Chobe Game Lodge Botswana

Chobe Game Lodge is an elegant, five-star, fully Ecotourism-certified safari lodge and the only property located inside the world-renowned Chobe National Park and set on the banks of the famous Chobe River.

Immerse yourself in an all-encompassing safari on land and water in one of Africa’s primary wildlife destinations as the Chobe Game Lodge staff share their passion and explore the diversity of Botswana’s Chobe National Park with you.

Chobe Game Lodge is a haven of peace and tranquillity inside the Chobe National Park. A quiet spot on one of the many expansive viewing decks, the private jetty or comfortable lounge on the boardwalk is never far away. Each offers a different perspective on the unique wilderness that surrounds the lodge.

Every one of the 44 elegantly designed guest rooms is air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms and a large terrace facing the Chobe River. Those who wish to experience Chobe in ultimate luxury can stay in one of the four suites, each with its own private terrace and infinity plunge pool.

Home to the largest concentration of elephants, the Chobe National Park is one of the world’s leading wildlife destinations. The famous Chobe River, which forms the park’s northern boundary, provides a permanent source of water for the region’s high volume of wildlife, making the river an important focal point for safari enthusiasts.

Enjoy the diversity of Chobe National Park’s abundant wildlife on guided 4WD game drives and take in the beauty of the river on boat safaris, while witnessing the herds of game and prolific birdlife along the river banks.

THE HISTORY OF THE LODGE
Built back in 1972, Chobe Game Lodge was the first 5 star safari lodge of its kind in Botswana and the first, and only lodge to be built inside the Chobe National Park along the Chobe riverfront.

Later in 1975, regular celebrity guests Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton decided to tie the knot (for the second time) at Chobe Game Lodge which catapulted the lodge and region into the international limelight.

Today, Chobe Game Lodge continues to lead the way in the African tourism industry offering travellers the opportunity to experience one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations, only now from a premier game lodge with its roots firmly set in strong responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives.

HONEYMOON SUITE
The most private location in the lodge and the chosen suite for famous honeymoon couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in 1975, the elegant Honeymoon Suite is ideal for couples looking to spoil themselves while on their Chobe safari with a touch of romance and complete privacy.

The Honeymoon Suite has a similar layout to the luxury family suites, with a large private terrace, infinity plunge pool and large, relaxing sun-loungers from which to soak up the Chobe views.

Inside the suite is an open-plan lounge with comfortable loungers and a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed. Leading from the bedroom, the luxurious bathroom includes a separate bath, large shower and twin basins.

TRIPLE ROOMS
The triple rooms are newly designed and located in the main area of the lodge. Ideal for families, the triple room has a larger, more private terrace, two bathrooms and a lounge area that can be converted to accommodate a comfortable single bed.

Inside the rooms are all the amenities and comforts you expect from a luxury safari lodge. The en-suite bathrooms include a large bath and separate shower while the other toilet includes a walk-in shower only. There are air-conditioners and overhead fans in each room.

Those looking for other family-style accommodation may request a family room, interleading standard rooms or a luxury family suite.

FAMILY SUITE
With easy access and a diversity of safari experiences, the Chobe region is the ideal destination in Botswana for a family safari. The luxury family suites (suitable only for children over 6 years of age) are the perfect complement, with ample space and privacy, and overlooking the Chobe River.

Large wooden doors lead onto a private terrace and infinity plunge pool for the family to enjoy in complete privacy. Inside is an open-plan lounge with comfortable loungers, a master bedroom with double bed and a second bedroom with twin beds, all opening onto the terrace.

The shared bathroom is spacious and includes a separate bath, shower and twin washbasins. The room has been luxuriously appointed with air-conditioning, overhead fans and all the amenities you’d expect to enjoy on a luxury safari.

With ample space and privacy, the family suites allow families to enjoy their time on safari together without being concerned about disturbing other guests. For those families who prefer to dine alone, in-room dining can be arranged, with flexible mealtimes in the evenings.

STANDARD ROOM
The newly rebuilt and decorated standard rooms have been expanded in size and lead onto a spacious terrace facing the Chobe River. Inside the rooms are all the amenities and comforts you expect from a luxury safari lodge.

The en-suite bathrooms include a large bath and separate shower, while air-conditioners and overhead fans ensure you have a comfortable stay throughout your time at Chobe Game Lodge.

A standard family room is available for families looking for their ultimate family safari. The family room has two separate bedrooms with a shared bathroom and a patio facing the Chobe River. For families looking for a more private safari we highly recommend our family suites.

DISABLED ROOM FACILITIES
Chobe Game Lodge has catered for many travellers with disabilities. Accessibility has been considered across much of the new developments with wheelchair access between the restaurant, terrace lounge, boardwalk & deck and the riverside boma dining area.

There are two fully accessible rooms with improved wheelchair access to the game-drive and boat jetty entrance for safaris. Please feel welcome to get in touch for more questions about accessibility at Chobe Game Lodge and travelling with a wheelchair on safari in Botswana.

