chobesafarilodge

What chobesafarilodge does

Chobe Safari Lodge is a privately held Botswana hospitality company founded in 1959 in Kasane, operating the eponymous Chobe Safari Lodge and the adjacent Chobe Bush Lodge (opened 2014) on the banks of the Chobe River opposite Chobe National Park. The business runs roughly 100+ accommodation keys spanning Safari Rooms, River Rooms, Bush Rooms, Family Rooms, Classic Rondavels, and a 23-stand riverside campsite, plus a Kwa Maningi Spa and safari retail shop, supported by approximately 200 employees (99% Batswana citizens). Core technology is a standard hospitality property management system with direct booking integration through direct-book.com.

The company monetizes across five streams: accommodation bookings, separately-booked safari activities (boat cruises, game drives, Victoria Falls day trips, tiger fishing, scenic flights, photography cruises, village tours), food and beverage (including the Sedudu Bar and Grill riverside concept and candlelit dinner cruises), retail, and multi-property package bookings bundled with sister company Kwando Safaris and aviation partner Moremi Air. Pricing is primarily quote-based, ranging from R450 per person per night for camping specials to R5,000 per person per night at the luxury tier and US$3,190-$5,680 per person for multi-destination Botswana packages valid through 15 April 2026.

Go-to-market is hybrid direct-to-consumer via the website booking engine, email enquiries, and on-site activity offices, combined with channel partner distribution through travel agents, tour operators, and the Kwando Safaris sister network. Customer segments are diversified across international safari tourists, families, birding enthusiasts, budget/adventure campers, and SADC regional visitors. Recent strategic emphasis has been on curated premium experiences — Treetops Lookout, Explorers Lounge heritage space, Photography Boat Cruise, GEMMs dedicated host program, and Sedudu Bar and Grill — alongside a 2024-2025 renovation program, rather than capacity expansion.

Name

chobesafarilodge

Legal name

Chobe Safari Lodge

Website

https://chobesafarilodge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chobe Safari Lodge is a privately held Botswana hospitality company founded in 1959, operating two safari lodges and a riverside campsite in Kasane with 200+ staff, serving international tourists, families, and birding enthusiasts with accommodation, guided activities, and multi-destination safari packages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Safari Lodge Hospitality

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

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

Safari & Wilderness Luxury Resorts (THAGACAD), Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (THAJAIAB)

Keywords

• Safari lodge accommodation
• Wildlife game drives
• River boat cruises
• Hospitality safari packages
• Victoria falls excursions

Headquarters

HQ city

Kasane

HQ country

Botswana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Accommodation: Revenue from room bookings across multiple accommodation types: Safari Rooms, River Rooms, Bush Rooms, Classic Rondavels, Family Rooms, and riverside campsites at Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge.
2. Safari Activities: Revenue from guided activities including boat cruises, game drives, Victoria Falls day trips, tiger fishing, scenic flights, village tours, and photography cruises. Activities booked separately from accommodation.
3. Food and Beverage: Restaurant dining, Sedudu Bar and Grill outdoor dining, cocktail decks, dinner cruises, and spa treatments at Kwa Maningi Spa.
4. Retail: Safari shop selling guide books, regional maps, crafts, baskets, and pottery.
5. Package Bookings: Bundled safari packages combining accommodation, flights, transfers, and activities through partners like Kwando Safaris and Moremi Air.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chobe Safari Lodge operates two safari lodge properties on the Chobe River in Kasane, Botswana: Chobe Safari Lodge (60+ luxury rooms, family rooms, Classic Rondavels, and a 23-stand riverside campsite) and the adjacent Chobe Bush Lodge (38 luxury rooms and 4 family suites). The company sells accommodation, guided wildlife activities (Chobe River boat cruises, game drives into Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls day trips, tiger fishing, scenic flights, photography cruises, and village tours), riverside dining at Sedudu Bar and Grill, Kwa Maningi Spa treatments, and curated multi-destination safari packages bundled with sister properties via Kwando Safaris and Moremi Air.

