49 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.

From the moment you enter this old-fashioned camp (pronounced ka-kan-ah-ka), a feeling of unpretentious warmth and relaxation envelops you. Pillars hewn from old leadwood trunks add to the rustic charm, and sundowners taste even better on the fire-deck jutting out over the water. Each spacious tent has wooden floors, plenty of storage space, a huge comfy bed, reading lamps, a semi-open bathroom with an airy feel, and a viewing deck. The staff, many with more than 10 years of experience, get everything right, from their attentive service to the superb, wholesome, home-cooked food. The resident croc, Popcorn, who used to sunbathe under his very own sign "Beware crocodile," may have departed but Oscar, the resident hippo, is still chortling away. Wooden-decked public areas sprawl along the water, and elephants and hippos wander past your tent most nights.

Smaller and more intimate than most of the accommodation options around Kasane, this peaceful luxury lodge, perched on a small hill on the border of Chobe National Park, is probably the closest fit to the small camps prevalent around the rest of the country. The aptly named lodge---Chilwero means "high view" in Setswana, the national language---has 15 spacious thatched cottages, which feature en suite bathrooms, private gardens, and viewing decks with stunning vistas of the Chobe River. The Pool Suite also boasts a plunge pool and comes with a private guide. Feast on the gourmet food, cool off in the split-level swimming pool, or pamper yourself with a beauty treatment at the stylish spa. All the Chobe activities are available, from walking safaris and fishing to game drives, day trips to the nearby Vic Falls, and the must-not-miss sunset cruises. There's also a very good children's program featuring treasure hunts and bush walks in the grounds. Although you're not far from town, the privacy and exclusivity of the lodge will persuade you that you are miles away from civilization.

It's worth booking the Pool Suite as it is only marginally more expensive than a regular room.

From the moment you arrive at this remote, independently owned, Kalahari oasis it's clear that The Lodge represents a welcome break from the safari mold. A giant, elongated pool flanked by lily-white sun-umbrellas dominates the entrance in a scene reminiscent of a boutique hotel. Swinging daybeds hang from square wooden beams in the enticing, thatched main area, where fantastically tasty meals are served to the accompaniment of mellow piped music, with a view out to the pool and pumped waterhole beyond. During dinner, you may even spot a honey badger or elephant drinking amid the myriad lanterns. The extravagant stone and timber pool suites with oversized plunge pools are a menagerie of retro decor and ethnic culture, with a smattering of trendy appliances (Smeg kettles, Sony stereos) thrown into the mix. It's an eclectic combination that somehow works, but the real treat lies on the roof where a daybed beneath a thatched cover offers stupendous views over the Kalahari. The wood-paneled tented suites—really thatch stilted chalets—offer a more conventional option and there is also a 2-bedroom family villa. Activities reflect the leisure retreat ambience. Instead of a game drive, take a bike ride to the tennis court where staff will act as ball boys or a little farther afield to the petanque court, sipping gin and tonics between throws—keep an eye out for gemsbok or an elusive brown hyena along the way. Alternatively, join the bushmen for an illuminating walk and evening trance dance (spiritual nocturnal dance), go horse riding, spend a night fly-camping under the stars or simply work out in the gym. Everything is solar-powered, a trust invests in fantastic local projects with neighboring communities and they offer a package which includes a Delta property as well. 

Spend the extra on a pool suite—you won't regret it.

Often visited in conjunction with the big-five private reserves in South Africa, Mashatu's game-viewing more than lives up to its billing with a deserved reputation for prolific predators. Accommodations are in tasteful stone floor family suites where earth-colored tones complement the natural surroundings. A couch and daybed provide a range of seating options, and fine art wildlife prints—of some of the many species you are guaranteed to see—adorn the walls. Comfort is assured in the hot summer months by air-conditioners, which have a heating function for the cold winter ones. The thatched outdoor dining area (where guests sit separately) overlooks a large waterhole where elephant, zebra, wildebeest, and other Mashatu regulars drink. A strategically-placed infinity pool (one of the lodge’s two pools) lets you cool off while keeping an eye on the action. The Discovery Room is a fascinating natural history and archeological museum that will appeal to all ages. Activities comprise almost every mode of transport imaginable, from bikes and horses to foot and vehicles and the game viewing, particularly of predators, is excellent; there are also two sunken hides designed for low-level photography, one of which you can stay at overnight to capture jaw-dropping images of drinking predators at night.

