Best Okavango Luxury Lodges for 2025: Where to Stay for an Unforgettable Safari

Craig Howes
Apr 30
6 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Wake to the sound of hippos grunting in the morning mist. Watch elephants wander past your private plunge pool. In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, luxury isn’t just about five-star — it’s about wild, immersive, unforgettable.

Updated: April 2025

The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s last true wildernesses, and it happens to be home to some of the most breathtaking luxury lodges on the planet. From design-forward retreats to intimate, eco-conscious camps, this guide highlights our top picks for 2025 — all set to help you plan the ultimate safari.

Aerial view of a vast, lush marshland of the Okavango delta in Flood with scattered trees, patches of water, and varying green and brown tones. Overcast sky above. — Okavango Delta in December 2024

Best Okavango Luxury Lodges

Why Choose the Okavango Delta for a Luxury Safari?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site with thriving wildlife and low visitor numbers
Accessed via scenic bush flights, far from the crowds
Prime game viewing year-round, especially June to October
Unique safari activities: mokoro rides, walking safaris, boat trips, and star beds

Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or planning your first once-in-a-lifetime trip, the Delta offers exclusivity, elegance, and edge-of-the-wild adventure.

Our Top Okavango Luxury Lodges for 2025

Elegant & Design-Forward

Atzaró Okavango — Best for Design-Lovers and Private Escapes

This soulful new lodge brings the Atzaró brand’s signature elegance into one of the most remote corners of the Delta and is one of the best Okavango Luxury Lodges for 2025. Expect barefoot luxury and serene immersion in nature.

Best Luxury Lodges in Okavango Delta: Atzaro Okavango. Spacious open-air lounge with rustic decor and a bar. Two people stand at the bar. Natural light and greenery in the background. Cozy ambiance. — The Iconic Palm Bar. One of the best places for a cocktail in the world. Photo Craig Howes

Remote private concession
Afro-modern interiors, spa, wellness, and solar-powered sustainability
Walking safaris, mokoros, boat cruises, and wildlife-rich drives
New for 2024/2025 — A rare opportunity to experience a world-class lodge before it’s widely discovered
Only 12 suites — All with private decks and panoramic lagoon views, ensuring true exclusivity
Spa & wellness pavilion — Featuring holistic treatments, bush yoga, and open-air relaxation
Sustainable luxury — Fully solar-powered with minimal impact on its pristine ecosystem
Owner-operated feel — Impeccable attention to detail, with warm, intuitive service
Prime private concession — Teeming with wildlife but completely free of vehicle traffic from other lodges
Cultural depth — Artisanal design celebrates Botswana’s heritage without cliché
Photographer’s dream — Elevated walkways, stunning light, and wildlife at your doorstep
Ideal for privacy seekers — Loved by celebrities and tastemakers seeking under-the-radar escapes

"We loved how Atzaró blended barefoot luxury with warm, soulful design. It felt like an art piece set in the bush."

See our Cape Town to Okavango Delta Video with Atzaro Okavango (Produced by African Safari Mag x SoCoMunity)

Xigera Safari Lodge — Best for Art, Architecture & Sustainability

A love letter to Botswana’s craftsmanship and creativity, Xigera is unlike any lodge in Africa — bold, sculptural, and rooted in purpose.

Xigera Safari Lodge, Modern lodge with curvy roof set on stilts amidst lush trees at sunset. Warm lights glow inside, under a pink and blue sky. — Xigera Safari Lodge at Dawn

Sculptural lodge by Red Carnation Hotels
Luxury meets conservation ethos
Southern African art and bespoke design throughout

Jao Camp (Wilderness) — Best for Spa & Romantic Seclusion

Tucked away on a private island, Jao blends luxury with intimacy, offering an unforgettable escape for couples or solo dreamers.

Jao Camp ,Cozy bedroom with net drapes, soft pillows, and warm lighting. Wooden ceiling and large windows create an airy, serene ambiance. — Jao Camp

Located on a private island
Spa, glass-bottom mokoro, elegant suites
Ideal for honeymooners or special occasions

Iconic Wildlife Camps

Mombo Camp (Wilderness) — Best for Big Game & Photography

Often called “The Place of Plenty,” Mombo offers exceptional predator sightings and breathtaking views across its floodplains.

Mombo Camp Okavango Delta Luxury safari lodges. Luxurious bedroom with a canopy bed, neutral tones, and wooden accents. Soft lighting and patterned textiles create a cozy, elegant vibe. — Mombo Camp

Chief’s Island location, Moremi Game Reserve
Legendary predator sightings, including lions, leopards, and rhinos
Elevated luxury tents with 180-degree views

Vumbura Plains Camp (Wilderness) — Best for Modern Comfort & Big Game

Modern and airy, Vumbura offers access to both land and water activities in a region teeming with wildlife.

Vumbura Plains Camp. Luxury Botswana lodges. A person in a white outfit walks on a wooden deck beside a small pool, near a thatched-roof house in a grassy, tree-filled rural area. — Vumbura Plains Camp

Contemporary suites in a prime game area
Access to water and land-based safaris
Stylish but rooted in wilderness

Duba Plains Camp (Great Plains Conservation) — Best for Predator Sightings

Renowned for lion-buffalo interactions, Duba Plains is an exclusive and eco-conscious camp for serious wildlife lovers.

Duba Plains Camp, Luxurious tented cabin amid lush trees at dusk, lit by lanterns. A small pool on the deck reflects warm light, creating a serene ambiance. — Duba Plains Camp

Exceptional lion-buffalo interactions
Conservation-first luxury with plunge pools
Private guides and photographic safari options

"Our guide knew the lion pride by name. It was like meeting legends of the Delta."

