21 Best Hotels in Botswana

As the premier camp with the best game reputation in the &Beyond stable, this innovative luxurious camp lives up to its billing in every respect. Set on the edge of a lush forest bordering a pristine channel of the Santantadibe River, the vast main area incorporates a unique design, full of light, curves and white-washed cavernous archways that stretch up to the triple-height vaulted ceiling. Furniture melds modern designs with traditional themes from oversized metal hanging chairs to a suspended patchwork copper mokoro. Ivory and earth tones are complemented by natural tree sculptures, basket-style woven lampshades and cow hide rugs. A mezzanine level houses a freestanding fireplace (a second one is downstairs) and bar lounge, which leads to a viewing deck, set high amongst the branches of the gnarled sycamore fig and knobthorn trees. The cedarwood shingled roof cleverly mimics the plated armor of a pangolin, a trick repeated for the ingeniously designed, pod-shaped elevated rooms, which cater for every whim. On winter evenings, cozy up to your freestanding fireplace in one of the armchairs; in summer, cool off in your infinity plunge pool on the split-level deck, or just switch on the a/c. A butler’s hatch in your room means your morning cappuccino can be delivered without you having to get up to open the door. A la carte meals are heavenly and creative—the charcoal bread is a taste sensation—and you're encouraged to order off-menu if you wish; the interactive kitchen adds an extra dimension. Service is impeccable with an individual ‘butler’ assigned to your table throughout your stay elevating the experience even further. Even the activities, which center around predator-rich game drives and guided walks, are enhanced by Swarovski binoculars, drive-thru ice cream stops, and champagne sundowners. Everything is flexible, so if you tire of bouncing in game-viewers, indulge in breakfast-in-bed, get pampered in the massage sala, or work up a sweat in the gym, the choice is yours.

Rain trees sprout through the main deck of this delightfully intimate Khwai Private Reserve camp, which serves up a winning combination of classic safari luxury and authentic, unpretentious charm. African baskets and other artifacts adorn the back wall of the open-fronted lounge where a semi-circular bar, decorated with a vivid wildlife fresco, is flanked by sofas, lamps, and rugs, brought alive by emerald and crimson cushions. In front, several hanging chairs swing invitingly from the boughs of the overhanging trees, below which a sunken deck reveals a selection of cozy booths, perfect to savor a sundowner while watching the last rays of light disappear. For an alternative perspective, head to the four-meter-high treehouse library for spectacular views; you can even use a slide to descend to the lower deck–a surprisingly popular route after a few evening drinks! Expansive white-lined, canvas tents feature entrance chandeliers, a desk, armchair, tea and coffee facilities, and a king-sized bed. Beyond a spacious dressing area is an indoor shower while outside, a further shower and claw-foot tub await. Wood and mesh sliding doors reveal a decadent deck with plunge pool, loungers, and oversized hanging chair. Tasty à la carte meals are served at timings to suit you, as are activities that include game drives, seasonal mokoro trips, and a double-decker boat when water levels are high. Wildlife viewing is best in the dry season, when herds of elephant and plains game are tracked by lions, leopards, and, occasionally wild dogs, while migrant birds flock here after the rains. For an extra dose of romance, spend a night at the Sky suite, where just a mosquito net separates you from a stunning, sequined night sky. Complete with en suite bathroom and fire deck, you can even enjoy a romantic private dinner by the fire before retiring to watch the best nocturnal show in town. When water levels are high, room 1 has best view.

This legendary camp, set on a private corner of Chief's Island, is nicknamed "the place of plenty" after its spectacular wildlife—both BBC and National Geographic have filmed here—but its moniker is equally applicable to the camp itself. Completely rebuilt in 2018, the distinctive conical canvas-roofed suites exude an old-world safari luxury. Your atmospheric cozy lounge is populated by a khaki Chesterfield sofa, Nespresso machine, and mini bar, while a canopied king-size bed is bedecked with golden tassels. Beyond the dressing table, which can be separated by a sliding screen, a brass roll-top bath beckons, or choose from the double indoor or outdoor shower. Mesh screen and dark wood shutter doors line the front of the entire suite keeping you cosseted but still connected to the bush; beyond these lie an expansive deck with a plunge pool and a variety of seating options. Lounging on the hanging double daybed while watching distant munching elephants is a favorite past-time. The main area lounge and bar continue the antique safari theme. Despite the luxury and excellent tailor-made service—like house-made ice cream being delivered to you mid-game drive­—­­the camp successfully cultivates a friendly atmosphere, which sets it apart from its peers. With just four tents, the more intimate Little Mombo is located on the other side of the spa. Mouthwatering à la carte meals are served with innovative twists such as baobab mayonnaise and cashew cream Hollandaise sauce. On game drives, you will need your free-to-use camera and Swarovski binoculars as the wildlife viewing is second to none—it's not unheard of to see cheetah, wild dog, leopard, and lion in a single outing.

