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Perched on the edge of a valley overlooking the Chobe River and its floodplains is a lodge that, from the outside, looks unassuming. Enter the reception area, however, and see the view across the plains swarming with wildlife and your perception will change completely. You'll want to drop your luggage and head to the viewing deck. And that's why Ngoma Safari Lodge is regarded as one of the top lodges in the Chobe area. Game drives access the less busy western end of the Chobe waterfront which, during the dry season, is regarded as one of Africa's richest wildlife areas.
From $710 person/night
Enjoying a post-lunch dip in your private plunge pool and watching the elephants, buffalo and hippos across the Chobe valley.
Don't be surprised if a mongoose or vervet monkey greets you at your room in the morning - the wildlife here is curious and it's lovely!
It will take you around 20 minutes by car to reach the entrance to the national park but there should be plenty to see along the way.
Ngoma’s thatched buildings are all made from natural materials, with ethnic fabrics, building material and artefacts providing a local touch. The central area houses the reception, lounge, bar and dining room, below which a waterfall flows into a small pool. Meals (five-star, varied and generous) are generally served on the deck, with views over a floodlit waterhole and its cavalcade of animals. There's wi-fi in both the central area and your suite.
The lodge has eight private suites, two of which can be converted into triples. The decor is understated chic, cleverly allowing the fine views of the Chobe, its floodplain and its inhabitants, including the famous elephants, to dominate. Each suite has air conditioning, overhead fans, a mini bar, an en-suite bathroom with shower and tub, an outdoor shower and a private plunge pool. Want to spend a day in your suite admiring the view? You wouldn't be the first!
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It's a 20-minute drive from Ngoma to Chobe National Park, so the main activity is a full-day game drive (anticipate your progress being interrupted by a herd of elephants crossing the road). You can also take an afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe's waterways – there's always something exciting to see. Explore the area on foot, go birding, picnic in the bush or visit a local village, whose people are actively involved in the running of this lovely lodge.
Ngoma Safari Lodge is owned by Machaba Safaris which deeply values the communities in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and feeds back into them through education, empowerment, and conservation initiatives. They support local schools and programs while working with communities to protect fragile ecosystems and promote human-wildlife coexistence. Addressing infrastructure needs, they provide essentials like water and sustainable gardens. Visitors can contribute through donations, volunteering, or simply by choosing Machaba Safaris for their safari experience.
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The Chobe National Park is famous for impressive herds of elephant and Cape buffalo that seasonally congregate along the winding river banks and open grassy floodplains. Expect to see a diversity of hoofed mammals, including the puku (only seen in this part of Botswana), giraffe, warthog, roan and sable, and keep an eye out for the predators—lion and leopard—that are never far behind. The leopard is particularly prominent along the bank of the river so be sure to scan the tree branches.
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