In The Press Archives | Blog

In the Press: Lowered rates add to the lure of Botswana’s bucket-list destinations

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 11:21:49 +0000

In a recent round-up for Business Day Wanted (July 2021), travel, food and lifestyle writer, Richard Holmes swopped Cape Town for Chobe on a self-drive adventure. He explains why now is the time to make the best of the great safari rates on offer in Botswana with this min review of his stay at Chobe Safari Lodge.

Chobe Safari Lodge enjoys the Chobe National Park as its direct neighbour. Sightings like this sit just a ten-minute drive away! © Under One Botswana Sky

Chobe Safari Lodge featured online in Business Day Wanted

If the Okavango is a stretch for your pocket, consider the Chobe River instead. Direct daily flights link Johannesburg with Kasane, and five minutes’ drive from the airport you will find yourself on the banks of one of Africa’s great rivers.

The spacious safari rooms at Chobe Safari Lodge overlook the Chobe River. © Under One Botswana Sky

At Chobe Safari Lodge the suites are pitched on the riverbanks, and come evening grumbling hippos and calling fish eagles will be your sundowner soundtrack. The lodge is the oldest in the region, dating to 1959, but the 68 rooms and suites are each decorated in a bright vibrant safari aesthetic. They all offer private terraces, with ground-floor suites giving straight onto lawns leading to the river.

Coffee on the Chobe River anyone? © Under One Botswana Sky

The lodge borders the Chobe National Park, and you will find wild bushbuck, warthog and banded mongoose wandering freely in the gardens. Fill your days with game drives in the national park, or cast a line for the hard-fighting tiger fish in the rapids downstream.

The highlight, however, are the evening cruises that take you up close to the famous elephant herds of the Chobe. It is as wild as the delta, with less of a dent in the wallet.

Along with many species of big game, Chobe National Park boasts the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. See them up close – and safely – on a sweet Chobe River cruise. © Under One Botswana Sky

Book a night at Chobe Safari Lodge

We’ve got great SADC rates. Experience Chobe National Park from just BWP799 B&B per person sharing. Book three nights and get a free river cruise! Call 625 0336 to make a reservation or mail diane@chobesafarilodge.com

The post In the Press: Lowered rates add to the lure of Botswana’s bucket-list destinations appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

In the Press: Staying at Nata Lodge in Botswana

admin — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 09:37:48 +0000

South African digital nomad and traveller, Lauren of Wanderlust Movement, tells us why she loved staying at Nata Lodge on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in north-eastern Botswana.

What’s 4.6 metres tall and turn’s the sky a shade of bubblegum pink? Two hundred fifty thousand flamingos flying to Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to breed and feast on unsuspecting shrimp.

The best place to watch this natural phenomenon? Nata Lodge.

It’s a gorgeous rustic lodge that’s set on the edges of Nata Bird Sanctuary. A local community initiative that launched in 1993 to protect what’s possibly the largest gathering of flamingos in Africa.

If you’re planning a road trip through Botswana, here’s why the lodge deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Here’s what it’s like staying at Nata Lodge in Botswana!

How to Get to Nata Lodge

Nata Lodge is on the main tourist route to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. The quickest way to reach the lodge is to fly into Maun Airport from OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.

From there, you’ll need to hire a car to reach Nata. It’s an easy 3h 35 minutes away, and the tar road is in reasonably good condition.

If you’re driving from South Africa, the lodge is 10-hours from Johannesburg. If you want to avoid traffic, read my Botswana road trip itinerary to find a quieter border post that trucks can’t use.

When it comes to buying cheap flights to Botswana, use Skyscanner or TravelStart. Both sites often have airfare sales, and Skyscanner also has a powerful search tool that lets you filter airfare prices by cheapest month!

About the Property

Set on the edge of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nata Lodge is all about rustic, bush vibes that blend into the natural environment.

There is WiFi here, but the signal is weak.

If you’re a digital nomad like me, Nata is not the place to grind away. You’ll need to switch your laptop off and venture out into the wilderness.

Those pesky emails will have to wait until you return to towering skyscrapers and gridlocked traffic.

For me, the lodge’s standout feature is the pool. Come for a dip an hour after sunrise, and you’ll have the whole place to yourself!

Or if you’re not a fan of ice-cold refreshing water temperatures, visit the pool after a long day in the bush. There’s a bar where you can grab a local Botswanan beer and an on-site restaurant if you’re feeling a bit peckish.

The Luxury Chalets & Tented Camps

Nata Lodge has accommodation options for every kind of traveller. If you’re feeling like a baller, splash out on one of the luxury chalets.

Want something a little bit more affordable without skimping on too many creature comforts? Grab an en-suite Meru style glamping tent.

