Comfort

Chobe Bakwena Lodge

Bakwena Lodge is an intimate, privately owned eco-lodge on the banks of the Chobe River which was transformed from a barren and lifeless football pitch to a sanctuary for guests and wildlife alike. Bakwena has 10 River View Chalets, which all face out over the mighty Chobe River, and 5 Treetop Chalets that stand 3 metres above the ground to provide extraordinary views of the treetop canopy. Each chalet complements the environment they have been built in, working with nature to give guests a comfortable stay. Sit back on your private deck and enjoy the stunning landscape and vast range of birds species from the comfort of your own luxurious chalet.

Chobe Bakwena Lodge, Botswana

Bakwena Lodge is outside of Chobe National Park. Being outside of the park allows for proximately to a neighbouring local village and gives guest the opportunity to meet the people of Botswana and tour the village. Located in Northern Botswana, Chobe National Park has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa. The parks consists of 4 different areas:

The Serondela area features vibrant floodplains and dense woodland. Here, you will be able to find large herds of elephants, families of giraffe, sable and buffalo. Large numbers of carmine bee-eaters can be found during the green season, and flocks of ibis, stork, duck and waterfowl can be spotted during the dry season.
The Savuti Marsh area is 10878 km2 covered with savannahs and grassland. Due to the mutable nature of the marsh, the Savuti Channel is lined with hundreds of dead tree and provides a dramatic backdrop to this land that is heavily populated with zebras, and predators such as lion, hyenas, and the occasional cheetah.
The Linyanti Marsh mainly consists of floodplains and lagoons, dotted with woodlands. This area is abundant with birdlife. There are also large groups of lion, leopard, African wild dog, roan antelope, sable antelope, a hippopotamus pod and enormous herds of elephants. You may also spot a basking crocodile.
Between the Linyanti and Savuti Marshes, you will find a deserted hinterland with an empty atmosphere like no other. This area is lesser know than the others and can be a brilliant place to see eland antelopes.

The lodge is a 15-20min drive from Chobe National Park
Bakwena is located just a 5 min drive from the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe
Land and water-based safaris
Guided bicycle tours
Wi-Fi is complimentary and available in all rooms
All rooms have air conditioners
Adaptors available upon request
2 Night minimum stay
Eco-friendly swimming pool filtered by plants and a bed of gravel
Private terrace for a romantic dinner for two
Chicken Pest Control team to nibble any pesky insects

Bakwena Lodge offers an inclusive safari option in an area packed with beautiful wildlife and breath-taking animals. Chobe is home to approximately 200000 elephants who drink and play in the river’s cooling waters. Chobe is also well-known for its predators such as lions and hyenas – which promise an incredible safari experience. A number of activities will be available such as land and water-based safaris with Bakwena’s excellent guides, fishing trips, guided bicycle tours, and the sundowner cruise – a unique chance to travel to the meeting place of four great African countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Chobe Bakwena Lodge is dedicated to making eco-centric decisions and using methods to ensure that any negative impacts to the area around the lodge are addressed. This includes the natural swimming pool filtered entirely by plants, their employment policies, food choices, encouragement of village tours on either foot or bicycle, and building methods. They strongly believe that responsible tourism does not have to mean a lack of luxury.

Summer is the green season in Botswana, and spans from November until March. This gives guests a chance to see the lush and green landscape surrounding the Chobe River, and birdlife is more prolific at this time of year. Winter, the dry season, spans from April until October. This is when the Chobe River is at its highest, drawing all sorts of wildlife to its waters.

Treetop Chalets

The 5 Treetop Chalets are all held above ground level by 3-metre-tall stilts and wrapped in a tree canopy. Enjoy your stay with a birds-eye view and nestle into a comfortable twin or king bed that overlooks the treetops. Even from up here, you will be able to access the complimentary Wi-Fi, and each room comes with 24-hour power.

River View Chalets

There are 10 River View Chalets in total. Each one is tucked away in a riverine forest to give a private and personal experience. The River Chalets all overlook the Chobe River and have their own verandahs. View the natural beauty of Botswana from the moment you wake up until it is time to head back to your comfortable twin or king bed. Each Chalet has Wi-Fi and electricity available around the clock.

Honeymoon Suite

Hidden on the secluded riverbank, the Bakwena honeymoon suite is a place of comfort and luxury. With air-conditioning and a bath, you will feel totally at ease. Enjoy time on your private deck, and witness the wonders of Chobe with your significant other in solitude.

Family Room

The family room is a great space for relaxing and enjoying time together for a family of up to 4. A plush king bed awaits you, with twins in the second room. A shared bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower means no queues in the morning and the large deck outside is big enough for everyone to stop and observe the beautiful scenery. The family room is located by the river, offering a peaceful view with a chance for some exciting encounters.

Dinner on Private Terrace

Take some time for a relaxing candlelit dinner under the stars on a private terrace. Enjoy delicious meals throughout the day with food sourced from the kitchen’s organic vegetable and herb garden.

Game Drives

Venture out in one of Bakwena’s four game vehicles where guests are able to take extended drives and linger at the game sightings of their choice. Drives take place both early in the morning and later in the afternoon, meaning that guests are able to see a wide range of game and predators, regardless of their habits. Experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the Chobe National Park will accompany you to give the most informative and fun experience.

Boat Cruises

Drift along the Chobe River in a 24 seated cruise boat. Float past bathing elephants and swimming hippos and spy on predators as they move across the horizon, all while you leisurely make your way to the meeting place of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia on this unique boat tour.

Village Walkabout

Explore the neighbouring village and meet the local people who put the soul into the country of Botswana. Get an authentic feel of what it is like to live in this country by having conversations with those who already do. A village walk offers you the chance to experience and understand the local customs and culture and take a little slice of village life back home with you.

Bicycle Tours

Take one of the comfortable 20 Cruiser bikes for a ride into the neighbouring village. You can go with a guide or alone. Venture out and feel the wind in your hair, safely enjoying the sights and sounds of Africa.

Bakwena supports local communities through employment and local trade. All of their staff are from the local communities and villages, and materials are sourced locally whenever possible. Furniture, such as the beds, are often made on-site with local resources. The use of local materials not only supports the local community but also keeps carbon emissions to a minimum.

Kitchen waste is recycled to create Methane gas, which is then used for the gas cooker to make meals. Food and garden waste is also recycled through a composting process, before being reused in the kitchen’s organic vegetable and herb garden. Bakwena trains their staff to use recycling so that they can do this within their own homes and communities. Solar power is used for lighting and heating the lodge and chalets. Treatments on all wooden surfaces are not harmful to the environment as they are made from natural oils and plant extracts, and the paints used are ‘green.’ Guests are also provided with biodegradable detergents and cleaning products.