equipment and memory cards.

The lodge’s setting is remarkable, as it overlooks both the beautiful river and the Chobe floodplains.

The lodge is perfect for any safari traveller or visitor in Botswana. It’s a great place to do game drives and boat trips. Chobe Safari Lodge is the most sought-after lodge because of its location. We recommend that you make your reservations well in advance.

The campsite at the lodge offers some of the best sunset views in Kasane. The camp also overlooks the Chobe River. The Chobe Safari Lodge Campsite comes highly recommended by our team.

Guests also like to book

Chobe Bush Lodge

Safari rooms

• The newest rooms at Chobe Safari Lodge all have air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.
• Shower and bath
• TV and telephones
• Rooms open up onto an expansive lawn and the river banks
• Each room also has a private patio

The River rooms

• These are in a second story complex
• They all have en-suite rooms with air conditioning and TV
• The river rooms have 2 x double beds but only sleep, two people
• The upstairs rooms have a veranda, and downstairs a patio area
• The River rooms overlook lovely gardens, and the river

The Rondavels

• These are the first accommodation and are individual rooms
• All Rooms have to be air-conditioned and are en-suite close to the river
• The campsites are all individually set out with power and have shared ablutions
• Safari Lodge also has safari rooms sleeping two adults & 2 children under 12 years

Chobe Safari Lodge Campsites

• Individual campsites are near the Chobe River
• Shared ablutions
• The bar overlooks the Chobe river with magnificent sunset views
• Power supply and BBQ areas
• Be aware of monkeys, baboons, and warthogs in the campsite

2-Night Chobe Getaway Deluxe package

• Accommodation in a luxury room two nights
• Breakfast x 2
• Chobe boat cruises x 2
• Chobe game drives x 2
• 3 Day’s park fees

 3-Night Chobe Safari Special Package

• Accommodation in a luxury room for three nights
• Breakfast x 3
• Boat cruise x 1
• Game drive x 1
• Private boat cruise x 1
• Unguided Vic Falls trip x 1*
• Two-day park fees

*Guests can exchange the Vic Falls day trip for two other activities in Chobe National park – for example, a boat cruise, village walk, game drive, or 2 hours fishing. A guided Vic Falls day trip costs an extra USD 100 per person (includes guide, entry fee, lunch, return transfer).

 2-Night Chobe Getaway Standard package

• Accommodation in a standard room for two nights
• Chobe boat cruise x 1
• Chobe game drive x 1
• 1 Day’s park fees

From 1 April 2020 – to 31 March 2020, rooms can only be booked on a package basis, including meals and activities.

• Half Board + 1 activity: Breakfast, Dinner and a choice of 1 activity per day
• Full Board + 2 activities: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a choice for 2 activities per day
• Fully Inclusive + 2 activities: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, laundry, local beverages (excluding premium brands) and a choice of 2 activities per day

• Park Fees of BWP 190 (International) and BWP 145 (SADC) per person per day
• Compulsory government bed levy of USD 1.5 per person per night
• Impact Levy for Rooms of USD 10 per room per stay
• Namibian conservancy fee for Namibian village walk and fishing
• Additional activities
• Beverages and laundry unless stated otherwise
• Items of personal nature
• Personal and travel insurance
• Spa treatments, curio shop purchases and gratuities

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

International Rates

Accommodation packages.

2 Night Chobe Package – HALF BOARD

2 Night Chobe Package – FULL BOARD

3 Night Chobe Package – FULL BOARD

Zahn, thank you very much :-)))) we are so happy!! You Made my day ;-))

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Hello world

• Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is an unspoilt safari playground.

A little bit about Chobe National Park

Stumble upon wildlife wherever you go in beautiful Botswana.

After driving a few metres along the impressive Chobe Riverfront, your guide suddenly stops. An elephant family slowly wanders across the road, planning to take a bath. As you gaze at this amazing scene, you can hear the dull sound of heavy feet in the sand, the breathing and whiffing, and occasional trumpeting from these beautiful, mighty creatures.

One of the most awe-inspiring safari experiences is the up-close and personal meetings with wildlife at Chobe National Park, and we can assure you will have them frequently during your visit. Welcome to the park with some of the highest game density in all of Africa.

Going on a Chobe Safari

You are considering, or maybe even planning, a trip to the Chobe National Park. Naturally, you want it to be the journey of a lifetime and it will be. Why? There are not not many places left in the world with such unspoilt nature splendor, wildlife and truly pampering lodges.

Before you are ready to grab your suitcases from the attic, we would like to provide a bit more background information - if only to stir the anticipation of going – and answer the questions you might have in the sections below. Please use our contact form below for more questions you might have.

About Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park with its dazzling, deep blue Chobe River, consists of four areas: Ngwenzumba Pans, Linyanti, Savute and the Chobe Riverfront - and you can read all about them here.

Chobe special offers

Waiting for that special offer, one that seems tailor-made for you? Our special deals offer outstanding value for money, so we hope to see you soon in Botswana's Chobe National Park!

Getting to Chobe NP

Airlink operates daily flights between Johannesburg and Kasane, the bustling capital just north of Chobe National Park. Also Livingstone and Victoria Falls are just a stone's throw away.

The accommodations were lovely, the food excellent, and the hospitality was second to none.

Can never tire of watching from our deck the constant procession of elephants that trek to drink each afternoon.

Although not cheap it is worth every penny... You better plan a stay for two or three days since a stopover only would definitely be too short to enjoy this place.

Chobe National Park lodges

Whereas Chobe National Park feels like true wilderness, once you set foot in one of the lodges you will be embraced with true pampering and homelike vibes.

All lodges come with beautiful private suites: the perfect place to start and end an exhilarating day. You only have to pick one of them, or, if you can’t make up your mind, pick several and go lodgehopping. With each and every stay, it will add up to an extraordinary experience.

