Spring Hare Safari: Day-by-day

Traditional yet informal, Muchenje is perched on an escarpment with commanding views over the Chobe River. And those views are magnificent! Spread out on either side of the river are seasonal floodplains, their open spaces a magnet for wildlife. Just to watch from your chalet, or from the viewing deck by the pool, is to become absorbed in the comings and goings below. Zebra and wildebeest, elephant and giraffe, the predators largely hidden in the dense bush behind.

Like the surroundings, Muchenje feels almost fixed in time. Comfortable and solidly built, it’s a place to exhale and enjoy, with good yet relaxed service, and excellent guiding.

The guides do their utmost to ensure that you make the most of your time here, whether it’s venturing up the Chobe River by boat, or exploring the varied habitats of Chobe National Park in an open-sided 4WD. Take a picnic for a full-day’s excursion, or return for lunch in the heat of the day. Or perhaps – a bonus of Muchenje’s location outside the national park – walk with a guide into the forest reserve, or head out after dinner in search of Botswana’s nocturnal creatures.

"a spectacular location!"

Family PfromCirencester

Arrived 8 Jun 2023, 2 nights

Then make your way to the firepit for a nightcap: a fitting end to a fascinating day. See our full report on Muchenje Safari Lodge

Perched on the banks of the Savuti Channel within Chobe National Park, Savute Safari Lodge offers a good location from which to explore the nearby Savuti Marshes. Comfortable without being luxurious, the camp enjoys views over the Savute Channel and its two pumped waterholes, which – especially during the dry season – attract vast numbers of elephant to drink in the afternoons and evenings.

"Every game drive provided fresh delight with large variety of mammals and birds"

LDBfromVancouver

Arrived 26 May 2022, 3 nights

Savute Safari Lodge has a down-to-earth feel and attracts an eclectic mix of guests who enjoy great hospitality, friendly staff and some excellent guiding, all in a top game-viewing region, particularly during the dry season. The lodge itself may not suit those wanting a more bushcamp feel, but the dining area overlooking the channel and nearby waterhole is a big plus. The region also offers a good contrast to the Okavango Delta, although a greater number of visitors than in the private reserves can make it feel less exclusive. See our full report on Savute Safari Lodge

An island camp fronted by a lagoon and surrounded by grassy plains: Pom Pom has an idyllic setting. For many people, that’s the iconic Delta image, the grasslands dotted with small islands of mixed acacia woodland.

During the floods, the lagoon is home to pods of hippos. And as the land dries out, the residual waterhole acts like a magnet for wildlife aplenty – all on display in front of the dining area.

To sit on the deck in front of your tented room is to have the view – and the birdlife – to yourself. Behind, comfort beckons, with armchairs in the small lounge area and the breeze wafting through mesh windows, aided by an overhead fan in the bedrooms.

An outside shower keeps you in touch with the natural world. Or add a hint of decadence in the honeymoon chalet, whose outdoor bath is set against a leafy backdrop.

The sense of relaxation pervades the main area too, with two lounges, an honesty bar and a large teak table where guests gather for convivial meals.

By day, you’ll explore this corner of the Okavango by 4WD, or – in season – experience the channels of the Delta from the near-silence of a mokoro.

"Its saving grace was that the wildlife viewing was excellent..."

Mr & Mrs K fromfromWales

Arrived 8 Feb 2025, 3 nights

Then return to cool off in the swimming pool, and to chat over the day with drinks around the campfire. See our full report on Pom Pom Camp