You will lose count of the number of elephants you spot from your room in this friendly lodge, nestled on the banks of the now-dry Savuti Channel and rebuilt in 2024. Redesigned thatch-and-timber safari suites with armchairs, fans and, inside and outside showers are sensitively furnished in neutral tones to complement the view outside. A pair of easels display specifically commissioned natural history prints inspired by the surroundings, adding an individual touch. Mesh doors lead to your veranda, from which you can watch game drinking from the riverbed's pumped waterhole in front of camp. A raised open-sided deck links the communal lounge, dining, fire and pool areas, all deliberately designed to immerse you in the wilderness and bring you closer to the omnipresent wildlife. There’s also a small photographic hide if you want to capture the memories on camera. Scrumptious late-morning brunches and candlelit buffet dinners give you a front-row seat almost within touching distance of the gray, ghostly shapes of elephants who saunter past on their nocturnal wanderings.

Completely rebuilt, upgraded, and rebranded in 2023, this, one of the most intimate camps in the country, is now a perfect blend of comfort, exclusivity, and safari adventure. Set by the lapping waters of a large lagoon, the night sounds are awesome, from the tuneful whistles of the Pearl-spotted owlet to roaring lions and whooping hyenas. Both game and night drives are offered as are seasonal water activities (boat and mokoro); it is a fantastic area for walking, and wildlife, especially predators, is plentiful. With just four tents (including one family tent), the solar-powered camp has a minimal ecological footprint and is usually limited to no more than six people at a time. The main lounge features an eclectic mix of leather armchairs and trunks set among peacock-blue and sunset-red stools and couches. Meals are served in a separate open-sided dining tent, or on the sand at the water’s edge by the campfire, under a glittering sequinned sky; there’s also a windowless photo-editing suite for avid photographers. Your cozy en suite tent, raised on stilts, is furnished with playful blue trunks, a desk, an indoor and outdoor shower, and a daybed on the deck with lagoon views. Sip sundowners by the crackling fire and listen to the orchestra of bass hippos and descant nightjars before feasting on a three-course meal conjured up by a talented bush chef—you'll feel like you have the whole of Africa to yourself.

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.

Set beside one of the four tributaries of the Monachira river (hence the name), there’s an informal camaraderie to this waterside solar camp, built in 2024, that will be familiar to guests from the other Kwando camps. Elevated wooden walkways lead from the thatched main area to each of the rooms, set in an arc alongside the banks of a small permanent lagoon, guaranteeing water views throughout. Spacious canvas-and-wood en suite rooms with cream curtains, are sensitively decorated in neutral tones, each benefitting from a pair of armchairs, desk, woven rug, tea and coffee station and a private deck with picture-postcard views. Behind your carved wooden headboard are his-and-hers basins and, both inside and outside showers. If you come in summer, a secluded pool, set back from the main area is a great afternoon spot. When weather allows, communal dining can take place alfresco, or at the base of the split-level L-shaped main area, where scrumptious buffet meals are served. On the opposite side, a raised bar and lounge become a natural hub for pre-dinner drinks and safari tales, with sepia wildlife prints and a brass leopard statue sparking hopes for the next day’s sightings. After dinner, descend to the sand firepit protruding out into the water and listen to the crackle of flames, accompanied by a chorus of glockenspiel reed frogs and the occasional baritone hippo. Game drives meander through a rich tapestry of mopane woodlands and open floodplains punctuated by picturesque forested islands. A tracker perched up front gives you a great chance of spotting some of the many predators that roam the concession (they are all here) and you won’t have to share sightings with vehicles from any other camps. If you’ve seen all the big game already, then get out on foot and immerse yourself in the wilderness—it’s a completely different experience—or sit back in a mokoro and savor the tranquility.