• Price $$$$$

Chobe Game Lodge

lodge style Midst of the action

The ‘one and only’ game lodge located right in the Chobe National Park, and what a lodge this is: five star luxury, three safari activities included each day, plus, you will venture out an hour before anybody else arrives in the park. Get ready for fresh game tracks!

from US$ 629 per person per night

Savute Safari Lodge

lodge style African escape

Discover this authentic lodge located on the banks of the Savute channel, where elephants come to guzzle water and play. Fly in with a small aircraft, be welcomed by staff who already know your name and immerse yourself in an African ambiance.

Ngoma Safari Lodge

lodge style Valley romance

Perched high up on the valley’s edge, the views of the river and floodplains are unrivalled in the area. Wherever you are in the lodge, you can watch wildlife gathering by the waterhole. Not to mention all the safari activities Ngoma Safari Lodge has to offer.

from US$ 640 per person per night

Chobe Elephant Camp

lodge style 360° Botswana experience

Always wanted to be eye-to-eye with the magnificent grey giants, that have been roaming this land for ages? At Chobe Elephant Camp, you can get up close and personal with large herds of elephants, among many other predators and wildlife.

from US$ 394 per person per night

Zambezi Queen Cruise

lodge style Happy Chobe River coasting

It’s not a lodge, it’s not a hotel. No, the Zambezi Queen is a floating safari boutique hotel, bringing you closer to the Chobe River than ever. Enjoy the best of an adventurous (yet dust-free) safari, while still surrounded by luxury and comfort.

from ZAR 22,289 per person (2 nights)

Chobe Under Canvas

lodge style Right in the heart of nature

Forget what you know about camping: sleeping under canvas in Chobe will be a completely new experience. Meals cooked over open fire, opening your tent in the morning to an awakening bush – together with the comfort of warm showers and soft beds.

from US$ 650 per person per night

Chobe Marina Lodge

lodge style A warm welcome

Whether you are an angler, golfer, wine afficionado, foodie or simply mad about Africa: this lodge accommodates all safari guests. Its mission statement? To let everybody experience the natural splendour of Chobe, in the most comfortable and luxurious setting.

from US$ 465 per person per night

Chobe Bakwena Lodge

lodge style Lush eco-luxury

With two owners who both belong to the Bakwena tribe and have a mission to offer guests a luxurious but also environmentally responsible stay, you know this is the right place to experience the pure silence of Chobe National Park in Botswana.

from US$ 529 per person per night

Chobe  Safari  Lodge

lodge style Safari getaway

Indulge yourself with great game drives, spa treatments, a cocktail bar with the best possible views, river cruise dinners and excursions to Victoria Falls and more. Get ready for an immersive safari experience at Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane.

from US$ 325 per person per night

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

lodge style Tranquility on a hillside

Looking for a family safari? Or a romantic couple’s getaway? Chobe Chilwero has it all: luxurious private cottages, great children’s programs, spa, romantic hideaways for two – located on the borders of the amazing Chobe National Park, this is where you go for a complete safari experience.

from US$ 754 per person per night

&Beyond  Savute Under Canvas

lodge style Wildly beautiful tented camp

Sleeping under canvas can be deeply calming: the sounds of nature trickle right into your ear. And upon opening your canvas to stunning views, you will immediately slip into a relaxed pace of life at &Beyond Savute Under Canvas in this remote corner of Botswana's Chobe National Park.

from US$ 580 per person per night

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge

lodge style Elephants at your doorstep

Luxurious glamping with incredible wildlife sightings: feel the pulse of the mystic Savute area at this Chobe authentic camp. Enjoy dinners around the open-air boma while elephants water in front of you – there are oh-so- many reasons to stay at Belmond Savute Elpehant Camp.

from US$ 834 per person per night

Ghoha   Hills   Lodge

lodge style luxury hilltop

An eco-friendly hilltop retreat boasting 180-degree views at the savannah and a bustling waterhole, located in the game rich grasslands of the Savuti area. Get ready to take everything to a higher level: wildlife encounters, service, dinners, siestas and your overall safari experience.

from US$ 589 per person per night

Elephant Valley Lodge

lodge style Relax in style

When you kick back in the evening and replenish your wineglass, you peek at the waterhole. Elephants splash about and interact; some are obviously good friends, others, well, not so much. Welcome to the only lodge in the Kasane Forest Reserve with a watering hole near at hand.

from US$ 404 per person per night

Muchenje Safari Lodge

lodge style A local pearl

A privately owned safari lodge, committed to the local community and in the middle of the beautiful Chobe National Park. Encounters with the mythic elephant herds of Chobe, four out of the Big Five and personal hospitality: this is what brings you to the Muchenje Safari Lodge.

from US$ 495 per person per night

lodge style Make memories

This new hotel, a sister hotel of the Chobe Safari Lodge, is the excellent gateway for Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls and Caprivi. If you are looking for a contemporary safari accommodation with all the luxury frills on hand, don’t look any further.

from US$ 350 per person per night

Mowana Lodge

lodge style Mystic safari nights

If you want to experience the magic of a Chobe National Park safari, this is the place. Built around a majestic 800-year- old baobab tree and boasting great river views, this is where modern hospitality and century-old landscapes blend seamlessly.

from US$ 375 per person per night

Ichingo Lodge

lodge style Namibian splendour

A not-to- beat location, child friendly policy, a wide range of activities (including fishing for the famous Tiger Fish or a boat safari) and sleeping under traditional canvas make this lodge a perfect, family safari location. And it is located on a Namibian island!

from ZAR 6,954 per person per night

Chobe River Lodge

lodge style Personal paradise

In the small town of Kasane you will find a beautiful Botswana hideout. Secluded by lush green trees lies this intimate guesthouse, where you are up for a personal treat. Whether you feel like relaxing at the pool or seeking an adventurous safari: this is just the place.

from US$ 454 per person per night

Camp Kuzuma

lodge style Bush pampering

Are you ready to tune in to wildlife TV? The small, luxurious and intimate Camp Kuzuma is situated by a watering hole, where an amazing variety of wildlife – big and small – passes by every day. Kick back after an exhilarating day to watch yet another wildlife parade.

from US$ 434 per person per night

Chobe Princess

lodge style Intimate cruise

Meet the sisters of the Zambezi Queen : the Pride of Zambezi. Three smaller, more intimate houseboats known as the Chobe Princesses. With just four or five cabins, these boutique hotels are the perfect way to find that Botswana flow and cruise the Chobe River in style.

