55 Best Hotels in Botswana

With its whitewashed walls and Iberian-style blue and white patterned azulejo tiles, there’s a refreshing mediterranean feel to Maun’s most luxurious boutique hotel, which opened its doors in 2024. Set on the banks of the (seasonal) Thamalakane river, five thatched air-conditioned villas with ornamental fireplaces, armchairs, window-seats, roll-top bath and covered veranda are chic and wonderfully cool; there are also seven smaller semi-detached cottages for those on a tighter budget. The simple but striking blue and white color scheme allied with a hint of colonial luxury creates an intriguing ambience that is unlike anything else in town. Lazing by the stylish pool surrounded by white sand and azure and white striped padded loungers, is reminiscent of a private Greek beach.  Directly below, a spiral white stone staircase descends to the lounge, library, bar and pillared dining terrace, where gourmet à la carte meals are served from a changing menu or, if you prefer, you can picnic on the lush lawns. An arched wine-cave cleverly built into the hillside doubles as a venue for private dinners and special occasions, and there is also a spa. Billed as a retreat, the focus is on recuperation and rejuvenation rather than safari activities, so it is best seen as a pre- or post-safari stopover.

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.

Perched on the banks of a tributary of the fast-flowing Kwando River, this delightful camp boasts water views from every angle. Canvas and thatch chalets with claw-foot bathtubs, indoor and outdoor showers, and a lower-level lounge area with floor-to-ceiling views nestle on grassy slopes under the shade of giant jackalberry trees that are hundreds of years old. After a night spent next to one of these mighty trees, a major source of natural energy, people say you wake up rejuvenated, your body buzzing with new life. From the thatch dining and bar area, you can watch herds of elephants only yards away as they come to drink and bathe, or hippos snoozing in the sun. You might also spot a malachite kingfisher darting like a bejeweled mini-jet over the water. Go for a morning or evening game drive, track game on foot, drift along the river in a double-decker boat, or go fishing for tiger fish and bream. Terrestrial wildlife, particularly predators, is plentiful while keen birders will tick off hundreds of species in the wet summer months.

Looking out over the endless floodplains of the Kwando river, Lebala is aptly named (it means wide, open spaces) and benefits from the same fantastic wildlife arena as its sister camp, Kwando Lagoon Camp. The elevated timber and canvas tents, which were refurbished and relocated in 2025, are now generously spaced along the edge of two small tree islands, ensuring privacy and serenity. An additional pool, bar, dining and lounge area caters for the furthest three rooms, making it feel like having your own intimate, exclusive camp. After a long day in the bush, soak off the dust in your freestanding tub or indulge in the double outside shower, then wander through sliding mesh doors to your private teak deck and savor the nocturnal ambience. Marvel at the stunning endless vistas from the raised hide before embarking on a game drive; you are guaranteed to see loads of wildlife, with predator tracking a specialty, and guided walks are also possible.

Spun from the same cloth as the properties in the Kwando concession, this 100% solar camp is a rare year-round land and water camp, located in a prolific wildlife area. Spacious canvas-and-wood pole tents have lined ceilings, a cotton-white canopied bed with solar a/c, and a separate lounge area furnished with a sofa, armchairs, and rug in neutral earthy tones. Luxuriate in your claw-foot bath or venture outside to revel in the outdoor rain shower. On the back wall dark-wood shutters aid ventilation in summer, while in front, wood and mesh sliding doors lead to a deck with lagoon views. Rooms are well spaced out on either side of the main area, ensuring complete privacy, and each side of camp has its own pool, complete with a drinks fridge. Buffet lunches and plated dinners tend to be taken communally unless specifically requested; the dining area is separated from the leather-sofa-filled lounge by a small bar. If the camp’s public areas appear to prioritize functionality over aesthetic embellishments, it is probably a reflection of Kwara’s primary focus, which is firmly on safari activities. Wildlife viewing can be spectacular with lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs all frequently seen, as well as hordes of plains game, and having a dedicated tracker and guide further enhance your potential sightings on both day and night game drives, which come equipped with complimentary binoculars. For birders, the cacophonous Gcodikwe and Gxobega heronries—both accessible by boat—come alive from September through February when hundreds of storks, herons, egrets, and pelicans arrive to breed. For a change of pace, float along crystal clear channels in a mokoro after which you might arrive at an impromptu gin bar, where you can choose from multiple flavors of gins, tonics, and even ice.

Perched on high wooden stilts amid a forest canopy on a small island surrounded by enormous open plains, this intimate, unpretentious camp exudes an authentic safari atmosphere. The public areas overlooking the floodplains are built around huge sausage, marula, and sycamore fig trees, with a giant jackalberry dominating the bar. Each spacious canvas-roofed room is set like a child's building block in the middle of a large wooden walkway built high into the trees. Glass sliding doors provide easy access to your deck with commanding views while inside, white linen ceilings, natural wood floors, coir mats, cow-hide ottomans, and L-shaped sofas create a warm, homey atmosphere. Rooms are also equipped with tea, coffee, biscuits, and both indoor and designer outdoor showers. After an afternoon game drive or mokoro trip, end your day with a sundowner (cocktail) by the lagoon illuminated by flickering lanterns, with entertainment by the best in local talent—snorting hippos, whooping hyenas, and singing nightjars. 

