Safari luxury: our best camps & lodges
Travellers looking for top quality accommodation, amazingly convenient arrangements, excellent service and fine dining – not to mention some superb wildlife experiences – should look no further.
Many lodges in Botswana feature opulent rooms with plunge pools on private decks, modern en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers and some, even an elegant bathtub. Occasionally, they also have air-conditioning – although that’s often regarded as unnecessary for most of the year.
Additionally, the food provided is often excellent, with a good choice of top wines for a sumptuous dining experience.
Best camps & lodges for Luxury in Botswana
Xaranna
The opulent rooms at Xaranna Okavango Delta Lodge offer a plush retreat in the bush, with four-poster beds, private plunge pools and luxuriously deep bathtubs. The team provide attentive service and an opportunity to change pace and enjoy the beautiful surroundings on a luxury safari.
Jao Camp
Jao is a camp to be experienced for itself as much as for its beautiful surroundings. The large suites are luxurious and service levels are high with the aim of offering a more personal, adaptable experience. The spa is also very good, a great way to relax on a luxury safari holiday.
Chief's Camp
Located in an area renowned for superb game viewing, Chief’s Camp was completely renovated in 2016. The enormous suites are opulent, with private plunge pool, air conditioning, and large bathtub. There is also a spa, for a little extra spoiling during your luxury safari holiday.
Duba Explorers Camp
Duba Explorers Camp harks back to the romantic 1920’s-expeditions style. Being in a remote part of this concession, exclusivity is high on the agenda. The owners value attentive service, superb guiding and excellent food. We’d expect nothing less for your luxury safari holiday.
Little Mombo
Offering some of the best game viewing in Botswana, Little Mombo provides professional, attentive service and some superb guiding. The luxurious suites are eminently comfortable and spacious. In high demand, you’ll need to book early to include this camp on your luxury safari.
Mombo Camp
Mombo is synonymous with first class service, food, guiding and, in particular, exceptional game densities. Large, sumptuous suites offer a private retreat between safari activities - you might want to pamper yourself with an in-room massage treatment on your luxurious safari.
Selinda Camp
One of our favourite camps, Selinda’s rooms and common areas are beautifully designed, with the sumptuous en-suite bathtubs particularly worth a mention. Fabulous food, excellent guides and a team who go the extra mile combine to make this a good fit for a luxury safari.
Zarafa Camp
Zarafa offers sheer luxury and adventure in a first-rate game viewing area. Sumptuous suites are thoughtfully decorated but what really stands out is the attentive service and top-notch guiding. If you’re looking to indulge on your safari holiday, then look no further.
Vumbura Plains
Vumbura Plains is a high-end camp that offers – and delivers – excellent standards of food and individual service in luxurious modern surroundings. Enjoy the excellent game experience, or simply retreat to your suite to relax or have a dip in your private plunge pool.
Duba Plains Camp
In the heart of the Okavango Delta, Duba Plains Camp’s six opulent tented rooms each features a private plunge pool, outdoor sala and air conditioning. Superb guiding, excellent food and a hand-picked wine list round off the luxury experience on a Botswana safari.
DumaTau
Designed with privacy and luxury in mind, the rooms at DumaTau are spacious and airy. The stylish décor, large private verandas and cosy nooks with river views create a real sense of exclusivity, making this the perfect place to relax during your safari holiday.
San Camp
San Camp is an enchanting camp with magnificent views over the surrounding salt plains. There is superb attention to detail in the unusual Arabic design, and the refined quality of food, service and guiding is just what you’d expect on a deluxe safari holiday.
Kings Pool
Ornate wooden doors, vast rooms, four-poster beds, private decks and an open-air shower are only a few of Kings Pool’s luxurious fittings. Add hard-to-fault service, excellent guiding and very good food, thus the makings of a luxury safari.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
Each of the stylish and modern rooms at Sandibe Safari Lodge come with air-conditioning, private decks with a plunge pool and a large seating-area making it an extremely comfortable option in a prime game viewing area.
Sitatunga Island Camp
With a focus on water-based activities and high levels of service and luxury, the team at Sitatunga Private Island Camp can curate a relaxed, romantic and personalised experience for a luxury safari in Botswana.
Abu Camp
Six opulent tents at Abu Camp are individually designed and decorated, all featuring an outdoor copper bathtub and plunge pool.
Luxury elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Botswana
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,664 sightings from 4,527 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,366 sightings from 5,027 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,286 sightings from 3,847 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,048 sightings from 3,313 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,624 sightings from 4,787 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
291 sightings from 1,864 observations
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
20% SUCCESS
103 sightings from 505 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,419 sightings from 4,857 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
3,093 sightings from 3,729 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,273 sightings from 4,981 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,217 sightings from 3,610 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
755 sightings from 2,494 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
44% SUCCESS
614 sightings from 1,411 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
69% SUCCESS
1,608 sightings from 2,326 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,763 sightings from 3,562 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
598 sightings from 2,424 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
577 sightings from 2,435 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
76 sightings from 403 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,996 sightings from 4,438 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,642 sightings from 5,521 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
69 sightings from 4,020 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
82 sightings from 3,978 observations
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