These Are the Best Botswana Safari Lodges for Every Kind of Traveler, According to a Top Travel Advisor

Whether your priority is indulgent luxury, off-the-grid adventure, or total serenity, Botswana has a safari camp to match.

Everyone leaves Botswana with something unforgettable. I returned home with thousands of photos, handcrafted jewelry, vivid memories of extraordinary wildlife encounters—and one clear realization: choosing the right lodge makes all the difference.

When your accommodations align with how you like to travel, the entire safari experience is elevated. In Botswana, that choice is especially important. The country’s landscapes are remarkably diverse, and the ideal itinerary includes a land-based camp for classic Big Five game drives, a water-based lodge for exploring the Okavango Delta by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), and a stay in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for their dreamlike, otherworldly scenery.

Whether you’re drawn to refined luxury, thrilling exploration, or peaceful solitude, there’s a perfect lodge waiting. Below are my top recommendations for each travel style.

Loving Luxury

You appreciate impeccable service, thoughtful design, and exclusivity, and you believe the details matter.

Land: Xigera Safari Lodge

Xigera is far more than a place to sleep—it’s a curated artistic experience. Every element is purposeful, from the architecture to the activities. With just 12 exquisite suites, personalized service, farm-to-table cuisine supported by a wine cellar, and a spa featuring Tata Harper products, this lodge redefines luxury in the wild.

Water: Vumbura Plains

Seemingly suspended above the Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains delivers the quintessential high-end safari fantasy. Expansive suites, private plunge pools, generous decks, and roaming elephants outside your door make this camp both indulgent and immersive.

Salt Pan: Jack’s Camp

Jack’s Camp blends vintage safari glamour with Moroccan-inspired design and antique furnishings. It feels cinematic and timeless, but it’s the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans—and the singular experiences they offer—that leave the strongest impression.

Seeking Adventure

You’re here for the wild moments. Comfort matters, but only as a place to recharge between unforgettable experiences.

Land: Sable Alley

Remote and refreshingly understated, Sable Alley offers elegant tents set along a lagoon where elephants and hippos wander freely. Days are filled with game drives, water activities, and sundowners—you’ll barely spend time in your room.

Water: Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp

Accessible only by boat and set on a vast private concession, Xaranna feels truly isolated. This island camp delivers raw adventure and an intimate connection to wildlife, making it ideal for travelers who want to feel far removed from the modern world.

Teagan Cunniffe/Wilderness

Salt Pan: San Camp

While the white tents and antique décor feel refined, San Camp is packed with adrenaline-filled experiences. Guests can walk alongside San Bushmen, race across the salt flats on ATVs, and track desert-adapted lions—this is adventure at its most unforgettable.

Enjoying the Silence

You’re searching for stillness, reflection, and a deep sense of place.

Land: Tuludi Camp

Raised walkways wind through leadwood trees, connecting serene suites designed to slow you down. Whether you’re relaxing in the treehouse library or watching the sunset with a glass of wine, Tuludi encourages mindfulness and calm.

Water: Sandibe Safari Lodge

Blending seamlessly into its surroundings, Sandibe is tranquil by design. Warm wooden interiors, forest-ensconced suites, private plunge pools, and fireplaces create an atmosphere of quiet luxury where nature takes center stage.

Salt Pan: San Camp

With just seven tents perched on the edge of the salt pans, San Camp offers profound solitude. Nights are illuminated by torchlight and endless stars, and the silence is so complete it feels sacred—perfect for travelers ready to fully disconnect.

Amie O’Brien is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in travel across South Africa and Kenya. She creates fully customized itineraries and can be reached at amie@vlxtravel.com.