KENYA’S BEST LUXURY SAFARI LODGES
24 April 2025
LEARN ALL ABOUT THE BENGAL TIGER
5 May 2025KENYA’S BEST LUXURY SAFARI LODGES
24 April 2025LEARN ALL ABOUT THE BENGAL TIGER
5 May 2025BOTSWANA'S BEST LUXURY LODGES
Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana for the Ultimate Experience
When you think of a truly iconic African safari experience, it’s hard not to picture Botswana. This landlocked country, famed for its pristine wilderness and low-impact, high-value tourism model, is one of Africa’s most sought-after safari destinations. Whether you’re gliding silently across the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, watching a lion stalk a herd of red lechwe through golden floodplains, or sipping a gin and tonic as elephants gather on the horizon, Botswana delivers the kind of moments that stay with you forever.
At Wild Eye, we believe that your safari experience is influenced not just by the wildlife, but by where you stay. The lodge you choose becomes your home in the wild. It’s where stories are shared around the fire, where you rest and recharge between safari drives, and where the rhythm of the bush quietly seeps into your soul.
While Botswana is home to many outstanding luxury lodges, we’ve chosen to highlight a few that we’ve personally experienced and love, lodges that we use regularly on our photographic safaris and private safaris. These camps and their surrounding concessions offer an unrivalled combination of luxury, exclusivity, and exceptional game viewing.
CHITABE LEDIBA
SOUTHEAST OKAVANGO DELTA
Tucked away on a private concession in the southeastern region of the Okavango Delta, Chitabe Lediba is one of those lodges that feels like a well-kept secret. Small and intimate, with just five tented suites, it offers a private and personal safari experience that’s ideal for families or small groups travelling together.
The wildlife viewing here is truly spectacular. Chitabe is known for its high density of predators, including wild dog, lion, leopard, and hyena, as well as elephant, giraffe, and buffalo. The diversity of habitats - woodlands, open floodplains, and palm-dotted islands - supports an impressive range of species.
From a photographic perspective, the light here is golden, the scenes wild and raw. You’re deep in predator country, with opportunities for incredible sightings that feel like something straight out of a documentary.
VUMBURA PLAINS
NORTHERN OKAVANGO DELTA
Vumbura Plains offers a rare combination of design-forward luxury and classic delta adventure. Situated in a large private concession in the northern reaches of the Okavango, this camp has access to both permanent waterways and drier mopane woodlands, allowing for an exciting mix of land and water-based activities.
Think safari drives, boat cruises, catch-and-release fishing, mokoro excursions, and even guided walks. The wildlife viewing is diverse and consistent. Lion, leopard, cheetah, sable antelope, wild dog, and huge herds of elephant are all regulars here.
Each suite at Vumbura Plains is a private oasis: expansive, open-plan rooms with sunken lounges, private plunge pools, and uninterrupted views of the floodplains. The architecture and décor blend local inspiration with clean, contemporary lines - giving the entire lodge a fresh and airy feel.
DUMATAu CAMP
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
DumaTau, nestled within the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, offers a luxurious gateway into one of Botswana’s most dramatic elephant corridors. This region is teeming with wildlife, especially during the dry season when thousands of elephants and other game flock to the riverbanks. The name DumaTau means “roar of the lion,” and it’s well earned - big cats, wild dogs, and other predators are frequently seen here, creating thrilling game drives for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
The camp features eight expansive tented suites that open onto sweeping views of the water, each designed with private plunge pools, luxurious bathrooms, and elegant safari-inspired interiors that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. The camp’s sustainability efforts and eco-friendly design ensure a minimal environmental footprint while offering a high-end experience.
Activities are diverse, including day and night game drives, boat cruises (when water levels allow), and walking safaris. Guests can also indulge in spa treatments and refreshing dips in the camp’s pool, all while enjoying gourmet meals and attentive service. With personalized hospitality, exquisite cuisine, and stunning scenery, DumaTau is a must for anyone seeking both serenity and excitement on safari.
MOMBO
Chief’s Island, Moremi Game Reserve
Few camps have achieved legendary status quite like Mombo. Located on Chief’s Island in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, Mombo is often referred to as the "Place of Plenty" - and for good reason. The abundance of game here is staggering, with some of the best predator sightings in Africa.
This is big game country. You’ll likely encounter prides of lion, territorial leopards, hyenas on the hunt, and even the occasional rhino - a rare sight in Botswana. Mombo operates within a protected area where conservation and wildlife monitoring efforts have played a significant role in preserving this ecosystem.
