Sustainability Snapshot – Chobe Safari Lodge

A lioness stands at the water’s edge watching two buffalo wade across the Chobe River floodplain at sunset.

At Chobe Safari Lodge, sustainability isn’t a side project; it’s central to everything they do. Here’s how they’re making a difference:

🌱 Rewilding the Bush Walk

  • Over 200 indigenous trees planted along the Chobe River to protect the shoreline from erosion.
  • Native species like Sweet Thorn and Zambezi cocoa bush reintroduced to restore soil health and attract pollinators.
  • The Treetops Lookout deck built entirely from reclaimed timber.

Fresh & Local

  • An on-site bakery produces bread, pastries, and rusks daily.
  • Their in-house bottling plant filters water using reverse osmosis, cutting plastic waste and reducing food miles.

Community First

  • 99% of staff are Batswana, with over 200 local citizens employed.
  • Staff development includes extensive training and career growth opportunities.
  • Active support of ‘Learn to Play’, bringing sustainable play-based early learning to remote villages.

Conservation in Action

  • Partnership with SAFRING (University of Cape Town) on bird-ringing projects, providing critical migration and population data.
  • Aligned with Chobe Holdings’ wider eco-initiatives: solar energy, advanced waste management, and anti-poaching support.

The Takeaway
When guests stay at Chobe Safari Lodge, they’re not just enjoying world-class hospitality; they’re actively contributing to a sustainable future for Botswana’s wildlife, communities, and environment.

At Thompsons Africa, we believe that true luxury in travel is only meaningful when it supports the people, wildlife, and environments that make Africa so special. Chobe Safari Lodge’s commitment to rewilding, reducing waste, empowering local communities, and conserving biodiversity is a perfect reflection of our own sustainability ethos. By partnering with lodges like this, we ensure that every journey we offer is not only memorable for our guests but also meaningful for the future of Southern Africa.

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

Fresh Look, More Luxury – Chobe Safari Lodge

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

Unforgettable Safari Adventure at Rhino Sands Safari Camp

In January of this year, my now husband and I enjoyed an incredible stay at Rhino Sands Safari Camp for a two-night mini honeymoon. To say that it was extraordinary would be an understatement! We were particularly blown away by the exceptional service provided by our safari guide, Josh, and the warm and incredibly attentive attention of every staff member at the camp. From the moment we arrived, we felt so welcomed! The staff greeted us with genuine smiles and made us feel instantly at home. 

Our accommodation surpassed all expectations. Our tented suite (one of just four at the camp) blew us away. You truly feel like you are sleeping out in the open bush but with the comforts of a luxury five-star safari lodge. Each tented suite offers a lounge, a bathroom with a beautiful bathtub, a very private deck with a plunge pool, an outdoor shower, and three of the canvas tented walls roll up to ensure a completely seamless experience with the surrounding bush.

With sustainability being a key feature of the property, we were very impressed to hear how the camp is run. The General Manager explained that from the outset, the vision for Rhino Sands Safari Camp was for it to be an eco-camp. And they truly have achieved this. Entirely off the grid, all heating elements (which require the most electricity) are also run on natural gas. Other small elements cement their commitment to conservation and sustainability, with even their towels made from locally grown cotton, woven in a design that minimizes the amount of water and electricity it takes to wash them. The water comes from the ground and when we arrived, they gave us refillable water bottles to cut down on plastic waste. Each tented suite was carefully designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding forest. The camp layout was largely influenced by the natural contours of the forest itself, and throughout the camp, we noticed areas where trees had been preserved, with the camp structures and decking built around them.

One of the highlights of our stay was undoubtedly the culinary experience at Rhino Sands Safari Camp. Each meal was an absolute masterpiece, expertly prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The evening bushfires and morning coffee (made on a FIRE) were magical, and a private dinner at our tent on our second evening was a wonderful, special touch.

Our safari experiences with Josh were the highlight of our trip. His passion for wildlife and deep knowledge of the bushveld made each game drive unforgettable. Manyoni Private Game Reserve is a 57,000-acre privately owned Big Five game reserve. Our sightings were incredible and watching Josh expertly navigate around every dung beetle in our path, was delightful! We were joined by a very well-travelled Dutch couple, booked for a 21-night stay at Rhino Sands, and they commented that the Manyoni Reserve experience was, by far, one of their best!

Our stay at Rhino Sands Safari Camp was truly a dream come true. Every aspect of our experience exceeded our expectations. We could not have asked for a more beautiful mini honeymoon. 

Thank you, Rhino Sands Safari Camp, for an unforgettable experience!

My colleague Serina (Sales & Contracting: North America and Australasia) and her husband were also recently at Rhino Sands Safari Camp, and Serina had this to say. Rhino Sands Safari Camp is an absolutely amazing experience! I can’t think of a more perfect place to escape to. From the intimacy of the lodge, the warmth of the team, the delectable food, the stunning landscapes and the thrilling safaris, Rhino Sands Safari Camp truly is magical!’

TO NOTE:

  • Guests can easily do a three or even four-night stay at Rhino Sands Safari Camp. The Reserve offers incredible, diverse experiences, from wide-open savannas to thick forest vegetation.
  • Getting to Rhino Sands Safari Camp is an easy 3-hour drive from King Shaka International Airport. Either self-drive or book a transfer.
  • Rhino Sands Safari Camp is a TRUE eco-lodge and guests are encouraged to charge devices during the daylight, however, at no time are guests inconvenienced as the property is supported by an emergency generator should it be needed.
  • This is a Big Five experience.
  • Rhino Sands Safari Camp is a featured property in our Thompsons Africa 2024 brochure. To read more and see rates click here.

Viki Zeiss (Marketing Manager – Thompsons Africa)