Pangolin Chobe Hotel

The lodge's hilltop location means sweeping views of the floodplains and river, and its furnished deck juts out to reveal even more of the vistas. The U-shaped lounge has a fire pit at its heart and a similarly shaped pool at its front (see it to believe it!). The photo-editing room has desk space for all, and the wide corridors are lined with artwork and photographs. Upstairs is a bar and lounge with stained-glass windows and views for days.

The 14 rooms include nine king-sized rooms and five twins. The lodge design makes much use of poured concrete, and in the bedrooms it's not only the floors, but also the bed bases and countertops that are all buffed to a smooth gleam. Clever lighting and large sliding glass doors ensure the atmosphere retains a natural warmth. Spacious en-suite bathrooms have showers and double basins. Outside, the balconies encourage you to linger and lose yourself in the scenery.

Chobe National Park's main gate is just few hundred metres away from the lodge, so you'll get the most out of every day. Take a photographic tour with resident and guest Pangolin Photo Hosts, who make sure you get the best angle. Boat trips through the park reveal hippo, elephant, waterbirds and plentiful other wildlife along the river. Game drives in the morning or afternoon expose Chobe's various habitats. All activities come at an extra cost.