And if you’re on a mission to travel Botswana on a budget, bring a tent and set up your humble abode in the campsite area. You’ll have access to clean ablution blocks and most importantly, HOT showers.

For my one-night stay at Nata Lodge, I stayed in one of the luxury chalets.

Our room came with the following amenities:

En-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower
A gorgeous clawfoot bath that deserves an ostentatious bubble bath
Complimentary toiletries
Three single beds with mosquito nets
Private deck area

Not included: A baby bat that was extremely unhappy to have guests in his home 😂

Food & Drink

As a travelling vegan, Nata Lodge doesn’t have the best options. If you’re eating at the restaurant, you’re going to have to get a little creative with the a la carte menu to find something that you can eat.

There are vegetarian options, but most of the dishes use non-vegan ingredients like egg noodles or cheese.

The buffet breakfast is more vegan-friendly. You’ll find fruit salads, a variety of cereals, and freshly baked read. Other non-vegan items include yoghurt, flapjacks and scones.

There’s also an English breakfast if you’re in the mood for eggs and bacon. Vegans can skip the animal products and feast on the mushrooms, tomatoes and baked beans.

And if you like your coffee with milk, pack your own soya milk.

What to Do in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is the home of one of the largest salt flats in the world. It’s also the remains of Africa’s largest inland sea and is surrounded by the Kalahari Desert.

Nata Bird Sanctuary

Without a doubt, the best thing to do at Nata Lodge is the Nata Bird Sanctuary. In Botswana’s wet season, the salt pans flood and hundreds of migrating flamingos and pelicans return to breed.

The birds’ journey from as far as the Great Rift Valley to feast on millions of tiny shrimp that lie dormant in the salt crust until the rains.

It’s a bird watchers paradise!

But if you miss the birds (like we did 😭), not all hope is lost. In the dry, summer months you can go for 4×4 rides over the salt pan. Nata Lodge also offers a salt pan sundowner tour!

Annual Zebra Migration

Another famous migration that takes place in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is the annual zebra migration. From October, massive herds start to slowly move towards the Boteti River in anticipation of Botswana’s rainy season.

It’s the longest recorded large mammal migration in Africa!

Nata Village Tour

If you’re curious about Kgolta daily life, you can visit Nata Village. Please keep in mind that it’s not the type of tour where the locals will be singing and dancing.

It’s for travellers that want a more authentic experience. You’ll visit the local clinic, the school and the Nata River.

The village tour costs P170 per person or a single supplement of P85.

What I Think of Nata Lodge

For travellers that are after exceptional, unique wildlife experiences, Nata Lodge is where you’ll want to stay. It’s not every day that you can watch thousands of flamingos turn the sky pink or one of the largest wildlife migrations in Africa.

If you’re planning a Botswana safari, you won’t regret spending a night or two at Nata. Even if you miss the birds, the salt pans are magical, wet or dry!

Thank you to Nata Lodge and Under One Botswana Sky for inviting me to their property! As always, all opinions are my own.

Contact us to book YOUR safari in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans while staying at Nata Lodge.

The post In the Press: Staying at Nata Lodge in Botswana appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

In the Press: Why the Rainy Season Is Still the Perfect Time to Visit Botswana

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 10:17:16 +0000

In this December 2018 article in Culture Trip, South African-born travel writer and photographer, Melanie van Zyl, tells us why the rainy season is still the perfect time to visit Botswana.

An incredible place to visit at any time of year, Botswana tops the chart of Africa’s best safari destinations. Here’s why Botswana’s resplendent wilds are just as likely to impress during the rainy season.

Baby animals, vibrant birdlife, charismatic cats, scores of elephants, affordability and the magnificent rains are just a few reasons to visit during Botswana’s ‘Green Season’, often considered by many to be the worst time of the year to come.

One of the first things you’re likely to Google when travelling is ‘When is the best time to visit?’ For Botswana, some sites will recommend the dry, winter season between May and September, when temperatures are moderate and game viewing is said to be better than at other times of the year. However, experiencing Botswana in the ‘Green Season’ definitely has its perks.

The ‘Green Season’ is good value

Locally known as the ‘Green Season’, Botswana’s rainy, wet, summer season runs from December to March. The biggest advantage of travelling at this time is that visitor numbers dwindle, so you’re likely to enjoy a quieter, more personal stay at affordable rates as camps drop their prices by as much as 50 percent.

Discover Botswana’s beautiful beasts in the Okavango Delta

The November to February period is right in the middle of the heat and rain of midsummer. The Kalahari Desert is particularly stifling, but thankfully there’s a slosh of water, namely the Kavango River and its catchment area, cutting through this harsh environment and providing refuge for the wild world.

