10 best lodges in Okavango Delta 2024

Discover The Top 10 Best Lodges in Okavango Delta, Botswana

A journey to the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, promises a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and luxurious accommodations. In this blog post, we'll explore the 10 best lodges in the Okavango Delta, each offering a unique experience that caters to different preferences and needs, ensuring a memorable and extraordinary safari vacation for every traveller.

Key Takeaways

• Explore the Okavango Delta with a range of luxurious lodges offering personalised service and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
• Enjoy unique experiences such as walking with elephants, starry sleepouts and cultural immersions in family-friendly safaris.
• Participate in thrilling activities like mokoro safaris, helicopter flights & night game drives for an exciting adventure!

Luxury Lodges in the Heart of Okavango Delta

Imagine a stay in the heart of the Okavango Delta, where pristine wilderness and unparalleled luxury meet. The lodges we're discussing offer this blend of exclusivity, personalised service, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Each lodge is uniquely designed to blend seamlessly into the environment, providing an intimate connection with nature while offering the utmost in comfort and amenities.

From private plunge pools to elevated canvas safari tents, these Okavango Delta safari lodges cater to the discerning traveller looking for an exceptional Okavango Delta experience. Be it the romantic allure of Little Mombo Camp or the vintage 1920s safari charm of Duba Plains Camp, both provide immersion in the Okavango Delta's splendour, complemented by world-class facilities and activities.

Little Mombo Camp

Nestled on Chief's Island, Little Mombo Camp offers an intimate and luxurious safari experience, perfect for romantic getaways and wildlife enthusiasts seeking an exclusive experience. With only three luxury suites, each featuring a stylish sitting room, separate bedroom and bathroom, and outdoor showers, Little Mombo Camp provides an atmosphere of seclusion and romance.

The wildlife experience at Little Mombo Camp is truly humbling, with the potential for herds of elephants passing through the camp and sightings of resident rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, hyena, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, and the full range of antelope and general plains game. The camp's remarkable location on Chief's Island ensures an unforgettable encounter with the abundant wildlife of the Okavango Delta.

Duba Plains Camp

Duba Plains Camp is the epitome of luxury in the Okavango Delta, offering an ultra-luxurious and remote safari experience with exceptional wildlife sightings. Set in a private concession, the camp features luxurious tents with private plunge pools and shaded salas to relax and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings.

The nostalgic 1920s safari ambience of Duba Plains Camp adds to its charm, while its reputation for remarkable wildlife sightings, including the legendary lions of Duba, ensures an unforgettable experience at one of the best safari camps in the world of safari camps.

Guests can enjoy day and night game drives as well as boat cruises, allowing them to explore the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the Okavango Delta in style.

Jao Camp

Jao Camp is a stunning luxury lodge situated in the Okavango Delta, offering dramatic interiors, a variety of activities, including a splash camp experience, and a focus on sustainability and conservation. The camp features twelve thatched safari suites, all with plunge pools, firepits, and an organic, handcrafted feel. The wine cellar doubles as a gallery for photos of the Kay family, the lodge owners.

Guests at Jao Camp can indulge in a wide array of activities, including:

• Guided walks
• Mokoro excursions
• Game drives
• Birdwatching
• Sundowners on the water
• Full-day game drive and picnic within the private Jao Concession

With its diverse range of experiences and luxurious accommodations, including family tents, Jao Camp is suitable for families, couples, and small groups seeking an unforgettable Okavango Delta adventure.

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is an award-winning boutique hotel that boasts unique architecture and a range of safari activities, including bush walks and helicopter flyovers. Inspired by the rare pangolin, the lodge's design seamlessly blends into the natural surroundings, creating a harmonious and luxurious retreat in the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Guests at Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge can enjoy bush walks, game drives, and helicopter flyovers, providing an unparalleled experience of the Okavango Delta's diverse landscapes and wildlife. The lodge's attention to detail and commitment to sustainability make it an ideal destination for discerning travellers seeking an exceptional and eco-friendly safari experience.

Zarafa Camp

Located in a large private concession within the Linyanti region of the Okavango, Zarafa Camp offers an eco-friendly luxury lodge experience with legendary game viewing. With just five luxurious tented suites, each featuring private plunge pools and shaded salas, Zarafa Camp provides an intimate and exclusive safari experience for its guests.

Visitors to Zarafa Camp can enjoy close encounters with elephants, as well as a range of other wildlife species, in the camp's pristine and secluded setting. The camp's commitment to conservation and sustainability further enhances the experience, ensuring a memorable and eco-conscious safari adventure in the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Planning a safari in Botswana? Get in touch with one of our Safari Experts right now.

