The grandest luxury in Africa is not found in eccentric buildings claiming to be the newest marvel of contemporary architecture but in the age-old habitats that have been home to life for millennia. This is true of Botswana's lodges and safari camps more than any other country, where the desert meets oases, and the seasonal herds migrate in the wilderness's cyclical seasons.
Mombo Camp
Mombo Camp, located on a large stretch of land in the middle of the Okavango Delta known as Chief's Island, is a jewel of the swamps. The unimpeded views peering out from the trees that shelter the camp are superb, with wooden decks and a fire-pit for guests to enjoy the evenings with delicious food and great company.
The floodplains in front of camp are known for lion, leopard and big herds, and boats and mokoros join the game drives when the Okavango Delta floods reach this far.
Wilderness Kings Pool
Wilderness Kings Pool sits on the King's Pool lagoon in the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, northeast of the Okavango Delta, its triangular thatched roofs and firelight creating a warm and cozy atmosphere under the stars. Its handful of suites face the water, and the river is explored on seasonal barge cruises or from an underground photographic hide.
Abu Camp
Abu Camp in the western Okavango Delta is temporarily closed and is expected to reopen in December 2026. The camp is known for its long work on elephant conservation and rewilding. Elephant-back safaris ended here at the end of 2016 and walks with the herd in 2021. When it reopens, guests can expect six tented suites, game drives, walks and seasonal water trips on a large private reserve.
Sediba Sa Rona (formerly Khwai River Lodge)
The Khwai River runs along the northeastern edge of the Moremi Game Reserve. Sediba Sa Rona opened on its banks in 2026, where Khwai River Lodge once stood, and from the viewing deck, it almost feels as though you are floating alongside the lily pads of the swamps. Its 15 tents face the floodplain, and mokoros go out when the water is high enough.
Belmond Eagle Island Lodge
This luxury safari lodge, which has existed since the 1980s but was beautifully renovated in 2015 to give it a refreshingly modern look in the same striking landscape, is an old favorite of many. It stands on palm-fringed Xaxaba Island. A trip in a mokoro, the traditional canoe of the area, is a wonderful way to explore the rivers and channels of this interconnected wetland in the desert.
&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge
&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is luxurious and beautiful, with a very accommodating and friendly staff culture. The lodge lies in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Children are welcome, and additional supervision can be organized for them. For the adventurous, the lodge's guided walking safaris add to the classic open-vehicle game drives and are a great way to experience the wilderness.
Chief's Camp, an A&K Sanctuary
Sanctuary Chief's Camp, as its name alludes to, is a camp fit for a king. The camp offers all the amenities one would expect of a boutique hotel in a big city, including a spa, gym, and, of course, an amazing restaurant. It also offers the many unique experiences of the Okavango, blending luxury and adventure.
Dinaka
Dinaka takes this list away from the water, and it has undoubtedly earned its place. This spectacular lodge is located within a private conservancy on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, an area untouched by humankind. The nights are painted by dazzling displays of stars, and the arid landscape stretches for hundreds of kilometers. Dinaka certainly warrants a visit, especially for those looking for something off the beaten track.
Jack's Camp
Jack's Camp is a beautiful tented camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana, where flamingos gather in their thousands on the flooded pans after good rains. Rebuilt in 2021 in a vintage 1940s style, it makes a comfortable base for meerkat visits, San-guided walks and the zebra and wildebeest migrations across the grasslands.
Chobe Chilwero Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Choose Chobe Chilwero Lodge, which stands on a ridge near Kasane just outside Chobe National Park, a park famous for its huge elephant herds, and looks out over the green Chobe floodplains. Here, guests can enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature under the huge trees on the lodge's premises or head out on game drives and afternoon boat cruises on the Chobe River.