The lodge itself is the epitome of barefoot luxury. Elevated walkways link spacious, tented suites that feature plunge pools, private salas, and uninterrupted views of the open plains. Every detail, from the gourmet cuisine to the curated wine list, adds to the feeling of being somewhere truly exceptional.
DUBA PLAINS
Northern Okavango Delta
Duba Plains is where luxury meets legend. Set on a remote island in the Okavango Delta, the camp is famed for its dramatic wildlife encounters - especially lion-buffalo interactions that play out in broad daylight. The area is a stronghold for lions, leopards, and elephants, and the game viewing here is often nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Owned by world-renowned conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Duba Plains offers an immersive safari that’s rich in storytelling, conservation impact, and unforgettable photographic moments. The lodge is small and exclusive, with just five luxury suites and one two-bedroom villa. Each suite features a copper bathtub, private plunge pool, and elevated views of the floodplains.
Whether you’re an avid photographer, a first-time visitor to Botswana, or a seasoned safari-goer, Duba delivers an experience that’s deeply moving and incredibly wild.
ZARAFA CAMP
Selinda Reserve, Northern Botswana
Zarafa Camp is consistently ranked among Africa’s top luxury lodges, and it’s easy to see why. Located in the exclusive Selinda Reserve - a 130,000-hectare private concession that links the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti system - Zarafa is a sanctuary for both wildlife and travelers seeking peace, privacy, and pristine wilderness.
The camp offers just four luxurious tented suites, each featuring a spacious deck, plunge pool, and hand-crafted copper bathtub. Every element of the camp has been designed with sustainability in mind, from the recycled hardwood furniture to the solar power systems.
The wildlife here is diverse and abundant. Elephants are a near-constant presence, and the reserve is home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, and a wide variety of birdlife.
Zarafa is one of those rare places where you can truly slow down, reconnect with nature, and feel the weight of the world lift as the African sun dips below the horizon.
MOKOLWANE CAMP
Western Okavango Delta
Mokolwane Camp offers a wild and wonderfully off-the-grid safari experience in the western reaches of the Okavango Delta. Nestled in towering trees above a floodplain, this camp’s treehouse-style suites are built on raised wooden decks, creating a deep connection with the natural surroundings. The camp comprises just seven suites, each offering panoramic views, on-suite bathrooms, and stylish decor that balances simplicity with comfort.
This area is known for its vast open spaces, dramatic skies, and wildlife that moves freely between water and land ecosystems. Mokolwane’s remoteness means fewer vehicles and more intimate encounters - ideal for photographers or anyone seeking a quieter safari. The concession is a haven for species like leopards, lions, elephants, and red lechwe. Hippos snort in the nearby channels, lions call through the night, and elephants wander past camp.
Guests can enjoy expertly guided safari drives, bush walks, and sundowners in truly wild locations. Mokolwane is about slowing down, tuning in, and experiencing Botswana as it once was - untamed, peaceful, and full of surprises.
LITTLE SABLE CAMP
Khwai Private Reserve
Tucked into the heart of the Khwai Private Reserve, Little Sable offers guests a front-row seat to one of Botswana’s most game-rich and ecologically diverse areas. The camp itself is intimate, with just eight traditional-style canvas tents, each with sweeping views of the surrounding plains and the seasonal lagoon. Each tent is beautifully appointed with on-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers, and private verandas where guests can relax and soak in the sounds of the bush.
Despite its natural charm, Little Sable doesn’t skimp on comfort - guests enjoy spacious rooms, friendly service, and delicious food, all under thatched roofs that echo the style of classic safari camps. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife, from elephants and buffalo to lions, leopards, and the occasional wild dog pack.
Activities include safari drives, mokoro excursions (water levels permitting), and night drives - offering a full-spectrum safari experience. With expert guiding and access to an exclusive concession, Little Sable is perfect for travelers who value intimacy, authenticity, and a deep connection to the bush, with fewer vehicles and uninterrupted sightings.
MBAMBA CAMP
Khwai Private Reserve
Mbamba Camp offers a beautifully simple yet immersive safari experience deep in Botswana’s Khwai Private Reserve. Designed with authenticity and sustainability in mind, this small camp blends into the landscape with canvas tents and natural materials, allowing guests to feel completely immersed in the wilderness. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with excellent hospitality and a focus on connection - to nature, to people, and to place. While the atmosphere is more down-to-earth than some high-end camps, Mbamba doesn’t hold back on experience. The guiding is exceptional, and the game viewing is excellent.