Completely rebuilt in 2020, this spectacular camp, pronounced kee-jer-ah, sets a new precedent for luxury and service. Palatial, wood-paneled, glass-fronted suites sit underneath curved canvas roofs overlooking the floodplain and feature Nespresso machines, premium-spirit stocked mini-bars, copper roll-top baths, oversized wooden sculptures, and even a flat-screen TV which emerges from its discreet hiding place by remote control. Set the temperature of each of the lounge, sleeping, and bathroom areas independently or open the dual sliding doors (glass and mesh) and reconnect with nature from one of three seating areas on your wrap-around deck. Activities include seasonal boating as well as year-round mokoro excursions and game drives. Alternatively, stay in camp and book a treatment in the waterside spa, work out in the state-of-the-art gym, or nestle in the cozy library. As the sun goes down, sip an aperitif from the bespoke cocktail menu in the atmospheric bar where a giant circular sunken sofa is warmed by the fire. For those seeking a little more adventure, you can sleep under the stars at the nearby baobab-styled tree house, or if it gets cold, retreat to the covered bedroom a floor below. The staff will accommodate your every whim and anticipate every desire, even handing you a pre-prepared takeaway coffee made-to-your-liking as you go on your early morning game drive. There is a strong conservational focus too: the whole camp is solar-powered while the extensive and mouth-watering à la carte menu (or 7-course wine-paired tasting menu) features hydroponic-grown herbs and an impressive range of locally-sourced ingredients.

As the original poster child for Great Plains’ vintage safari style, this intimate, luxury, Relais & Chateaux camp set on the banks of Zibadianja Lagoon still feels as authentic as when it was first built. A heavy, ornate wooden door guards the entrance to your spacious living area equipped with a well-stocked bar, writing desk, and leather sofa. But the real opulence of Zarafa lies in the details: sparkling plunge pools; gleaming claw-foot copper baths; freestanding fireplaces for those chilly winter nights; a cooling system above the bed for summer; and binoculars and DSLR cameras with telephoto lenses to use free of charge. Weathered railway sleepers give the decks a refreshing timeless character, though the ecological aspect is just as important: power is 100% solar; furniture was created using recycled wood from Indonesia’s 2004 tsunami; and a biogas tank converts table leftovers to cooking gas for the next scrumptious meal. Zarafa’s exclusivity—the main camp has just four suites—breeds flexibility: both activities (day and night drives, walks, and lagoon cruises) and meals can be taken whenever and wherever you wish. For ultimate seclusion, opt for the Dhow suite—an adjacent two-bedroom villa with your own private chef, butler, pool, and even a humidor.

Named after the 19th-century explorer Thomas Baines, the focus of this intimate and innovative camp, which was rebuilt in 2025, is as much on experiential luxuries such as candle-lit private dinners and artisan breads accompanying your à la carte meals, as it is on tangible luxuries. Return from an afternoon game drive to find your room-for-two freestanding bubble-filled bath ready and waiting on your private lantern-lit deck beneath a glittering canopy of stars. The new rooms—featuring a separate lounge area and an indoor and outdoor shower—are furnished in harmony with their surroundings, with soft tones inspired by the flora outside, muted walls and rich timbers. A series of rope-lined raised wooden walkways, reminiscent of a miniature suspension bridge, lead to the main area, designed around a dormant termite mound, where lapping water is rippled by guffawing hippos. Activities include game drives, which can stretch to the southern tip of game-rich Chief’s Island, walks, and seasonal boats and mokoros.

Set on the edge of a picturesque floodplain, this traditionally styled safari camp, pronounced na-becka, prioritizes attentive service and feel-good comfort rather than over-the-top decadence. There’s plenty of luxury in the details though: the rooms are completely secluded and each comes with Swarovski binoculars and a hanging sofa on your private raised deck, where you can revel in the solitude, sipping on a premium rum or whisky from the minibar. Food is a highlight, with specialty dishes—try the shakshuka at breakfast—incorporating local ingredients where possible. Bistro-style lunch platters and à la carte dinners are served on the deck under the shade of jackalberry trees and sun umbrellas, overlooking a pumped waterhole that attracts numerous animals in the dry season. Activities are varied: in addition to game drives—where lion and leopard are regularly spotted—mokoro and boat trips are possible when water levels allow or work off some calories by tracking wildlife on foot on one of the nearby islands. If you can’t bear to leave the bush, the staff can even arrange wilderness picnics, or if you need some R&R, sleep in and indulge yourself in the massage sala. 

