Botswana has recently topped Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016 list this year, closely followed by Japan and the USA. It is known for its rare combination of desert and delta, as well as its vast array of wildlife. This coming holidays you and your family or friends can take some time off and enjoy what this beautiful country has to offer in terms of tourism and leisure.
1. Savute Safari Lodge (Chobe National Park)
Savute Safari Lodge has 12 thatched chalets on the bank of the Savute Channel. The guides here are excellent, and game drives frequently offer up thrilling predator sightings! Back at the lodge the game viewing continues as you sit on the deck watching elephant come and go at the waterhole.
2. Savute Under Canvas (Chobe National Park)
Those with a sense of adventure are sure to love this luxury mobile tented camp. Along with superb game viewing, a stay at Savute Under Canvas gives you that real feeling of being in the wild: tasty meals cooked over an open fire and shared stories under a night sky filled with stars.
3. Sanctuary Baines’ Camp (Okavango Delta)
Baines Camp borders Moremi Game Reserve; a fantastic location that allows for game drives as well as mokoro safaris on the delta’s clear waterways. This is a small camp with just five suites, each with a private deck where your four-poster bed can be wheeled out for a romantic night under the stars.
4. Vumbura Plains Lodge (Okavango Delta)
Honeymoon favourite Vumbura Plains has large, open-plan rooms, their glass sliding doors letting in the wide floodplain views. There’s plenty of private outdoor space too: your own deck, private plunge pool and shaded lounge area where you can relax in peace as elephant wander by.
5. Abu Camp (Okavango Delta)
Abu Camp has six tented villas overlooking a large lagoon. The surrounding area offers good game viewing, but Abu’s biggest attraction is its elephants. Shortly after arriving you’ll be introduced to the herd and during your stay you can handfeed them and even set out on an elephant-back safari.
6. Belmond Eagle Island Lodge (Okavango Delta)
Recently renovated Belmond Eagle Island Lodge has 12 air-conditioned luxury tents on a remote island. Along with excellent game viewing, look forward to guided walks along elephant pathways, sundowner drinks at the Fish Eagle bar and a helicopter safari (fantastic for photography!).
7. Machaba Camp (Okavango Delta)
Award-winning Machaba Camp has 10 tents set amongst the trees on the Khwai River, overlooking Moremi Game Reserve. Here days are spent on mokoro safaris, game drives and guided walks; and nights safely tucked in your comfortable tent listening to the sound of hippos in the nearby river.
8. Kings Pool Camp (Linyanti Region)
Kings Pool lies in the Linyanti Region, an area known for plenty of big game but low visitor numbers. This is a great choice for a romantic safari, as you have a wonderfully spacious tented suite with your own plunge pool and sala, and can round off your day with a sunset cruise on the Queen Sylvia barge.
9. Kwando Lagoon Camp (Linyanti Region)
Lagoon Camp sits on the bank of the Kwando River in a vast, wildlife-rich concession known for its predator sightings (especially wild dogs!). The guiding here is exceptional, and if you come on a family safari you’ll have your own private vehicle and specialist guide who’s great with kids.
10. Jack’s Camp (Makgadikgadi Pans)
Jack’s Camp sits amongst an oasis of palm trees on the edge of the surreal saltpans. Jack’s has the romantic feel of a 1940’s safari camp with Persian rugs, antique furniture and 4-poster canopied beds. Highlights here include quad biking across the saltpans and spending time with meerkats.