The Okavango Delta is a low-impact tourism destination and visiting requires off-road driving, boating or fly-ins using small aircraft. Thanks to this inaccessibility, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been dubbed ‘the Last Eden of Africa’.

Spot tsessebe (the fastest antelope in the world) or shy water-dwelling sitatunga and enjoy the reinvigoration of the natural world as young, ungainly antelope join the herds. Botswana is also a hotspot for one of the world’s most endangered mammals, the African wild dog.

Tip: When staying at a lodge, such as the new Kwando Splash Camp in the Eastern Okavango, professional guides will be well acquainted with the movements of local lion prides, cheetah coalitions and the fast-moving, hunting packs of African wild dogs (named by World Wildlife Fund as the second-most endangered carnivore in Africa). In fact, these sought-after predators have territories so close to this particular camp that you’re likely to see them while eating breakfast.

See the wild from the water in Chobe National Park

The wide, wild Chobe River marks Botswana’s border with Namibia and provides both sanctuary and water for the many creatures of Chobe National Park. Most notably, this area is home to the African continent’s greatest concentration of elephants, with overall herd numbers at an estimated 120,000. They’re best admired from the water.

Tip: Many lodges in the nearby town, Kasane, offer sundowner cruises, but Chobe Safari Lodge is the closest base to the park for ease of access. You can also book a private boat for the early morning, when rain and thunderstorms are less likely.

Fall in love with Botswana’s birds

During summer, migrant birds swoop south and congregate in high numbers at various hotspots across the country. Even non-birders will be reaching for their binoculars during this active avian season.

Although Botswana has no endemic bird species, it’s one of the easiest places in the world to find extraordinary feathered friends. The Okavango Delta, for example, is a stronghold for critically endangered wattled cranes. For many twitchers, the ultimate sighting is the Pel’s fishing owl, a rarity that feeds on fish and frogs. Colourful bee-eaters snatch insects swiftly from the air, striking African skimmers flock to the northern rivers scooping up water using their specially adapted bills and the African fish-eagle lets out its resonating, soulful call.

Tip: During the Green Season, die-hard birders cannot miss the wonder of Godikwe Lagoon in the heart of the Okavango Delta, where waterbirds find safety from predators on islands surrounded by deeply flooded lagoons. Different species nest side by side in a seasonal ceasefire and create enormous breeding sites called heronries. Godikwe Lagoon is only accessible via boat when staying in lodges near to the Moremi Game Reserve, such as Kwando Splash Camp.

Dance in the rain

There is a particular reverence for rain in Botswana, which is called pula in the local language of Setswana. Pula is also the name of Botswana’s currency, and the colour blue dominates the country’s flag, representing the life-giving forces of water.

When the heat builds up and clouds eventually rupture with rainstorms, bringing water back to this parched place, join in the joy and soak up the open sky. After all, Africa knows best, that ‘no rain, no gain’.

Tip: During a stay at Mma Dinare Lodge in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, you may be so lucky as to meet the delightful camp manager Mmapula Malela. ‘Mmapula’ means ‘mother of the rain’, and rain is all that anyone can talk about in the heights of summer’s stifling heat.

Feature image courtesy of Melanie van Zyl for Culture Trip.

Chat to us about how the green rainy season in Botswana can make for truly magical safari in Chobe National Park and/or the Okavango Delta.

The post In the Press: Why the Rainy Season Is Still the Perfect Time to Visit Botswana appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

In the Press: Explore Four African Countries in One Easy Road Trip

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:05:42 +0000

In her latest contribution to the internationally award-winning travel blog Culture Trip, Melanie van Zyl inspires readers to go on the ultimate self-drive safari that covers four African countries in one week on just one tank of fuel. We have pulled out some of the highlights below from this seemingly impossible adventure story titled Explore Four African Countries in One Easy Road Trip.

A store at the local market in Kasane © Melanie van Zyl / Culture Trip

No signpost indicates the exact spot, but in northern Botswana near a place named Kazungula, four countries meet at the convergence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. This is the African Quadripoint, where Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana all flow into one border. Technically, it’s just water, but this quirky confluence occurs nowhere else in the world.

The Kazungula Bridge Project will eventually join these notable points, but the only way to experience this confluence today is by boarding the Kazungula ferry across the Zambezi River. It’s a border crossing for the bold, requiring time, hustle and patience. Luckily, there is another, much easier way to reap the rewards from the proximity of these four extraordinary countries.

Cruise your way across watery wonderlands, spend two nights in every country and explore the only international quadripoint in existence starting with Namibia. Anyone can tackle this easy tarred road trip route on one tank of fuel in roughly a week.

Namibia’s serene Zambezi Region

Traditional fishing on the Zambezi River © Melanie van Zyl / Culture Trip

Previously named the Caprivi Strip, the Zambezi region is a narrow 500-kilometre-long finger of land that hovers between Botswana and Zambia. The Caprivi (as it’s still primarily known around there) is home to four different rivers, but the most magnificent has to be the broad Zambezi, which is where this epic journey begins.

