Best hotels in Chobe

To the west of Chobe National Park is Chobe Forest Reserve, home to one of the few remaining natural timber forests in Botswana. Lying in a private concession in this off-the-tourist-track reserve is Muchenje Safari Lodge, a laid-back retreat set high on an escarpment with views across a seasonal floodplain to the distant river. The lodge is owner-run and -managed, so every detail has been carefully considered, from the comfortable main area and lovely chalets to the fresh, homely meals, prolific wildlife (the region is one of the richest birdwatching areas in Africa) and top-quality guided drives and nature walks.

Chobe Chilwero is a traditional-style safari lodge at the edge of Chobe National Park, where you'll find the world's largest single concentration of elephant. From the lodge you can enjoy far-reaching views across the floodplains and islands of the Chobe River across to Namibia. Guests are well looked-after in 15 large, solid-walled suites complete with aircon, and at the wonderfully luxuriant spa.

Chobe Safari Lodge lies on the banks of the Chobe River, the artery of life for the Chobe National Park. The lodge is large (and popular, as its location dictates – this is where Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia meet), but its lovely setting in an area rich in indigenous flora and fauna, its comfortable accommodation and good food make this an ideal stopover for a few nights before or after a safari. The lodge has recently been renovated, and is an excellent launch pad for Chobe, Victoria Falls or the Caprivi Strip.

Five-star Camp Kuzuma lies on a small land concession in the 12,000-hectare (and very little-known) Kuzuma Forest Reserve in north-eastern Botswana. What makes this region especially important is its position, for this is the wildlife corridor between Chobe National Park (in Botswana) and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. At various times of the year, particularly in the dry winter months, the area sees as many elephants as anywhere in Africa, as the giants move between their two favourite parks. Additionally, the small, strategically placed camp draws wildlife to its own waterhole, making game viewing easy (if somewhat lacking in diversity).

Be inspired by Africa's majestic animals as they quench their first at Elephant Valley Lodge's waterhole overlooking the Lesoma Valley in the Chobe District of Zimbabwe. The area is known for having the largest population of African elephant in the world but it's also home to honey badger, giraffe, antelope, leopard, lion, hyena and more. Eight of the 20 tents overlook the waterhole; the remaining 12 face the lush forest lawn and swimming pool. When you're not watching animals, or listening to their cacophony of calls, take a game drive or boat cruise, and a day trip to Victoria Falls.

Tlouwana Camp lies in northern Botswana, at its intersection with three other nations – Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Set just outside Chobe National Park, famous for its life-giving waters and its impressive numbers of elephants (said to be the greatest on Earth), this is an ideal base for exploring the park's varied habitats. Chobe's vast green floodplains lead to dry savannas, woodlands to riverine forests – all forming a complex ecosystem that supports a wealth of species. With modern tented accommodation, excellent guides and a range of activities at a very fair price, Tlouwana is definitely an option to consider.

This far-flung lodge in the northern reaches of Botswana's Chobe National Park may seem unduly far off the beaten path for some – and ideally placed for others. But Nogatsaa Pans follows its own logic, one that falls in step with the bush. Surrounded by a cluster of natural clay-bottom pans that attract huge numbers of wildlife in the dry season, Nogatsaa is strategically placed on the largest pan, Kwikamba. The lodge's structures, all on stilts, range across the thicketed bank. The main attraction? The landscapes, which are sweeping and silent, and the creatures that flock to the water sources.

This owner-run gem, named after the elusive African Clawless Otter, offers a refreshingly personal take on safari life. Perched above the dramatic confluence of two mighty rivers, the lodge delivers front-row seats to one of Africa's greatest wildlife spectacles. The modern, elevated design ensures every corner capitalizes on those rippling river views, while the intimate scale - just six rooms - creates an atmosphere that feels delightfully personal. Rather cleverly positioned, you're just ten minutes from both the national park gates and the international airport.