Family-Friendly Safari Experiences

Families in pursuit of a memorable safari vacation will find a variety of lodges in the Okavango Delta that cater to all age groups. Offering dedicated children's safari activities, special meals, and child care services, these lodges ensure a hassle-free and unforgettable experience for the entire family.

From the rustic charm of Meno a Kwena to the luxurious Vumbura Plains, these family-friendly lodges offer a range of experiences and accommodations to suit every family's preferences and needs. Whether you're looking for adventure and wildlife encounters or relaxation and bonding time, these lodges will create lasting memories for your family.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge

An exclusive lodge in Botswana's Okavango Delta Panhandle offers exceptional bang for one's buck. It is situated on a large, shady island surrounded by permanent water channels, offering visitors an unforgettable African safari experience. Established in the 1980s by PJ and Barney Bestelink, the lodge is renowned for its rustic charm.

With eight Safari Chalets built using traditional materials and adorned with custom-made furniture reflecting the vibrant local culture, guests are immersed in the beauty and seclusion of Nxamaseri Island. Located in the northwestern part of Botswana, the lodge specialises in water activities such as fishing, boating, mokoro trips, and birdwatching.

It's also the closest accommodation to Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient rock paintings. The lodge's diverse ecosystems are home to African buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, and various native birds. With eight secluded chalets nestled beneath the lush forest canopy, Nxamaseri Island Lodge offers a unique experience.

Each chalet features private decks, open-access bedrooms, and en-suite shower and toilet facilities. Nxamaseri Island Lodge offers five twin/double thatched chalets on teak decks, ideal for couples or small groups. For a special experience, there's a honeymoon chalet with a large private viewing deck and a triple chalet or family room for those travelling with children.

Vumbura Plains

Located in the northernmost area of Botswana's Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains is a luxurious camp that offers a family-friendly atmosphere and unforgettable wildlife experiences. The camp is renowned for its abundant big cat sightings, as well as its wide range of other wildlife species, making it an ideal destination for families seeking a thrilling and educational safari experience.

Vumbura Plains offers:

• Remarkable accommodations
• Stunning surroundings
• Excellent game viewing opportunities
• An inviting atmosphere
• Diverse wildlife encounters

With all of these features, Vumbura Plains provides a memorable and luxurious family safari experience in the Okavango Delta.

Xigera Safari Lodge

Xigera Safari Lodge is a luxurious lodge located in the western reaches of Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve, not far from the stunning Xugana Island Lodge. The lodge offers:

• 12 luxury island suites
• Each suite features a private deck and plunge pool
• Provides an opulent and comfortable stay for families with children aged 12 and above.

With a focus on art and culture, Xigera Safari Lodge offers a range of activities, including:

• Game drives
• Bush walks
• Art tours
• Bird watching

The lodge's unique blend of luxury, culture, and nature ensures a memorable and enriching family vacation in the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Nxai Pan National Park's Migration Expeditions

For families seeking a truly unique and immersive safari experience, Nxai Pan National Park's Migration Expeditions offers the opportunity to witness the seasonal migration of zebras in a remote mobile tented camp. Situated in Botswana's pristine Makgadikgadi Pan, this authentic seasonal camp focuses on the annual zebra migration, providing a traditional and unforgettable safari experience for the entire family.

Guests can partake in game drives, bush walks, and cultural visits, allowing for a well-rounded and educational experience in the heart of the African wilderness. Nxai Pan National Park's Migration Expeditions offers a rare and unforgettable opportunity for families to connect with nature and witness one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife events.

Unique Safari Experiences

Travellers yearning for the extraordinary will find the Okavango Delta home to several lodges offering unique experiences. From walking with elephants to starry sleepouts and cultural immersions with indigenous bushmen, these lodges provide unforgettable opportunities to connect with nature and local cultures in a truly unique way.

Whether you're drawn to adventure or fascinated by culture, these distinct Okavango Delta lodges promise lasting memories and a profound appreciation of the Okavango Delta's beauty and diversity.

Abu Camp

Abu Camp is a six-tent ultra-luxurious camp that offers an unforgettable experience of walking with elephants and exploring the Okavango Delta by various means. Nestled in a private concession, Abu Camp provides an intimate and exclusive safari experience, with immaculate tents complete with outdoor copper baths and plunge pools.

One of Africa's top safari camps awaits all that visit.

Guests at Abu Camp can also partake in game viewing by vehicle, motorboat, elephant excursions or mokoro adventures, offering a diverse range of experiences and opportunities to witness the abundant wildlife of the Okavango Delta.

Footsteps Camp

Footsteps Camp is a rustic three-tent camp specialising in walking safaris, offering an authentic and immersive experience for guests seeking to explore the Okavango Delta on foot. With a focus on the Young Explorers program for families, Footsteps Camp provides a unique and memorable adventure for travellers of all ages.

