Chobe & surrounds
Various reserves lie between the Okavango and Victoria Falls, at the only place on earth where 4 countries meet. In dry season, big herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra are attracted to rivers and waterholes. Camps tend to be simpler and tented, with that wild, remote African feeling, a/c is rare and some have pools. Botswana.
Best time: During the dry months; May to July are cool (cold nights), August to October the game viewing is even better but it gets hot.
Access: By charter or by road from Victoria Falls, Maun or Kasane Airports - there are many options here depending on the camp chosen.
I recommend these camps
Kings Pool (9 tents-en-suite) This grand dame camp was named for the King of Sweden; it has suitably elegant rooms and barge for cruising on the river. Also an underground hide for very close views of elephants. Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Linkwasha (9 tents-en-suite) Hwange NP is making a comeback; this is its smartest camp with open & airy design, views over the plains and game at the waterhole in front. Close to Davison’s & Little Makololo. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Little Makalolo (6 tents-en-suite) Intimate & charming camp in Hwange NP with simple spacious interiors, at a waterhole. Star-bed platform for the adventurous! Close to Davison’s and Linkwasha. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Selinda (9 tents-en-suite) Great conservation success story on the Selinda Slipway – lots of water and palms around – great for wild dog, buffalo and elephant. Contemporary take on tents with lots of wood and plunge pools, main lodge is under thatch. Selinda Private Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Great Plains Conservation. Child friendly. $$$$.
Selinda Explorers (4+2 tents-en-suite) Emphasis on walking and canoeing at this camp deep in lion, wild dog, sable and roan territory. The upscale tents are gorgeous and full of lux goodies. Selinda Private Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Great Plains Conservation. $$$$.
Zarafa (4+2 tents-en-suite) Arab explorer-themed camp with Zanibari doors is a delight, on a lagoon with sunken viewing hide, built by famed photographers the Jouberts. Plunge pools, gourmet healthy food, great wines. Dhow Suites are a private villa. Exceptional. Selinda Private Game Reserve, Botswana. Member of Great Plains Conservation. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$$.
&Beyond Savute Under Canvas (5 tents-en-suite) You’ll feel close to nature, like an explorer, in these simple en-suite tents, but well looked-after with a comfy bed and hot bucket showers. Similar to Chobe under Canvas. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Member of &Beyond. Child friendly. $$$$.
Davison’s (9 tents-en-suite) In a remote corner of Hwange NP, huge elephant herds, especially in the dry season. Simple African camp acommodation, explorer-style. Close to Little Makalolo & Linkwasha. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
DumaTau (10 tents-en-suite) Contemporary styled camp runs off solar power; combines safari and boat rides on the lagoon. Good for leopard and wild dog. Can feel hot and exposed out on the plains. Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$. Read more.
I stayed at DumaTau with my brother and friends in combination with a water camp in the Okavango, Xigera. This makes a great combo – the magic of a very watery part of the Okavango, followed by the dry plains area to the east. It’s in the Linyanti area, which borders Chobe and Savuti. All these names get a bit confusing, but they’re all part of the same ecosystem – big, quite flat, dry in winter, very good plains game and predators, and tons of elephants.
Ghoha Hills Savuti (11 tents-en-suite) Owner run camp is up in the hills with views, décor is clean and stylish, huge concentrations of elephants in the area. Sister camp to new Nogatsaa Pans. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Member of Classic Safari Africa. Child friendly. $$$$.
Kwando Lagoon (8 suites) Relaxed camp under shade on a river; like sister camp Lebala, known for wild dog and other predators. Boat cruises. Shares reserve with sister Lebala Camp. Kwando Private Game Reserve, Botswana. $$$$$.
Kwando Lebala (8 tents-en-suite) Laid back camp on vast plains with scattered palms; on Botswana’s largest private reserve famous for cheetah, wild dog and lion. Shares reserve with sister Lagoon Camp. Kwando Private Game Reserve, Botswana. $$$$$.
Linyanti Bush (6 tents-en-suite) The two neighbouring Linyanti camps are similarly rustic but welcoming and full of thoughtful touches. In a private concession next to Chobe, so you can do walks and night drives too. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Member of African Bush Camps. Child friendly. $$$$.
Linyanti Ebony (5 tents-en-suite) Simple but comfy tented camp alongside sister Linyanti Bush Camp. Water activities if waters are high enough. Has a family tent too. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Member of African Bush Camps. Child friendly. $$$$.
Nambwa Tented (10 tents-en-suite) Cleanly designed camp raised on stilts so you can see wildlife out on the plain. The only camp in this remote reserve. Bwabwata National Park (Caprivi), Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. $$$$.
Savuti (Wilderness) (7 tents-en-suite) Comfortable camp facing the Savuti channel and its wildlife concentrations, but the waters are now receding again. Boating if the waters are high enough. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Somalisa (7+4 tents-en-suite) Upgraded to luxurious levels but still a leading example in eco-friendly operations. Divided into 2 camps operating independently; Somalisa Acacia is better for families. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Member of African Bush Camps. Child friendly. $$$$.
The Hide (10 tents-en-suite) Relaxed, family run camp with subterranean wine cellar, hide at the waterhole, treehouse for sleepouts and 2 exclusive use options. Hwange National Park Private Concession, Zimbabwe. Member of Classic Safari Africa. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$.