Self-drive safari guide to the Zambezi Region

Stay here: To get to Zambezi Mubala Lodge, and for the ultimate aqua stay, you’ve got to board a boat. Spacious cabins face the Zambezi River and porthole-shaped windows, plus watercolour decor, reinforce the feeling that you’re floating on water. For those on a tighter budget, the more rustic, neighbouring tented camp is equally charming.

Elephants everywhere in Botswana’s Chobe district

Elephants at Chobe River © Melanie van Zyl / Culture Trip

Driving the short 70 kilometres south from Katima Mulilo, villages line the tarred B8 road. Look out for sand sleighs specific to this area. They are pulled by handsome cattle to more efficiently transport goods than any wheelbarrow could in this thick river sand. Cross into Botswana at Ngoma border post.

Self-drive safari guide to Botswana

Stay here: Closest to the Chobe National Park, Chobe Safari Lodge is Kasane’s oldest tourism establishment and has riverfront views. Book an original 1960’s era rondavel room, which has been modernised on the inside, but feels like a traditional safari stay on the outside.

Zimbabwe’s natural wonder at Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side © Melanie van Zyl / Culture Trip

Onwards from Kasane, the abundant Chobe waters merge with the Zambezi River before the border crossing into Zimbabwe. Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke that Thunders”, is the local name for Victoria Falls in the Lozi language and the next destination. A natural world wonder, bucket list tick and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the majority of the 1,7-kilometre-wide Victoria Falls is seen from the Zimbabwean side.

Self-drive safari guide to Zimbabwe

Stay here: Sip a Zambezi Lager at sunset and watch the wildlife drink at the waterhole from the sprawling deck above at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Bushbuck, guinea fowl and more walk the grounds, but the daily vulture culture feed will be the most memorable wildlife encounter. Critically endangered, the lodge has been feeding these curious birds for 19 years and every afternoon, they fly in from far and wide for a free feast.

Adventure abounds in Zambia’s little town of Livingstone

White-water rafting on the Zambezi rapids © Melanie van Zyl / Culture Trip

After seeing Victoria Falls from the many meandering viewpoints on the Zimbabwean side, the spectacle of spray and scenery is best appreciated from the sky. Breathtaking doesn’t begin to describe the half-hour helicopter flight with Batoka Sky that takes you looping above the wide waters of the Zambezi River before dropping right down into the untamed Batoka Gorge.

Self-drive safari guide to Zambia

Stay here: Another great hydrous hotel, the Victoria Falls Waterfront is perched on the banks of the Zambezi and offers adventure alongside creature comforts. The Explorer Club Africa is the on-site hub from which to organise any Livingstone exploits, from white water rafting to sunset cruises on a wooden-decked 1950s-era boat. There’s also a daily shuttle to see the Victoria Falls from the Zambian side or to explore the town of Livingstone, which is a little too far for walking.

Whether you are interested in taking this exciting self-drive safari or experiencing beautiful Botswana by itself, contact us to book your stay in Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta.

The post In the Press: Explore Four African Countries in One Easy Road Trip appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

In the Press: The Hungry Tourist’s Guide to Kasane

admin — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 12:50:14 +0000

In the 2018/2019 edition of Go! Botswana travel guide, renowned travel writer, Toast Coetzer, reviews the top spots for hungry tourists to pull into when in Kasane, and Chobe Bush Lodge makes the cut! We’ve included just a snippet from the published review, so if you want to read on you’ll need to grab a copy of the magazine in-store or online.

Kasane is wild enough that you might see an elephant in the street, but developed enough to have three shopping centres (one even has a Nando’s drive-thru). It’s your base for trips to the adjacent Chobe National Park, to Vic Falls in Zimbabwe or to Livingstone in Zambia. But first, lunch! Here’s where to eat.

Chobe Bush Lodge

Chobe Bush Lodge is part of Chobe Safari Lodge across the road. The restaurant at Bush Lodge is usually quieter and you won’t have to wait for a table for breakfast or lunch. (Book beforehand for dinner.)

What’s on the menu? All the right stuff, from a Greek salad – you’ve been craving something green, haven’t you? -and chicken schnitzel and chips, to a beef burger with cheese, bacon and egg. If you want to go big, order the Bush Grill platter, which has chicken drumsticks, Greek meatballs, pork ribs, salad and chips. End the meal with a slice of cheesecake. That’s the lunch menu! The dinner menu has even heartier meals.

What else? If you want a river view, cross the road to Chobe Safari Lodge. (It’s busier.)

Where? On the western tip of Kasane, where the tar road ends.