Perfect for those on more of a budget and those who are seeking a more rustic and authentic safari experience.

The camp's experienced guides lead walking safaris through the Delta's diverse landscapes, allowing guests to observe the abundant wildlife up close and gain a deeper understanding of the region's unique ecosystems. With its emphasis on walking safaris and intimate accommodations, Footsteps Camp is an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Kalahari Plains

Yes, not in the Okavango Delta, but perfectly paired with anything above while offering a completely different safari experience just south of the Delta.

Kalahari Plains is a safari camp that provides starry sleepouts, encounters with black-maned lions, and opportunities to walk with indigenous San bushmen. Located in the Central Kalahari Dessert Game Reserve, Kalahari Plains offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation for travellers seeking a truly memorable experience.

Guests at Kalahari Plains can enjoy the following activities and experiences:

• Game drives
• Walks with San bushmen
• Insight into their culture
• Admiring the starry night skies from the sleep-out areas

With its diverse range of activities and experiences, Kalahari Plains offers an unforgettable and enriching safari vacation.

Adventure Awaits: Activities and Excursions

The Okavango Delta boasts a variety of thrilling activities and excursions to enhance your safari adventures, such as mokoro safaris, helicopter flights, and night game drives. These thrilling experiences provide unique opportunities to explore the Delta's diverse landscapes and wildlife, ensuring a memorable and action-packed vacation.

Whether silently gliding through the waterways in a traditional mokoro or soaring above the Delta in a helicopter, endless opportunities for adventure and discovery await in the Okavango Delta. Embrace the thrill of these activities and immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of this extraordinary destination.

Mokoro Safaris

Mokoro safaris offer a unique and tranquil way to explore the Okavango Delta's waterways and observe its diverse wildlife up close. In a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, you'll glide silently through the Delta's channels, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. These boating safaris provide an intimate experience unlike any other.

Led by experienced local guides, mokoro safaris provide an unparalleled opportunity to witness the abundant wildlife of the Okavango Delta in their natural habitat. From birdwatching to observing elusive species such as the sitatunga antelope, a mokoro safari is a must-do activity for any Okavango Delta adventure.

Helicopter Flights

Helicopter flights provide a bird's-eye view of the Okavango Delta's stunning landscapes and wildlife, creating unforgettable memories for travellers. These flights offer a unique perspective of the Delta, allowing you to appreciate the vastness and beauty of the region from the air.

As you soar above the Okavango Delta, you'll have the opportunity to observe the diverse wildlife below, including elephants, hippos, and antelope, as well as take in the breathtaking scenery of the Delta's waterways and islands. A helicopter flight is a thrilling and unforgettable way to experience the Okavango Delta's natural wonders.

Night Game Drives

Night game drives allow you to witness the nocturnal activities of the Delta's wildlife, including elusive and rare species that are typically only visible during the night. Guided by experienced rangers, you'll explore the Delta after dark, using spotlights to seek out nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, and civet cats.

In addition to the thrill of observing these nocturnal creatures, night game drives also offer a unique opportunity to experience the Delta's nighttime sounds and sights, from the calls of nocturnal birds to the glittering expanse of stars overhead.

A night game drive adds an exciting and memorable dimension to any Okavango Delta safari.

Summary

In summary, the Okavango Delta offers a diverse range of lodges and experiences to suit every traveller's preferences and needs. From luxurious accommodations and unique wildlife encounters to family-friendly adventures and cultural immersions, the Okavango Delta promises an unforgettable and extraordinary safari vacation. So, pack your bags and embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this remarkable and captivating destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best game reserve in the Okavango Delta?

Moremi Game Reserve is located at the heart of the Okavango Delta and is renowned for its spectacular game viewing opportunities. It consists of a variety of landscapes, including pans, floodplains, lagoons, grasslands, forests, savannahs, and dense mopane woodlands, making it the best game reserve in the Okavango Delta that is open to the general public.

How many days do you need on Okavango Delta?

To make the most of your safari, a minimum of three nights is recommended when visiting the Okavango Delta; the longer, the better the experience.

Is Okavango Delta worth it?

The Okavango Delta is an incredible wildlife destination, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers an amazing experience of diverse landscapes and extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities. So, it is certainly worth visiting if you have the chance.

What types of accommodations can I expect at the lodges in the Okavango Delta?

Visitors to the Okavango Delta can expect a variety of accommodation options ranging from luxurious suites and tents with private plunge pools to rustic and intimate tented camps.

Are there family-friendly lodges in the Okavango Delta?

Yes, there are plenty of family-friendly lodges in the Okavango Delta, offering age-appropriate activities and accommodations for a memorable getaway.