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.

Offering all the Makgadikgadi activities, Camp Kalahari represents a more down-to-earth and affordable option in this area and is ideally suited to families. Spacious guest tents with wooden verandahs are decorated with grass mats, Persian kilims, canopied iron bedsteads, and polished trunks. The covered bathroom lies behind an ingenious, head-high paneled wall of dried palm fronds allowing light to enter from the back of the bedroom, giving it an airy, roomy feel. Go on a walk with the fascinating San Bushmen, who will charm you with their language of clicks and quirky sense of humor, speed across the flat-as-a-pancake salt pans on a quad bike or on horseback, or visit a colony of habituated meerkats. When you return to the paraffin-lamp-lit main area, a fire will be beckoning as you wash your hands with water from a copper pitcher and sit among an eclectic mix of handmade African wooden furniture, colonial antiques, and emerald aloes nestling in golden ammo casings.

Matching the style and specification of its sister Camp Okavango with spacious rooms and an expansive multilevel main area, this cleverly designed camp blends seamlessly into the woodland on the banks of Xakanaxa lagoon. Winding wooden walkways connect the bar, library, and elevated lounges, where you can relax among a diverse mix of African ornaments, weathered chests, and numerous plush sofas replete with dozens of turquoise and marine-blue cushions. Thatched angular rooms with wood floors, desk, sofa, and a decadent mosaic-walled double shower are furnished in subtle tones. A private deck with loungers lies beyond a panel of concertina wood and glass folding doors, which open completely to remove any barrier between your room and the lush landscape outside. This corner of Moremi boasts a phenomenal diversity of wildlife, from elephant, giraffe, zebra and buffalo to lion, leopard, wild dog, and cheetah. Birdlife is similarly impressive­ and as a bonus, boating is also available throughout the year.

Set among a forest of palm, knobthorn, and jackalberry trees, there is a grand scale to this solar-powered camp, with multilayered decks and curved walkways linking the thatched dining, library, and lounge areas. The fire-deck is the perfect place for the ultimate sunset vista before an alfresco dinner, and on sultry summer days a dip in the refreshing pool, situated on the lowest deck, is unbeatable. The large rooms are equally impressive, raised on stilts and built in harmony with their arboreal surroundings with flat, canvas-covered roofs, and natural wood and rattan furniture. A bank of wooden, concertina, mesh-panel doors opens up a whole wall of your bedroom and lounge, bringing you even closer to nature and leading onto a spacious deck. Inside, cream floor-to-ceiling curtains conceal your bathroom, with twin stone basins, a separate toilet, and a luxurious, double walk-in shower. The activity focus is on the wilderness experience rather than big game, so excursions are foot- or water-based. For the ultimate adventure spend the night on the sleepout deck where your only ceiling is an endless canopy of sparkling stars.

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.

The only permanent lodge located inside Chobe National Park, this grand old dame—Liz Taylor and Richard Burton got married for the second time here in the '70s—is a cut above the larger Kasane hotels and still maintains a lodge feel despite its size. Terracotta tiles, Rhodesian teak furniture, tribal artifacts with a Moroccan twist, and vibrant cushions create a distinctive pan-African ambiance. The solid Moorish-style buildings—with their graceful high arches and barrel-vaulted ceilings—insulate the not-so-intrepid traveler from too-close encounters of the animal kind: baboon mothers have been known to teach their young how to turn a doorknob! The gorgeous gardens are a riot of color, attracting lots of small fauna; the extensive boardwalk above has a variety of decks and alcoves for alfresco group dinners or intimate celebrations. There's a well-stocked curio shop with great clothes and wildlife books. Daily activities consist of game drives and river cruises, run by Botswana’s only all-female guiding team.