from ZAR 16,125 per person (2 nights)

Nogatsaa Pans Lodge

lodge style In the heart of Chobe

A contemporary and open lodge with a real wow-factor: welcome to the brand new Nogatsaa Pans Lodge. This is the only lodge in the Nogatsaa region, so book your stay and don’t miss out on the sweeping views over the Kwikamba Pan. Its remote location will make you feel one with nature.

from US$ 542 per person per night

River View Lodge

lodge style Affordable lodge

If you are seeking a comfortable, intimate stay in an affordable lodge, River View Lodge is your ideal destination. Nestled on the banks of the Chobe River, this lodge is at a perfect, central location to explore the Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, or to just relax at the poolside.

from US$ 282 per person per night

Chobe Savanna Lodge

lodge style Family time

As the staff gather their voices for a local song, you find a cold drink in your hand and a warm welcome to this comfortable safari lodge on the Namibian side of the Chobe River. Water-based, intimate, family friendly and relaxing are just a few ways to characterize this remote lodge.

from US$ 449 per person per night

The sunset is an amazing experience as the sun sinks in an array of reds, oranges, pinks and yellows. a sight to behold and one never forgotten.

At nights we could hear all sorts of animals and awoke both mornings to find that the noises we were hearing were wondering next to our tents throughout the night.

The camp and rooms are beautifully done, and the game drive vehicles are in very good condition and comfortable for long drives.

Chobe Video

The best way of getting an idea what the Chobe National Park is about is by seeing some incredible footage from the area. View this video of Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero to experience one of the lodges and wildlfe in the game reserve.

Be careful, after watching this video you can be sure that you want to travel to Botswana. Today.

The small size means you get to eat family style with the other guests, thereby meeting some new people and comparing notes on the day's activities.

The lodge is set on a hill with a spectacular view over the plains with a waterhole which has a constant stream of wildlife coming for a drink.

We saw thousands of elephant, giraffes, lions, kudu,alligrator, water buffalo, springbok, mongoose, and countless other animals, including the fascinating dung beetle.

Send your enquiry

We hope you have found all information needed to decide that the Chobe National Park is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. Still have questions? Or maybe you would like some more specific information about one of the topics on this page? Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon!

• Kasane, Botswana
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Top 10 best luxury safari lodges in Botswana

Monday newsletters  always feature  top 10 travel lists  to inspire.

Today: Top 10 best luxury safari lodges in Botswana

A safari in Botswana will see you journey to one of the world’s most astounding wildlife destinations. The Southern African nation is a land of breathtaking contrasts, from the sandy plains of the Kalahari Desert in the south to the lush oasis of the Okavango Delta in the north. Celebrated as one of the most exclusive and wilderness-rich year-round African safari destinations, Botswana boasts endless areas of protected natural terrains, epic landscapes and diverse wildlife, seemingly tailormade for the most discerning traveler. Unrivaled for its wilderness and privacy, the country is also home to some of Africa’s most luxurious safari camps. Here’s my selection of the 10 best luxury safari lodges in Botswana.

There is more information (with reviews & YouTube videos) below the slideshow. What is your favorite luxury safari lodge in Botswana? Leave a comment .

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10. BELMOND SAVUTE ELEPHANT LODGE

Through Botswana’s Chobe National Park flows a mysterious channel—a ghost river that appears intermittently, regardless of rainfall, and whose water can change direction. On its banks, here in the elephant capital of the world, lies Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge. The heart of the most biologically diverse game reserve in Botswana, the Savute is where the BBC and National Geographic have captured some of their best wildlife documentary footage and where guests can watch the live wildlife show every day and night. At Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge guests can go out on safari every morning and afternoon, but one of the most memorable experiences comes from simply sitting on the private deck of their tented room as a parade of elephants walks by, mere metres away. The 12 tented rooms are shaded by traditional thatched roofs and built on raised wooden platforms for better viewing over the Savute.

• Hotel website : Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge
• Review : coming soon

9. WILDERNESS KING’S POOL CAMP

King’s Pool’s lies next to Chobe National Park and is at the crux of the important wildlife corridor straddling Angola, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana. Such corridors are essential to promote viable, self-sustaining wildlife populations and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Refurbished in 2019, King’s Pool nestles under ebony and jackalberry trees and overlooks the Linyanti River and an oxbow lagoon, the ‘King’s Pool’ – honouring Swedish King Carl Gustav XVI, who reportedly honeymooned nearby in the seventies. Totally solar-powered, richly hued in copper and teal, the camp offers eight elegant thatch and canvas suites, each boasting a spacious bedroom and lounge leading to a veranda embracing views of the picturesque lagoon and surrounds. The sumptuous common areas are stylishly set on expansive raised decks close to the water’s edge, perfect for watching all the wildlife dramas unfold.

• Hotel website :  King’s Pool

8. SANCTUARY CHIEF’S CAMP

Personalised service, a remarkable setting, and the expertise of passionate guides are the hallmarks of Sanctuary Chief’s Camp. This intimate, exclusive haven offers a blend of adrenaline-fueled adventure, breathtaking wilderness, and unparalleled refinement, swathed in the elegance synonymous with our brand. Contemporary design and stylish interiors, rich in references to the camp’s royal heritage, meet soul-stirring views, ensuring that the thrill of a wildlife sighting is never far away. Accommodations, meanwhile, comprise sophisticated private pavilions, decked out in soothing natural hues and materials. Each of the 10 suites features a private terrace with a plunge pool, while the exclusive Geoffrey Kent Suite boasts two bedrooms, comfortably accommodating up to six guests. Elsewhere, expect an award-winning dining experience featuring elevated cuisine and premium wines, plus a swimming pool, gym, and spa.

