Category: fine-dining

Fresh Look, More Luxury – Chobe Safari Lodge

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Evening view of Chobe Safari Lodge from across the Chobe River, with warm lights reflecting on the water and a moored river safari boat to the right.

From September 2025, the ‘new’ Chobe Safari Lodge will reveal a full upgrade:

  • Explorer River Suites – Two gorgeous, two-bedroom duplex suites with spacious lounges and river-facing balconies, perfect for honeymooners or couples who want more space and privacy.
  • Luxury River Rooms – Fully refurbished and ready by late 2025.
  • Packages from 2 – 6 nights – With discounts for longer stays (The 2 and 3 night packages work out better than nightly rates).

Activities That Sell Themselves

Every stay includes a choice of incredible activities:

  • Boat Safari
  • Game Drive (morning or afternoon)
  • Fishing
  • Quadripoint Bridge Tour
  • Spa Treatment
  • Sundowner at Treetops


Guests can also upgrade to Enhanced Activities like photographic boat safaris, scenic flights, or even swap two included activities for a Victoria Falls excursion at no extra cost in some cases!

Dining Experiences Worth the Trip Alone

  • Riverside Restaurant – Live cooking stations, themed evenings, and Botswana’s first climate-controlled salad and dessert bars with Chobe River views.
  • Sedudu Outdoor Dining – Dinner under the stars, showcasing local flavours and traditions – a truly Botswana experience.
  • Cattle Post Steak House – Premium Botswana beef paired with a fantastic wine list.
  • High Tea at the Pavilion – Complimentary daily from 1hh30pm to 17h30pm.


More Than Just a Place to Sleep

  • Explorers Lounge – A treasure trove of Botswana history and travel stories.
  • Elephant Centre – Interactive displays celebrating Africa’s giants.
  • Bush Walk & Treetops Lookout – A guided nature trail ending in panoramic floodplain views.

Sustainability in Action

From freshly baked bread and pastries to pure, filtered water from their own bottling plant, Chobe Safari Lodge is reducing food miles and waste without compromising on quality.

Read more about how Chobe Safari Lodge is making a difference HERE.

Reasons to Book

  • All rates now include park fees and bed levy.
  • Multi-night packages offer better value than nightly rates – perfect for 2+ nights.
  • Secret Season ‘Pay 3, Stay 4’ special from Dec to Mar (excl. holiday season).


Chobe Safari Lodge has transformed into a true destination, not just a gateway to Chobe National Park. With upgraded rooms, more dining and activity choices, and an effortless booking process, it’s set to become one of Botswana’s must-stay properties.

Ready to experience the new Chobe Safari Lodge for yourself?
Secure your stay now and be among the first to enjoy the upgraded suites, expanded dining options, and unforgettable activities along the Chobe River. Whether it’s a romantic escape, a family adventure, or a luxury safari stopover, Chobe Safari Lodge is ready to welcome your guests with style.

Contact our team today to check availability and book your ideal package.
Email: info@thompsonsafrica.com
Tel: +27 31 275 3500

A Royal Culinary Revival with Michelin-Starred Chef JAN at The Palace of the Lost City

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The Crystal Court at The Palace of the Lost City, featuring JAN’s reimagined breakfast buffet with grand elephant fountain centerpiece and opulent interior decor.

The Palace of the Lost City, long revered for its grandeur and mythical charm, has taken its dining offering to unprecedented heights through an extraordinary partnership with Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. This marks a new era for its iconic Crystal Court, blending royal opulence with cutting-edge culinary innovation.

Internationally celebrated for his flair in curating immersive, hyper-personalised experiences, Chef Jan—South Africa’s first chef to receive a Michelin star—now brings his world-class vision to one of Africa’s most legendary hotels.

From Lost Ingredients to Legendary Flavours

At the heart of this partnership lies a reverence for South Africa’s rich food heritage. The rejuvenated Crystal Court reintroduces guests to a forgotten pantry of indigenous ingredients through the theme: ‘The lost ingredients at the Lost City.’

Expect unexpected flavours from:

  • Amaranth, a powerhouse ancient grain
  • Jew’s Mallow, Cleome, and Blackjack, traditional leafy greens with exceptional nutritional value
  • Bambara Groundnut and Cowpea, resilient legumes with deep African roots

These ingredients are reinterpreted through JAN’s refined culinary lens, resulting in dishes that are deeply local, boldly inventive, and elegantly plated.

Spotlight on South Africa’s Golden Staple

The first chapter of this culinary revival begins with heirloom corn and maize, cornerstones of local cuisine. Introduced to the region in the 1600’s, maize has fed generations and defined cultures. At the Crystal Court, it now ascends to a gourmet pedestal.

Chef Jan showcases the versatility of this ingredient—from comforting pap to avant-garde compositions, celebrating its health benefits, historical significance, and cultural soul.

A Multi-Million Rand Transformation

More than just a menu change, this partnership is part of a R30-million revamp of the Crystal Court. Now seating 218 guests, the space marries architectural grandeur with contemporary grace, creating an atmosphere of timeless luxury.

It’s just the beginning. Over the next 18 months, JAN’s culinary vision will extend to the Tusk Bar, Pool Deck, and in-room dining, redefining every gastronomic touchpoint at The Palace.

A Vision of Seven-Star Dining

‘By consulting one of the country’s most creative and applauded chefs, we finally achieve the original vision of our founder, the late Sol Kerzner, to offer a seven-star dining experience,’ says Brett Hoppé, General Manager of Sun City.

The partnership launched with the reimagined Crystal Court breakfast experience in November 2024, just in time to welcome guests for the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge. Since then, rave reviews have echoed across the luxury travel and gastronomy landscape.

Where Storytelling, Cuisine, and Royal Comfort Meet

From guests arriving for world-class golf to couples on once-in-a-lifetime getaways, The Palace now offers not just opulence—but meaningful, memorable, Michelin-worthy meals.

‘Our focus is on authenticity, personalisation, and the beauty of detail,” says Chef Jan. “We want every moment to feel like pure delight.’

Whether you’re dreaming of a gourmet escape at The Palace or a fully hosted journey across Southern Africa, we’ll curate every detail to perfection, from seamless transfers to exquisite stays.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.com
Tel: +27 31 275 3500