As one of the most renowned safari destinations on the African continent, the question of which are the best Botswana safari camps is rather pertinent. This also raises the question of what "best" means: is this the most exclusive, the most scenically located, the best for wildlife-viewing, the best for families, the best for honeymooners... what?
So, along those lines we have outlined some of our favourite camps below and for whom they are most suited.
Exclusive luxury, great for wildlife and a stunning location. One of our favourites and perfect for exclusive groups or honeymoon couples. Consisting of only 4 marquee-esque tents, Zarafa Camp is located in the beautiful Selinda Concession and is owned by the renowned Jouberts of wildlife documentary and photography fame.
Not necessarily a luxury camp but that’s why we like it – great game before brass bath taps! With some of the best game in the Delta - especially if it is wild dogs that you want to see - Kwando Lagoon Camp really delivers. With a pack of wild dogs denning here for a number of years now this is the place to go to track these endangered canines.
Shinde Camp offers walking safaris, game drives, night drives, boat trips and mokoro trips. Shinde is also ideal for families with the “Shinde Enclave”, a private camp within a camp.
Stunning wooden platforms offer raised views over the surrounding grasslands and waterways, whilst dinner is served round one of the longest dining tables in the Delta!
Set in a community run concession on the easter border of Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai Tented Camp offers the truly authentic (but comfortable) safari experience. A percentage of all fees go to the local people and projects through the Khwai Community Development Trust. 6 twin tented Meru style tents with ensuite facilities, flushing toilets and hot buckets showers offer views over the surrounding concession. Another great area for wild dogs as well as night drives and walking safaris.
The females of this pride are huge and one of the only prides of lions in African to decide that its regular prey will be buffalo! If you want to get a taster for this then watch the renowned Jouberts documentary, “Relentless Enemies” before you see it in real life! Due to the size of the game, this does mean that the lion pride is not necessarily out hunting every day and therefore we recommend a minimum of three nights' stay at Duba Plains in order to hopefully see some big game action...
Although Chobe Chilwero Lodge is fenced, it still affords spectacular views down to Chobe River where elephant crossings are a regular occurrence. The first camp in the area to have its own private spa, the stepped pool and huge claw foot baths all combine to make this a truly sumptuous place to stay. Enjoy game drives in the morning through the park (one of the best locations for huge herds of elephants) and sundowner river safaris as the sunsets and herds of elephants cross the river.
Once again set in the Selinda Concession and the slightly more affordable sister camp of Zarafa Camp. Selinda looks out over never-ending grassy plains and has great resident game including lion, leopard, wild dogs, hippos (often playing in front of the camp) and more. The raised luxury tents have the compulsory claw footed bath tubs and private verandas looking out to the Botswana horizon...
Game drives, night drives and canoe trips can be arranged while staying at this beautiful camp in the Okavango Delta, but it is the interactions with the local elephant herd that really sets Abu Camp apart from the rest. With just five luxury “tents” and a secluded pool, this place is a real treat. Baines' Camp is a less interactive but more affordable alternative, where you can spend time both with elephants and the team behind the Grey Matters Project. A morning with these gentle giants learning about their daily habits, walking with them through the bush and finally enjoying lunch in their presence is great fun.
At Jack's Camp, you can spend your mornings with the cheeky meerkats, marvel at Chapman’s Baobab (known to be the largest tree in Africa!), head off on quad bikes across the pans, discover tools and fossils of early explorers and enjoy sightings of desert wildlife such as bat eared fox, aardvark, brown hyena and more.
A fantastic mobile tented camp experience as you travel on a small group camping safari departure through Botswana. Letaka provides large ensuite tents that are set up and broken down for you each time you move on, a safari chef and professional guide, this is the real way to explore the magic of Botswana.
Talk to one of our specialists for further details on travelling to Botswana.