• Hotel website : Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

7. XIGERA SAFARI LODGE

Named for the Pied Kingfisher that makes its home amid the watery channels of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, Xigera Safari Lodge is the result of nearly 70 years of passion, care, and attention to detail. This pioneering camp is the dream and vision of the Tollman family, the pinnacle of a life’s work creating extraordinary hospitality. Here you’ll find just 12 beautiful suites and an exceptional Baobab Treehouse in the wild landscape. Meticulously created and crafted, in every sense the décor of the suites pays homage to both the human and natural heritage of this remarkable corner of Africa. The ever-changing menus at Xigera have been created by some of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection’s most talented chefs. Every experience at Xigera Safari Lodge can be tailored to guests’ wishes, for a truly unique and memorable safari experience – and an entirely new imagining of the African bush.

• Hotel website : Xigera Safari Lodge

6. BELMOND EAGLE ISLAND LOGDE

Located on a private island surrounded by the Okavango Delta’s epic landscapes, Belmond Eagle Island Lodge is considered one of the ultimate luxury safari lodges in Botswana. Here, guests can silently glide past hippos in canoe-like mekoros, take in the vastness of the Delta and see elephants, giraffes and zebras from above in a helicopter, go on a horse riding or motorboat safari, visit local villagers, or simply relax in the beauty of the lodge. Belmond’s flagship safari lodge reopened in November 2015 after a ten month rebuild thattook both the lodge’s design and environmental credentials to a new level. Each of the 12 new spacious and light-filled deluxe tented rooms has its own plunge pool and deck, positioned in such a way that when guests retire to their rooms they are afforded total privacy and can see no signs of human life – only Botswana’s unique animals and birds.

• Hotel website : Belmond Eagle Island Lodge

5. WILDERNESS VUMBURA PLAINS

Captivating Vumbura Plains lies in the far north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest inland delta on earth. Perched on raised decks in the midst of the melapo – the annually inundated grasslands – the camp almost floats over water, radiant blue and pure enough to drink. Nestled under tree canopies and airily open to nature, Vumbura Plains is an artful, contemporary balance of wood, glass, and canvas, reflecting the colors of the spectacular floodplains, studded with ilala palms and small islands. Its 14 spacious suites – spread over two camp sites connected by an elevated walkway – include indoor and outdoor showers, an en-suite bathroom, private plunge pool, and outdoor ‘sala’ from where you can view the never-ending wildlife parade. Leopard cubs coming to drink at the camp’s water pools, for instance; hippos ‘mowing’ the grasses nearby; a baby elephant being taught how to use his trunk.

• Hotel website :  Vumbura Plains

4. WILDERNESS DUMATAU

Nestled deep within the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, on the northernmost fringe of Botswana, lies DumaTau. The reserve’s diverse, pristine 95 000 acres offers truly exclusive excursions and close-up wildlife encounters. Newly rebuilt DumaTau takes full advantage of its 45 km (28 mi) of river frontage to create an unparalleled safari experience. Eight tented suites with private plunge pools sit on wooden walkways mere steps from the wildlife corridors, so animals often wander peacefully through camp. Interiors of hand-crafted mosaic tile, acacia wood, and local textiles reflect the heart of the Linyanti. The camp’s spa, the Osprey Retreat, soothes your soul. As do all the elephants, whose moving herds compose one of Africa’s most elemental rhythms. Similar in style to DumaTau, Little DumaTau is an intimate haven of sophisticated elegance, with just four supremely spacious guest suites.

• Hotel website :  DumaTau

3. &BEYOND SANDIBE

In the heart of Okavango Delta, on the edge of a waterway in a diverse, wildlife-rich, private concession, lies &Beyond Sandibe. The organic design of this luxury Botswana safari lodge melts into the surrounding forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees. The main pavilion is an intriguing curl and sweep of shingled wood, resembling a giant scaled pangolin at rest. Stairs open onto the high ceilings of the copper-toned and glassless guest area overlooking the Delta. Interior finishes throughout showcase the craftsmanship of Botswana’s artisans, and feature intricate basketware, sculpted wooden tables and unique feature pieces. While the main guest area is set within the forest, the twelve guest suites peep out from beneath its canopy. Raised above the papyrus-lined banks like golden weaver nests, each is a cocoon of privacy, with breathtaking views, a private plunge pool and cosy fireplace.

• Hotel website :  &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge
• Other accolades : &Beyond Sandibe also feature in my top 10 list of my favorite &Beyond lodges in the world .

2. WILDERNESS JAO CAMP

Wilderness Jao Camp is a knockout, one of Botswana’s most luxurious safari lodges. The ultra-luxe property lies in the 60 000-hectare Jao Reserve in the heart of the Okavango, under a tree canopy on its own remote island, with renowned Moremi Game Reserve bordering on the east. Revamped in 2019, multiple-award winner Jao is a sculptural marvel of natural and recycled materials, of steel, wood, and glass, of towering, spacious interiors embracing the light, the bush. Jao comprises a main area elevated into the tree canopy, two exclusive villas, and five suites, all with private plunge pools, lounge and dining areas, and en-suite bathrooms, including indoor and outdoor showers. With views of the magnificent floodplains from almost everywhere and offering spectacular land- and water-based game viewing, Jao’s a place of wonder and supreme serenity.

• Hotel website :  Jao Camp
• Review : coming soon (watch my YouTube video below)

1. WILDERNESS MOMBO CAMP

Mombo Camp, situated in the northern point of wildlife-filled Chief’s Island in the Okavango Delta, is set under large, shady trees overlooking a floodplain generally filled with life. Rebuilt in 2018, Mombo maintains the traditions and history of the legendary original camp and is known as Botswana’s best luxury safari lodge. The camp’s eight spacious and ultra-luxurious ensuite tents are raised from the ground, with a long veranda, a sala and indoor & outdoor showers. Mombo Camp’s main living, bar and dining areas are under thatch, while the boma adds traditional flavor to a delicious dinner under the stars. There are two plunge pools in which to soak and a gym to work off the excellent food. Little Mombo, situated on Chief’s Island, is a more intimate camp to its sister and has its own dining and lounge area and a sparkling pool.

• Hotel website :  Mombo & Little Mombo

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Chobe Day Trip from L/stone Zambia EXCLUDING Park&Bridge Fees

Victoria falls.

