Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

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Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a luxurious riverside retreat in the heart of the bush on the edge of Chobe National Park, home to the world's largest remaining population of elephants.

Sitting above the Chobe River, the lodge offers unparalleled panoramic views across the islands and floodplains as far across as Namibia. This is an incredibly luxurious lodge with just 15 guest cottages, as well as the only full spa on the Botswana safari circuit. Relax in the split-level swimming pool, unwind with a pampering session in the spa or enjoy the gourmet food that the lodge has become known for.

  • Highest concentration of elephants in Africa on lodge's doorstep
  • Full service spa, including treetop treatment room
  • Sundowner cruises on the Chobe River in our customised boats
  • Families with children of all ages welcome
  • Air-conditioned lodge

Game Drives

Elephants feature largely on any activity at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, as the largest population left in Africa occupies this northern corner between Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Game drives in open-sided 4 x 4 vehicles bring these grey giants into easy reach as they drink and frolic at the water's edge in their boisterous herds. Thrilling game drives lead by our qualified professional guides bring you close to hippos, buffalos, puku and other animals that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. The puku, a small rusty-brown antelope, alongside impala, kudu and red lechwe, are only a few of the common antelope found here. Naturally, lion and leopard are also found in the area.

Sundowner Cruise

The best way to end a day of safari here is sipping on a cocktail while watching an African sunset over the still waters of the Chobe River from the comfort of one of our specially designed riverboats. Sundowner cruises are also a great way of seeing buffalo up close as they come out of the shade to graze in the cooler evenings and elephants as they wade in the river. Chobe is renowned for its abundance of dramatic sable and roan antelopes with their impressive horns. Sitatungas - antelope with splayed feet to help them run in swamps - are often seen here, as are the wild dog and lion that prey upon them.

Photographic Safari Cruise

Our new safari boat available from Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero can seat up to 18 guests and has a lower and upper deck, both featuring 360 degree swivel seats. The upper deck offers a great vantage point of the Chobe River and wildlife while the lower deck boasts a bar area and the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a scrumptious river breakfast or lunch. The boat offers a great exclusive and intimate alternative to enjoying the Chobe area especially for photographic enthusiasts.

Kids Safari

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero welcomes children of all ages and is the ideal choice for a family safari. A fence surrounds the lodge's perimeter and a whole host of children's programs and activities are available to keep the young ones busy. Our kids program includes guided walking safaris within the grounds of the lodge to collect pods, leaves and seeds and learn about tree identification, a "Safari hunt" with clues hidden away, kiddies croquet on the lawn, make your own pizza with the Chef and shortened game drives. Each child will also receive a back pack that includes a big five colouring book, colouring pencils, water bottle, torch and children's binoculars.

Community Tour

Immerse in the local community and visit the Dipetsana Women’s Bike Shop. Set up through Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy, the shop employs five women, providing them with a much-needed income to care for their families. Through donations of used bikes, the Initiative not only supports the women, but offers the local community access to a vital means of transport. The women relish in the chance to give visitors a tour of their shop, and offer them the opportunity to partake in a scenic bike ride around Kasane. Guests then have the option to continue the tour to the neighbouring women’s basketry shop to meet the employees and learn about their craft. Follow this with a stop at the local CARCAL animal rescue centre ($5 entrance fee), which takes in injured animals and birds, with the core aim to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.

Fishing Excurions

Guests will meet up with their guide at reception and drive through to the jetty for their fishing activity. The best time for fishing in the Chobe area is in winter, May, June, July and August. Type of fish guests can expect to catch is Bream and Tiger Fish. All fishing is done on a catch and release basis. Rates include: Use of the boat for maximum of 3 hours and fishing equipment. Maximum 3 people per boat and subject to availability. This activity is at an additional cost. Please enquire for rates.

Tour of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Only an hour and a half's drive from the spectacular Victoria Falls, Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a great base from which to explore this great wonder of the world. The transfer time is approximately 1 ½ hours depending on border formalities. From here, the guide will escort guests around the Falls sharing some facts & history along the way. Sanctuary Retreats will supply raincoats during high water months when guests are likely to get wet from the spray of the Falls. The walk is approximately 1½ hours in duration (3km), through the rainforest, stopping at the various viewing points. Guests will also have the opportunity to do some curio shopping in the adjacent open-air markets before returning to Chobe Chilwero. This activity is at an additional cost. Please enquire for rates.

Spa

Inspired by the abundance of nature that surrounds the lodge, the spa has drawn from that beauty to develop a range of treatments and rituals of the highest quality to relax, restore and revitalise guests. Authentic African design has been integrated with the natural elements surrounding this luxury lodge and the spa only uses products, treatment methods and practices that are environmentally friendly. Luxurious facilities include an indoor spa bath, Vichy showers, hydrotherapy, plunge pool, relaxation area and private treatment rooms, one of which is elevated in the treetops. Choose from treatments such as African Goddess Anti-Aging Facial, Soul of Africa Conditioning Body Massage, an African Milk Bath Ritual, African Potato Anti-Aging Body Experience, manicures and pedicures. With a range of treatments and rituals of the highest quality using products from both the Africology and Thalgo lines, how can you resist?

A commitment to conservation and responsible tourism has been an integral part of the construction of Sanctuary's properties and their daily operations ever since they opened their first camp in Kenya's Masai Mara in 1999. Sanctuary Retreats selects projects based on their potential to create long-lasting relationships with the communities in the areas in which they operate.

Sanctuary Retreats continues to build long lasting relationships with the rural communities in the areas in which they operate. Their goal is to identify and sponsor long-term, viable and self-sustaining projects that will have the support of their staff and visitors. The projects listed on these pages are all collaborative. They work closely with the local communities to determine their needs and improve their well-being.

View all of Sanctuary's Conservation projects

Other Camps in Botswana