Opening times: Breakfast from 7am to 10:30am; other meals from 10:30am to 9:30pm.

Thanks to Go! Botswana and Toast for featuring Chobe Bush Lodge as one of the best establishments to eat at in Kasane. Contact us for more information on our lodges and camps in Chobe National Park.

The post In the Press: The Hungry Tourist’s Guide to Kasane appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Saying ‘Yes’ in Botswana-a guest post by Kelly Kidson

admin — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:50:28 +0000

Kelly Kidson (now Robertson) shares her magical Botswana engagement love story.

What’s the most romantic place on earth you ask? I’d answer without a second thought: ‘It’s Botswana!’ The romance of Botswana is unquestionable. And it was the perfect setting to be asked the most important and ‘butterflies-in-my-tummy’ filled question of my life.

Sunset at the platform in the Magadigadi salt pans © Kelly Robertson

It was the 21st of March, and we were at our happy place. The whiteness of the Makgadikgadi salt pan sands encircled us, interspersed with honey-gold tufts of Botswana grassveld. We dotted that landscape – the only two human dots there. Beside Sowa Pan, its salty water waters licking softly at the shore, he was down on one knee looking up at me with wide eyes and I gasped… loudly. My hands flew to my cheeks in surprise and wordless delight as I realised what was happening. In the next breath I found my voice and repeated the answer from behind the widest grin and tear-blinking eyes. ‘Yes! Of course, yes!’ I shrieked as he placed the one-of-a-kind ring on my waiting finger. He swung me around in his arms, between kisses, giggling and overwhelming happiness.

Engaged!!! ©Kelly Robertson

Too nauseatingly gushy for you? Tough! That’s exactly how it all happened and I haven’t been able to wipe the monkey smile off my face since. If I’m writing like we’re in a Mills and Boons novel set in the pans then I’m ok with that. I was proposed to in my favourite place by the love of my life. I’m completely caught up in the romance of it all so just give into it and share the mushy romance. It’s real.

It was a moment I’ll rewind and watch over and over again in my mind forever. A moment that was ours alone; witnessed only by a solitary pelican on the water, a flock of flamingos that flew over at sunset and a few wildebeest in the far background. It couldn’t have been more perfect. It couldn’t have been anywhere else but Botswana. The exact spot in the Makgadikgadi Pans, where our engagement took place is special to us. It’s on the sandy shoreline at the ‘platform’- a small elevated wooden viewpoint structure next to one of the largest bodies of water within the Nata Bird Sanctuary.

Sowa Pan, Nata Bird Sanctuary © Kelly Robertson

The water is ocean-like in its vastness and from that spot near the platform; you can’t see its end. Birdlife is plentiful and busy, and that’s the only thing that bustles there. It’s quiet. It’s remote. And it’s oh-so-romantic in its wildness and natural beauty.

Just over 3 years before this, we discovered this spot. We were on our first trip as a new couple and on our first night in Botswana we bush-camped right there, at our future engagement site. Similarly, we were the only two humans around then and had the expanse of natural wonderment all to ourselves. We were in awe of it then and on our return trip we felt the same sense of amazement and the feeling that we were part of that landscape.

The rest of our trip transformed into a romantic engagement holiday where we celebrated in our own bush-loving way at each stop. We traversed through the flat, wild and intoxicating landscape that is elephant country from Nata to Kasane, onto a houseboat on the Chobe River and then into the Chobe National Park . We then headed back to the South African border by camping at some incredible spots.

The Botswana bush is wild at heart and murmurs of constant adventure. Sunsets are more vivid and command silence and reflection and the sundowners at the best time of day taste better. It’s the perfect setting for an African love story.

Date in the sand ©Kelly Robertson

Planning a romantic getaway in Botswana?

Kelly Recommends…

Nata Lodge: We were spoilt with champagne, congratulations and chilled bushveld recuperation at Nata Lodge. We especially loved staying in a safari tent there. Ours was next to a giant termite mound and boasted the most romantic outdoor shower too. Nata Lodge is an absolute must as a stop over stop on route towards Chobe whether you camp or treat yourselves to a night in the rustic safari accommodation options. They also offer pan drives as an extra activity and we went on a guided drive through the Nata Bird Sanctuary as part of our stay. Stay for 2 nights if you can.

Original article published on Bushbound Girl. Read the full article here.

The post Saying ‘Yes’ in Botswana-a guest post by Kelly Kidson appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

African paradise: Chobe Bush Lodge

admin — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 09:46:09 +0000

I thought as we glided toward a herd of elephants, surrounded by buffalo and birdlife, “what a wonder-filled world we live in”.

I set my camera down, took a sip of my gin and tonic and took it all in as our skipper expertly manoeuvred our boat around once hotly disputed Sedudu Island, which marks Botswana’s border with Namibia on the Chobe River.

