Island Safari Lodge

What Island Safari Lodge does

Island Safari Lodge, trading as part of the Island Group of Companies, is a privately held Botswana safari hospitality business headquartered on a 300-acre private island reserve on the Thamalakane River, approximately 10 km from Maun Airport. Founded in 1972 by Anthony Leonard Graham and now under Watson-family ownership since the 2003 business division, the company is 100% Botswana citizen-owned. The legal entity, Island Safaris (Pty) Limited (registration CO. 1312), also operates a wholly owned mobile safari subsidiary, Several Safaris Botswana.

The business operates two integrated lines: a fixed-site lodge and a mobile safari division. The lodge offers 12 Heritage Chalets, 6 Heritage Rooms, 6 Heritage Family Rooms and a 10-pitch campsite (capacity ~100 campers), supported by a riverside restaurant and bar, swimming pools, and a 116-hectare mini-game park with three nature trails. The mobile safari division runs semi-participation (Heritage Safaris) and fully serviced (Heritage Blue Ribbon Safaris) camping itineraries spanning Moremi, Okavango Delta, Khwai, Savuti, Chobe, Central Kalahari and Victoria Falls, alongside day excursions (mokoro, boat cruises, Moremi/Chief's Island day trips) and corporate/event venue hire.

Revenue is generated through per-night accommodation rates (US$8–$157 per room or person), per-day safari packages (US$145–$880 per person per day depending on group size and tier), à la carte activities, F&B, and event hire. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer bookings via the NightsBridge engine on the company website with a B2B channel through African Secrets (Pty) Ltd, the authorized inbound operator serving international tour operators and travel agents. There is no proprietary technology stack; operations run on standard hospitality and tourism infrastructure.

Name

Island Safari Lodge

Legal name

Island Safaris (Pty) Limited

Website

https://islmaun.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned Botswana safari lodge and mobile safari operator, founded 1972, offering accommodation, a restaurant, and guided wildlife experiences across Maun, the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe, Kalahari, and Victoria Falls.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Safari Lodge and Adventure Tourism Hospitality

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Safari Lodges (Big Five/Game Reserves) (THAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG), Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (THAJAIAB), Safari Camps & Tented Lodges (THAGAOAF), Safari & Wildlife Travel Agencies (THAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Safari lodge accommodation
• Mobile safari packages
• Wildlife game drives
• Okavango Delta tours
• Lodge and camping hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Maun

HQ country

Botswana

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Accommodation: The lodge offers various accommodation options including Heritage Chalets (12 free-standing units with twin beds, en-suite bathrooms, and air-conditioning), Heritage Rooms (6 attached rooms), Heritage Family Rooms (6 attached rooms with bunk beds), and a Campsite (10 demarcated sites). All rates include breakfast.
2. Mobile Safari Packages: The company offers multiple mobile safari products including Heritage Safaris (semi-participation camping experience) and Heritage Blue Ribbon Safaris (fully serviced premium experience). Safari packages include accommodation, transportation, park fees, meals, and professional guides.
3. Restaurant and Bar: On-site restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a fully licensed bar. Meals can be taken indoors, in gardens, or by the river. Wi-fi is available in the restaurant area.
4. Activities and Excursions: Day trips to Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, Mokoro excursions, boat cruises, and island trail access. These are offered as add-on activities for lodge guests and independent travelers.
5. Corporate and Social Events: Venue hire and catering services for corporate events, weddings, parties, and team building activities. The lodge offers cocktail menus, set menus, and buffet options with tailored menus available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Island Safari Lodge operates a safari lodge on a 300-acre private island reserve on the Thamalakane River near Maun, Botswana, offering accommodation (Heritage Chalets, Heritage Rooms, Heritage Family Rooms, and a Campsite), a restaurant and bar, swimming pool, and guided wildlife activities. It also operates mobile safari packages covering Botswana's major wildlife destinations including the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe, Khwai, Savuti, and Central Kalahari, as well as Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Product overview