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Full Day Chobe Trip from Livingstone, Zambia. Enjoy game viewing in this iconic park. Chobe National Park is well known for its large herds of elephant that frequent the Chobe River on a daily basis. In the dry season an estimate of up to 85,000 elephants can be dispersed within the Chobe National Park, where the majority of them can be found along the river. Apart from the herds of elephants, Chobe also has lots more to offer. The Park has lion, leopard, buffalo and a whole host of antelope like sable, puku, kudu, eland, roan and many others which you can get to see. The river is filled with big pods of hippos and some of the biggest crocodiles in Africa.

This tour departs daily to the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Clients will be transferred to the Kazungula border where their Botswana guide will meet them. They will proceed straight to the morning cruise where they will spend the morning game viewing along the Chobe River. The cruise will end at around 12h30 and clients will go to a hotel on the riverbank for lunch. After lunch, guests will board safari vehicles for an afternoon game drive in the Chobe National Park. Following this they will be taken back to the Kazungula Border where they will be met by their Zimbabwean guide for their return transfer to Victoria Falls.

Arrangements

Requirements, inclusions and exclusions.

Visas may be required for this tour (for guests own account). Chobe National Park entrance fee & Kazungula Bridge Levy not included. Transfers outside Livingstone, Zambia

07:00 to 07:30 – Guests will be picked up from their hotel, in a closed bus, and proceed on a 70km journey through the countryside to the Kazungula border. • 08:30 – Arrival at the Kazungula Border, where guests will exit Zimbabwe/Zambia and enter Botswana. At the border guests will change vehicles and are met by their Botswana guide. • 08:45 – Once guests have gone through Botswana immigration, they will take a short drive to Chobe Marina Lodge. • 09:00 to 09:15 – Arrival at the hotel, where guests will have a short bathroom break, and will also be required to fill out the Park Entry form. • 09:30 – Depart on guests’ first activity; either game drive or boat cruise. If guests would like to go on a specific activity first, then they should please specify. • 12:30 – Return to the hotel for lunch. This will be served either a la carte or buffet style, with a selection of traditional and modern day meals to choose from. • 13:30 – Depart for guests’ second activity. This will be the activity of which guests will have not done yet. If guests did boat cruise in the morning, then they will do a game drive in the afternoon and vice versa. • 16:00 – Return from the Park and head back to the Kazungula Border. • 16:30 – Guests will meet their Wild Horizons bus and are transported back to their hotel. • 17:30 – Arrive at guests’ hotel.

Other Options

Customer Reviews

Overall, we were extremely happy and impressed with the service! The only thing that threw us off was the initial lack of contact prior to the trip. We were assuming that the company would reach out to us beforehand to determine where the pick-up location would be. However, once the day actually started, we loved the entire process. Thank you! - Lauren

The day trip to Chobe from Livingstone was excellent. The organisation, picking us up from our hotel, taking us to the Botswana border and through passport control and to the next guide was seamless both there and on the return. Chobe was a delight, both the river safari and jeep safari was exceptional and we saw loads of elephants, hippos, lions, giraffe, impala and warthogs amongst many other species of bird and fauna. - Helen

There were four people total in our car -- picked up from our hotel and taken to the ferry terminal. Up to this point, everything was going smoothly. We were transported to the other side -- and told that we would be met by the company/people who would be taking us to Chobe. We were not given the name of the company or any other information. We sat and waited, and watched as other people came across, were met by their guides, gone into their cars and left. Nobody seems to know why our vehicle/driver/guide was not there or even if they were just delayed (but on their way) or not coming at all. This was a rather frustrating start. We all would have understood if the driver was delayed. These things happen but the guests/clients should be informed. It is easier to be understanding and accommodating when we are kept in the loop. Instead, we encountered people who just shrugged their shoulders. I strongly recommend that you instruct your drivers and employees, particularly at the ferry crossing and the Botswana side, to take this onboard. Once we did get underway, the trip improved significantly. The boat ride was wonderful. The land part was rushed - and most of us felt like we missed out on incredible photo moment. At least six people in our party would have preferred to have gone BACK OUT on the boat in the afternoon...so two boat rides instead of boat ride followed by a drive. I think the excursion could be greatly improved by offering the clients a choice. - Arif

The Chobe day trip from Livingstone was wonderful. Our driver was on time and gave us lots of information on the local area as we proceeded to the border crossing. The next driver was ready for us and the transition into Botswana was smooth. The 2nd driver was very informative as well. We had an excellent river safari with the vessel crew. Lunch was good at the Chobe lodge. The land based safari in Chobe National Park was very interesting . At the end of our safari the transitioning was smooth again. I was very pleased with our day trip. The views along the Chobe River were beautiful and loaded with wildlfe - Joseph

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The Ultimate 8-Day African Safari: Kruger, Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park

Naeema Cassimjee

https://www.foratravel.com/guides/ANKHBG/the-ultimate-8-day-african-safari-kruger-victoria-falls-and-chobe-national-naeema-cassimjee

South Africa

All-Inclusive Travel

Nature Escapes

Curator’s statement

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Africa, where every moment is a discovery waiting to unfold. This carefully curated eight-day premium adventure invites you to immerse yourself in the diversity and untamed beauty of three iconic African nations — South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Highlights:

Prepare to witness nature's grandeur as you embark on thrilling game drives, bringing you face-to-face with the legendary Big Five of the Greater Kruger region. Drift along the serene Zambezi River at sunset, feel the raw power of Victoria Falls and seek out the majestic elephants in the wilds of Chobe National Park.

This African odyssey is not just a trip, but a life-changing experience that will leave you with memories as enduring as the landscapes you explore.

The Fora Difference

Book with Naeema to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.

Killer perks

Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you

Personalized recs

Customized travel planning for your style

Insider knowledge

Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there

Where to stay

Victoria falls safari lodge.

Situated on a plateau near the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Africa, these 72 sunset-facing rooms boast views of pristine wilderness including a waterhole frequented by elephant, buffalo, kudu and more.

Chobe Safari Lodge

Immerse yourself in the African wilderness, where comfortable accommodations, wildlife encounters, and stunning river views create an unforgettable safari experience.

