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Chobe River Lodge
Chobe River Lodge
Chobe River Lodge
Chobe River Lodge
Chobe River Lodge
Chobe River Lodge

Chobe River Lodge: Our full report

Formerly known as Garden Lodge, Chobe River Lodge is a small guesthouse in the town of Kasane, Botswana, ...

... which borders the Chobe National Park. Beautiful flowers such as hibiscus, frangipani and bougainvillea combine with tropical plants, including banana and paw paw trees, and a riverside location to make this a lovely tranquil spot to spend a few days. In early 2021 Chobe River Lodge changed name, following extensive renovations - the following information refers to the property as it was and will be updated shortly since our more recent visits.

This area of Chobe National Park can be very busy. There are numerous large hotels in Kasane which utilise the park and the river and at the height of the season the area can seem a bit like a circus. Chobe River Lodge is a small haven of tranquility among the chaos, and a delightful spot for a few days in Kasane.

The Garden Lodge has just eight rooms – five doubles and three family rooms. The rooms have a cosy feel – like staying in someone’s home – and all are broadly similar, although one is smaller than the rest. The décor is mostly white, giving them a cool feel, plus there’s air conditioning, a fan, a safe, a hairdryer and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Each room has an en-suite bathroom with a shower rather than a bath, and a private veranda looking out towards the Chobe River.

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 with a communal table where guests can swap travel tales. As the name suggests, the guesthouse is surrounded by a beautiful garden, which slopes down to the riverside.

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 that are worth considering. Favourite options are safari drives in Chobe National Park in open 4WD vehicles and boat cruises on the Chobe River. These are usually morning and afternoon activities, but timings can be flexible depending on guests’ needs.

The Chobe River is a tributary of the Zambezi River and both waterways are known for their sizeable tiger fish. 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 mokoro, a dug-out canoe, then show you through the villages on foot.


Our view

Unlike many other Kasane lodges and hotels, the small Garden Lodge offers tranquillity and personalised service with a guesthouse feel. Their activities have some flexibility, and it is a great stop for travellers on a self-drive safari wishing to visit Chobe before heading to Victoria Falls.

Chris McIntyre

Chris McIntyre

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Directions
Chobe River 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.
Accessible by
Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Half Board
Food quality
Meals at the Chobe River Lodge are on the lines of those at a safari lodge – hearty and plentiful.

Each day a substantial choice of continental or English breakfast is offered.

Lunch is usually a buffet including a choice of hot dishes, salads, cold meats and cheeses. On our last visit to the Chobe River Lodge we stopped by for a delicious buffet spread of pasta bake, salads, fruit, rice salad and bread. It was all very fresh, and very tasty.

Dinner is a set menu, although the guesthouse is always happy to cater for individual dietary requirements provided they know about them in advance.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included
Drinks are not included.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome here.
Property’s age restrictions
There are no age restrictions at the Chobe River Lodge.
Special activities & services
There are no particular activities for children.
Equipment
Small beds can be added to the family rooms.
Generally recommended for children
Yes – the lodge has three family rooms and children will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, and of course the pool.
Notes
Hippos sometimes come up on to the lawn by the river, and the pool is unfenced, so children should be supervised at all times, especially in this area.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Chobe River Lodge

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Chobe River Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Buffalo

91% success

Giraffe

90% success

Zebra

80% success

Lion

70% success

Wildebeest

40% success

Leopard

38% success

Eland

33% success

Sable antelope

25% success

Roan antelope

17% success

Spotted Hyena

11% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Sitatunga

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Always on
Communications
WiFi is available in the main area, and there’s a computer with free internet access for guest use. There is also a good cellphone signal here.
TV & radio
None
Water supply
Mains

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The lodge has a first-aid kit and links to a local doctor in Kasane.
Dangerous animals
Moderate Risk
Security measures
The lodge is gated and guarded.



Balcony safety warning: The balconies of the upstairs rooms at Chobe River Lodge are not suitably enclosed for children under the age of 6 years. We strongly recommend families with young children book ground-floor rooms here.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers are dotted around the lodge.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Helicopter

    Helicopter

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included.
Money
There is no currency exchange, but there are several banks with ATMs in Kasane.
Accepted payment on location
Visa and Mastercard are accepted. All currencies are accepted, including Namibian dollars (unusual for a lodge outside Namibia).

Other lodges in Chobe National Park

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Muchenje Safari Lodge

Muchenje Safari Lodge

One of our favourites in the area, Muchenje is a small, welcoming lodge at the quieter, western end of the Chobe Riverfront.


96% (172 reviews)
Savute Safari Lodge

Savute Safari Lodge

Savute Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Savuti Channel within Chobe National Park, and offers access to excellent game viewing, especially during the dry season.


94% (36 reviews)
Savute Under Canvas

Savute Under Canvas

A mobile camp with the comforts of a semi-permanent tented camp, Savute Under Canvas offers guided game drives within the Savuti region of Chobe National Park.


96% (24 reviews)
Chobe Under Canvas

Chobe Under Canvas

This is a typical location for Chobe under Canvas, a small, semi-permanent camp in the Chobe Riverfront area that offers good value for money and high standards of care.


100% (22 reviews)
Chobe Elephant Camp

Chobe Elephant Camp

Located in one of our favorite areas of Chobe National Park, Chobe Elephant Camp is a simple but well-appointed camp with a strong bush feel.


96% (23 reviews)
Chobe Safari Lodge

Chobe Safari Lodge

Chobe Safari Lodge is a good value, hotel-style lodge in the heart of Kasane offering game drives, boat cruises and fishing trips.


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Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe Game Lodge occupies an enviable riverfront location within Chobe National Park and boasts well-earned 'eco' credentials, as well as an excellent all-female guiding team.


84% (14 reviews)
Ngoma Safari Lodge

Ngoma Safari Lodge

With sweeping views across the floodplains of the Chobe River, Ngoma offers superb food and flexible safari activities.


100% (13 reviews)
Chobe Chilwero

Chobe Chilwero

On the periphery of Chobe National Park, Chobe Chilwero offers luxurious surroundings and excellent food, which complement superb game viewing on game drives and boat trips.


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Camp Kuzuma

Camp Kuzuma

Camp Kuzuma sits in the Kazuma Forest Reserve and is an excellent place to see elephant in particular. Away from the busier riverfront area of Chobe National Park this camp offers a luxurious base form which to explore this less visited region of northern Botswana.


100% (2 reviews)
Savute Elephant Lodge

Savute Elephant Lodge

Savute Elephant Lodge is a luxurious camp on the banks of the now flowing Savuti Channel. This is a classic big-game area, although its location within Chobe National Park does limit the activities which are possible here.


100% (2 reviews)
Elephant Valley Lodge

Elephant Valley Lodge

Elephant Valley Lodge is a lovely camp in a beautiful setting – sit in its hide and watch the wildlife come to drink at the waterhole. Activities focus on boating and drives in Chobe which - although very busy, and a long drive from the lodge – is very rich in wildlife.


80% (1 review)

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