Where to Stay in Botswana: Our Top Safari Camps and Lodges
Published on: September 6th, 2022
Last modified: December 28th, 2023
Protected wildlife areas make up just over 25 percent of the land in Botswana. The result is a relatively small number of exclusive camps and lodges with limited visitors allowed. There’s still plenty of variation to be found though; from intimate, family-friendly camps, romantic hideaways and safari gems, to sumptuous retreats.
Choosing where to stay in Botswana means exploring the rich diversity of the different regions. There’s the Okavango Delta's labyrinth of waterways and islands. The Linyanti with vast lagoons, teeming with wildlife and birds. The arid Kalahari Desert, the ancient homeland of the San people, still there today and Makgadikgadi, with its salt pans and rock islands.
Here’s our ultimate list of the very best camps across Botswana.
Best Places to Stay in the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is must-visit destination on any Botswana adventure. It is a lush wildlife haven with many exclusive, remote private reserves and concessions to explore. Heading out on safari here can mean anything from game drives, motor boats, traditional canoe, walking safaris or even hot air balloon adventures.
Duba Plains
A traditional safari camp with conservation at its core. A dedicated rhino team works closely with Rhinos Without Borders to help protect the fragile black rhino population on this private reserve.
You can expect to find big game and also more unusual wildlife from the desert such as pangolins and aardwolfs. This camp will suit wildlife enthusiasts who enjoy comfort and great food.
Wilderness Seba Camp
Safari on land and water here on your quest to find incredible wildlife – Wilderness Seba seems to have it all: Wild dogs, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes and lots of elephants.
A wonderful camp for families with attentive guides ready to explore a host of fun activities from photography, pizza making, painting your own masterpiece or catch-and-release tiger fishing.
Wilderness Qorokwe
A wildlife-lover’s dream. Bordering the renowned Moremi Game Reserve and within easy reach of the verdant Gomoti Plains this is the place to be if you love safari. One of the most contemporary camps on our list and a firm Jacada favourite.
Day and nighttime game drives along with exciting walking activities will get you close to dramatic wildlife sightings of big game such as lions, elephants and massive buffalo herds. A great camp for all wildlife enthusiasts young and old.
Wilderness Mombo
Beautiful, stylish, the epitome of luxury and incredibly one of the most sustainable camps in Botswana. Solar powered and with many effective ‘green’ processes on site along with wildlife conservation projects.
Extreme comfort and style doesn’t always go hand in hand with wild adventures and remote expeditions – Wilderness Mombo is the exception. It’s isolated and home to masses of wildlife. This special camp is perfect for couples looking for a romantic safari experience in complete comfort.
Wilderness Little Vumbura
The little sister to Wildernes Vumbura Plains camp is the ultimate family safari camp – also great for groups of friends. This intimate camp offers exclusivity, with a dedicated team of expert guides and caring camp staff.
A beautiful setting on its own island, surrounded by waterways where your family can enjoy game drives and plenty of boating to discover a huge variation of different wildlife. The wooden walkways lead you to the camp’s pool – perfect for little ones to have some fun.
Xigera
The most sumptuous camp on our list. The attention to detail here is staggering. Every element from the interiors to your experiences around camp are hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind and tailored to your own tastes.
As with many stunning camps in the Delta, there’s no compromise on wild, exclusive safari experiences either. This camp in Moremi Game Reserve is perfect for honeymooners looking for a one-of-a-kind property on their romantic safari.
Best Places to Stay in the Linyanti
Lagoons and wildlife corridors dominate the Linyanti. The protected reserves here seek to conserve large herds of elephant, big game and abundant, diverse birdlife. This truly is a wonderful place to see stunning sunsets reflecting on the waters and experience rewarding and memorable safaris on land and water.
Wilderness DumaTau
A stunning riverside retreat. The perfect camp for elephant lovers. One of the world’s largest herds resides here moving between two ancient wildlife corridors – it’s not unusual to see some walk straight through camp.
Away from the rivers and lagoons, safari in the grasslands and forests to find lions, leopards and even wild dogs. The beautiful spa, delicious dining, private plunge pools and riverfront views make this camp perfect for couples looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway.
Wilderness Linyanti Tented Camp
A great all rounder camp. It suits families, couples and anyone who loves wildlife. The sheer variation of habitats you can access make it a true gem for safari-goers. Marshlands, floodplains, open dry savannahs, lagoons and woodlands are all magnets for big game and birdlife.
We highly recommend the bush walking excursions here. Expert guides lead you into the wilderness to discover some surprising smaller fauna and local flora.
Best Place to Stay in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
This protected area is home to both the San people and a large amount of wildlife. Here you’ll find game unique to the area like black-maned Kalahari lion, Cape fox, honey badger and the rare nocturnal brown hyena. With the highest density in Africa you may even spot the cheetah.
Wilderness Kalahari Plains
Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and those interested in culture. Visit in the summer (December through March) as the rains fall and reveal a vibrant desert, brimming with life; massive herds of plains game dominate the eternal vistas with large predators in pursuit.
The camp has strong ties with the San people. Take a guided walk with members of the community to learn about their fascinating and ancient lifestyle.
Best Place to Stay in the Makgadikgadi Plains
Part of the Kalahari Desert but with a character all of its own. Come for the sheer vastness of the never-ending grass plains and enormous salt pans. Discover the rock islands and mystical baobab tree islands. A place to experience an epic wilderness home to the San people, where archaeological expeditions uncover ancient stories.
Jack's Camp
Jack’s Camp feels like a time capsule. Tented suites crammed with antiques, dark wooden floors, rich velvets in reds and oranges and scalloped finishes on exquisite hanging textiles. The camp is a destination all of its own.
Great for families who can stay here in complete privacy or for couples who want to get off the beaten track, experiencing all that Botswana has to offer; Sensational star gazing, cultural interaction, exciting quad bike rides, archaeology tours, incredible landscapes and utter isolation.
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