It is my favourite country on earth to visit for more reasons than one and if you’ve ever had the urge to experience a safari for the first time, I can’t recommend Botswana enough. Over the years I have stayed at enough safari lodges in Botswana to know where is worth your while!
The landscapes of the Okavango Delta are some of the most mesmerising I’ve seen the world over – endless shades of green, epic sunsets, and most importantly, ample wildlife (thanks in part to the nation’s strong reputation for wildlife conservation).
If you find yourself Africa bound or are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary honeymoon destination, these are four of my favourite lodges in Botswana that will ensure the trip of a lifetime.
Sandibe Okavango Delta
Located adjacent to the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, Sandibe Okavango Delta is one of Botswana’s most sought after safari lodges. The lodge attributes its interior style to the natural surrounds with endless shades of beige and various textures that compliment the natural surrounds.
The rooms include a private plunge pool (a welcomed treat after a hot morning on game drive) and each room has the privacy of its’ own view of the surrounding floodplains.
Rates include twice daily game drives, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Delta
Xudum Lodge
For a more masculine approach to interior design, Xudum lodge in the Delta is the perfect mix between luxe and rustic. This lodge has a way of making you feel so warm and welcome you never want to leave and just that happened to myself and my friend Claire when we spent three nights here in early March. March is of course dry season in the Delta, so if you’re wanting to experience water activities and the Delta in flood then be sure to save your visit for mid-year.
Editor’s note: Sadly, this lodge burned down shortly after my visit.
Xaranna Lodge
Only an hour drive from Xudum is Xaranna lodge, hosting a much more feminine palette and unobstructed views for each of the private rooms on site. In the wet season this is one of the most sought after lodges in the Delta as it hosts a lot of water activities with a body of water at the front of the lodge. The food was a highlight of my stay with elaborate multi-course dinners enjoyed on the jetty, by the bonfire and in the casual restaurant after evening game drives.
Nxabega Tented Camp
If you’re looking for a more rustic option to get off the grid and truly unwind, Nxabega tented camp is the perfect option. There is no wi-fi in the rooms which makes for the perfect excuse to switch off from the rest of the world and enjoy your surrounds.
Game drives at Nxabega were full of exciting sightings – plenty of cats and even wild dogs! The highlight of this camp is the remoteness and back-to-basics feel in the rooms but with the added bonus of a swimming pool to relax in the main area.
Safari Style
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