Ask for the honeymoon suite when you book—it is the only one with a romantic stone bath on the deck.

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.

Be prepared to get wet as you gallop through knee-deep, crystal clear floodwaters among herds of giraffe on your chosen steed at this specialist horseback safari camp, which was completely renovated in 2025. Wade past oblivious, munching elephants, before arriving at the tree house—a deck built into the canopy of a gigantic strangler fig, where dry clothing materializes and champagne brunch is hoisted 5 meters from the ground via an ingenious dumbwaiter pulley system; you can even sleep overnight here if you wish. A laid-back atmosphere pervades the unpretentious 100% solar camp, comprising eight spacious en suite tents with integrated lounge area and expansive elevated deck. An even larger honeymoon tent with roll-top bath, his-and-hers basins and plunge pool is available for an extra fee. After the morning’s exertions, rest weary limbs as you sink into one of the mess tent’s snug sofas, gazing at monochrome prints that remind you of the day’s adventures. Alternatively, recline on rattan loungers beneath swaying weaver nests or cool off in the communal plunge pool overlooking an emerald floodplain. Shorter afternoon rides are more sedate, or you can opt for a game-drive, boat excursion, mokoro, or guided walk—activities also available to non-riders. Bush dinners can be a treat, when a live termite mound doubles up as a delicious pizza oven.

This small and intimate camp offers the same excellent service as Mashatu Lodge and its location, deep in the wilderness, will make you feel part of the heartbeat of Africa as you lie in your tent and listen to a lion's roar, a hyena's whoop, or a leopard's cough. Eight spacious tents with carpeted floors, each with a tiny verandah overlooking the surrounding bush, provide an unparalleled back-to-nature feeling. A fenced walkway leads to an en suite bathroom where the stars are your roof, and there's also a pool and a hide overlooking a waterhole. Knowledgeable local guides will open your ears and your eyes to the environment and all that lives in it. There's plenty of water nearby, so the game is plentiful, and, with lions, leopards, hyenas, and occasionally cheetahs all in the vicinity, there is a real chance to witness some unforgettable predator interaction. Avid photographers can also book time (in advance) in one of the low-level hides.This camp may not be for nervous first-timers, but for something truly different, real, and very special, a stay here won't soon be forgotten.

Hidden in a 444,789-acre concession, it’s all about the wildlife at this Okavango Delta newcomer, and there's a welcoming and friendly simplicity to the laid-back canvas camp. Natural history prints adorn the lounge walls, where dove-gray sofas and sage armchairs sit on grass mats. Beyond the lounge, a bar is conveniently located to the side of the viewing deck, furnished with rattan chairs, perfect for spotting roaming wildlife with a late afternoon tipple in hand. To the rear, a small library tent houses a leather chaise longue. Charcoal and cream chairs are set around separate wooden tables in the adjacent dining area, where tasty house-cooked fare is served. There’s also a pool—a blessing in the hot summer months. Spacious en suite canvas-and-wood rooms with decks are comfortably furnished with wicker chairs, wildlife prints, grass mats, and a desk perfect for journaling about the day's events. A beige curtain leads to an airy bathroom with a shower that overlooks the wilderness. You’ll spot dozens of dazzling zebra on game drives along with hordes of other herbivores, but predators are a specialty—there's a good chance you'll see lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog. When water levels allow, you can mokoro too. After the sun goes down, relive the day’s amazing wildlife encounters by the flickering light of the natural sand firepit, before crossing to an open-air deck for an alfresco dinner under a blanket of twinkling stars.

Situated in the thriving Savuti region famed for its elephants, this lodge, the most luxurious in the area, is 100% solar-powered, offers à la carte meals, and features a ground-level hide to gawp at drinking pachyderms. Air-conditioned tented rooms are elegantly furnished with a natural wood desk, leather and cane chairs and plush sofa. Choose between an indoor or outdoor shower, and for cold winter mornings and evenings, the air-conditioning unit even features a built-in heater function. Beyond the wood and glass sliding doors lies your private viewing deck, with comfortable chairs and a canopied day-bed, overlooking the mostly-dry Savuti Channel, where pumped waterholes are a magnet for thirsty elephants in the dry season. You can even gaze at the ubiquitous pachyderms while being massaged in the dedicated spa. As the camp is in Chobe National Park, night drives and walking are against regulations, but you'll still see plenty of animals and birds during the day; Savute is particularly well known for its predator populations. If you are here during full moon, the sight of masses of great, gray, elephantine shapes gleaming in the moonlight is truly unforgettable.

This intimate friendly camp has only six thatched chalets, which are raised on stilts above the seasonal Savuti Channel. Several bridges allow you to traverse both sides of the river in search of the resident predators during day and night game drives and for a change of scenery you can go boating on Zibadianja lagoon throughout the year to spot hippos and miraculous African jacana birds that appear to walk on water. The elevated thatched main area (including a bar, pool, and viewing decks) has armchairs and wicker furniture with khaki and umber tones matching the environment outside. Comfortable en suite rooms with canvas walls, snug armchairs, and writing desks continue the natural earth color scheme. For something a bit more adventurous, escape from camp to your own private fire-side dinner, just a short drive away, before spending the night on a sleep-out deck with just a mosquito net separating you from a giant dome of sparkling stars.