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg

A modern and upscale hotel offering stylish accommodations, excellent amenities and a prime location near the Gautrain station in the heart of Sandton, Johannesburg.

Panzi Lodge

Panzi Lodge, located near Kruger National Park, South Africa, is an intimate safari lodge offering comfortable accommodations, personalized service and immersive wildlife experiences in a tranquil bush setting.

Unlock perks by contacting Naeema to book your trip.

Get in touch with Naeema

Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

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Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa

Welcome to South Africa! Sawabona! Molo! Dumela! Just a few ways to say “Hello” in three out of the 11 official languages in South Africa. Your adventure kicks off in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, where you will be greeted with a warm African welcome at the airport, before being transferred to your hotel for the night. Meet your fellow travelers and tour leader for a trip briefing, before enjoying an authentic South African dinner at a family-owned grill house, where the flavors of the nation's rich culinary heritage come to life.

Local tip : Don't miss the chance to taste boerewors, a mouthwatering spiced South African sausage or indulge in the delicate flavors of springbok carpaccio — a true local delicacy.

Day 2: Journey to Greater Kruger National Park

Begin your day with an early drive to the Greater Kruger National Park, where your arrival is perfectly timed for a welcome lunch at your luxurious retreat for the next three nights. Nestled within a private reserve, this lodge blends seamlessly with its untamed surroundings, offering an unparalleled connection to the wild. Each chalet boasts first-class amenities, including private en suites, indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning and a swimming pool for those refreshing dips.

Later in the afternoon, embark on your first 4x4 game drive in a neighboring reserve. Feel the exhilaration as you encounter majestic wildlife in their natural habitat, with the possibility of crossing paths with a few of our favorite African friends. As the day draws to a close, return to the lodge, where the sounds of the African night will lull you into a peaceful sleep.

Local tip : Unwind on one of the viewing decks to soak in the breathtaking panoramas of the Drakensberg Mountains — a towering range of rugged peaks and dramatic cliffs, and home to the world's most extensive and well-preserved rock art, created by the San people thousands of years ago.

Day 3: Explore the depths of Kruger National Park

Begin your day with an early rise, as you head off into the heart of the Kruger National Park. Upon entering this iconic wilderness, get ready for an unforgettable encounter with Africa’s famed "Big Five." Enjoy a packed breakfast at a picturesque picnic spot, surrounded by untouched beauty. Your day unfolds with an exclusive, full-day wildlife safari, where you'll stop at waterholes and prime viewing points to marvel at these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The park’s diverse landscape — ranging from savannah to mixed acacia woodlands, rocky hills and mopane forests — creates a breathtaking backdrop for your adventure.

As the sun sets, return to the lodge, where you can unwind and recount the day’s most extraordinary moments, reliving the magic of your safari experience.

Local tip : As one of Southern Africa’s largest and most renowned game reserves, Kruger National Park offers a sanctuary to more than just the "Big Five." Be captivated by the sight of over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptiles and 150 species of mammals, including the endangered African wild dog, majestic herbivores like hippos, zebras and giraffes, as well as a variety of antelope species.

Day 4: Enjoy a full-day safari in Kruger National Park & evening bonfire

Return to Kruger National Park for another exhilarating game drive, offering a chance to spot any wildlife that may have been missed from the day before. As the sun sets, your adventure concludes with an intimate dinner with the best views, from one of the lodge's viewing decks.

Enjoy your meal as you listen to the symphony of the bush, perhaps even catching the distant roar of a lion. Afterward, head off to enjoy a crackling bonfire under the canopy of stars.

Local tip : Take a moment to look up at the African night sky and count the shooting stars.

Day 5: Say goodbye to South Africa & hello to Zimbabwe

Rise early and head to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, where you’ll bid farewell to South Africa before boarding a mid-morning flight to Livingstone, Zambia — your gateway to the breathtaking Victoria Falls.

Upon arrival, cross the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge into Zimbabwe and marvel at the magnificent cascades for the first time. Continue to your lodge, which offers unparalleled views of pristine wilderness and a waterhole which is visited by majestic elephants, buffalo, kudu and more. Spend the afternoon unwinding by the pool or enjoying wildlife sightings from any of the lodge’s viewing decks.

In the evening, you’ll embark on an intimate Sundowner River Cruise along the Zambezi River where you’ll glide through the shallow waters and islands just above the mighty falls. Enjoy canapés and sundowners prepared by your personal chef as the captain navigates the tranquil river, offering a truly unforgettable experience.

Local tip : Kick back in your lounge chair and spot crocodiles basking on the banks or find elephants and hippos in their natural habitat.

Day 6: Feel the spray of Victoria Falls

In the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring grandeur of Victoria Falls — an unrivaled natural marvel that creates the largest sheet of falling water in the world when in full flow. Your guide will escort you through the park, unveiling the falls’ rich history and leading you to exclusive vantage points for breathtaking views. Next you’ll make your way to Chobe National Park in Botswana where you’ll enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Kasane town, Alternatively, relax by the pool overlooking the Chobe River, enjoying another African sunset. If you’re in search of more adventure, consider an optional afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park. Local tip : Look out for an encounter with wandering warthogs while in Kasane Town.

Day 7: Wander through Chobe National Park

Start your day with an exciting game drive through Chobe National Park, Botswana's first designated national park and renowned for its impressive populations of elephants and buffalo. During your safari, witness these majestic creatures gather at the waterholes, before returning to the lodge for breakfast to fuel up for the next adventure.

In the afternoon, indulge in a scenic cruise along the enchanting Chobe River. This serene journey offers exceptional wildlife viewing, from saddle-billed storks and malachite kingfishers to fish eagles and colorful bee-eaters. Enjoy hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat, and witness large herds of elephants gracefully crossing the river.

It’s the last night of your African adventure so take a moment to reflect on what the animal kingdom has taught you, as you take in the breathtaking sunset over the river, making for a truly unforgettable experience.

Local tip : Be sure to truly soak up the elephant sightings because the Chobe River is one of the best places in Africa to see large herds of elephants. During the dry season, thousands of elephants migrate to the river for water, making it an incredible spot for witnessing these majestic creatures up close as they gather along the riverbanks.