Inspired by the colors of the myriad water lilies which fill the surrounding waterways in high flood, Xaranna's bright palette has mellowed with age, its pointed canvas roofs and rose, sage, and white decor blending into and complementing the natural beauty of its surroundings. A welcome breeze flows through the raised lounge in the split-level main area, where lily-shaped hanging chairs swing in between khaki-lime sofas and a log-burner beneath a gold-and-ochre-patterned lined ceiling. Muted tones are accentuated by azure glass ornaments, matching the sparkling blue waters below.  At siesta time, curl up in your L-shaped sofa in your spacious air-conditioned tented suite, relax in the freestanding bath, or take a refreshing dip in the generous plunge pool, then gaze at elephants crossing the floodplain from your shaded sunlounger.  The well-stocked minibar is accompanied by a mini blackboard and chalk, should you have any specific requests. Don’t forget your free-to-use Swarovski binoculars on game-drives and guided walks, when you will explore the surrounding floodplains and islands and possibly encounter a pop-up milkshake and fresh juice stand.  When the flood arrives, you can boat or mokoro, and predator-viewing gets even better, although a pumped waterhole in front of the main area is also a magnet for wildlife in the dry season. Return to a twinkling candle-lit camp for a romantic à la carte dinner, featuring local ingredients, where tables are spread throughout the lounge and dining deck to maximize privacy.

Ultra-luxurious Chief's Camp is set on its eponymous island, with some of the greatest predator and wildlife viewing on the continent. Gigantic, decadent thatched pavilions blend natural wood and African decor with every mod-con imaginable—think electric blankets, a/c, two-way radios, and Nespresso machines. Admire the view from the freestanding bath or cool off in the plunge pool on the private oversized deck, which has a sala and dining area should you feel unable to tear yourself away from your room for dinner. The Geoffrey Kent suite offers even more exclusivity with a private chef, butler, and guide. A large thatched roof houses the main lounge, bar, and dining area, where a split-level deck leads to an inviting pool overlooking a (frequently) waterlogged floodplain—at high flood, you can mokoro straight from the lodge. Hit the gym to work off your à la carte dinner or indulge yourself at the dedicated spa; there is even a children's room, complete with dress-up animal costumes for youngsters aged six and over.

Be sure to have your camera at the ready in this predator-rich concession that borders the Moremi Wildlife Reserve as you'll want to take pictures of everything including the new steel-and-canvas suites at Chitabe Camp that boast cooling systems and natural wood and brass finishes; Lediba, its smaller sister, has a more informal intimate atmosphere and is better suited for families (two of its five rooms are family units). Spacious, comfortable tents on stilts are connected by raised wooden walkways that put you safely above the ground and grant you easy access around camp. You'll sleep in a comfortable, East African–style tent with wooden floors, a fine art wildlife print hanging above the bed, oversized armchairs, and both an indoor and outdoor shower. A separate thatch dining room, bar, and lounge area, also linked by wooden walkways, looks out over a floodplain. The concession has an excellent reputation for predator-sightings with lions, leopards, wild dogs, and cheetahs roaming a variety of habitats, from marshlands and riverine areas to open grasslands and seasonally flooded plains. Despite being situated on a tree island, water activities are not possible.

A perfect balance of intimate authenticity and exclusive luxury makes this Relais & Chateaux member a firm favorite among the Great Plains camps, with five old-world, safari-style suites bursting with character. Borrowing many of the design aspects from its sister camp Zarafa—think ornate Zanzibar doors and polished wood floors—the rooms exude an understated luxury: leather sofa and armchairs, discreet bar and fridge, elegant writing desk, bedroom cooling system, copper claw-foot bath, and binoculars to use on game-drives. Large mesh panels with floor-to-ceiling curtains keep you connected to the natural world, even at night when chirping reed frogs and guffawing hippos lull you to sleep. Outside, your private deck, made of recycled railway sleepers, houses a plunge pool, sala, and exercise bike for fitness fanatics. The cavernous two-bedroom villa also comes with its own lounge, chef, guide, butler, and private vehicle. The main lounge, library, and dining area continue the theme with comfy leather sofas, crimson rugs, and Indian chests that spill onto a spacious deck, overlooking the endless floodplains. But the emphasis here is firmly on the wildlife—the lion prides were famous for their proclivity for buffalo, and although their appetites are now more diverse, they still often hunt in daylight. Breakfast is frequently taken during your morning drive, and lunch can be brought to you so you don't miss out on the action. Return to camp by boat, where the surrounding water has created a paradise for birders, enticing herds of red lechwe, elephant, and other plains game, and the reintroduction of rhino completes an impressive bounty of wildlife riches.