Island Safari Lodge operates a hospitality and adventure tourism business consisting of a lodge accommodation facility and mobile safari operations across Botswana. The core offering includes on-site accommodation at their private island reserve near Maun (Heritage Chalets, Heritage Rooms, Heritage Family Rooms, and a Campsite) plus a restaurant and bar. The mobile safari division offers semi-participation (Heritage Safaris) and fully-serviced (Heritage Blue Ribbon Safaris) camping safari packages to destinations including Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Khwai, Savuti, and Victoria Falls. Day excursions include Mokoro excursions, boat cruises, day trips to Moremi and Chief's Island, and self-guided Island Trails activities. The company positions itself as a 100% Botswana citizen-owned operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heritage Chalets Twelve free-standing chalets set in the lodge gardens with twin beds, en-suite bathrooms, and air-conditioning, available as single (US$79/night B&B) or double (US$123/night B&B) accommodation for safari travelers.
• Heritage Rooms Six attached rooms with twin beds, en-suite bathrooms, and air-conditioning, available as single (US$92/night B&B) or double (US$140/night B&B) accommodation for safari travelers.
• Heritage Family Rooms Six attached rooms with twin and bunk beds, en-suite bathrooms, and air-conditioning, accommodating two adults and two children at US$157 per night B&B for families on safari.
• Island Safari Lodge Campsite Spacious, shady campsite on the riverine with 10 demarcated sites under a riverine canopy, featuring power access, lights, ablution blocks, shower block, and a fenced swimming pool, accommodating up to 100 campers at US$8 per person per night.
• Island Safari Lodge Restaurant and Bar Riverside restaurant and well-stocked licensed bar offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Thamalakane River; free WiFi available in the restaurant area.
• Heritage Safaris Semi-participation mobile camping safari experience where guests help set up tents and prepare meals over campfires, visiting destinations across Botswana's wildlife reserves at US$450-$780 per person per day.
• Heritage Blue Ribbon Safaris Fully serviced premium mobile safari with private customized 4x4 vehicles, spacious tents with stretchers, and three-course meals prepared by a camp chef, priced from US$550 to US$880 per person per day.
• Day Trips to Moremi Game Reserve Full-day guided excursions to the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve, 80 km from Maun, featuring game drives in open safari vehicles with wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Chief's Island Day Trip Boat journey into the Okavango Delta to Chief's Island, exploring channels and wildlife via boat cruise depending on water levels, priced from US$145 to US$515 per person.
• Mokoro Excursions Traditional dugout canoe (mokoro) excursions gliding through Okavango Delta channels, guided by local qualified polers for a unique nature experience, priced from US$105 to US$205 per person.
• Boat Cruises River cruises along the Thamalakane River offering one-hour and two-hour options, including sunset cruises and wildlife viewing, with seasonal availability typically July-August; US$20 per person (minimum 4 people).
• Island Trails Three bush trails spanning 2,000 to 5,000 meters across the 300-acre private island reserve, available for private walks, cycling, or guided bird and game walks on the 116-hectare mini-game sanctuary.
• Heritage Mokoro Safari Two-day semi-participation safari exploring the Okavango Delta by mokoro with walking safari on islands, camping in the wilderness.
• 3-Day Moremi Heritage Safari Three-day camping safari exploring Moremi Game Reserve with game drives and all meals included, departing from Island Safari Lodge.
• Botswana and Vic Falls Selection Adventure Nine-day mobile safari covering Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, Chobe, and Victoria Falls with a mix of mobile camping and lodge accommodation.
• Moremi Heritage Blue Ribbon Safari Six-day fully serviced mobile safari into Moremi Game Reserve with private 4x4 vehicles, spacious tents, and all meals prepared by a camp chef.
• Okavango Encounter - Mokoro Excursion Four-day package combining Moremi game drives with a mokoro excursion in the Okavango Delta, plus a sunset boat cruise.
• 7-Day Adventurer Safari Seven-day full participation camping safari covering Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, and Chobe, with guests preparing their own meals and setting up camps.