Day 8: Say farewell

Your African adventure comes to an end after breakfast, but the memories made will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

If you would like to spend more time in Chobe, or Victoria Falls, additional accommodation can be arranged.

Transfers to Kasane Airport, Livingstone Airport or Victoria Falls Airport can be arranged at an additional cost, for your trip back to Johannesburg, South Africa.

All packages are dependent on each traveler's needs and will be curated upon request.

Need to know

This eight-day African safari is run by a reputable tour company that has become my favorite after many successful adventures in Africa.

The tour includes:

Internal travel

4x4 safaris

River cruises

Accommodations

It does not include:

Flight to the start of the tour in Johannesburg, South Africa

Flight to next destination after the tour is complete

Travel Advisor

Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.

Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to Africa . For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Phelipe Cardoso Sekai ’s guide, Discover Zimbabwe: Fora's Guide to Culture, Nature and Adventure .

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I Saw the Big Five, Experienced Iconic Victoria Falls, and Camped Out Under the Stars With Like-minded Travelers on This Once-in-a-lifetime Safari

From Botswana to Zambia, I connected with solo travelers from around the world on a safari I'll never forget.

Sophie Mendel/Travel + Leisure

On a Tuesday night in Brooklyn, I found myself in the back of a laundromat speakeasy, where, on a whim, I dropped a coin into one of those quirky mechanical fortune teller machines:

“You have been holding on to something in your life that no longer serves you at this time. You hold on because you are afraid or don’t know what’s next for you. Heed my advice, dear one: As soon as you let go, the path reveals itself. It is time to embrace the next stage that life has planned for you. Believe me, it is much better than what’s behind you.”

I was true: I had recently made significant life changes, including a cross-country move to New York City. As part of the move, I had even made myself a “new life bucket list," a list of things I wanted to do before I felt like my transition period was over — the last item on this list: an African safari.

While the mystery behind the meaning of my fortune lingered in my mind, my thoughts eventually turned to other things, as I had a safari to prepare for.

Sophie Mendel/Travel + Leisure

A long-time solo female traveler, I had planned to take this iconic trip on my own, joining a group of 18–35-year-old travelers with Contiki tours.

While group tours have become an increasingly popular way for young people to travel, I had never taken one myself and figured this would be the perfect opportunity — an African safari didn't seem like an experience I could easily navigate alone. After thorough research, I chose a nine-day tour of Victoria Falls & Botswana that would take me through both countries. I locked in the tour for just under $3,000 (a steal for a trip of this magnitude) and was on my way.

I arrived in Livingstone, Zambia, a day before the rest of my tour group, which allowed me to adjust to the jet lag and take in my surroundings. After checking in to the Victoria Falls Waterfront Hotel , situated on the Zambezi River, I spent the afternoon lazing by the pool and watching families of wild baboons run circles around the property.

Sitting there with nothing to do but simply be , I thought, when was the last time I had really done that? Just be . Just exist. It had been a long time. I realized that in New York, I’d been constantly running toward the next thing without ever stopping to appreciate where I am in the present. I had no idea how exhausted I was until that moment. I finally paused and took a minute to take a breath and relax. It was peaceful.

The following morning, I headed toward the Zimbabwe border to meet with my group of 15 other travelers. Contiki organizes its trips in modules, with groups of travelers joining and leaving at various points throughout, so as it turned out, I was the only traveler joining a pre-existing group that had already taken part of the 15-day Cape to Delta Safari trip — one of the company's highest-rated trips.

Their journey began in Cape Town and headed to Johannesburg before finally meeting me in Zambia. While it was a bit intimidating being the only person to join a trip of people who had already spent the past week getting to know each other, I was welcomed with open arms by what was clearly an already close-knit but friendly and outgoing group.

Expecting my group mates to be on the younger end of the 18–35 spectrum, I was pleasantly surprised to find a diverse mix of ages ranging from 20 to 35 – at 29, I felt like I fit right in. Hailing from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Europe, several of my trip mates had taken other Contiki tours and were already fans of the company. What surprised me the most was that everyone, save for one married couple, came on the trip completely alone. As a result, everyone went into the experience with the mindset of wanting to make new friends and connections and have a genuine adventure with other like-minded people, which I found rare and refreshing.

We hit the ground running and headed straight to the iconic Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world. We heard it before we saw it: as we approached, the roaring falls sprawled out before us, monumentally tall and inconceivably powerful. The mist spraying off the falls drenched us from head to toe as we hiked barefoot along the winding observation path, unable to hear each other’s squeals of excitement and awe over the thundering falls.

As if on cue, a perfect rainbow appeared overhead, arching magnificently over the spectacular cascades. I looked around me and saw my own wonderment mirrored on the faces of my new travel companions. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of contentment — it’s not often you get to experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World alongside other adventurers who are just as excited about it as you are.

The next day, we woke before dawn, and I took my first-ever walking safari right on our hotel's grounds, which was set within a nature reserve.

Right off the bat, we saw rhinos and an African buffalo, two of the Big Five. Later in the day, our group crossed the border into Botswana and arrived in Chobe, where our afternoon game drive resulted in sightings of herds of elephants (calves in tow), zebras, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests, impala, baboons, and more. We even saw a lion basking in the sun, who roared to his brother lying nearby.

In the fading light of the afternoon, our open-air safari van approached a natural watering hole, where we watched as every species in the animal kingdom gathered to drink. With the borders of Namibia just across the reservoir, the sun-drenched landscape looked like something straight out of “The Lion King.” It was so surreal and unbelievable that it was hard to comprehend that we were truly there, seeing it with our own eyes.

The following morning, we said goodbye to about half of our group mates as we headed toward the Okavango Delta. While it was sad to see them go, especially as we had all grown quite close over the few intense days we had spent together, it was nice to go to the Delta with a smaller, more intimate group.

We began the long journey from Chobe to the small village of Gweta, the gateway to the iconic Delta. As we drove, Jesse, our guide, passed the time by giving us context into the cultural and geographical history of the region and the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans we were headed to. “Where there is water, there is life,” he explained — the Okavango Delta is one of the richest locations for wildlife in both Botswana and the entire continent of Africa.

