Chobe Savanna Lodge

OVERVIEW:

A remote riverfront safari lodge in the far reaches of the eastern Caprivi, Chobe Savanna Lodge occupies an enviable setting on the banks of the Chobe river on the Namibian side. The lodge offers a thoroughly water-focused safari experience – you can expect to spend your days exploring the river by boat, encountering huge herds of elephant, buffalo, and hippo along the way. Chobe Savanna is a year-round property for all ages, and we really rate it for its exclusive, off-the-beaten-track location, far from the crowds. It’s operated by Desert & Delta Safaris, which manages a portfolio of high-quality camps and lodges across Botswana, from the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve to Chobe National Park and the Makgadikgadi Pans. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, all scheduled safari activities, and a laundry service.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Chobe Savanna Lodge is located on the Namibian side of the Chobe river, overlooking the Puku Flats. The lodge is usually accessed via Kasane International Airport in Botswana. Guests travel by car to the boat jetty (approximately 10 minutes), followed by a 1-hour motor boat transfer, including a short stop at the Namibian immigration office for passport procedures.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT CHOBE SAVANNA LODGE:

Chobe Savanna Lodge accommodates a maximum of twenty-six guests in ten thatched chalets, two of which are interleading, and a two-bedroom family suite. Stretched out on lawns along the banks of the Chobe river, each has a private veranda with safari chairs offering idyllic waterfront views across to Chobe National Park on the Botswana side. Entering through sliding glass doors, you’ll arrive at a classically styled open-plan bedroom and living space with twin beds, mosquito netting, bedside tables and reading lamps, a writing desk, and a wardrobe. Each unit also has a well-stocked complimentary minibar, a digital safe, 220V multi-adaptor plugs, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and a tea-and-coffee station. The lodge also provides a selection of useful items such as an air horn, insect repellent, a flashlight, an umbrella, and a hairdryer in each room. Within the en-suite bathroom, you’ll find twin basins, a flush toilet, and an indoor shower. The family suite has a second twin bedroom for children and a shared bathroom.

Within the open-sided, thatched communal space are various dining locations, including an outdoor star deck raised on wooden stilts, which takes in the lodge’s 270-degree views over the Chobe river and beyond to Chobe National Park. This is the perfect setting for observing the scenery, as some of the largest elephant herds in Africa come to wade, swim, and drink in the water! There’s a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, a fully stocked bar, a curio shop, and a firepit outside on the floodplain overlooking the Chobe river. Chobe Savanna Lodge is set in pretty gardens with well-kept lawns, featuring a secluded swimming pool ideal for cooling off between game-viewing activities. Wi-Fi is available in the main area, and there is limited connection in the guest rooms.

ACTIVITIES AT CHOBE SAVANNA LODGE:

Due to its enviable location on the Chobe river, activities at Chobe Savanna Lodge focus primarily on the water. 

• Motorised boat safaris

  –  River safaris are led by expert guides on easily manoeuvrable boats, which are ideal for photographers and birders, with their various seating options on a swivel platform. Expect close encounters with the prolific wildlife in and around the Chobe river, including crocs, hippos, and the huge herds of elephant and buffalo that come to drink at the water’s edge. You might even spot a predator-in-wait along the way!

• Sunset and sunrise river cruises

  – Using a larger skimmer boat, Chobe Savanna Lodge takes guests out for sunrise and sunset cruises on the Chobe river, with the option of sundown drinks and river brunches.

• Fishing

  – Keen anglers can try their hand at seasonal catch-and-release fishing here on the Namibian side of the Chobe river. The focus is predominantly on tiger fish and bream, and it’s also just a wonderfully relaxing way to spend a few hours out on the water.

• Cultural excursions

  – Guests also have the chance to visit a village near Chobe Savanna Lodge, where they’ll meet the local community and gain insight into their traditions and ways of life.

• Bird watching

  – Home to more than 450 bird species, the Chobe river and its surrounding ecosystems are a paradise for ornithologists. You’ll likely see the soaring African fish eagle, African skimmers, the slender long-toed lapwing, and perhaps other delights such as the Pel’s fishing owl, vibrant Schalow’s turaco, or little rosy-throated longclaw. Let us know if birding is of particular interest, as this can form part of a special photographic safari!

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.