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Sandibe Safari Lodge


5 STAR LODGE IN BOTSWANA
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

Botswana's Sandibe Safari Lodge blends gorgeous architecture with breathtaking Africa landscapes. This luxury lodge remains hidden between water and grass-swept plains of the stunning Okavango Delta. The thatched roof lodge is neighbour to Moremi Wildlife Reserve on a private wildlife concession.

This premier position ensures that an array of wildlife benefit from the lush and varied landscape that make up the area around Sandibe Safari Lodge. These unique surrounds continue to charm locals and visitors alike.

Accommodation

The Sandibe Safari Lodge cottages are surrounded by stunning forest and the screen walls expose these fantastic surrounds to the maximum. From here, the Okavango Delta wetlands and African savannah are also visible. The lodge comprises just eight luxurious twin-bedded safari cottages, guaranteeing an intimate and secluded experience. Each cottage has an en-suite bathroom, open-air shower and private game-viewing deck, from which the Santantadibe River can be viewed in serene surrounds.
The Sandibe Safari Lodge has been furnished in subtle sophistication for the ultimate in African chic. Each of the eight thatched safari cottages are cooled by fans, and outfitted with en-suite bathrooms, dressing rooms, separate toilet and open-air shower. The private game-viewing decks and the exquisite swimming pool in the forest lend the Sandibe Safari Lodge an air of mystery and opulence.

Because of the lodge's central location in the depth of the forest, professional designers combined natural colours and textures with open screen walls that open onto the wetlands of the Okavango. The dining and lounge area nestle beneath towering trees.

The safari shop is well-stocked with traditional arts, crafts and trinkets for the visitor desiring a keepsake of the area.

Dining is always an occasion at Sandibe Safari Lodge. A hot day spent on a game drive is perfectly rounded off by an alfresco banquet of Pan-African cuisine in the Boma, which is lit by candles and lanterns. For a more intimate experience, romantic dinners by candlelight are idyllically savoured on the private deck of each cottage. Sandibe's verdant bush also invites guests to exciting bush picnics in unique settings.

Activities

The Okavango Delta offers fantastic game drives and Sandibe Safari Lodge escorts guests on interpretive game drives twice a day. In addition, guided bush walks, and once-in-a-lifetime mokoro and eco-craft excursions are not to be missed.

Sandibe is located between permanent water and the open plains. This idyllic spot means that the area is perfect for a wide range of birds and wildlife, as well as water-based activities. The following safari activities are available to guests at Sandibe Safari Lodge:

Game drives

Twice a day, Sandibe Safari Lodge's experienced CC Africa rangers and Batswana trackers will guide guests on an exhilarating game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Night game drives, illuminated by non-invasive spotlights are likely to reveal a host of nocturnal animals, including lions and leopards.

Interpretive bush walks

Interpretive wilderness walks with a professional CC Africa guide are a fascinating peek into the local fauna and flora. Unfortunately, children 16 years and younger cannot participate in these bush walks.

Boat excursions

Water cruises on an eco-craft or a traditional dugout canoe, called a mokoro, offer serene trips along the waterways of the Delta. Experienced guides pole guests along these quiet channels, imprinting valuable memories for years to come. The eco-craft, called the Lily, is a silent, electric, wooden craft. Boat excursions are ideal from June to September.

Exceptional birdwatching

Sandibe's abundant birdlife amounts to 349 recorded species. The marsh areas are inhabited by waterbirds, including storks, herons, kingfishers, bee-eaters and the Pel's fishing owl, one of only three fishing owls in Africa.

Fishing

The copious number of fish living in the waters of the Okavango Delta boast species such as the finetoothed squeaker and African pike. Fishing from the eco-craft is an environmentally low-impact and serene pastime to pass the warm hours.

Game

Sandibe Safari Lodge boasts five specific habitats within the Okavango wilderness. These are diverse and nourishing and, as such, support a range of wildlife that rivals most. Herds of elephants, the endangered African wild dog, rare Pel's fishing owls, semi-aquatic red lechwe antelope, and incredible birdlife have established themselves in the groves of real ran palms, baobab, leadwood and sausage trees.

Sandibe Safari Lodge habitats:

Wide open savannahs host knob thorn, umbrella thorn, marula and leadwood trees and, occasionally, the impressive baobabs. The evergreen riverine forest lines the banks of the river channels, and island shores are also dotted with mahogany, jackalberry, sausage tree, sycamore fig and mangosteen. Floodplain grasslands are made up of various species of resilient grasses, which are designed to weather the harsh seasons. The palm savannah is open and occupied by palm groves and wild sage patches. Papyrus, miscanthus grass and colonies of swamp fig crowd the permanent channels and swamps, while the lagoons house water lily, water chestnut and similar aquatic plants.

Mammals at Sandibe Safari Lodge:

Elephant and buffalo roam the Delta banks in silent dignity, sharing their wild home with lion, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog. The beautiful red lechwe and tsessebe line the floodplains, while hippos emerge from the waters of the deeper channels and lagoons. Honey badgers are active during the daylight hours. Roan and sable antelope hide in tall woodland grass, while the sitatunga prefer the seclusion of compact papyrus beds. Dwarf and banded mongoose live in the large termite mounds, while the characteristic chirping of the epauletted fruit bats fills the air, while they feed on the nectar of the baobab and sausage trees and feast on ripe figs.

Location

Sandibe Safari Lodge nestles in the remote wilderness area of the southeastern Okavango Delta, just 20 km southeast of Chief's Island in Botswana. Sandibe Safari Lodge is on the southern border of the Moremi Game Reserve, and within the gorgeous Santantadibe River system. Sandibe enjoys exclusive rights to traverse 270 km2 of raw African wilderness. The site was carefully selected for its spectacular beauty, idyllic locale, and proximity to the impressive array of African wildlife.

The location of the lodge does, unfortunately, place it within a malaria risk-zone and necessary precautions must be taken.

Access Flights to Maun or Kasane are available via Air Botswana. From here, transfer by light aircraft takes esteemed guests to Chitabe's airstrip (coordinates: S19 27 86 and E23 22 45). Just a 45-minute drive from the airstrip to the camp, this route provides ideal game viewing, en route.

Climate

The Okavango's summers extend from October to April and are hot and wet. Temperatures can reach a maximum of over 40°C and a minimum of 25ºC at night. May to September are the winter months and are generally dry and cool with nippy nights. These temperate conditions mean that Sandibe is the ideal vacation spot all year around.

Late December to the end of February are considered to be the rainy months in Okavango and are frequently drenched by the afternoon thundershowers. The average rainfall is 500mm per annum. These rains invite beautiful migrating birds to Botswana during this time.