Botswana's safari camps operate in a different league. These aren't "lodges with game drives" — they're remote wilderness camps accessible only by light aircraft, where every element is curated: the cuisine, the guiding, the wildlife access, and the unshakeable feeling that you've been dropped into the most beautiful place on Earth.
I've stayed at all six of these camps across multiple visits. Here's my honest ranking.
1. Mombo Camp — Chief's Island, Moremi
From $2,500/night all-inclusive | 9 tents | Rating: 10/10
Mombo is the Michael Jordan of safari camps — the GOAT, and everyone knows it. Located on Chief's Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, the wildlife density is staggering. On a single morning drive, we counted 3 lion prides, 2 leopards, a pack of wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, and a honey badger (the real star). The tents were rebuilt in 2018 and are now enormous — each with a private pool, outdoor shower, and sleep-out deck.
According to Condé Nast Traveler: "Mombo Camp has been voted Africa's best safari camp more times than any other property — a testament to its unrivaled wildlife access and service excellence." (Source: CNT)
2. &Beyond Sandibe — Okavango Delta
From $1,800/night all-inclusive | 12 suites | Rating: 10/10
Sandibe is the most architecturally stunning camp in Africa. The pangolin-inspired structures blend into the treeline with curving organic forms that feel like they grew from the landscape. The guiding is exceptional — our tracker, Moses, could identify bird calls from 200 meters and predicted animal movements with uncanny accuracy.
3. Belmond Eagle Island Lodge — Okavango Delta
From $1,500/night all-inclusive | 12 tents | Rating: 9/10
The best water-based safari experience in Botswana. Helicopter flips over the delta, mokoro rides through papyrus channels, and boat safaris that put you at eye level with hippos and crocodiles. The Belmond service polish is evident in every detail.
4. Jack's Camp — Makgadikgadi Pans
From $1,200/night all-inclusive | 10 tents | Rating: 9/10
Completely different from delta camps. Jack's sits on the edge of one of the world's largest salt flats — a surreal, blindingly white landscape that feels extraterrestrial. Activities include quad biking across the pans, meerkat encounters, and bushman-led walks. The 1940s explorer aesthetic (Persian rugs, antique furniture, campaign tents) is impeccable.
The UNESCO recognizes Makgadikgadi as: "One of the world's great wilderness areas — vast salt pans that during seasonal floods become a critical habitat for flamingos, zebra, and wildebeest." (Source: UNESCO)
5. Duba Plains Camp — Okavango Delta
From $2,000/night all-inclusive | 5 tents | Rating: 9/10
Famous for its lion-buffalo interactions (documented in National Geographic films). Just 5 tents means extraordinary exclusivity. The camp is owned and operated by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, legendary wildlife filmmakers whose conservation credentials are unimpeachable.
6. Zarafa Camp — Selinda Reserve
From $2,200/night all-inclusive | 4 tents | Rating: 9/10
The most intimate camp on this list — just 4 tents on a 320,000-acre private concession. That's 80,000 acres per tent. The wildlife is prolific (large elephant herds, lion prides, wild dogs), and the star-gazing from the sleep-out deck is the best I've experienced anywhere.
How to Build a Botswana Safari
The standard formula: 2-3 camps, 2-3 nights each, connected by light aircraft. Mix a delta camp (water-based) with a dryland camp (Makgadikgadi or Chobe) for variety.
| Safari Length | Budget Per Person | |--------------|-------------------| | 5 nights (2 camps) | $8,000 - $12,000 | | 7 nights (3 camps) | $12,000 - $18,000 | | 10 nights (4 camps) | $18,000 - $25,000 |
Claire's Recommendation
First safari: Mombo (3 nights) + Sandibe (3 nights). This gives you the delta's best wildlife (Mombo) and most beautiful design (Sandibe). Add Jack's Camp (2 nights) if you want the surreal pans experience. Budget $15,000-$20,000 all-inclusive — worth every cent.
— Claire B. Soares, 5X Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist
