Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge in Botswana

A classic travel destination in Botswana, andBeyond’s Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge was rebuilt in 2014 by architects Michaelis Boyd and Nick Plewman. The organic design juxtaposes handwoven exteriors with mosquito net, salvaged wood, crocodile leather, copper sinks, canopies, and more. Richly textured, the boutique hotel reflects the surrounding landscape.

Each of the twelve available suites comes with a fireplace for warming up, a private plunge pool for cooling down, and a private outdoor shower for refreshing.

The Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is named for its location amidst the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stands across from the Moremi Game Reserve. There are palms, fig trees, and papyrus; floodplains and waterways; leopards, hyenas, and elephants. Guests can explore the area during the day or at night, taking guided walks and safaris by land, river, and air. That said, travelers can also admire nature and maybe even spy wildlife right from their rooms, casually witnessing the many unexpected wonders that the setting has to offer.

Each of the twelve available suites comes with a fireplace for warming up, a private plunge pool for cooling down, and a private outdoor shower for refreshing. Like any hotel of its caliber, the Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge offers room service, plus an on-site safari shop, restaurant, and tour centre.

The restaurant serves all meals, and breakfast is complimentary. Adventurers may start the morning with tea or coffee and rusks to get a bit of energy before heading out on an early-bird safari. After returning, they can enjoy a full breakfast platter of fruit and cheese or heartier fare such as eggs, oatmeal, and waffles. Later in the day, lunch and dinner are served from the interactive kitchen, using fresh ingredients such as eggplant and red peppers from the hotel’s central garden.

andBeyond grows herbs and vegetables at a locally staffed garden that services all of their locations. At the Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, they also support the community and conserve earth’s resources by sponsoring daycare and youth education programs and leading eco-friendly initiatives. To make their accommodations more sustainable, they recycle and they invest in renewable energy and water and waste management. Their solar electricity and hot water system is a particular standout, helping to ensure that the delta and all of the experiences attached to it will be preserved for years to come.