Reviews of Thamalakane River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
63 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Thamalakane River Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr C
Hale
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 27 Feb 2022
"The Lodge provided exactly what we wanted after our long flight from the UK.
The room, restaurant and service generally were excellent" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
The room, restaurant and service generally were excellent" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Ms B
Florida, US
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 18 Oct 2021
"We had planned to stay here only for one day, to wind down from all the excitement, but thanks to our airline we had to postpone the return flight by one day.
The rooms, the food and the service were all immaculate, and they arranged a taxi for us to take us into town. And the location on the river provided some really nice views." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
The rooms, the food and the service were all immaculate, and they arranged a taxi for us to take us into town. And the location on the river provided some really nice views." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs E
Montana
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 12 Aug 2021
"Nice place for sundowners, looking over the river."
See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 8n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms C
Montana
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 12 Aug 2021
"We stayed at Thamalkane River Lodge for one night before flying out to bush camps.
I enjoyed the location on the river, great views from the dining terrace. My room was lovely, with a deck looking out on the river. Coming from a dryer habitat, the wooded surroundings and the river made a pleasant change, and there were many different birds.
I saw my first hippos here, and we watched elephants crossing the river a bit downstream." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 8n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
I enjoyed the location on the river, great views from the dining terrace. My room was lovely, with a deck looking out on the river. Coming from a dryer habitat, the wooded surroundings and the river made a pleasant change, and there were many different birds.
I saw my first hippos here, and we watched elephants crossing the river a bit downstream." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 8n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
JJ & AJ
Hinckley
"Thamalakane River lodge the beginning"
1 night Arrived 2 Nov 2019
"One night stay at the beginning of our Botswana safari, the lodge on the banks of a dry riverbank due to the severe drought affecting Maun, however the gardens and landscaping were lovely and the room was clean and suitable for the night.
The evening buffet was good although somewhat picked over by a large tour group. The staff were pleasant and looked after us.
All in all suitable for a single night stay." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 6n in South Africa
The evening buffet was good although somewhat picked over by a large tour group. The staff were pleasant and looked after us.
All in all suitable for a single night stay." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 6n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr M. O
Horsham
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 26 Oct 2019
"This was a convenient stop off.
The room was excellent. The dinner was a little disappointing as I ordered fish which had hundreds of bones and the light was very dim so they were difficult to see. The transport to and from the airport was excellent." See all these reviews: 1n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
The room was excellent. The dinner was a little disappointing as I ordered fish which had hundreds of bones and the light was very dim so they were difficult to see. The transport to and from the airport was excellent." See all these reviews: 1n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Mr & Mrs F
Hants
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 28 Aug 2019
"What a great way to start our holiday. We were so pleased we did this after a long flight.
The staff were amazing, the service equally so and our evening was made extra special due to the traditional songs delivered by the wonderful staff.
We would fully recommend Thamalakane as a perfect place to stay at the beginning or end of a holiday." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The staff were amazing, the service equally so and our evening was made extra special due to the traditional songs delivered by the wonderful staff.
We would fully recommend Thamalakane as a perfect place to stay at the beginning or end of a holiday." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr Lee
Chicago
"A good place to rest"
1 night Arrived 26 Aug 2019
"Nice place but a level below the other camps.
Rooms adequate. Lounge and deck area comfortable.
Unfortunately with the drought the river was dry so did not see any wildlife other than birds." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Rooms adequate. Lounge and deck area comfortable.
Unfortunately with the drought the river was dry so did not see any wildlife other than birds." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms B.
Cambridge
"Thamalakane River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2019
"We stayed at the lodge for 2 nights at the beginning of our trip to give us a buffer in case of airline delays and to begin to get over our get lag. It was the perfect place to rest and relax.
Our chalet was spacious and comfortable. The outdoor dining area was lovely, and the food was terrific." See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana
Our chalet was spacious and comfortable. The outdoor dining area was lovely, and the food was terrific." See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr H & Ms E
London
"A friendly stopover"
1 night Arrived 20 Jun 2019
"We stayed one night at Thamalakane River Lodge at the beginning of our trip. It was a good place to recover and relax.
They picked us up from the airport - it's about a 30 minute drive from Maun airport - and the check-in was easy. We were in a Babbler Chalet - a one-room stone chalet with good shower and comfortable bed; and a verandah overlooking the dry riverbed. We didn't see the crocs and hippos but we did see monitor lizards and a fish eagle. We were there in winter, so of course it was cold in the mornings and evenings.
The staff were very friendly and sang together at dinner time. The bar was pleasant and the food was fine. Just be aware that they do not take cash." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
They picked us up from the airport - it's about a 30 minute drive from Maun airport - and the check-in was easy. We were in a Babbler Chalet - a one-room stone chalet with good shower and comfortable bed; and a verandah overlooking the dry riverbed. We didn't see the crocs and hippos but we did see monitor lizards and a fish eagle. We were there in winter, so of course it was cold in the mornings and evenings.
The staff were very friendly and sang together at dinner time. The bar was pleasant and the food was fine. Just be aware that they do not take cash." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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Other lodges in Maun
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Thamo Telele
On the outskirts of Maun, Thamo Telele is set in a private game reserve with walking trails and a giraffe experience: ideal at the start or end of a safari.
Riley's Hotel
In the heart of Maun, about 3km from the airport, Riley’s makes a relatively reliable stopover for one night.
