Accommodations in Botswana

Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa

As soon as you arrive at Cresta Mowana, you’re in no doubt where the lodge gets its name from; a giant baobab tree (mowana) stands proud, right in front of the entrance to the reception.

On the other side of the reception is the large lawn, which extends right down to the Chobe River, where the hippos honk merrily, day and night.

Despite the size of the lodge with its 100+ rooms of different sizes, all rooms have their own balcony – overlooking the river.

The spacious, modernly appointed rooms all have mosquito nets around the beds, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities.

Breakfast is enjoyed overlooking the river – and after the day’s safari, you can enjoy the last rays of the day from the bar, which also has a view of the river. It’s quite enchanting to sit in the waning light and hear the animals grunting in the dark river.

If you could do with cooling down, you can hop in the pool, and if your back’s aching after all those hours in the safari car, a visit to the gym or the spa might be just what you need.

It goes without saying that Wi-Fi is available at the hotel.

Chobe Marina Lodge

In the heart of the town of Kasane, within walking distance of shops, banks and supermarkets and just a few minutes’ drive from the entrance to Chobe National Park, you will find the lovely 4-star lodge, Chobe Marina Lodge.

Enjoy your breakfast under the shady trees on the magnificent terrace overlooking the Chobe River before setting off on the day’s adventures. What makes the safari experiences in Chobe National Park so unique is that you not only have the opportunity to enjoy traditional game drives on land, but also the opportunity to experience the nature and wildlife from the water on a cruise on the Chobe River.

In the quiet afternoon hours, when the sun is high in the sky, you can relax in the lovely pool area which has plenty of space for sun loungers and a pool bar.

The 60 spacious rooms all have air conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, fridges and mosquito nets over the beds.

The lodge has two restaurants, a spa and two bars, one of which is perfect for a “sundowner” overlooking the river and the sun going down over the national park.

Chobe Safari Lodge

Just outside Chobe National Park, you will find the four-star Chobe Safari Lodge. The lodge is the perfect base for visiting Chobe National Park – whether you dream of a traditional game drive or you are more drawn by the idea of a cruise on the Chobe River. The lodge is located right by the river and has its own jetty, bordering Chobe National Park on the other side. So you have the best of both worlds. It is a 10-minute drive from the airport and a 5-minute drive takes you to Kasane, where there are banks, supermarkets and souvenir shops.

Chobe Safari Lodge has 76 rooms of varying sizes to accommodate couples, solo travellers and families.

All rooms overlook the Chobe River, either from the balcony or from the terrace. All have an en suite bathroom and toilet, air conditioning, TV, safe, tea and coffee-making facilities, minibar and mosquito net over all the beds.

The lodge has its own restaurant, which serves delicious national and international dishes and vegetarian food.

There is a large pool, a bar and a lovely viewpoint down by the river.

A really nice, reasonably-priced lodge!

If you would rather stay inside the National Park itself, we recommend that you upgrade to the Chobe Game Lodge. This is the only lodge located within the Chobe National Park itself. If you decide to upgrade, we recommend that you spend your time around the lodge and do not purchase a day trip to sites like Victoria Falls.

Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe Game Lodge is the only lodge inside Chobe National Park itself. The lodge is situated right by the Chobe River, surrounded by wildlife and amazing nature experiences wherever you look.

There is a 250-metre boardwalk along the river with a number of viewing platforms with soft chairs, half shade and an incomparable view of the Chobe River and its wide variety of animals. Enjoy the sunset with a cool drink in your hand – there is almost nothing more beautiful in the world than a sunset from Chobe National Park.

The entire lodge is beautifully decorated in Moorish style with vaulted ceilings, lanterns, large cushions and a lovely, tasteful blend of neutral and bright colours. The lodge has four restaurants, two bars, six lounge areas, a small shop, pool, day spa, boma – and a large garden with plenty of space.

The 44 rooms all face the river, have their own terrace, air conditioning, safe, free minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, torch, umbrella – yes, they’ve thought of everything!

There is free Wi-Fi throughout the lodge.

