Description: We had a fantastic stay at Chobe Safari Lodge. The lodge and rooms were very comfortable, but the location on the Chobe River keeps you connected with the natural beauty and wildlife that you come here for. The atmosphere of the lodge is very relaxed with an attitude that helps you enjoy your stay. The staff were always pleasant, happy to say "Hello" in passing, and to make sure you were finding everything you needed. It isn't ultra luxurious or elegant, but then you aren't paying for that at this hotel.
There are a couple of two-story main buildings with multiple rooms, all of which face the river. Besides these, there are also a few detached rondavels (round, thatch-roofed cabins), and an area where you can pitch a tent and camp out. Some of the cross-country tours camp out on the grounds here. The camping area is pretty close to the river, with no fence in between, and there are crocodiles in the river. Nobody got eaten while we were there, but I'd think twice before putting my tent there.
The main attraction of the area is Chobe National Park, just a couple miles by road away from the lodge, or just up the river. Among the activities the lodge offers are: Game viewing drives in nearby Chobe Park (morning or afternoon); sundown cruises along the river for really fantastic game viewing (cash bar, but not a big party barge by any means, fine for families); private guided boat rental; visits to a Namibian village; and fishing trips. Their guides were great and their prices were reasonable for most of these and we just picked and paid a la carte for the ones that interested us most. They can also arrange more lengthy excursions such as to Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta.
In the evenings, the lodge puts on a very grand buffet dinner. There's a ton of food, and they'll typically include some wild game stew or roast. Their game meat (e.g. Kudu) stews were particularly good. The buffet also included salads, desserts, grilled steaks, and a stir fry station.
This is the only dinner option at the hotel restaurant.
It is on the edge of the small town or Kasane, not a bad place to be based. There is a supermarket just 100 yards walk up the road from the hotel. We bought food there to make our own inexpensive lunches and breakfasts. 10-15 minutes further walk takes you to the center of Kasane, with a little more shopping, another grocery store, post office, small market, and an Internet cafe.
Adding to the charm of the lodge was the occasional wildlife on the grounds and interesting birds perched outside our windows. There were frequently a pair of warthogs wandering around, and a gregarious pack of banded mongoose made an appearance most afternoons. Monkeys also came along, and will grab food off your plate if you aren't careful (but weren't a problem at dinner time).
Close