DINING
From the riverside boma and dining terrace area to the many boardwalk locations and open-air patio – every mealtime at Chobe Game Lodge is different and an opportunity to reflect on the day’s activities while connecting with friends and family in a warm and tranquil setting.

The day starts at dawn, with an early light breakfast and fresh tea or coffee before your morning safari followed by a full breakfast/brunch on your return to the lodge.

Lunch is served anytime from 12:30 onwards and high tea is served on the boardwalk before the start of the afternoon’s activity. Dinner ranges from a delectable stir-fry evening to a mouth-watering three-course a la carte menu.

MEETINGS & EVENTS
At Chobe Game Lodge we have experience of running everything from intimate corporate retreats or family reunions to large company incentives with exclusive use of the lodge.

There are private dining locations for small to large groups along the boardwalks and deck areas over the river and the riverside boma with cultural entertainment makes for an ideal finale to a corporate getaway.

SPA & WELLNESS
Situated well within the hotel, Spa Kwa Maningi offers guests a chance to relax and unwind. The elegant and stylish Spa invokes the spirit of Africa with traditional spa offerings including traditional African Footwash, Kigelia Africana as well as Red Bush Tea facials to name a few.

Relieve stress, restore balance and enjoy one of our memorable massages to enhance your true African Experience! You can view the full list of available treatments on Spa Kwa Maningi.

THE CHOBE TEAM
Arriving at Chobe Game Lodge feels more like joining a family than being merely a guest in a lodge. The dedicated team will welcome you as you enter and be there with a smile to ensure that every moment of your stay in Chobe is a special one.

One of the main Chobe Game Lodge projects is providing opportunities for young people from our local community to join the experienced, trained staff through a Youth Trainee Development project. Another key focus is gender equality and creating better employment opportunities for women in the Botswana tourism industry.

Since 2005 Chobe Game Lodge has been training women in the guiding fraternity and today has a full complement of professionally trained female guides. Their energy and passion – accompanied by big smiles – are evident wherever you are around the lodge.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa, the Chobe National Park is one of Africa’s leading wildlife destinations. The famous Chobe River, which forms the Park’s northern boundary, provides a permanent source of water for the region’s large animal populations – the focal point for safari enthusiasts from around the world.

The diverse ecosystems in the park play a vital role in hosting a wide variety of animals. Large herds of buffalo and zebra, prides of lion, leopard, giraffe, kudu and the elusive wild dog are just a few of the species that can be seen while on safari in Chobe.

The combination of the ever-present Chobe River and the diverse vegetation make the park home to more than 450 species of birds, making it a must-visit destination for birding enthusiasts.

The ability to enjoy watching these vast numbers of animals from a safari boat is what makes a visit to the Chobe River an exceptional experience. On the river you will have the opportunity of witnessing this remarkable wildlife parade from the small, maneuverable safari boat equipped with deck chairs and sundowner drinks.

A trip to Botswana is not complete without a visit to the Chobe Riverfront. As the only lodge in this region inside the Chobe National Park, Chobe Game Lodge is the ideal base from which to explore the diversity of this world-renowned destination.

Home to between 60,000 and 70,000 elephants, the Chobe National Park has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa allowing for exceptional sightings on the Chobe River.

The Chobe River in the north provides a vital source of water to a diverse wildlife population, making it a focal point for safari enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike. Chobe is home to a variety of wildlife, from predator species including lion, leopard and wild dog, to large populations of elephant, buffalo, hippo and a host of other animal species.

With easy access from South Africa via Kasane as well as neighbouring destinations like Victoria Falls, The Chobe National Park is one of Botswana’s most accessible parks. From open 4WD game drives and relaxed Chobe River safaris to interactive cultural excursions, the Chobe National Park offers a whole range of activities to safari travelers.

DECEMBER TO MARCH – THE GREEN SEASON
The ’green season‘ heralds regular thunderstorms and cooling showers. The vegetation is lush – food and water are plentiful and large herds of antelope, elephants and buffalo give birth to their young.

Birding is spectacular, with the migrants, including bee-eaters, rollers and kites in residence. Days are usually sunny and warm, reaching around 25–30 °C, with the famous afternoon thundershowers bringing a delightful coolness.

APRIL TO JUNE – THE SHOULDER SEASON
With cooler evenings, sunny days and little or no rainfall, this period sees heightened activity along the river as animals become dependent on its water.

Game viewing from June onwards becomes exceptionally good as the leaf drop begins and spotting animals through the vegetation becomes easier. Daytime temperatures average 25 °C and early mornings can be as cool as 4°C

SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER – THE DRY SEASON
The dry season reaches its peak during these months. Chobe’s enormous elephant and buffalo herds gather on the dusty banks of the Chobe River to quench their thirst after a long, hot day, making for dramatic photo opportunities. Daytime temperatures can and often do reach in excess of 35°C

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Leading the way in social and environmental responsibility in Botswana. In 2012 Chobe Game Lodge was among the first 10 properties to be awarded the highest Ecotourism level in the country by the Botswana Tourism Organisation, in recognition for the Lodge’s ongoing commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Some pioneer work led to the launch of the first electric-powered safaris in Botswana and developing the most advanced technology for electric-powered boats and vehicles in the African tourism industry.

