Editors' Picks

Kings Pool

Waterfont bungalows

North West, Botswana

At a Glance

Tucked among the trees next to one of Linyati River’s marshes, King’s Pool offers close-up views of hippos and elephants (though the former can be a bit disrupting at night).

Indagare Loves

  • The serene waterside location in a unique corner of the Linyanti, which provides amazing elephant viewing during the dry season
  • The on property boutique, which sells pieces from local artisans
  • The stylish decor that offers comfort with a wonderful sense of place

Review

Overlooking a marsh offshoot of the Linyanti River where elephants often cross during the dry season, Kings Pool is considered by many experts to have the best elephant viewing on the planet. At a watering hole a couple of miles away, you can watch the magnificent mammals at water level from a brilliant underground blind, their trunks splashing about so nearby you could reach out and touch them. Elephant and hippo are the main attraction here, and while game drives can offer lion and leopard sightings, they are not as common as at other camps and are particularly difficult to spot in the rainy season when the bush is thicker. But an abundance of other activities are available, from night drives and nature walks to river cruises and fishing.

The camp itself has eight thatch and canvas tents and one family unit, all set on raised decks near the water’s edge. Their intricately carved West African Dogon wooden doors open into vaulted spaces that include a spacious lounge and bedroom, all gloriously outfitted with African artifacts and enormous four-poster beds. The bathrooms have two indoor showers and an additional shower on the terrace.

While the rooms don’t have private plunge pools, there is a raised deck with chaise lounges and an oversized plunge pool for guests to enjoy. In terms of facilities, there is no gym or spa, but massages can be arranged in the room or on the deck and there is a charming gift shop worth browsing. The sprawling common areas include a vaulted dining room with hanging straw lampshades, stenciled wall art and green glass accents; a lounge area with an electric fireplace for those ready to curl up with a game; and a large deck with a lovely marsh-side seating around a bonfire, ideal for a romantic evening (if you don’t mind the hippo soundtrack).

Who Should Stay

Travelers looking to ease into safari and enjoy a relaxing waterfront stay

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Indagare employees walking up stiars

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