The Garden Lodge is a small guesthouse in the town of Kasane, Botswana, which borders the Chobe National Park. None of our team has visited this guesthouse personally, but here is what we know about it.
The Garden Lodge has just eight rooms – four doubles and four family rooms. Each room has an en suite bathroom and a private verandah overlooking the Chobe River. As the name suggests, the guesthouse is surrounded by a beautiful garden which slopes down to the riverside. A combination of beautiful flowers like hibiscus, frangipani and bougainvillea; tropical plants including banana and paw paw trees; and the riverside location make this a lovely tranquil spot to spend a few days.
The communal areas at The Garden Lodge include a bar, which is known as the map room due to the variety of maps on the walls, a swimming pool and a lounge and dining room. Meals are enjoyed around one big table where guests can swap travel tales. Each day a choice of continental or English breakfast is offered. Lunches are usually a buffet including a choice of hot dishes, salads, cold meats and cheeses. Dinner is a set menu, although the guesthouse is always happy to cater for individual dietary requirements provided they know about them in advance.
Although it is possible for guests to explore Chobe National Park and the surrounding areas in their own vehicle, The Garden Lodge offers a range of activities which are worth considering. The favourite options are safari drives in Chobe National Park in open 4WD vehicles and a boat cruise on the Chobe River. These are usually morning and afternoon activities; however, The Garden Lodge can be flexible in their timings depending on their guests needs.
The Chobe River is a tributary of the Zambezi River and both waterways are known for their sizeable tiger fish. The Garden Lodge offers fishing excursions and supplies all the tackle required to catch these game fish. Any fishing from the guesthouse is operated on a catch and release basis. It is also possible to visit one of the villages across the river in Namibia. The guide would take you from Botswana to Namibia by dug-out canoe and then show you through the villages on foot.
In conclusion….This area of Chobe National Park can be quite busy – especially in the high season. There are numerous large hotels in Kasane which utilise the park and the river, so at the height of the season, and during prime game viewing time, it can all seem a bit like a circus. In the midst of this, The Garden Lodge is a small guesthouse which offers tranquility and personalised service. Their flexible activity times allow guests to explore this great park and rivers where animal and birdlife abounds in the most relaxed way possible. It is a great spot for travellers on a self-drive safari but would also work for those on a fly-in safari of Botswana.
Directions: The Garden Lodge is situated in the centre of Kasane town and is easily reached by self-drive or by transfer after visiting the Victoria Falls in Zambia, or other safari camps in Botswana
The Garden Lodge review
An excellent, relaxed atmosphere. Rooms were well equipped and a laundry facility available. The pool area was well designed and looked inviting. Dinner is a communal affair with wine included – food ...
Busy, friendly river lodge with big garden
Coming from the Caprivi, the 'mass-tourism' of Chobe is a bit overwhelming. Lots of (rather noisy) boats on the river and too many jeeps in one spot.
The lodge itself was nice, tastefully ...
The Garden Lodge review
Clean comfortable stay.
The guides were not as good as others we had later, but everyone was very accommodating and we enjoyed it very much overall.
We found the food not as good as other pl...
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