He knew just how to position the big craft for the best snaps of the abundant wildlife.

Sedudu, he explained, means “group of hippos in shallow water”.

There were plenty of those grumpy sorts, too, snorting in annoyance when we got too close (which is any distance, really).

That shallow water becomes several metres deeper in the wet season and the islands are submerged, the game that is forced to visit the river in the dry season scarcer (from a boat), but the scenery arguably even more beautiful.

Viewing nature from the sundowner boat cruise on the Chobe provides a different experience from on land: elephants swimming across the river and greeting each other as long-lost friends.

Being able to glide in close to them or buffalo, hippos and crocodiles, with sunset framing the scene, is special. I love the area, I loved the vibe at Chobe Bush Lodge where I was a guest.

The sunset game drive showcases some beautiful landscapes.

Relatively new kid on the block, Chobe Bush Lodge is part of Under One Botswana Sky and part and parcel of older Chobe Safari Lodge, right next door.

It’s all under thatch and the 42 rooms are tastefully, and unusually, hotel-like for a bush lodge.

No complaints from me or my fellow Aussie guests who, like me, were rather chuffed with the elegant grey-and-white colour scheme, the spacious suites and ablutions with separate bath and shower.

TV too and free wi-fi.

I was even more chuffed with the friendly staff, from the moment my Flame of Africa transfer dropped me off. They have a lot to do with the vibe, the energy.

Chobe Bush Lodge rooms

So, too, do happy campers returning from a boat cruise, or alighting from another game drive with amazing sightings in the 11700km2 Chobe National Park, literally over the fence – so expect to see wildlife from your room and lock the screen doors lest baboons make themselves welcome.

The high-roofed lobby leads to a sprawling, open-plan lounge, dining room, bar area and out-to-terrace seating and two-tiered swimming pools, one splashing down into the other.

Rooms are in a wing to the left and two double-storey buildings ahead.

Early morning and sunset game viewing here is superb. Impala and other prey species are remarkably chilled.

The elephants, too, thank goodness. We had a swishing tail-in-the-face close encounter with a young bull, asserting his dominance and clearly showing what he thought of us – rear in the vehicle and all.

I’m glad he didn’t communicate with a fart, part of their array of communications skills – only some of which humans can hear (or smell).

Best was when an excited male, with an extra “leg”, trundled past after a female. “Oh my!” gushed the mom behind me in a flushed schoolgirl tone. “He’s interested in her,” guide Walter said. “Isn’t he just?!” was the response as hubby tried to distract the kids.

Our guides were all top-drawer, “edumacating” us with interesting facts and anecdotes about the birds and the bees and plenty else when there wasn’t game in sight, often more interesting than the Big 5.

Post-drive buffet breakfasts offer plenty of fresh fruit, omelettes and some very good cheeses.

Chobe Bush Lodge safari dining

Lunches are not too shabby either and the a la carte dinners are even better.

I mostly went with the waitress’s recommendations (mostly meat, though vegetarians were well looked after), which did not disappoint. Great ribeye and impala chops – enough for two. A great time, any time of the year.

Originally published on Independent Online (IOL). Read the full article here.

Chobe Safari Lodge Contact Details

Website: Chobe Bush Lodge
Email: reservations@chobebushlodge.com
Tel: (+267) 625 0 383 / 625 2 480

The post African paradise: Chobe Bush Lodge appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Luxury on the Edge of the Chobe National Park

admin — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:50:08 +0000

At the very end of the main road in Kasane in northern Botswana is a group of lodges and a campsite owned by Under One Botswana Sky. One of these is the Chobe Bush Lodge which looks out onto the Chobe National Park and for travellers like us, who had thrown away their leaking tent on the first night of a 12-day trip around Botswana, this lodge saved our entire trip.

Our initial trip itinerary included a few places along the way from Gaborone to Kasane and we planned to combine camping with tented accomodation and treat ourselves for a few nights at a lodge as well. We planned to spend a few nights in Kasane at the Chobe Safari Lodge mid-way through our trip, but because of heavy rains and a leaking tent (which we threw away on day 1) we had to change our plans and headed straight for Kasane where we would stay for most of our trip.

We arrived in Kasane at around 18h and our GPS directed us straight to the lodge (or so we thought). At the very end of the main road that runs through Kasane is Chobe Safari Lodge, where we parked our Toyota RAV4, filled with camping gear that wouldn’t be used. We had called a day earlier after our tent had been thrown away and added a few more nights to our previously booked reservation at the lodge, but at the reception we were told that they weren’t expecting us till the following day, but that we could spend our first night at their sister lodge, the Chobe Bush Lodge just across the street and then check in to the Safari Lodge the following day.