Product overview

Chobe Safari Lodge operates as a hospitality company offering safari lodge accommodations and wildlife experiences in Kasane, Botswana. The portfolio includes two lodge properties: Chobe Safari Lodge (established 1959) as the primary riverside destination with Safari Rooms, River Rooms, Classic Rondavels, Family Rooms, and a riverside Campsite; and Chobe Bush Lodge as a boutique sister property with luxury rooms and family suites. Core experiences center on Chobe National Park activities including boat cruises, game drives, Victoria Falls day trips, tiger fishing, and cultural dining at Sedudu Bar and Grill. Recent additions include the Explorers Lounge, Treetops Lookout Deck, and Chobe Bush Walk as heritage and nature experiences. The company also offers spa services (Kwa Maningi Spa), photography-focused experiences, and curated safari packages through sister company Kwando Safaris.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sedudu Bar and Grill: Outdoor riverside dining experience featuring fire-cooked Botswana cuisine
• Chobe Bush Lodge
• Kwa Maningi Spa
• Explorers Lounge
• GEMMs (Guest Experience Memory Makers)
• Chobe Bush Walk
• Treetops Lookout

Products and services

• Chobe Safari Lodge Main riverside safari lodge on the Chobe River in Kasane, Botswana, offering 60 luxury rooms including Safari Rooms, River Rooms, Classic Rondavels, family rooms, and a 23-stand riverside Campsite. Founded 1959, Kasane's oldest resort.
• Chobe Bush Lodge Boutique safari lodge adjacent to Chobe Safari Lodge with 38 luxury en-suite rooms and 4 family suites, overlooking Chobe National Park and within walking distance of the main lodge.
• Chobe River Boat Cruise Guided boat cruise on the Chobe River featuring up-close wildlife viewing of elephant herds, buffalo, hippos, and diverse birdlife aboard double-decker boats.
• Game Drives Morning and afternoon game drives into Chobe National Park seeking elephants, lions, leopards, roan antelope, sable herds, giraffe, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, and African wild dogs.
• Victoria Falls Day Trip Day excursion to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, 90km from the lodge, with 16 scenic viewpoints and rainforest exploration.
• Tiger Fishing Angling adventures on the Chobe River pursuing tigerfish with professional guides, practicing catch-and-release.
• Sedudu Bar and Grill Riverside outdoor dining experience featuring traditional Botswana cuisine cooked over mopane wood fire, with cultural dance performances and Chobe River sunset views.
• Kwa Maningi Spa Spa offering massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures using indigenous African ingredients including Tsamma melon, baobab fruits, and wild honey.
• Photography Boat Cruise Custom-designed photography boat with 360 degree revolving chairs and adjustable gimble rig swivels for photographers.
• Scenic Flights Aerial tours offering unique perspectives of the elephant capital and Chobe region from above.
• Village Tour Authentic Namibia village tour visiting Impalila Island with a local guide.
• Candlelit Dinner Cruise Romantic evening boat cruise with candle-lit dinner featuring Botswana cuisine and night sky viewing.
• Safari Packages Value-added safari packages including the 4 Night Botswana Package (Chobe and Okavango) and 7 Night Botswana Bucket List Package combining Chobe Safari Lodge, Moremi Crossing, and Dinare or Pom Pom Camp with flights, transfers, and full board.
• Camping Botswana Special Seasonal camping package from R450 per person per night including 3 nights at Chobe Safari Lodge campsite, 2 nights at Nata Lodge, free boat cruise, and dinner at Sedudu Outdoor Dining Experience. Valid 1 December 2025 to 15 April 2026.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Government partner waiving park fees for children's Christmas party boat safari, allowing 140 children to experience Chobe's natural beauty.
• Kasane Fire DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Local government service transporting Santas to annual Christmas party, contributing to community event success.
• Kwando SafariscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Sister company and strategic partner managing Okavango Delta properties (Moremi Crossing, Dinare, Pom Pom Camp) for combined safari packages. Handles flight bookings via Moremi Air and coordinates multi-destination Botswana itineraries with Chobe Safari Lodge.
• Nata LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister property near Makgadikgadi Salt Pans included in combination packages with Chobe Safari Lodge. Located 4-hour drive from Kasane, offering birding access to Nata Bird Sanctuary and flamingo viewing.
• Moremi AirmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation partner providing scheduled flights between Kasane Airport, Moremi Crossing, and Maun for package guests combining Chobe with Okavango Delta.