Surrounded by pristine waterways, tall palm trees, and vast floodplains, this predominantly solar-powered camp was imaginatively designed to mimic its surroundings. In the main thatched dining and lounge area, textured, conical suspended lampshades are oversized replicas of the weaver nests that hang from the nearby trees. Charcoal-gray, curved walls mirror the color and shape of the dripping elephants you will see emerging from the water while you're ensconced in a plush armchair by the cozy fireplace. The expansive thatched rooms continue the color theme of gray, turquoise, and burnished copper with a host of luxurious details: a marble-topped minibar, a bakelite telephone for contacting staff, automatic sensor lights for nocturnal necessities, a cavernous roll-top bath, and an infinity plunge pool on your deck. Gauze blinds and wide-open windows provide a natural alternative to the air-conditioning, should you prefer. Meals are à la carte and, unusually for a safari circuit, tailored to its surroundings. Activities used to be solely foot- and water-based, but local geo-environmental changes now means game drives are possible throughout the year with lion and leopard seen regularly. When the flood arrives, you can ditch the game viewer and glide through crystal-clear water in a mokoro surrounded by a tunnel of towering, emerald-green papyrus; cruise across wide lagoons on a motorboat; or trek across pristine islands. Or stay in camp and sink into a birdcage-hanging chair in the Fish Eagle Bar, listening to chortling hippos as the sun sets in a blaze of red and gold above the water.

Rebuilt in 2020 on a grand scale, the new Jack's Camp represents a significant luxury upgrade while still maintaining its classic 1940s East African safari style and whimsical sense of adventure. Cavernous tents on decks, set in a palm grove, are lined with rose-patterned billowing ceilings and curtains, and feature Persian rugs, brass fittings, throne toilets, indoor and outdoor showers, and four-poster beds complete with cooling systems---a welcome addition for the summer months. A separate lounge area offers an array of plush seating among an eclectic mix of antique furniture, ostrich eggs, ancient artifacts, photos, and maps. Outside, on your expansive deck, a hanging daybed is suspended next to the plunge pool. The expanded mess tent comprises a bar area, complete with a snooker table, where drinks are served from a giant wooden chest­; a lounge-museum where oversized sofas and chests are surrounded by glass cases housing hundreds of fascinating natural history and anthropological exhibits; and a dining area where guests swap stories across a long single table, while savoring delicious plated meals, overlooking the surreal Makgadikgadi landscape. Afternoon tea is served in a separate cushion- and rug-laden tea tent, while a huge pool (often very cold) is housed in yet another tent. The camp's highly qualified guides are respected throughout Botswana for their love and commitment to this amazing area. Although the introduction of pumped waterholes means there is a larger resident population of zebra and wildebeest than in the past elephants, lion, and even cheetah pass through on occasion—the focus is on unique desert-adapted animals and plants like meerkats, bat-eared foxes, brown hyenas, salt bushes, and desert palms. You can also explore the pans on quads or learn about the unique ecosystem from the enigmatic San Bushmen.

Aptly rhyming with "wow," this opulent, inventive camp, which was completely rebuilt in 2021, is a cocktail of innovative modern design and sustainability, with a squeeze of African flavor. The awe-inspiring entrance library-cum-natural history museum has a spiral staircase built around a life-size giraffe skeleton, above which a wine cellar shares space with rows of fully stocked bookshelves. Tantalizing à la carte meals are served in the glass-fronted bar and dining room (with winter fireplace) or outside on the deck where the elevated perspective is akin to living in the treetops. Hanging chairs and comfy sofas provide plenty of chill-out areas in the evening, or descend to the firepit at the water’s edge below. Cavernous suites dwarf the size of most city apartments, and come complete with kitchenettes with designer coffee machines, minibars, dining tables, lounge areas, a/c, fireplaces, electric blankets, freestanding baths, indoor and outdoor showers, tablets, and phones. Doze on your circular suspended daybed on the deck or take a dip in the infinity plunge pool–the views are spectacular whichever you choose. Family-size villas sleep up to 6 and include a private chef and fire-pit. Despite the glamour, conservation is a priority–thatched roofs are in fact made from recycled plastic, as is the pseudo-wood deck floor. Spot buffalo, red lechwe, elephants and fish eagles as you speed through narrow channels by boat (when the flood is high), glide in a mokoro through meadows of water lilies or search for big game by vehicle. For weary travelers, the tranquil spa might be just the ticket.