The recption & lounge area and curio shop at Chobe Bush Lodge.
Under One Botswana Sky is a group of lodges in Botswana, two of which are the Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge. The Safari Lodge is the oldest of the two and is literally on the banks of the Chobe river while the Bush lodge, across the street is merely two years old and looks out on to the Chobe National Park. We checked in to the Bush Lodge and were impressed by the modern design and feel of the lodge while still keeping a natural, bush-theme about it. The room was very clean and had all your basic amenities including satellite TV, coffee/tea facilities, large bathroom with toilet, shower and tub and a large terrace that looked out onto the pool area and outside bar. None of the rooms have fridges, but the staff gladly and quickly brought us a small bar-fridge in which we could keep the food and drink we had brought along on our trip.

The spacious room and comfy bed are quite inviting.
Our room was relatively close to the reception and kitchen area, so the noise was a little irritating (we could hear every detail of the reception’s phone call when someone called), but we figured we’d last the night and move into our room at the Safari Lodge the following morning. We made our way to the restaurant that evening and had some tasty ostrich kebabs before turning in for the night after a full day’s driving.

The next day we strolled over to the Safari Lodge and after having a look at their rooms we decided to in fact stay at the Bush Lodge. While the layout of the rooms is more or less the same and while the Safari Lodge rooms do look out on the Chobe River, we preferred the modern feel of the rooms at the Bush Lodge and the helpful lady at the bookings office said it was no problem at all if we wanted to stay at the Bush Lodge. They even transferred us to another room away from the kitchen and reception area which was much more peaceful. Since both lodges are part of the same “family”, guests at either one can visit and use the facilities of both lodges as well as the Sedudu bar which overlooks the river and is located at the campsite in between the two lodges.

The lounge area in the Chobe Safari Lodge that looks out onto the Chobe River.
Since we hadn’t planned on spending most of our trip staying at the lodge, we had to redirect some of our funds towards the extra nights of accomodation, which meant we couldn’t really enjoy all the meals at the lodges’ restaurants, but this wasn’t a problem at all as there are various other eateries in Kasane that offer great food and aren’t as expensive. The Sedudu bar at the Chobe Bush Lodge has a relaxing, African vibe to it and the Sedudu Island Ice Tea was a favourite cocktail of ours there! The outdoor area has ample space for having drinks, a snack or just lying by the pool and reading a book. The weather didn’t permit for any pool-usage, so our swimming costumes remained dry the whole time, but the pool did look inviting.

The restaurant and bar at Chobe Safari Lodge overlooking the tranquil swimming pool.
The room itself was spacious and elegantly designed with carpetting all round (the rooms in the Safari Lodge had cold tiles all round), a very comfy bed with mosquito nets, a large bath tub and a massive walk-in shower. Room service for food and beverages is available via the phone (we were relatively quickly brought our ice bucket which we ordered for our Amarula* on New Year’s eve), satellite TV with a number of channels, hairdryer and locking safe are all at your disposal as well. The large sliding doors (with mosquito netting included) lead out on to a spacious wooden terrace with a small coffee table and chairs on it, so you can enjoy relaxing moments out there as well with a coffee or beer in hand and listen to the sounds of the bush. We frequently had families of warthog, babooons and even antelope walk past our terrace, foraging for food in the thickets below, not to mention the numerous birds one can observe in the tree tops in front of you as well.

*Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree.

The large terrace gives you a great view of the bush leading into the Chobe National Park.
The Chobe Bush Lodge has 38 luxury en-suite rooms and 4 large exclusive family rooms. They have a small curio shop (although the one at the Safari Lodge is larger and has more souvenirs to choose from) and one can even borrow an umbrella from the front desk at no extra cost, as we had to do one rainy day when we wanted to go for a walk through Kasane. There is also a small shopping centre very close by where you can find a Choppies supermarket for all your grocery needs. The main booking office for all activities is located at the Safari lodge so you can still arrange all your safari, boat cruise and Victoria Falls day trips through them as well. We did all these activites through another tour operator as they had been recommended to us by friends, but if you want convenience and practicality, then the Chobe Bush Lodge can meet all your needs.

The local baboons are relaxed enough to come pay you a visit.
Since we didn’t plan or budget to spend 6 nights at the lodge, our accomodation ended up being a bit more than we had hoped for, but given our circumstances and how our trip started, we weren’t that perturbed by it. A night at the Chobe Bush Lodge, per room is P1720 (Botswana Pula) or $192 (US Dollar). This does not include breakfast, lunch or dinner. Breakfast is P160 or $27 per person (served from 7am-10am) while lunch and dinner are a la carte.

