Chobe Game Lodge

The only permanent Lodge situated inside the Chobe National Park

Introduction

Being the only permanent lodge located within the Chobe National Park in Botswana, Chobe Game Lodge has a distinct edge over the many other lodges situated outside of the park. All the other lodges are located together in the town of Kasane, but this lodge is on it's own, surrounded by national park with stunning views over the Chobe River and it's flood plains which are traditionally teaming with animals and birdlife.

It is a luxury lodge as is reflected in the prices. Here you will be totally pampered, enjoy fantastic cuisine, sleep in absolute luxury and have the safari experience of a lifetime. It's reputation speaks for itself, probably gaining initial notoriety when Liz Taylor and Richard Burton got remarried here in the 1970's. The Moorish architecture and lush tranquil gardens at Chobe Game Lodge, I must say do give it a rather splendid feel.

It's a large lodge accommodating up to 94 guests in 47 bedrooms so although the staff are extremely hospitable friendly and accommodating it is not the same intimate experience that one would have in an exclusive 20 bed safari camp, but for some that is not what they want and prefer the luxury of a larger established hotel.

As Chobe Game Lodge is right on the river they can offer both land and water based activities. A choice of morning and afternoon drives and river cruise are all included in the price. Being inside the park gives you more game viewing time than those lodges based outside the park.

Chobe National Park is famous for having the largest elephant concentrations in Africa. In the dry season (July to October) not only do these enormous herds of elephant gather but also large herds of buffalo congregate along the Chobe River's fertile flood plains which has the only water and grazing in the area. Sightings of giraffe, sable, roan antelope, painted dog, lion, red lechwe and puku are also common to mention just a few.

During the green season (Dec to April) much of this game disperses inland, natures way of allowing the floodplains to restore themselves. However resident game is always present, just not in the intense volume of the dry season. The green season has the advantage of seeing hundreds of newly born plains game and an absolute profusion of plant life.

Accommodation prices at Chobe Game Lodge vary through out the year according to the seasons and the peak tourism times. Green season rates literally being half the cost of the peak season.

Our Opinion

Some trip advisor reviews rave about the game guides, while others say they are appalling. My view on this is that Chobe Game Lodge is "a hotel in a game park". One of the best game parks in Africa which teams with game in the dry season and the game viewing therefore speaks for itself. Guiding here however I believe will not be of the same standard as in a smaller exclusive safari camp, which offer a more intense wildlife experience.

Its advantage is that it is the only lodge to be located inside the park, which means that in the morning game lodge guests are ahead of all the other vehicles that come in from outside the park and it also allows them to stay longer in the evenings when the game viewing is particularly good. Chobe Game Lodge is suited to guests prepared to pay top dollars and want the luxury and facilities that a hotel has over a smaller bush camp.

Summary

• Quick and easy access to the Chobe National Park as it is the only lodge located within the park.
• Exclusive riverside location with stunning views over the Chobe river and it's flood plains
• Large Lodge with 47 bedrooms all of which have river facing views
• Expensive, luxury lodge (5 star) with a strong reputation.
• Well known for it's outstanding cuisine
• Championship sized billiard table, well stocked reference library, gym and beauty salon.
• All inclusive in-house land and water based game activities
• Accommodation prices vary considerably according to the seasons

Accommodation at Chobe Game Lodge

• 43 Standard rooms
• 4 Exclusive Suites with a separate lounge and private plunge pool
• A total of 94 guests can be accommodated

All rooms have:
• Private terraces
• Suites have their own plunge pool
• All rooms are stylishly decorated with paintings and original African carvings
• River facing views (in some rooms natural bush does obscure a clear river view)
• Air conditioning
• Overhead fans
• Complimentary mini-bar
• En-suite bathrooms

Advantages

• Only lodge in the Chobe National Park
• Absolute luxury
• Great additional facilities (salon, gym, library, billiard table)
• Lovely location with great views of the Chobe River and Caprivi floodplain
• Direct access to Chobe National Park which is home to thousands of elephants, buffalo and other wildlife
• Can accommodate large numbers of people for weddings, conferences etc.

Dining

Game Lodge is well renowned for it's copious amounts of excellent food. These buffet meals are served at either the terrace restaurant in the main complex overlooking the Chobe River or on the grassy banks of the riverside Boma where there is also traditional dancers in the evening to entertain you. Private romantic dinners under the stars can be arranged for special occasions. These really do add a memorable touch to a honeymoon, birthday or anniversary.

Facilities and Services

• All inclusive land and water based game viewing activities.
• Drives are in 4x4 vehicles with open sides to ensure greater visibility, river cruises are in small but highly manoeuvrable, shallow draft boats.
• Mosi-oa-Tunya the double-decker river cruiser offers evening sunset cruises on the Chobe river, stargazing on the upper deck is a treat
• In-house beautician and beauty salon
• Gym
• Broadband internet access is available at the Thwene bar at an additional cost
• Adequate cell phone signal is available around most of the grounds, but the use of modern technology is not encouraged and not allowed in public areas or on game drives
• Stylish cigar bar (Thwene bar) with a champion sized billiard table
• Well-stocked reference library with lounge and terrace.
• Well stocked curio shop
• Large swimming pool
• Electricity is available 24 hours a day so electrical equipment can be recharged in guest rooms.
• Fully equipped and air conditioned conference room catering for up to 100 people
• Visa and MasterCard accepted

Children

Children of all ages are welcome however families with children under six years old will be asked to book private activities at an additional cost. Under 15 year olds must share accommodation with a parent, however this is not available or possible in a suite. No childcare or babysitting service is provided and children remain the responsibility of their parents at all times.

How to Get to Chobe Game Lodge

• From Kasane Airport, Chobe Game Lodge will pick you up on a road transfer into Chobe National Park and to the lodge, provided you are coming off a regular scheduled flight.
• Transfers can also be arranged for arrivals on alternative flights, or road transfers from Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

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