Much like the flora and fauna, accommodation in Botswana is exceptional and varied. From sleeping out on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan and beautifully rustic guesthouses to mobile safaris for that extra Out of Africa vibe, there’s no shortage of options. Safari stays and tented camps vary from luxury lodges with five-star creature comforts, to simple eco-chic abodes, while hotels are usually comfortable but unlikely to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re on a family holiday, honeymooning or travelling solo, majestic Botswana promises the bucket list break of a lifetime.
Where to Stay and What to Expect
Most of the accommodation in Botswana is in the game reserves or on the outskirts of them. Visit Chobe National Park to see the famous elephants, Okavango Delta’s labyrinth of waterways, or the vast plains of the Kalahari Desert. Whichever destination (or destinations) you choose, Botswana’s lodges, hotels and guesthouses guarantee total immersion in the staggering wilderness. With carefully restricted visitor numbers, the accommodations peppered through Botswana’s private concessions are, by definition, exclusive. Thanks to strict environmental standards imposed by the government, Botswana’s accommodations are minimum impact, employing people from local communities and supporting conversation efforts, so guests can enjoy an authentic African adventure that’s responsible too.
Camps
The most common form of accommodation in Botswana is tented camps, and each specialises in a different blend of animals, landscapes and activities. Forget any memories of cramped scout tents and think instead of designer chic under canvas. There are many different types, ranging from private, peaceful Meru-style and Serengeti-style tents to luxury tents under thatch. A traditional East African 1940s style camp, Jack’s Camp comprises ten luxury tents with exotic Swahili Bedouin furnishings, rare African art and a stunning swimming pool. Then there are places like Camp Kalahar, perched on the edge of the Makgadikgadi beneath prickly acacias and palms. This traditional bush camp with Meru-style tents has a deliciously laidback vibe, complete with four poster beds, ensuite bathrooms and warm African textiles.
Lodges
Botswana's lodges vary from palatial residences crafted by top designers to paired back, rustic abodes. In one of our favourites, wooden suspension bridges connect thatched stone bungalows on stilts, while a swimming pool invites guests to relax between safaris. Most lodges have rooms which are at least as comfortable as a good hotel room; ensuite flushing toilets, running hot and cold water and battery-powered lights are standard, and some even have air conditioning. Larger lodges can be found in towns like Kasane (the gateway to the Chobe National Park) and Maun (the gateway to the Okavango Delta).
Mobile Safaris
The word safari, derived from the Arabic safara, means ‘to travel’. Experience a tailor-made mobile safari, setting up camp in some of the best possible locations for the time of year. They come in many forms, from pitching in with the cooking and washing up, to fully serviced mobile safaris, where everything is done for you. Walk-in tents usually come with camp beds and an ensuite bathroom – a bonus when you’re not allowed to leave your tent until daylight. With two or three nights at each campsite, you have more time to sit back and savour your surroundings. Camping in different locations means no end to wildlife watching, and will leave you truly understanding the vastness of Botswana, its diverse ecosystems and intriguing flora and fauna.
Mixed Camps
Accommodation in the Okavango Delta falls into three broad categories defined by the activities on offer: water, ground and mixed camps. Water camps are usually set up in the permanent delta, and the emphasis is on the unique ecosystem of the delta, its characteristic rivers, birds and marine creatures. Land-based camps provide games drives and walking safaris, with an emphasis on the area’s exceptional residents. For a full Okavango experience, combine water and land in a mixed camp, offering the best of both worlds.
Hotels and Guesthouses
The capital, Gaborone, and safari gateways, such as Kasane and Maun, offer a good range of accommodation both in and around the towns. Prices tend to be higher in Kasane where the hotels are more geared towards foreign tourists than in Maun. A few guesthouses have appeared in Botswana’s larger towns in recent years, but these are still very small, and mostly in suburban locations that are only practical if you have a car.
Under the Stars
Not strictly a type of accommodation in Botswana, sleeping under the stars is nonetheless a popular and memorable experience when on safari. Many accommodations offer guests the opportunity to sleep out for a night or two. Climb into a comfortable bed (no sleeping bags or poorly assembled tents in sight) and drift off to the sounds of nature beneath the soft glow of the stars and moon. Wake up to one of the best sunrises you'll ever witness before heading for a hot shower and a hearty breakfast. Botswana also offers some truly special starry stays. Take for instance Skybeds at Sable Alley, which welcomes guests with its lavishly dressed tents and enviable location. Here you can watch the milky way twinkle above your bed deep in the private reserve of Khwai in the Okavango Delta. Skybeds consists of beautifully constructed three-storey wooden homes offering an open-air roof-space with a four-poster bed and soft lanterns for sleeping in the light of the moon.