Situated on its own tiny, private island, Little Vumbura has a genuine water-camp feel, yet just a short boat drive away lies the predator-packed Vumbura concession. Conical, canvas roofs peek above tall, wispy papyrus in an almost seamless transition between artifice and nature. Inside the en suite tents, grass mats decorate a wooden floor on which sits a writing desk and twin beds, splashed with aquamarine cushions. Beyond a compact, sunken lounge area with leather sofa, wooden sliding doors reveal your outside deck furnished with a futon. The inviting open-walled lounge has ethnic ornaments and wicker furniture with a hint of cobalt and sapphire, echoing the surrounding waters. A winding walkway climbs up to a small look-out library with comfy armchairs below which mokoro canoes sit ready among the lapping waves. Sip your pre-dinner drink on a floating deck beneath countless twinkling stars, warmed by a crackling fire. Your only dilemma will be whether to leave your intimate, cocooned environment to track the predators that roam the mainland.

Built in 2024, the latest addition to the ranks of uber-luxurious Moremi lodges is a breath of fresh air, incorporating unique artistic design inspired by local village life into a seamless high-end safari experience. Named after the chief who, with his family, established Moremi Game Reserve (their statues greet you upon arrival), the grand entrance is heralded by a curved herringbone tunnel of wooden latta poles, a homage to local fishing nets. The impressive, sprawling main area is set on the edge of the perennial Gomoti River among towering jackalberry trees, beneath which hanging chairs drift in the breeze. Beneath the thatched roof lies a small display museum of African artifacts, a bar, a wine cellar and an eclectic mix of seating options like the tree-carved armchair. Décor features natural African elements and neutral tones interspersed with occasional blues and greens mirroring the surroundings. Outside, a curved expansive deck hovers above an emerald and sapphire saturated floodplain dotted with grazing lechwe, forming a serene panoramic Okavango vista that is the backdrop for every meal. Swig back the health shot of the day, served in a stopper bottle, before tucking into your 3-course lunch (you can order off-menu) or à la carte dinner then descend to the waterside firepit to sip a postprandial digestif. Cavernous, decadent, air-conditioned thatched rooms, shaped like traditional conical huts, feature every luxury imaginable. Take a dip in the plunge pool with loungers and separate sala on your private deck or wash off the dust in your freestanding bath or giant walk-in rainshower (inside or out). A deconstructed cocktail with recipe and shaker awaits in your lounge, alongside a bean coffee machine with a choice of flavors. In the alcove opposite your writing desk, a divan doubles as an extra bed for young companions. Novel touches include antelope horn towel hooks, lily-shaped lamp shades, and a cork carpet, which is symbolic of traditional mud hut floors, while also keeping feet cool. Stop off at the classy pool pavilion to swim a few laps, or hit the gym—if you can bear to leave camp—before marveling at the spectacular birdlife and mammals galore (all the major predators are regularly seen on game drives).

Embracing a winning combination of classic safari style and a goldilocks-pitched level of luxury, this enticing, unpretentious camp was rebuilt in 2024 and sits on the drier western side of the famous Jao concession. A broad staircase welcomes you to the grand A-frame entrance hall, from which elevated wooden walkways suspend you several feet above the ground throughout camp. In the thatched main area, a bar with stunning sunset views is flanked on one side by a sofa-filled lounge and on the other by the dining room, where plated meals are served on wooden tables spilling out onto the outside deck. Muted tones dominate—beige couches, draped with chocolate throws, sit on cream and toffee rugs, presided over by bleached giraffe statuettes and African objets d’art. Striking, curved, lily-shaped woven light shades hang from the ceiling, while large-scale wildlife prints and natural wood lattice sculptures adorn the walls. Climb the spiral staircase to a hidden mezzanine level for epic views across the mostly dry floodplain, which is pierced by a narrow blue ribbon of (seasonal) water and sprinkled with the occasional wandering elephant. Below, a lower pool deck and ground-level fire pit offer a welcome respite from the summer heat and winter chill respectively. Expansive tented rooms with a desk, cozy lounge, and linen curtains combine the classic décor theme with a hint of modernism: your gigantic sumptuous bed sits upon a floating wooden base. Laze in your freestanding espresso-stone bath, or take an invigorating outdoor (or indoor) shower before basking in the view from a lounger on your elongated deck. With just three guest rooms, Little Tubu is ideal for those seeking ultimate seclusion; it’s connected by the boardwalk to its bigger brother and furnished in the same style. Game-viewing is excellent: track lions and leopards from your vehicle, or take a (guided) walk on the wild side. When water levels allow, glide along sapphire channels in a mokoro or speed past grazing lechwe by boat.

