The Garden Lodge, Botswana

The Garden Lodge is located in the small town of Kasane, on the Chobe River in northern Botswana, around five minutes by boat from the Chobe National Park.

By National Geographic Traveller The Collection
Published 6 Jun 2017, 16:25 BST

The Garden Lodge is located in the small town of Kasane, on the Chobe River in northern Botswana, around five minutes by boat from the Chobe National Park. The owners are passionate about local wildlife and run the lodge as more than a business; for them, it’s a way of life.

Between the lodge and the riverfront lies a spacious lawn area dotted with shady indigenous trees, shrubs and ornamental plants. A wide variety of birds, as well as warthogs, mongooses, monitor lizards and other small animals are easy to spot. A pair of barn owls has nested in the lodge’s roof every year for the past 15 years and can be glimpsed perching in the trees. At night, elephants and hippos can often be seen from the lodge

Promising an intimate guest experience, the Garden Lodge comprises eight rooms, each decked out with furnishings made from mukwa and teak wood and featuring a private verandah overlooking the Chobe River. Bathrooms are en suite with spacious showers and an extensive stock of toiletries, and all rooms have a ceiling fan, air conditioning and mosquito protection

There’s no shortage of wildlife activities here: guests can spend their days game-viewing — either by vehicle or boat — within the Chobe National Park, which is home to an estimated 140,000 elephants, 400 species of bird and huge herds of buffalo. Almost daily sightings of lions make this spot a photographer’s dream.

Food plays a leading role at The Garden Lodge: professional guides join guests at breakfast to discuss the day’s upcoming activities; tea can be enjoyed in the boma (shelter) under an acacia tree; and homemade bread, jams and honey are produced at the onsite kitchen.

An upstairs lounge overlooking the river is the perfect spot to relax in the afternoon, and guests can unwind after a busy day with a meal next to the swimming pool and garden. Meals are communal affairs, offering the perfect opportunity to strike up new friendships and compare stories about wildlife encounters with fellow travellers. Private tables can also be arranged on request. Whenever possible, owners Phil and Gabi join guests for pre-dinner drinks.

Need to know

Key facilities

• Eight rooms, each with private verandah
• Garden area
• En suite bathrooms
• Mosquito nets

Key activities

• Game drives
• River cruises
• Birdwatching
• Day trips to Victoria Falls

Contact

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