Being the only permanent property inside the Chobe National Park and the oldest 5-star lodge in Botswana, sustaining the precious natural environment is paramount. Equally important to tourism development in Botswana is creating opportunities for local communities to benefit from the tourism industry.

With this in mind, Chobe Game Lodge has embarked on a multitude of environmental and social projects to ensure the long-term sustainability of the lodge and the protection of the precious Chobe National Park.

SAFARI ACTIVITIES
Enjoy the diversity of the region’s abundant wildlife on guided 4WD game drives and take in the beauty of the famous Chobe River on a boat safari while witnessing massive herds of animals and prolific birdlife along the riverfront.

Activities offered at Chobe Game Lodge include morning and afternoon game drives; mid-morning and late-afternoon boat safaris; back of house eco-tours and Chobe cultural exploration trips (four-night stay only). Chobe Game Lodge is fully inclusive, so you are welcome to do as little or as much as you please.

No Chobe safari is complete without experiencing the beauty of the Chobe River and its incredible wildlife by boat. The ‘skimmer boats’ seat up to 12 guests in comfortable, movable deck chairs on a flat and stable platform.

The river boats are specifically designed to ensure each passenger can take in the magnificent Chobe views in complete comfort from anywhere on the boat. Owing to the flexibility in seating arrangements and the flat deck, the boats are ideal for keen wildlife photographers, with ample space for equipment and the freedom to photograph from any angle.

Unlike any other water-based activity in Botswana, the game viewing while on a river safari in Chobe is unsurpassed anywhere in Botswana. Elephant line the water’s edge, hippo congregate in lagoons, hundreds of antelope and giraffe make their way to the water and sightings of predators along the river banks are common.

Together with its fleet of electric land vehicles, Chobe Game Lodge has several electric and solar-powered safari boats – a clean and quiet way to enjoy a boat safari and another first for tourism in Africa.

Owing to the location of Chobe Game Lodge inside the Chobe National Park, early-morning game drives set off as soon as the park opens, giving you the best chance of tracking predators while they are still active.

The afternoon drives depart the lodge in the late afternoon (the exact time is dependent on the season), only returning at park closure time after sunset, thus maximising the time you spend out in the park to enjoy those special sightings.

The drives follow the course of the Chobe River as your experienced guide interprets the bush signs and tracks in search of the resident wildlife. Elephant encounters are common and huge herds of buffalo abound.

The ever-present impala and the majestic giraffe are both common residents, while sightings of the puku antelope are also on offer. Predators are plentiful in the northern region of the Chobe National Park, and excellent sightings of lion, wild dog and leopard are to be had.

The Chobe Game Lodge vehicles are open 4WD game viewers redesigned to make your trip comfortable and your viewing experience astonishing. Included in the fleet are several silent, CO2 emission-free electric vehicles designed to further enhance your Chobe safari.

ECO TOURS
Chobe Game Lodge is a fully Ecotourism certified safari lodge as recognised by the Botswana Tourism Organisation. Guests are invited on an Ecotour to witness firsthand the projects underway during a mid-morning back of house ecotour conducted by Albert Ndereki, one of the company’s longest standing employees and ecotourism manager.

A ‘Behind the scenes tour’ will allow you to meet some of the wonderful people that make it all happen while discovering the innovative projects taking place.

FAMILY SAFARIS
There is no better way to spend quality time bonding with your family than to experience the wonders of an African safari. Accepting children of all ages, Chobe Game Lodge offers unrivalled Chobe family safaris.

With new experiences and unforgettable memories to be made, the Chobe Riverfront is one of Botswana’s riches and most breathtaking wildlife destinations.

Out on safari, children and parents learn about Africa’s precious wildlife from our professional all-female guiding team who love to impart their knowledge and share their experiences with families from all over the world.

At the lodge, the back of house ecotours will take the kids behind the scenes for a chance to learn the ins and outs of the lodge’s operations while taking a close look at our many responsible tourism initiatives to educate them on the importance of caring for our natural environment wherever we can.

The lodge is perfectly suited to catering for families with ample space, family orientated accommodation, as well as a host of facilities and activities for everyone to enjoy. The atmosphere, created by our warm and welcoming staff will make your family feel right at home.

To make the most of your adventure to Botswana with children, consider booking the Ultimate Family Safari. These are 4–8 night safari packages in combination with Desert & Delta Safaris’ Botswana camps and lodges.

The Ultimate Family Safari includes your own private activities, safari gear for the children, family accommodation at all properties and a range of special touches to make the safari a family adventure to remember.

Rooms: 44

Price: from 1.020 EUR per night

Source: www.chobegamelodge.com