Built around an 800-year-old baobab tree situated among lovely private gardens on the banks of the Chobe River, you can’t fault the location of this lodge just 8 km (5 miles) from the entrance to Chobe National Park. Like several of its neighboring properties farther downstream, Mowana has more of a large hotel-feel rather than the intimate camp ambience prevalent in the Okavango. That's not to say that you still won't get your full safari experience; you'll just be a bit cocooned away from the actual wilderness. Pleasantly decorated with an ethnic African theme, all 106 air-conditioned rooms overlook the river, on which you'll probably spend a fair amount of time bird-watching and game-viewing. Morning and evening drives are available too, but because the network of tracks is limited, roads can often become rather crowded in peak season. For something different, play a round of golf, indulge in a spa treatment or take a day-trip to nearby Victoria Falls. Children under 12 stay free.

One of the first tourism properties to open in the Okavango Delta, this enchanting camp still offers one of the most authentic, off-the-grid wilderness experiences. Set on a remote island, the focus is firmly on experiencing the tranquility of the environment, with the minimum disruption to its natural surroundings. Reed chalets, each with a private bathroom, are set on stilts and adorned with furniture hewn from natural wood and upturned mekoro; they look like something straight out of The Swiss Family Robinson. Each chalet faces northeast to catch the first rays of the sun as it rises above the palm trees. Below your glass-free windows lie shallow, bird-filled pools in flood season, with deep waterways only paces from your front door. Activities include seasonal mokoro trails into the maze of waterways and game walks on adjacent islands with a professional licensed guide. Adventurous types can even spend the night wild-camping in the bush if they wish. The ethos behind the camp is centered around the preservation of the environment: materials are sourced locally where possible and a conscious effort is made to support local artisans. It is also strictly 100% solar, which combined with the lack of motorized transport, makes it one of the most eco-friendly camps in Botswana, and also one of the most peaceful.   Request the treehouse for a truly unique experience and stupendous view.

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.

The simple, natural charm of solar-powered Kanana makes you feel part of the Delta, not cocooned away from it. Game drives, glass-bottom mokoroing, boating, and bush walks (nearby islands host resident Pel's fishing owls) are all part of the experience, but a visit to the Thapagadi Lagoon is a must if water levels allow. The lagoon is home to a fantastic heronry, where maribou, open-billed, and yellow-billed storks nest with all kinds of herons, cormorants, pelicans, darters, and egrets—you'll never forget the sounds of this avian community. Game viewing on land is similarly impressive with elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and cheetahs all roaming the palm-studded landscape. Roomy safari tents (where tea and coffee are brought at dawn by a cheerful staff member) with wooden decks overlook dense reed beds and a papyrus-thick floodplain. Dark wood furniture is complemented by colorful rugs and throws, while the bathroom features a walk-in shower and twin basins. You'll fall asleep to the sound of hippos munching, squelching, and splashing outside your tent and awake to tumultuous birdsong. Public areas are built around a massive, ancient fig tree, with an open dining deck where imaginative silver-service dinners are served under the myriad twinkling stars. With 360-degree views of the surrounding floodplain, the über-romantic, raised sleep-out deck located a short drive from camp is an unforgettable experience.

Book the sleep-out deck before you arrive to avoid disappointment.

If you want to escape the larger resort-type hotels on the main Kasane drag, then this small, quiet, attractive lodge on the banks of the Chobe, which prides itself on its seclusion, is an ideal choice; it has no phones or TVs in its rooms. Situated where Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia meet, the 11 en suite thatch chalets are set on stilts and are unpretentiously but comfortably furnished in neutral tones with floor rugs adding a splash of color. After your Chobe National Park game drive or boat cruise, come back and take a leisurely saunter around the Kubu Lodge Nature Walk—be on the lookout for dozens of birds, warthogs and the endemic Chobe bushbuck—or go next door to the Crocodile Farm and eyeball some immense reptiles.