Our Safari Stays in Botswana: Chobe Game Lodge, Camp Moremi & Camp Okavango
- Laura S.
- Sep 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Botswana had long been on our safari bucket list, and staying at three unique camps made the experience unforgettable. Each lodge had its own personality, charm, and front-row seat to the wildlife of this incredible country.
Chobe Game Lodge: A Stunning Safari Stay on the Chobe River
Our adventure began at Chobe Game Lodge, perched right on the banks of the Chobe River. The lodge blended seamlessly with its surroundings — elegant but understated, allowing the wildlife to truly take center stage. I loved the pops of bright reds, oranges, and purples throughout the lodge, which gave it a vibrant yet welcoming feel. The design cleverly merged interior and exterior spaces, with large openings and limited walls letting the outdoors in.
Our room was spacious and colorful, continuing the lodge’s playful style. The bathroom featured a large clawfoot bathtub, a touch of vintage safari charm. Our room was on the first floor, and the patio doors opened directly onto the grass, where warthogs meandered during the day. One afternoon, while relaxing by the pool, a warthog wandered through the area. We stayed perfectly still — after all, he was wild and had impressive tusks — and I didn’t even grab my camera, wanting to enjoy the moment.
The lodge features an extensive elevated boardwalk along the riverfront, with plenty of viewing spots. At the end of the boardwalk, a panoramic view of the Chobe River stretches out, perfect for watching the wildlife or simply soaking in the scenery. There are tables and chairs scattered along the boardwalk, making it easy to pause and take it all in.
One thing I absolutely loved was how the lodge changed the dinner location each night. Each evening, the staff set up an elaborate, intimate dining area. One night, we dined under candlelight in a courtyard shaded by massive trees. Another night, we ate by the pool, and on our final night, we enjoyed dinner along the boardwalk with sweeping views of the river at dusk. The food was delicious, but the best part was the staff — friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in making our stay magical.
A unique aspect of Chobe Game Lodge is its all-female safari guide team. Our guide, Bella, was exceptional. She drove both jeep and boat safaris with confidence, had a sharp eye for wildlife, and shared fascinating insights about the animals and landscape.
Being the only permanent lodge in Chobe National Park has its perks: as soon as you leave the lodge gate, you’re in the park. On one drive, we stumbled upon a male lion sleeping under a tree right after passing the gate. We continued our drive, and as the sun began to set, he finally stirred — a perfect wildlife moment.
From the luxurious accommodations to the immersive safari experience, Chobe Game Lodge exceeded every expectation. After researching options beforehand, it was clear this was the most luxurious property in the area, and I can confidently give it a 10/10 recommendation.
Camp Moremi: Luxury Tents in the Wild
Next, we ventured into the heart of the Okavango Delta at Camp Moremi. Nestled among lagoons and lush greenery, this camp made us feel completely immersed in the wilderness. Waking up to the calls of exotic birds and the distant roar of lions set the tone for unforgettable mornings.
This camp truly made you feel like you were in the wild. Elevated wooden walkways led to the lobby, a large covered space with a thatched roof and no walls — just fresh air, the breeze, and the sounds of nature. The seating area featured cushioned couches, loveseats, and chairs in soft tans, greens, and blues, with coffee tables adorned with unique artifacts and gorgeous African wildlife photo books. I loved sitting here before our morning game drives, feeling the rustle of the delta around me.
The tented rooms were my favorite part of the camp. Each tent was a private luxury suite, complete with a living area, a large bed under a mosquito net, and a semi-separated bedroom space. There was a desk, a coffee machine, and water pitchers (replenished multiple times per day) for our game drives. The bathroom was a dream: the shower had one wall made of mesh, letting you savor the view of the Delta while still feeling completely safe and private. The tents were elevated above the flood-prone terrain, and each tent faced the same direction, so you never worried about neighbors when showering or relaxing on your deck. I’ll never forget stepping out onto the deck at sunset — the sky not yet fully dark, the Delta alive around me, and feeling incredibly lucky to be there. Each deck had two lounge chairs, perfect for taking in the beauty of the delta in peace. I can honestly say this was my favorite room of the trip.
The camp also featured a small, infinity-style pool, slightly elevated so the view of the reeds stretched out before you. It was perfect for escaping the midday African heat, and the pool deck provided a better vantage point to fully appreciate the surroundings.
Like at Chobe Game Lodge, the staff at Camp Moremi were extraordinary. Every meal was delicious, beautifully presented, and they went above and beyond to make our stay special. Each night, they set up a campfire under the stars, offering the perfect way to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Camp Okavango – A Peaceful Safari Retreat in the Delta
Our final stop, Camp Okavango, was a peaceful retreat deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The highlight of our stay was a traditional mokoro canoe excursion — gliding silently through mirrored waterways, surrounded by birdlife and the occasional splash of a hippo. It felt like the most authentic way to experience the Delta’s magic.
Both Camp Okavango and Camp Moremi are owned and operated by Desert & Delta Safaris, so they share a similar aesthetic: soft pastel colors paired with heavy wood structures and walkways. But Camp Okavango had a wilder, more untamed feel. Because of heavier flooding in this area, the wooden walkways were more extensive, and the tents were raised higher above the ground. The colors leaned more toward purples, and trees pressed in close to the paths, making it feel like nature was wrapped around the camp itself. I also loved the small refreshment counter tucked under a tree, where you could grab a cold ginger ale between activities.
Our tent was similar in size to the one we had at Camp Moremi, with a large bed draped in a mosquito net, a living room area with a coffee table, desk, coffee machine, and wardrobe. The bathroom setup was slightly different: the shower wasn’t directly facing the exterior of the tent, but one wall of the vanity area was mesh, which meant you could still brush your teeth with sweeping Delta views. Our deck had a massive tree growing right through the middle, which created shade but also left the lounge chairs covered in leaves and debris, making them less inviting than at Moremi.
Like the other camps, Camp Okavango featured a large, open lobby with comfortable seating areas, artifacts, and photo books. The dining area was under a soaring thatched roof with no walls — just fresh air and the sounds of the Delta all around. A large fire pit lit up each night, where guests gathered before dinner. On our last night, the staff set up an outdoor dining area under the stars, and we enjoyed our final Botswana dinner by candlelight, surrounded by nature.
The pool at Camp Okavango ended up being my favorite of the trip. Unlike the pool at Moremi, this one was a deep, inviting blue and perched higher off the ground, offering sweeping views of the Delta rather than just tall reeds. The pool deck also had a shaded lounge area, a welcome escape from the midday sun. One of my favorite features was the elevated platform walkway that opened into an expansive view of the Delta. From here, we spotted a hippo near camp and countless beautiful birds.
I loved this camp, and in many ways, the grounds at Camp Okavango were my favorite of the entire trip — from the incredible pool to the wild, untamed atmosphere that made it feel distinctly “safari.”
Final Reflections on Our Botswana Safari Stays
This trip to Botswana was a huge splurge for us — truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure — and the safari lodges we stayed at made it extraordinary. I gave each of them a 10/10, and I mean it.
Chobe Game Lodge offered comfort, luxury, and unbeatable riverfront access.
Camp Moremi had my favorite tented rooms with a sunnier deck and a shower with an unforgettable view.
Camp Okavango had the most stunning grounds and my favorite pool, with a wilder atmosphere that felt pure safari.
A campfire at Camp Moremi
I would recommend all three without hesitation, and if I’m lucky enough to return to Botswana one day, I would happily stay at each of these camps again.
Comments