• BirdLife South AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvitourism Project Manager Andrew de Blocq from BirdLife South Africa contributed expert birding content and top 10 birds guide for Chobe region.
• SAFRING (South African Bird Ringing Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird ringing data repository for Southern Africa managed by Fitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology at University of Cape Town. Chobe Safari Lodge hosts ringing activities contributing to this citizen science database.
• University of Cape Town - Fitzpatrick Institute of OrnithologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner managing bird ringing data repositories. Conducted bird ringing research at Chobe Safari Lodge properties.
• University of KwaZulu-NatalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhD student Jonah Gula conducted bird ringing research and population ecology studies at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• KAZA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfrontier conservation area authority providing survey material support for the upcoming Elephant Centre at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• Dr. Tempe AdamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElephant researcher collaborating to establish the Elephant Centre at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• Kuru Art ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for Chobe Gallery, showcasing Botswana's rich cultural wealth alongside Gabane Pottery and other local artisans.
• Gabane PotteryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Botswana craft partner featured in Chobe Gallery and new Safari Rooms to celebrate Botswana's artistic heritage.
• Learn to Play / Ithute Go TshamekacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise playgroup model supporting early childhood education. Chobe Safari Lodge facilitates expansion in northern Botswana, funding playgroups in Kavimba and Pandamentenga villages.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanctuary Retreats: Luxury safari and river-cruise brand with properties in Botswana and Victoria Falls region. Comparable for premium accommodation, boat-based wildlife experiences, and packaged Chobe / Victoria Falls itineraries sold through travel agents.
• andBeyond: Luxury safari operator with multiple lodge and camp properties across Botswana, including Savute and Mombo in the Chobe region. Comparable for premium safari accommodation, conservation-led positioning, and packaged multi-destination African itineraries.
• Singita: High-end safari lodge operator with properties across southern and East Africa. Comparable as an ultra-premium safari brand offering guided wildlife experiences, fine dining, conservation programming, and heritage storytelling at top-of-market rates.
• Ker & Downey Botswana: Long-established Botswana safari operator offering luxury mobile safaris and camps in the Okavango and Chobe regions. Comparable for premium guided wildlife experiences, package itineraries, and heritage-positioned safari brand.
• Wilderness Safaris: Premier Botswana-focused safari operator with camps in the Okavango Delta, Chobe, and other reserves. Directly comparable as a multi-property safari brand offering luxury accommodation, guided wildlife experiences, and packaged Botswana itineraries at a similar price point.
• African Bush Camps: Botswana-anchored safari camp operator with properties in Chobe, the Okavango Delta, and surrounding regions. Directly comparable for safari accommodation, guided activities, community partnerships, and packaged Botswana itineraries.
• Machaba Safaris: Botswana- and southern-Africa-focused safari brand with camps in the Okavango Delta and Chobe region. Comparable for mid-to-upper tier safari accommodation, guided activities, and packaged multi-destination Botswana trips.
• Victoria Falls Safari Lodge: Lodge located adjacent to Victoria Falls with safari experiences in the Chobe region. Directly comparable as a destination lodge pairing wildlife activities with Victoria Falls day trips at a similar mid-to-upper price point.

Others

• Kwando Safaris: Sister company operating Moremi Crossing, Dinare, and Pom Pom Camp in the Okavango Delta. Sister-company relationship to Chobe Safari Lodge, with shared package offerings, flight logistics via Moremi Air, and combined Botswana itineraries.

Broad incumbents

• Belmond (LVMH): Global luxury hotel group with safari and river-cruise offerings in Botswana. Comparable for premium safari accommodation and boat cruises on the Chobe River, though Belmond operates as part of a much broader global luxury portfolio under LVMH.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chobesafarilodge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 chobesafarilodge