Breaking from the tradition of old-style African safari ambience, this camp, which was renovated in 2022, employs a modern architectural twist with an emphasis on space, shape, light, and texture on a grand scale. Public areas are furnished with aquamarine sofas, Okavango Delta wall stencils, enticing hanging chairs, and some exquisite indigenous African artwork. The Art Deco–style carved wooden bar divides the lounge from the dining area, which is decorated with dry hollow palm trunks and hanging lamps that mimic the local sausage trees. Sip your coffee or after-dinner drinks in deep padded L-shaped sofas by firelight on the deck as frogs pipe and fireflies dance. Each en suite room has a huge wooden outside deck, with comfortable lie-out chairs, a thatched sala (daybed area), and a plunge pool. Inside, the enclosed living spaces have floor-to-ceiling windows and mesh doors that capture every source of light, from the early rays of dawn to the blazing sunset. Curl up with a book in your cushioned, sunken lounge, snooze in your king-size bed, or cool off in the emperor-size, mosaic-floor shower. Underwater waterlily landscapes line the back wall and shower screen providing a welcome splash of color amid the predominantly neutral decor. A hot air balloon based nearby provides a novel break from the regular safari activities in winter.

Don't miss out on the superb curio shop; it's one of the best in Botswana.

Completely rebuilt in 2021 when it was catapulted into the premier ranks of Wilderness Safaris’s properties, this lavish, solar-powered camp boasts a spectacular location on the banks of the broad Linyanti river. The entrance is dominated by an imposing square bar, decorated with a tiled antique map of the concession—ideal for retracing the day's adventures—which separates the open-plan dining and lounge areas, shielded beneath a series of peaked canvas roofs. Rattan and leather chairs, and weathered trunks complement the lounge's predominantly neutral tones, beyond which a curiosity room houses a handful of natural exhibits and a fireplace. À la carte meals are served on separate tables on the split-level dining deck where you can watch elephants swim across the sapphire ribbon of water that stretches out beneath you. At night, descend to the floating bar, where pre-dinner entertainment is provided by a glockenspiel frog orchestra. Wooden walkways­—with sporadic gaps to allow crossing warthogs and hippos—lead to your luxury room, featuring a phone (for contacting staff), tablet (pre-loaded with guest information), Nespresso machine, bar fridge, and a bed cooling/heating system. A corridor links the bedroom to your private lounge, where you can sink into a leather couch or peruse the collages of wildlife-related sketches and facts that hang on your wall. Take a siesta on the daybed on your outdoor deck or cool off in the plunge pool. Rooms are identical at the more intimate four-room Little Duma Tau, which lies on the other side of the dedicated spa. In addition to the ubiquitous elephants, the concession has a good reputation for predators while boat trips provide a welcome break from game drives. If you can't get enough of the river, you can even have brunch or dinner on the barge, which must be booked in advance. 

Despite its traditional thatched roof and African artifact adornments, a handful of modern design elements distinguish this regal camp overlooking the Linyanti River. Monochrome geometric prints line the dining area walls and next door, copper leaf-shaped light shades are suspended above a marble-topped bar. A double-sided fireplace separates the cozy library—complete with antique-style maps and lamps—from the lounge's tan-leather sofas. Below, two sunken, semicircular alcoves, filled with earth-color cushions and each set around a fire, inevitably delay diners before they finally succumb to the appetizing smells from the à la carte menu emanating from the individually laid, bleached wood tables above. Chill by the pool or take a break from your game viewing to relax on a couch (or eat brunch) aboard the Queen Silvia barge (only when the water is high) as you watch elephants swim across to Namibia. Alternatively, take a guided bush walk, go fishing, or visit the sunken hide where you're eye-level with splashing elephant feet. The massive hand-carved door of your mega-size thatched chalet leads into an entrance hall with a dressing table and minibar, bedroom with four-poster bed, a huge bathroom with double tiled showers, and twin wing-back armchairs with access to your private outside deck.