• 3-Day Central Kalahari Adventurer Safari Three-day camping safari into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve exploring salt pans, ancient riverbeds, and diverse wildlife including giraffes, cheetahs, and wild dog.
• Corporate and Social Events Venue Venue hire and catering services for corporate events, weddings, parties, team building activities, retreats, and special functions, with cocktail menus, set menus, and buffet options plus tailored menus available.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Rhino Conservation BotswanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Island Safaris adopted a black rhino named Tsholofelo (meaning 'hope' in Setswana) as part of their conservation efforts. Tsholofelo was born in the Okavango Delta. Rhino Conservation Botswana works with governments of Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to reintroduce black and white rhinos to Botswana, aiming to build populations of 5,000-10,000 wild rhinos.
• Travel for ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Island Safaris partners with Travel for Impact, a social enterprise that reallocates tourism industry funds back into community initiatives. Travel for Impact works at grassroots level to address community-identified needs through sustainable partnerships with travel and community partners.
• Travel for ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the partnership, Island Safaris supports community projects including Bana Ba Letsatsi (a haven for vulnerable children in Maun) and Crafthood (traditional basket weaving centers in Ngamiland region).
• CrafthoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrafthood centers bring together traditional basket weavers of Botswana's Ngamiland region to showcase and preserve their cultural heritage. The skills are passed down from generation to generation, though the organization aims to bridge a growing disconnect with younger generations.
• Bana Ba LetsatsiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBana Ba Letsatsi (BBL) is a haven for vulnerable children in the Maun community, striving to rehabilitate them back into schools and society. Island Safaris supports BBL through the Travel for Impact partnership, helping children like Gomolemo Sathebe who went on to become stores assistant at Ker & Downey Botswana.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• &Beyond: Luxury safari and lodge operator with multiple Botswana properties (e.g., &Beyond Xudum, Sandibe) plus mobile safaris. Competes for the same high-end traveler targeting the Okavango Delta and competes for distribution through similar travel-trade channels.
• Ker & Downey Botswana: Boutique Botswana safari operator running camps in the Okavango Delta and beyond; comparable family-run history and target customer base. Explicitly referenced in Island Safari Lodge's own customer outcome story (Ker & Downey Botswana hiring alumni).
• Great Plains Conservation: Botswana- and Kenya-based luxury safari and conservation operator with camps in the Okavango and Selinda. Directly comparable for community/conservation-led positioning and premium safari pricing.
• Wilderness Safaris: Largest private-sector safari operator in Botswana operating luxury camps and mobile safaris across the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe. Direct competitor for the same international safari traveler; meaningfully larger scale but comparable safari product offering.
• Desert & Delta Safaris: Botswana-headquartered operator of eight camps in Moremi, Savuti, Chobe and Okavango. Closest like-for-like competitor in terms of mid-to-upper-tier lodge and mobile safari offering within Botswana.

Emerging players

• Mokoro Safaris (Botswana-based operators): Smaller Botswana operator specializing in mobile safaris across Moremi, Khwai and Savuti. Comparable mobile safari product and pricing tier; useful as a smaller-scale comparable for Island's mobile safari division.

Others

• African Secrets: Authorized inbound operator and booking agent for Island Group, handling tour-operator and travel-agent reservations globally. Not a competitor but a key channel partner whose book of business mirrors Island's addressable demand.

Broad incumbents

• Belmond (Safaris): Global luxury hospitality group that previously operated safari properties in Botswana. Competes in the high-end luxury segment but as part of a broader portfolio; relevant for benchmarking ADR and service standards in Botswana's premium safari tier.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IslandMobileSafari
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/island-safari-lodge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Island Safari Lodge