Elephant Valley Lodge: Our full report
Elephant Valley Lodge stands in the heart of the Kasane Forest Reserve, south-east of Kasane.
The lodge's main draw is its lovely setting and its waterhole, which can be viewed from the lodge itself and some of the tented chalets, or from the hide built right next to it. This attracts a variety of antelope and also elephant, which often come to drink in the early mornings and evenings.The main lodge is a beautiful building with towering thatched ceilings, decorated with an array of traditional African artefacts. There is a comfortable lounge and bar area, and an adjacent dining room which offers indoors and outdoors tables. There are lovely lawns which stretch down to the waterhole, shaded by ancient acacia trees. You could sit for hours watching the variety of birdlife attracted by the bird bath and bird table. The lodge also has a nice swimming pool which provides welcome refreshment in the hot afternoons.
Elephant Valley Lodge's 20 tented rooms are spread throughout its grounds and linked by sandy pathways. Some overlook the waterhole, and some are located in shady gardens, near to the pool. Note that the perimeter of the camp has an electric fence to deter the many elephants that move through this area.
Activities at Elephant Valley Lodge focus on drives into the Chobe National Park and boating along the Chobe River. The lodge therefore offers morning cruises along the Chobe River and game drives in the park in the afternoons, complete with sundowner drinks on the banks of the river. The lodge generally does these in the opposite order to the other lodges and hotels in the area, to try and avoid the crowds.
It should be noted that it is a 40-minute drive from the lodge to the entrance of the Chobe National Park, and much of the drive is along a bumpy sandy track through the Kasane Forest Reserve. Each safari vehicle has ten seats and takes a maximum of ten passengers.
Game-viewing from Elephant Valley Lodge can feel a bit rushed in comparison to the private reserves, where the safari starts the moment that you leave the lodge. Also note that the guides here are constrained by the park opening hours (dawn to dusk) – and park rules forbid driving off-road, driving at night in the park, and walking safaris.
Our view
Whilst this is a lovely lodge in a beautiful setting, it would be best visited at the start of a safari to Botswana, and used as a place at which to just relax. Visitors should understand that compared to Botswana's private safari reserves, the game-viewing areas of northern Chobe can be busy; also, because the lodge is far from the national park, game drives need to get there and back before they can really start properly, and this can feel quite rushed.
Country manager: Botswana
Geographics
- Location
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 nights
- Directions
- It's 20 minutes by vehicle from Kazungula; 35 minutes from Kasane and a 40-minute drive from the lodge to the entrance gate to Chobe National Park.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- When we last visited we felt that the food at this lodge was a step down from most of the other lodges and camps we have visited in Botswana, and it had a slightly school-dinners feel to it. All meals are served buffet style.
The lunch buffet comprised fish fingers, stuffed pita bread, a selection of salad, coleslaw, and bread.
At dinner, we were served mushroom soup to start, followed by an overcooked selection of meat (kudu, lamb or chicken), and mixed vegetables, which were actually very good and not at all overcooked!
For pudding we were served lemon cake with custard. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- No
- Drinks included
- Except for when you are on game drives and boat trips, drinks are extra (including bottled water).
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children from 2 years of age are welcomed.
- Property’s age restrictions
- 2 years and over.
- Special activities & services
- The lodge can arrange high chairs and baby-sitting on request.
- Generally recommended for children
- For children of 10 years and over.
- Notes
- Although the camp's perimeter is fenced, children will need constant and close supervision by adults.
Communications
- Communications
- Free internet is available from the main lodge.
The area has variable mobile reception.
It is possible to use the lodge's telephone at additional cost. - TV & radio
- No
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is always someone who is first-aid trained on site. The closest doctor is in Kasane, which is 35 minutes away by road.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- The lodge employs day and night watchmen. There are whistles in the rooms which can be utilised in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers outside each room, and in the common areas.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Helicopter
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Full Laundry Service - Included
- Money
- The lodge accepts any major currency. There are electronic safes in the rooms.
- Accepted payment on location
- Only Mastercard and Visa are accepted (no commission is payable).
Room types at Elephant Valley Lodge
Tented Room
Elephant Valley Lodge's 20 tented chalets are spaced throughout the grounds, some overlooking the waterhole, and the rest dotted throughout the lawned gardens.
The rooms have comfortable beds, and are simply furnished with bedside tables (with reading lamps), a dressing table, shelves and a hanging rail. The floors are wooden with sea-grass mats, and the beds are made up with white linen and beige and red blankets. Although fairly basic on the style front, these rooms are spacious clean and functional.
Each room is equipped with a very effective fan, hair-dryer and safe. There are no mosquito nets but the tents are insect-proof and you are supplied with insect-killer and mosquito repellent.
The en-suite bathroom is reached through a zipped doorway to the rear of the tent. Here you will find a single sink with mirror, flushing loo, and an effective shower. There is hot and cold water on tap. Towels are laid out for you on a wrought iron towel rail, and you can place your laundry in the traditional Botswana basket in the corner of the room.
You are also provided with various toiletries including soap, conditioning shampoo, hand and body lotion and tissues.
Other lodges in Chobe National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Muchenje Safari Lodge
One of our favourites in the area, Muchenje is a small, welcoming lodge at the quieter, western end of the Chobe Riverfront.
Chobe River Lodge
Overlooking the Chobe River, the intimate Chobe River Lodge is a haven of tranquillity away from the bustle of Kasane.
Savute Safari Lodge
Savute Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Savuti Channel within Chobe National Park, and offers access to excellent game viewing, especially during the dry season.
Savute Under Canvas
A mobile camp with the comforts of a semi-permanent tented camp, Savute Under Canvas offers guided game drives within the Savuti region of Chobe National Park.
Chobe Under Canvas
This is a typical location for Chobe under Canvas, a small, semi-permanent camp in the Chobe Riverfront area that offers good value for money and high standards of care.
Chobe Elephant Camp
Located in one of our favorite areas of Chobe National Park, Chobe Elephant Camp is a simple but well-appointed camp with a strong bush feel.
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is a good value, hotel-style lodge in the heart of Kasane offering game drives, boat cruises and fishing trips.
Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge occupies an enviable riverfront location within Chobe National Park and boasts well-earned 'eco' credentials, as well as an excellent all-female guiding team.
Ngoma Safari Lodge
With sweeping views across the floodplains of the Chobe River, Ngoma offers superb food and flexible safari activities.
Chobe Chilwero
On the periphery of Chobe National Park, Chobe Chilwero offers luxurious surroundings and excellent food, which complement superb game viewing on game drives and boat trips.
Camp Kuzuma
Camp Kuzuma sits in the Kazuma Forest Reserve and is an excellent place to see elephant in particular. Away from the busier riverfront area of Chobe National Park this camp offers a luxurious base form which to explore this less visited region of northern Botswana.
Savute Elephant Lodge
Savute Elephant Lodge is a luxurious camp on the banks of the now flowing Savuti Channel. This is a classic big-game area, although its location within Chobe National Park does limit the activities which are possible here.
