Editors' Picks

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Exclusive, lavish, pioneering design

Ngamiland East, Botswana

At a Glance

After a complete reconstruction in 2014, Sandibe has set a new standard for luxury.

Indagare Loves

  • The private plunge pools and decks for each nest-like room
  • The driver and tracker teams that accompany guests on game drives
  • The small gym and spa with Africology products (made in South Africa)

Review

Completely renovated in 2014, andBeyond’s Sandibe is at the front of the pack when it comes to luxe safari accommodations in Botswana. The two-story main building, shaped like a pangolin (an African anteater) and covered in wooden shingles, is architecturally innovative, with soaring curved beams, a library, dining room and inviting living room.

Each of the twelve rooms, which have the look and feel of a cozy bird’s nest, have private pools and decks, outdoor showers and bathrooms with elegant vanity mirrors and copper sinks. The shell of each accommodation is lined with a custom-made insulating fabric, which keeps guests cozy during the colder winter evenings, but can be hot during other times of the year (air conditioning will be installed in each of the rooms soon). Weather permitting, guests may sleep under the stars on their outdoor decks.

The Chitabe concession, where the lodge is located, is a unique combination of grasslands and woodlands with a high density of wildlife (including the elusive leopards). Activities include day and night game drives with a special guide-tracker team and helicopter rides to view the sweeping Botswana landscape. Children are welcome to participate in andBeyond’s WILDchild program, where they can cook with the chefs, make traditional crafts and learn how to track animals. AndBeyond is recognized globally for its work in conservation and sustainability alongside luxury guest experiences, and guests are able to be a part of these efforts during their stay.

Active travelers can maintain their fitness regime thanks to the small gym (one of few among safari camps). There is also a massage room, complete with Africology products—and the occasional elephant passing by.

Who Should Stay

Even the pickiest, non-outdoorsy safari-goers will be impressed by Sandibe’s luxurious guest suites and safari experience.

Written by Lizzie Eberhart

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