Chobe Water Villas

To enjoy a really special experience in Chobe National Park, you can opt to upgrade to Chobe Water Villas. What makes this lodge so special is the fact that it is actually located in Namibia. Most visitors to the national park choose to stay on the Botswana side, but there are several advantages to choosing to stay on the Namibia side.

It’s easy to get there by boat. Around a 15-minute boat ride from the lively town of Kasane, you arrive at a completely different world! Before you get to the lodge, you have to go ashore and have your passport stamped at the minuscule border office marking Namibia. On the Namibia side, everything is quiet. The lodge is located by itself, and you can only hear the birds chirping and the hippos grunting.

All 15 villas are built on stilts on the edge of the Chobe River. The generous balconies offer a unique view of the river and Sedudu, a large island in the middle of the river. You don’t actually have to move from your terrace while you’re here. You could sit here all day long, watching life on the river go by: elephants bathing, boats sailing tourists past, hippos splashing and birds perched on the terrace railings. If you get thirsty, look no further than your own minibar filled with chilled drinks.

We do, however, recommend that you make your way to the restaurant come dinner time. The food is great! And if it gets too hot on the terrace, you can jump in the pool and cool off.

If you tire of sitting on the terrace, daily boat trips on the river are included.

Included in the price: Three nights, breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner, drinks, tea and coffee, in-room minibar, transfer to/from the lodge, free Wi-Fi and boat trips on the Chobe River.

Jackalberry Chobe

If you dream of staying in a luxury tent on the banks of the Chobe River, we recommend that you upgrade to the beautiful Jackalberry Chobe lodge.

The 16 tents all have an en suite bathroom with a free-standing bathtub, air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities and a private balcony. The tents are erected on platforms that stand on stilts, which allow the air to circulate under the tents. All the tents are the same inside – the difference lies in whether you want a river view or a view of the garden.

The communal areas – the restaurant, bar, lounge and pool – all overlook the river and offer pleasant shade provided by the large trees around which the lodge is built. A lot of thought went into environmental friendliness when building the lodge. Everything is built entirely of local materials, and the bush around the lodge has been preserved. The electricity comes primarily from solar cells, and all lamps are LED. Even as a guest, you are asked to sort your waste, and all soap and shampoo are environmentally friendly.

The price includes: Three nights in selected tents, breakfast, lunch and dinner, drinks, two daily activities and transport to/from the airport.

Cresta Maun Resort

Roughly 10 km outside Maun is Cresta Maun Resort. The hotel is categorised as three star, but in our opinion, the quality is definitely four star.

There are 83 rooms, all overlooking the garden and river. When the river flows, the garden around the hotel teams with birds.

All rooms are modernly appointed in light colours and feature a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. A really nice thing about the rooms at Cresta Maun is that they offer the possibility of charging cameras and mobile phones. You’ll need it! You’ll be taking hundreds of photos in Botswana.

Natural materials and light colours have been used in the hotel’s cosy lounge area, and comfy sofas on the terrace are the perfect place to enjoy a cold drink while you send your photos to your loved ones back home. If you need to cool off, you can jump in the pool and then laze in a sun lounger.

The restaurant serves both an à la carte menu and a buffet, and the food is delicious and beautifully cooked – often using local produce.

Maun Lodge

Maun Lodge is located around a 10-minute drive from the town centre. The lodge has 140 rooms of different sizes and standards – something for everyone.

The real draw at Maun Lodge is the bar and restaurant area, which is really cosy. Both are centred around an outdoor bonfire pit where a fire is often lit in the evening, so you get to eat dinner in the glow of the flames.

The lodge also offers a cosy little pool with sun loungers around it, which is very refreshing at the end of the day in Maun’s often hot climate.

Khwai Leadwood Camp

Khwai Leadwood Camp consists of six safari tents in classic canvas style with a good sprinkling of luxury.

There are no permanent constructions at the camp, which adds to the feeling of being in the middle of nature, but inside your tent, the feeling is one of luxury. The soft bed stands in the middle of the tent, and you have your own bathroom with running water and an indoor and an outdoor shower. All tents have been erected on platforms, and the charming verandas afford a stunning view of the area.