During our stay there we explored the town of Kasane and saw that there are many other accomodation options, which include campsites, other lodges and even self-catering options as well. Next time we head up to Kasane, we’ll probably give the Chobe Bush Lodge a miss and try one of the other places, probably camping at their campsite or perhaps try one of the self-catering options available in Kasane. Our stay at the Chobe Bush Lodge was indeed exceptional, but it does have a very hotel-esque vibe to it, even though the ambiance around is very rustic and natural and next time (given that we are much better prepared) we’d go for a more “down to earth” kind of experience, so to speak. But if you are planning a trip to Kasane, pamper yourself for at least a couple of nights and relax in the splendour of the Chobe Bush Lodge… just don’t spend too much time there, or you won’t get to experience what camping and overnighting in Botswana are really all about.

Originally published on Road Beneath Our Feet blog.

The post Luxury on the Edge of the Chobe National Park appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

3 Reasons to Visit the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:13:32 +0000

‘The Makgadikgadi, a vast salt pan deep in Botswana, must be what the planet looked like before humanity appeared, and what it will look like after we’re gone.’

This is how Todd Pitock, from National Geographic Traveller, describes Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the largest salt flats in the world.

Here are three reasons to visit this lesser-travelled, yet intriguing location:

The Salt Pans

Walking or driving though this expansive wilderness area is a surreal experience. With nothing but silence around you the Makgadikgadi is like something from another planet. When the sun has descended and the nocturnal Botswana greets you there is nothing quite as overwhelmingly beautiful as seeing the explosion of stars filling the skyline.

Nata Sanctuary

Nata Sanctuary, which is part of the Sua Pan, is a community-run wildlife haven that protects a variety of bird species and wildlife. The sanctuary, situated close to Under One Botswana Sky’s Natal Lodge, is a breeding ground for a host of water birds, including pelicans and flamingo. Watching thousands of birds blend into a pink haze reaching as far as the eye can see is a magical sighting.

Cultural Visit

A great way to get to know the Makgadikgadi and its history is to visit one of the local villages. Cultural visits give insight into the lives of the Bushmen and discover how they have learnt to survive in this arid destination with close to nothing.

Originally published on the Good Safari Guide.

The post 3 Reasons to Visit the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Championing the Chobe National Park

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 10:21:48 +0000

The Chobe National Park is the third largest conservation area in Botswana, covering an enormous area of approximately 10,960km². The park has been divided into wildlife management areas without fencing, a concept that allows for conservation and the free roam of wildlife within these areas. This open environment allows visitors a more authentic wilderness experience, exploring the natural behaviour and movement of Botswana’s wildlife.

Here are our top 5 reasons why you should visit Chobe National Park:

1. The river

The park takes its name from the Chobe River that forms the northern boundary of Botswana. The influence of the river means that this is an area of natural abundance of both flora and fauna and the vegetation varies from lush floodplains in the north to scorched Savuti marshland in the south. The northern part of the Chobe is unique because it lies next to the Chobe River for almost 60km, allowing for second-to-none game viewing along the Chobe River drive.

2. The wildlife

Where there is water, there is wildlife. The Chobe National Park is teeming with wildlife and is renown for being one of the top wildlife reserves in the world. Large herds of buffalo and elephant gather at the water’s edge, raptors nest on the river banks and birds of all shapes and sizes dart up and down the river highways. With such an incredible wealth of species, Chobe is the ideal place to experience the African wilderness. Prepare your eyes for a visual feast of wildlife encounters, including even two antelope species rarely encountered elsewhere in Botswana – the puku and the Chobe bushbuck.

3. The predators

With such a melting pot of game in the area Chobe has attracted the presence of a significantly large lion population. The lions contend with other predators in the area such as hyena, leopard, African wild dog, civet and caracal.

4. The birds

Chobe is a haven for birding enthusiasts with striking colonies of carmine bee-eaters building their nests in the exposed sandy banks of the river. Water and migratory birds gather in their thousands near the water’s edge and the haunting call of the fish eagle can often be heard echoing over the river.

5. The activities

Chobe National Park offers an array of day and nighttime activities, including boat cruises, game drives, fishing, traditional village tours and day tours to the Victoria Falls.

Win a trip to Chobe Bush Lodge

There are almost too many reasons to visit Chobe National Park, and with that in mind we’d like to draw your attention to a competition Airlink is running in conjunction with Chobe Bush Lodge.

Chobe Bush lodge is located in Kasane directly on the border of Chobe National Park, where four African countries meet (Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia), making it an excellent gateway location to the area’s popular destinations; Chobe, Victoria Falls and Caprivi.

The best part about Chobe Bush Lodge is that this experience could be YOURS. Find out about our competition to win a weekend getaway for two to Chobe with flights provided by Airlink!

Originally published on the Africa Geographic blog.

The post Championing the Chobe National Park appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.