Romantic & Intimate Safari Escapes

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge (andBeyond) — Best for Honeymoons

With architecture inspired by the pangolin, Sandibe is as romantic as it is striking, offering a deeply immersive stay in the Delta.

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge (andBeyond) Cozy bedroom with a white bed, wooden accents, and soft lighting. Circular mirrors, ceiling fan, and beige curtains create a warm ambiance. — Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge (andBeyond)

Inspired by pangolins, elegantly sculpted into the bush
Private plunge pools and candle-lit decks
Surrounded by predator-rich territory

Zarafa Camp (Great Plains Conservation) — Best for Eco-Luxury & Privacy

An intimate, high-design camp with just four tents, Zarafa excels in detail, discretion, and access to outstanding wildlife.

Zarafa Camp (Great Plains Conservation) Outdoor camping scene with a large tent, wooden deck, and chairs around fire pits. Warm lighting and trees create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. — Zarafa Camp (Great Plains Conservation)

Only four tented suites
Recycled hardwood finishes, curated interiors
Lagoon views and superb wildlife

Sanctuary Baines’ Camp — Best for Unique Experiences

Tiny, intimate, and wildly charming, Baines’ offers one of the Delta’s only outdoor star bed and bath experiences.

Sanctuary Baines’ Camp — Best for Unique Safari Experiences. Candlelit dinner setup on a wooden deck by a serene lake at sunset. Warm glowing lanterns, elegant tableware, and a tranquil ambiance. — Sanctuary Baines’ Camp — Best for Unique Safari Experiences

Star beds and outdoor bubble baths
Elephant walking safaris
Ultra-boutique, just five rooms

Classic Okavango Delta Feel

Chief’s Camp (Sanctuary Retreats) — Best for Families & Spacious Luxury

Set on the northwestern tip of Chief's Island in the middle of the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Camp combines big game viewing with top-notch family-friendly hospitality.

Chief’s Camp (Sanctuary Retreats) Cozy lodge interior with wooden beams, plush seating, a central table, and a bar. A lion portrait decorates the wall, lit warmly. — Chief’s Camp

Oversized suites with private pools
Family-friendly with kids’ safari activities
Premier location on Chief’s Island

Xugana Island Lodge — Best for Water-Based Safaris

Set on one of the most beautiful permanent lagoons in the Delta, Xugana is a paradise for water safaris and bird lovers.

Xugana Island Lodge. Outdoor dining area under trees, wooden deck, set tables, cushioned seating with red pillows, rustic thatched building, serene sunset glow. — Xugana Island Lodge

Set on the Xugana Lagoon
Focused on mokoros, boating, and birding
Classic Delta beauty and simplicity

Low-Key, High-Soul

Kwetsani Camp (Wilderness) — Best for Treehouse-Lovers & Scenic Isolation

Elevated walkways and treehouse-style tents give Kwetsani an adventurous edge while maintaining intimate luxury.

Treehouse-style tents on stilts
Seasonal access to both water and dry activities
Ideal for experienced safari travelers

Explore more: Top Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana

Read also: Botswana Safari Itineraries | Romantic Lodges for Honeymooners

A helicopter flies over a vast green and brown landscape of the Okavango delta. under a partly cloudy sky. The helicopter is marked with "A2-HVG." The mood is serene. — Our Helicopter Flies over the Delta on the Route to Atzaro Okavango

FAQ: Planning Your Luxury Okavango Safari

What is the best month to go to the Okavango Delta? From June to October is the peak time for game viewing. From May to July, for the arrival of the annual floodwaters.

How much does a luxury safari cost in Botswana? Expect to pay $1,500 to $ 5,000 per person per night. Rates include accommodation, activities, meals, drinks, and flights between camps.

Which is better, Chobe or the Okavango Delta? Chobe is great for elephants and river safaris, while the Delta is more private, exclusive, and offers a diverse range of activities.

Can you see the Big Five in the Okavango Delta? Yes. Lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo are common. Rhinos are rarer but can be found in private game reserves or concessions.

Is it safe to go to the Okavango Delta? Absolutely. Camps have expert guides, strict safety protocols, and a strong record of guest security.

Conclusion: The Wildest Luxury on Earth

Luxury in the Delta isn’t just silver service and thread count — it’s the privilege of space, silence, and a front-row seat to nature’s theatre.

Whether you’re drawn to the Delta by mokoro silence, predator drama, or the romance of a lodge lit only by lanterns, 2025 is the year to go.

Next reads:

Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta
How Much Does an African Safari Cost?
What It’s Like to Safari by Mokoro

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Craig Howes the Editor and Chied on Safari, for African Safari Magazine. Smiling man in a "Dirty Habits" hoodie stands on rocky terrain at sunset, mountains in the background, creating a peaceful mood. — Editor and Chief Craig Howes on Safari

About Us

At African Safari Mag, we’re more than just a travel blog — we’re passionate explorers, storytellers, and luxury lodge reviewers with boots-on-the-ground experience.

From the floodplains of the Okavango Delta to the misty highlands of Uganda, we visit every destination we write about. Our mission is simple: to help you make informed, inspired choices when planning your dream African safari.

Watch our interview with a Senior Guide "Lasty" in the Okavango Delta to see what we're all about.

We believe that luxury in Africa is about more than just thread counts and wine lists. It’s about meaningful immersion — waking to lion calls, connecting with local guides, and feeling the rhythm of the wild.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime trip, or scouting your next adventure, we’re here to share honest reviews, expert tips, and personal stories that bring the safari experience to life.

Explore with confidence. Travel with heart.

African Safari Mag is led by award-winning photographer and editor Craig Howes, whose work has taken him deep into the bush to document Africa’s most remote, refined, and remarkable safari destinations.