The Khwai region is renowned for its diversity, and guests can explore through day and night safari drives, walking safaris, or mokoro excursions when water levels allow. Dining is communal and joyful, whether enjoyed under a canvas roof or beneath the stars. Mbamba is ideal for adventurous travelers looking for raw, heartfelt, and meaningful safari moments, wrapped in the sounds and beauty of Botswana's wild spaces.
SAFARI COLECTIONS WE KNOW, USE AND TRUST
When we plan a safari to Botswana, we align ourselves with operators who share our values: a deep respect for wildlife, a commitment to conservation, and a dedication to delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
WILDERNESS SAFARI
One of the most established and respected names in African safaris, Wilderness Safaris offers access to some of Botswana’s most productive and pristine wildlife areas. Their ethos centers around sustainable tourism, and their camps are known for combining comfort with conservation. From the remote wetlands of the Okavango to the dry landscapes of the Kalahari, Wilderness camps provide seamless service, outstanding guides, and world-class wildlife encounters.
In Botswana, they manage a portfolio of high-end lodges that offer access to some of the continent’s most pristine and wildlife-rich areas. These include Mombo Camp, a flagship property situated on Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, famed for its high concentrations of predators and diverse wildlife. Vumbura Plains, located in the northern Okavango Delta, offers both land and water activities with ultra-luxurious suites styled like bush villas. For a more intimate and classic experience, Chitabe Lediba on a private concession near the Moremi provides excellent predator sightings and personal service. DumaTau, in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, is a standout for elephant migrations and riverside luxury.
Every Wilderness lodge focuses on minimal environmental impact, exceptional guiding, and meaningful guest experiences, making them a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and ecological integrity on safari.
GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION
One of the most established and respected names in African safaris, Wilderness Safaris offers access to some of Botswana’s most productive and pristine wildlife areas. Their ethos centres around sustainable tourism, and their camps are known for combining comfort with conservation. From the remote wetlands of the Okavango to the dry landscapes of the Kalahari, Wilderness camps provide seamless service, outstanding guides, and world-class wildlife encounters.Founded by renowned filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, the company’s ethos centers around preserving wild spaces through low-impact tourism and storytelling.
In Botswana, their lodges are situated in some of the country’s most dramatic and exclusive private concessions. Duba Plains, in the northern Okavango Delta, is iconic for its daylight lion-buffalo interactions and opulent, eco-conscious design. Zarafa Camp, located in the Selinda Reserve, is limited to just four suites that blend elegance with privacy—each overlooking a lagoon frequented by elephants, hippos, and predators. For a truly private experience, Zarafa Dhow Suites offers an exclusive-use villa with its own staff, guide, and vehicle. These camps are perfect for photographers and wildlife lovers alike, offering up-close encounters with rare and charismatic species.
Great Plains goes beyond comfort, embedding each guest’s stay in a larger mission to conserve Africa’s last great wild places.
NATURAL SELECTION SAFARIS
Fresh, dynamic, and deeply rooted in storytelling, Natural Selection Safaris focuses on the kind of off-the-beaten-path adventures that are full of personality. Their camps are intimate, innovative, and perfectly positioned for immersive wildlife experiences.
Natural Selection Safaris brings a fresh, authentic approach to luxury safaris, with a focus on conservation, storytelling, and personality-filled camps. Their properties are often set in lesser-visited, wild corners of Botswana, providing not only great game viewing but also a quieter, more personal experience. Little Sable, located in the Khwai Private Reserve, is a charming tented camp with sweeping views and access to some of the region’s best predator and elephant activity. Mokolwane, in the remote western Okavango Delta, features treehouse-style suites on wooden decks nestled in jackalberry trees, offering rustic luxury and a deep sense of place. Mbamba, also in Khwai, embraces a simple but stylish design ethos and offers superb guiding, walking safaris, and mokoro excursions.
Each of these camps emphasizes intimacy and a light footprint, with a strong connection to the surrounding environment and community. Natural Selection is ideal for travellers looking for soulful safari experiences with depth, character, and conservation at their heart.
Why Botswana Belongs on Your Luxury Safari List
Botswana is not just a safari destination - it’s a wild, luxurious, soul-stirring journey through one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. Whether you’re drifting along delta channels at sunrise, watching a leopard descend from a tree at golden hour, or sipping coffee as hippos grunt nearby, this country has a way of capturing your heart and never letting go.
At Wild Eye, we’ve carefully curated the lodges and partners we work with to ensure every moment of your safari is as seamless and spectacular as the next. These are more than just luxury lodges, they’re gateways to Africa at its most authentic, intimate, and awe-inspiring.
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