Chobe Bakwena Lodge
CEDARBERG RATING
Premier
Overview
Chobe Bakwena Lodge is an eco-luxury retreat on the banks of the Chobe River practicing sustainable tourism. Bakwena - from Setswana meaning ‘people of the crocodile’ one of the largest tribes in Botswana - embraces the surrounding culture and country as inspiration for its style and hospitality. The well-trained and very friendly staff are all members of the local villages.
Bakwena Lodge comprises 10 simply furnished river view chalets and 5 treetop chalets. The river view chalets are all situated under the shady canopy of Acacia trees. Each has a river view and is surrounded by indigenous riverine bush. Built around both ecological and traditional African principles. Each chalet offers laid-back luxury with its own raised deck overlooking the river. Built-in daybeds offer ample opportunity to absorb the changing moods of the Chobe. The en-suite bathroom offers both indoor and outdoor shower. 2 chalets can be used as family units.
The family chalet has two en suite bedrooms. The Villa on the other hand is suitable either for couples wanting a little more space and luxury or families with small children as the day beds in the sitting area can be used for children.
The treetop chalets are elevated on stilts above ground surrounded by the tree canopy with twin beds and en-suite bathroom including indoor and outdoor showers; ceiling fans and mosquito nets.
Activities
Game activities include game drives or river cruises in the Chobe. But there are also activities on offer for the middle of the day such as guided bike rides to Kazangulu where the 4 countries meet (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia) as well as guided village walks.
Relax in the inviting public sitting and dining areas or cool off in their inviting swimming pool. The personal touches by the owner-managers, Adam and Jen, can be felt from the hand selected furniture to the good food.
Minimum of two night stay is required
At A Glance
Big 5
Swimming pool
Rural location
Wifi on premises
In Pictures
Chobe Bakwena Lodge on the map
Rooms
River View Chalet
All ten of our River View Chalets are nestled in an indigenous riverine forest, each with a view of the magnificent Chobe River.
Wake up to the sound of a fish eagle and fall asleep to the comforting grunt of a hippo! Relax in the privacy of your own verandah and enjoy the beauty of Africa.
For guests requesting King Sized beds, we do have mattress converters to convert 2 x 3/4 Twin beds into a King.
8 x Twin Chalets (3/4 sized Twin Beds)
1 x Honeymoon Suite (King Sized Bed)
1 x Family Room (King Sized Bed + 2 x Twin Beds)
Indoor & Outdoor Shower
Ceiling Fan
Plug Sockets next to the beds
Hairdryer
Mosquito Net
Wifi
International Adaptor (hired from reception)
River View
Treetop Chalet
All five of our Treetop Chalets are elevated 3 meters on stilts above ground and wrapped in a Tree Canopy. Please be advised these rooms do not have a view of the River.
Lose yourself in a secret world of incandescent light and leaves remembering why a tree house was a childhood dream.
For guests requesting King Sized beds, we do have mattress converters to convert 2 x 3/4 Twin beds into a King.
5 x Treetop Chalets
3/4 sized Twin Beds
Indoor & Outdoor Showers
Ceiling Fan
Aircons
Plug Sockets beside the beds
Hairdryer
Mosquito Net
Wifi
International Adaptor (hired from reception)
Tree Canopy Views
Honeymoon Suite
The Bakwena honeymoon suite is an incentive to take romance to a new level and boldly claim ‘I do!’ Celebrate love in luxury with Chobe charm. Long live the King!
A stand alone bath and air conditioning ensure ultimate comfort. Breathe in the good life on your private deck or indulge in a siesta on the delight of a day bed to the heart beat of Africa
1 x King Bed
Lounge Area
Stand Alone Bath
Indoor Shower
Outdoor Shower
Ceiling Fan
Aircon
Hairdryer
Mosquito Net
Wifi
International Adaptor (hired from reception)
River View
Family Room
Treat your loved ones to a spacious and secluded family room.
Furnished in tasteful minimalism using natural fibres makes this space a refreshing change from the clutter of daily life. An opulent king bed welcomes you with twins in the second room. A shared bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower ensures no one is left wanting! Delicate hand sewn Madagascan lace floats through dappled morning light as the Chobe river rolls gently on. The deck is best enjoyed in silent reverie.
1 x Family Room (King Sized Bed + 3/4 size Twin Beds)
Indoor & Outdoor Shower
Ceiling Fan
Plug Sockets next to the beds
Hairdryer
Mosquito Net
Wifi
International Adaptor (hired from reception)
River View
Chobe Bakwena Lodge review
I thought that Chobe bakwena lodge was a super litte lodge, well-priced and well-run. It is owner-managed by Adam and Jen and their very friendly staff team.
What I liked was that it was a simple and intimate lodge (quite unlike most of the hotel-like lodges in Kasane) and yet it also had pretty much everything that you needed: friendly and welcoming staff, experienced in-house guiding team, spacious chalets with both indoor and outdoor chalets, good food freshly cooked and also extra activities for the middle of the day such as guided bike rides and village walks.
My room was super comfortable, simple yet well-designed with everything you would need.
I was particularly impressive by both the guiding knowledge and the driving skills of my guide, Bob who was a font of knowledge. In a park as popular as Chobe, knowing the quieter roads to take and knowing how to position your vehicle so that your clients can get the best photos (and getting the march on other vehicles) is a critical skill and one which Bob had in abundance.
Their ethos around game drives (unique in Chobe) is to stay out longer in the park, often to 10 or 11am, if your timing allows it. This means that you can head deeper into the Park and also are more likely to get away from some of the other lodge vehicles (as they start heading out the gate again at 9am prompt).
What I also liked was the back-story of the lodge staff. Adam and Jen only employ single mothers as hosts in the lodge, as they want to offer much needed employment to these ladies.