Ker & Downey's oldest camp, located in one of the Okavango’s most beautiful concessions, boasts enticing views over a carpet of emerald papyrus and golden reeds, bordering an expansive shimmering lagoon. Rebuilt in 2020, curved wooden walkways connect the split-level elevated main area, where multiple open-fronted dining and lounge areas are furnished with azure and sky-blue cushions mirroring the water below. A smattering of African artifacts and an antique gramophone complete the classic safari ambience. Your spacious tent, with white-lined, billowing ceiling and linen curtains is furnished with a plush cobalt rug, aquamarine divan, writing desk, yoga mat, and indoor and outdoor showers, while outside a comfy daybed lies waiting on your deck. As one of the few authentic land and water camps (boating and mokoros are available year-round), you will never get bored: hundreds of bird species vie with an impressive range of mammals, including all the major predators. Alternatively, relax in camp and let the game come to you—grazing tsessebe antelope and impala frequent the floodplain outside the rooms, occasionally joined by a wandering elephant.

Named after the famous adventurer who uttered the immortal lines, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume”, Sanctuary Baines' Camp’s friendly sister camp is built in a traditional East African style on an island of jackalberry, fever berry, and sausage trees. An assortment of leather sofas, wooden chests, and antique maps create a classic safari explorer theme in the expansive main lounge, spilling into a lively circular bar overlooking an emerald floodplain­, which is waterlogged during the peak flood months. Below this a hidden cushion-filled bench offers ringside seats to gaze at the wildlife wandering across the open plain. Spacious tented rooms with private decks and glass doors are furnished in neutral tones with monochrome wildlife prints, slate-gray armchairs, a kettle, minibar, and indoor shower. Crisp linen curtains flank the oversized mesh windows, which together with the cream-colored ceiling adds a light and homely air. Take a dip in the pool while watching giraffe stroll across the savanna before your afternoon game-drive, walk, or mokoro. The private concession is located on the edge of Moremi Game Reserve, resulting in dependable game-viewing and a fantastic variety of wildlife including several nearby spotted hyena dens.

If you are a safari veteran in search of a new, wilder adventure, this—the only permanent camp in Africa’s second-largest national park—is the place for you. With just a smattering of visitors spread across one of the planet’s last untouched vestiges of wilderness, it's like having the whole 52,800-square-km (20,386-square-mile) park to yourself. The camp itself, named after the black-maned lions that patrol the pan below, is perched atop one of the few contours in an otherwise flat landscape; at sunrise the 270-degree view is nothing short of mesmerizing. A thatched main area consists of an interconnected dining area (serving up tasty buffet dishes), bar and lounge decorated in traditional African style: shades of hazelnut and ochre are complemented by charcoal-gray, print cushions and a natural polished wood sit-up bar. A fire-pit integrated into the open-air deck provides much-needed warmth on frigid winter mornings as you cradle your coffee, watching game come to drink at the pumped waterhole below. Thatched rooms with fans continue the bush color-scheme and have ingeniously made use of sandbags in the walls to increase insolation. Put your feet up in the tan Chesterfield armchair, catch up on your diary at the writing desk, or take a siesta on the giant superking bed; there’s also tea and coffee, a choice of indoor and outdoor shower, and a pool by the main area. All the desert specialists—oryx, springbok, and bat-eared fox to name a few—are here and you have a good chance of seeing cheetah and some of the resident lion pride. But it's the scenery—huge tracts of open grassland pans, sprinkled with the occasional tree island—and the raw wilderness that will take your breath away. For a cultural interlude, take a walk with the local bushmen, who will fascinate you with their unique language and centuries-old knowledge of plants and tracks. Or try the sleepout deck for a different but equally unforgettable experience—with zero light pollution, gazing at the dazzling night sky will make you feel like you are on another planet.

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).

Situated en route to Moremi Game Reserve, this lovely lodge sits on the bank of the Thamalakane River with 32 very comfortable stone-and-thatch en suite chalets that overlook the river. Breakfast is included and there are also  two small pools. There are two Kingfisher family units, which have two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Dinners are either à la carte or plated set menus, depending on numbers.

Rebuilt, renovated, and renamed in 2021, this giraffe-themed camp (its name means “long neck” in Setswana) is the closest you will get to a safari camp in Maun. In addition to the giraffes, which are being sensitively habituated by resident zoologists, you can walk or ride on horseback among zebras, wildebeests, kudus, elands, gemsboks, impalas, and ostriches. Nine comfortable and vibrant en suite, air-conditioned tents on decks are adorned with playful giraffe patterns and feature indoor claw-foot baths and outside showers. Two larger thatched chalets provide a slightly more cosseted option. Meals are taken on the scenic patio, shaded by leadwood and bird plum trees. There is enough to occupy two nights here if time allows and the sunset giraffe activity promises to be a unique not-to-be-missed wildlife experience.

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.