The camp has a small pool where you can cool off when it’s hot in the middle of the day. Please note: There is no Wi-Fi at the camp, but it is possible to charge your camera and mobile phone in the communal tent.

Khwai Leadwood Camp does not allow children under the age of 7.

Please note that if you choose to upgrade to here, you’ll fly directly from Maun to the Delta.

You’ll be picked up from the hotel in Maun and driven to the airport. On your arrival at the Delta, you’ll be picked up and driven to your camp. On your departure, you’ll be driven back to the local airstrip in the Delta, from which you’ll fly to Kasane near Chobe and continue the journey, or fly back to Maun if you’re not Chobe-bound.

All these transfers are included in the price.

The price includes:
3 nights, all inclusive
Return flight from Maun to the local “air strip” in the Okavango Delta

Machaba Camp & Little Machaba Camp

Want to stay at a classic tent camp with canvas tents, dinner under the stars and a camp fire in the evening – without compromising on comfort? Then choose Machaba Camp/Little Machaba Camp.

Awaiting you at the two camps, which are located close to each other, but still function completely independently of each other, are a total of 14 fabulous tents, which ARE all classic safari tents, but with (solar) electricity, an en suite bathroom and a private outdoor shower with hot water. From your tent, you have a view of the river or the open savannah, where you may be lucky enough to see the animals pass by during the day. Meals are enjoyed in the cosy mess tent or under the open sky, and at night, you will almost certainly be woken up by animal sounds permeating the canvas walls of your tent.

Machaba Camp and Little Machaba are located in the 35,000-hectare Khwai area in the north-eastern section of Okavango. There is abundant wildlife here due to all the waterholes and rivers, and it’s for good reason that the camp is called “machaba”, which in the local language, Setswana, means mulberry fig – or the tree of life.

The midday hours, when you typically just relax at the camp, can be spent by the pool, in the small library tent or perhaps enjoying a nice massage.

Machaba Camp welcomes children of all ages, while Little Machaba only allows children over the age of 12.

Please note that if you choose to upgrade to here, you’ll fly directly from Maun to the Delta.

You’ll be picked up from the hotel in Maun and driven to the airport. On your arrival at the Delta, you’ll be picked up and driven to your camp. On your departure, you’ll be driven back to the local airstrip in the Delta, from which you’ll fly to Kasane near Chobe and continue the journey, or fly back to Maun if you’re not Chobe-bound.

All these transfers are included in the price.

The price includes:
2 nights, all inclusive
Return flight from Maun to the local “air strip” in the Okavango Delta

Dome tent in the Okavango Delta

Get in touch with your inner adventurer and experience the Okavango Delta in the only right way; under canvas with elephants, impalas and lions roaring at night, birds chirping to wake you up in the morning and a cold beer around the campfire in the evening with a view of the most awesome starry sky.

The tent in which you sleep at night is a so-called dome tent, which is about 9 m² large and made of strong canvas.

Outside the tent, there is a small shady canopy with chairs, so that you can enjoy the view of the nature around you. You sleep on a comfortable folding bed with a nice soft mattress, real duvets and pillows and a small bedside table. In direct extension of your tent, you have your own bush bathroom with shower and toilet. The tent does not have electricity or running water, and the flushing function of the toilet consists of a pile of soil and a small shovel – but there IS a toilet! Several times a day, you are supplied with hot water, and you can wash yourself in a small basin placed in a rack outside the tent. If you have seen the movie ‘Out of Africa’, you know exactly how it works. In the afternoon, water is heated and hoisted up into a bucket with a shower head underneath, so that you can have your nice hot shower. It is primitive, but comfortable, and most importantly: it is overnight accommodation on nature’s own terms, where you leave no traces while you get up close to the delta’s wildlife.

The meals are enjoyed under the stars, and the food is good! Freshly made, flavourful and satisfying – in fact, you work up a big appetite when you are on safari. Of course, both cold beer and wine are served with the food, if you wish, and there are tea and coffee on the pot throughout the day.