As the drive wore on, the landscape became increasingly remote, and the oppressive heat of African summer began to penetrate the walls of our minivan, fighting against the weak air conditioning that struggled to keep us cool.

Jesse explained that where we were going in the Delta was extremely and unforgivingly isolated and that should we need rescuing for any reason, the nearest town would be four hours away. While he meant it as a routine warning, it gave me an uneasy feeling. We had been on a single dirt road for hours, having only passed a one-room building with a handmade sign on the door that read “hospital” and a few rural villages. The heat was intense, and I started to get a bit anxious. We were really out there, and there was nothing around for miles.

I was starting to have second thoughts about continuing to the Delta, but there was no turning back. I cast aside my doubts, and we carried on, arriving at the entry of the Makgadikgadi Pan and switching to an open-air safari vehicle. The heat was extreme, but the company was good. We spent the afternoon driving through the vast, barren landscape, searching for meerkats.

As the day descended into the evening and the heat finally started to burn off, we stopped to rest at what must have been the only tall tree for miles. Easily a thousand years old and enormous in stature, the gigantic tree provided a shady reprieve as we stretched our legs and took in the emptiness sprawled out before us. Exhausted from the sun and not in the mood to chat, none of us said a word as we listened to the quiet. No sound could be heard but the breeze and the song of the birds on the wind.

Standing in awe of the enormous tree, I thought it might just be the most peaceful place on earth. I closed my eyes and listened to the silence; it was pure tranquility; it was magic. I was so rooted in the present moment that, when I think back on it now, I can still conjure that feeling, that presentness, that peace.

When it was time to go, we climbed back into the van and went on our way.

Driving through the bush at golden hour, the early evening light turned the African grasses gold. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we arrived at a secluded watering hole in the heart of the grasslands, where staff had set up a bar filled with drinks and snacks and a campfire with folding chairs to sit in and watch the sunset. Sipping our “sundowners” by the fire and taking in the landscape, I remembered something I had read before my trip, a quote by Will Smith: “God visits everywhere, but He lives in Africa." At that moment, I thought it just might be true.

We stayed there around the fire, talking until it got dark and a billion stars appeared in the cloudless sky. It was exactly what I hoped Africa would be like, and the reality of where I was finally sunk in – the trip I had waited so long to take was finally happening, and it was all just right.

The following day, we headed into the Okavango Delta. I wedged between our guide Jesse and my trip mate Jack in the back seat of the safari vehicle, with all our belongings piled on top of us and into every available crevice. After a while, we pulled into a clearing alongside a picturesque watering hole where a family of hippos dipped in and out of the water.

Suddenly, it began to pour. The rain danced on the once-still surface of the pond, lily pads floated side to side in clusters with the breeze, and the hippos carried on as before, unbothered by the turn of weather. I giggled like a child, grateful for the cool breeze and magic of a moment uncapturable by anything other than memory.

While we were glad for the respite from the heat, the rain made driving in our open-air safari van a challenge on the muddy roads, even for our experienced safari guide, Neil, the owner of Kangara Adventure Safaris . We pulled over off-road to wait it out. “TIA,” Neil exclaimed, “This is Africa!”

Eventually, the rain passed, and we arrived at the campsite in the middle of the bush. While it wasn’t quite glamping, a full staff had arrived early to set up our tents, a dining area, a fire pit, and bathroom facilities. As remote as we were, I was impressed by the luxury they could deliver.

For dinner, we were served seswaa, a traditional (and tasty) Botswana meat stew. Afterward, we gathered around the campfire and roasted marshmallows under an impossibly starry sky while the resounding symphony of nature played and lightning bugs sparkled in the darkness.

Despite my anxiety regarding the remoteness of our destination, I finally understood why coming out there and being disconnected from the rest of the world was truly worth it. I didn’t realize how restless I had felt in New York until I stumbled onto the serenity that can only be found somewhere so remote and off-the-grid as the Okavango Delta.

On our last morning, as the sun rose, we climbed into the safari van and headed out on an early-morning game drive. The landscape was abounding with elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos, exotic birds, and even rare African dogs. Around midday, we returned to the camp for lunch and to wait out the worst of the day’s heat. We sprawled out in the covered daybed area, reading books and relaxing while Carlos, the wittiest of our trip mates, entertained us with anecdotes that had us laughing all afternoon.

Soon, as the golden hour arrived, it was time to head out on the final game drive. We drove through the luminescent landscape for an hour or two before stopping for sundowners while watching a final breathtaking sunset over the African bush. It was the perfect ending to yet another dreamlike day and a superb way to close the trip of a lifetime.

Sitting in the airport contemplating my adventure as I waited for my flight back home, I was suddenly struck by the memory of my fortune from that faraway speakeasy in Brooklyn. Though, in truth, it had only been three or so weeks since that fateful night, it now felt eons away, as if I had lived an entire lifetime since then.

I replayed the fortune in my mind:

I realized that I had felt so much more at peace during the last nine days than in the past eight months living in New York City, where I constantly felt like I was ceaselessly running and never getting where I was trying to go. During this trip, I finally arrived.

It was time for me to let go of the notion that life can only be one thing: the idea that I have to follow the same path as everyone else and chase after the conventional ideas of what it means to be successful or fulfilled, especially when those conventional things weren’t filling me up. Travel was the remedy to healing something I didn’t realize was broken. It made me recognize that it was time to forge my own path forward — perhaps by seeking a stronger sense of community and striving to create more meaningful relationships through travel.

I thought back to the start of my trip and what I had planned for this safari to mean symbolically for my life: the end to a period of transition, the final item on my “new life bucket list.” I had no idea it would just be the start of the next period. One of the most extraordinary experiences of my life, I’ll always look back on my trip to Africa and be grateful for what it taught me and the changes I’ve vowed to make.

At the end of the trip, one of our safari drivers, Silvester, relayed this African proverb to me, and, looking back, I couldn’t express it better myself: “Once you set foot in Africa, you will never dust it off your feet.”

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