Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is an exclusive country-house-style retreat on the border of Chobe National Park that stands out for its beautiful gardens, panoramic views of the Chobe river, and easy access from Kasane International Airport. Guests can expect all the services of a world-class luxury hotel within a stone’s throw of one of Africa’s most iconic national parks and only an hour and a half’s drive from Victoria Falls. Owned by Sanctuary Retreats, which operates an impressive portfolio within Botswana and several other African safari destinations, Chobe Chilwero is renowned for its superb level of service and amenities. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, two daily shared game-viewing activities, park fees, transfers between the lodge and Kasane Airport, and a laundry service. The lodge is open all year round.

Permanent lodge

Classic

From $880 – $1,360 pp

Luxurious hillside accommodation overlooking the Chobe River just outside Chobe National Park.

Lounge, dining room, veranda, curio shop, spa, gardens, and swimming pool.

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bath room

Fourteen spacious guest suites, three with a second bedroom for families, and a pool suite, all with outdoor showers.

Game drives, sundowner cruises, photographic safari cruises, fishing, community visits, Victoria Falls tours, and kids safaris.

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero deer
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
  • Great all-rounder
Great location and excellent levels of service put Chilwero high up the list of options of riverfront Chobe lodges. It is the most expensive and most luxurious property in Chobe (by quite a long way), but you get what you pay for here. Traveling in the shoulder and off season sees incredible value.
James Sales Travel Director
James – Sales Director

Activities

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero provides an array of exhilarating activities for all ages and interests. These include:

Game drives

Sundowner cruises

Photographic safari cruises

Fishing excursions

Community tours

Victoria Falls tours

Kids safaris

  • Chobe National Park is known for having the largest population of elephants in Africa, and witnessing them cross the Chobe river is certainly a sight to behold. Morning and afternoon game drives allow guests a front-row seat to this incredible spectacle, amongst plenty of other wildlife highlights, including lion, leopard, buffalo, spotted hyena, hippo, giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra, and vervet monkey. The region is also home to more than 450 bird species, including fish eagles, herons, and bee-eaters.

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar
  • Glide along the banks of the Chobe river on one of the lodge’s riverboats and look out for elephant and buffalo quenching their thirst, as well as smaller species such as roan, sitatunga and sable antelope, while you enjoy an ice-cold drink as the sun sets.

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar
  • Chobe Chilwero has a special two-level, 18-seat safari boat ideal for keen photographers with 360-degree swivel seats on both levels. The lower level has a bar area, so guests can relax with a cold drink in hand while admiring the gorgeous river views.

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar
  • Fishing is offered on a catch-and-release basis for a maximum of three guests at a time. Amongst the varieties of fish you might encounter are tigerfish and bream. Equipment is supplied, and the recommended months are between May and August.

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar
  • Guests are invited to visit the local Dipetsana Women’s Bike Shop, which was set up by Sanctuary Retreats. Tours offer opportunities to meet the women, visit the shop, and even take a scenic bike ride. Time permitting, you can also see the local animal rescue center.

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar
  • Chobe Chilwero is an ideal base from which to visit Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. This is one of the world’s great wonders and the largest waterfall in the world. Few experiences compare to this thundering curtain of water with its dramatic misty spray and rainbows. The walk is approximately 1.5 hours through the rainforest, stopping at various viewing points, and an expert guide will show you around, sharing facts and history along the way. The lodge supplies raincoats during high-water months, when guests are likely to get wet from the spray of the Falls.

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar
  • Chobe Chilwero offers plenty of activities for children, including walking safaris on the lodge grounds, identifying edible plants in the bush, treasure hunts, and lawn croquet!

    Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero bar

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

Access & Location

Bordering Chobe National Park with views of the Chobe river from its spectacular hillside location, Chobe Chilwero is situated approximately 10 minutes by car from Kasane International Airport.

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Facilities

Chobe Chilwero’s main building is approached from the guest suites through the property’s gorgeous gardens and resembles a large colonial country house.

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Here, you’ll find a stylish lounge with crisp white walls under a thatch roof, a cozy fireplace, and plenty of seating options. There’s a separate library with reading material and some board games, but the indoor–outdoor dining room is the real show-stopper with its magnificent, far-reaching views across the lawns towards the river. The veranda is ideal for afternoon tea with a view or pre-dinner drinks and the chance to connect with other guests. There’s a shaded, split-level pool area with a few sunloungers, a peaceful oasis amongst the gardens, and the spa offers a selection of massages and wellness treatments in a secluded location. Guests can also stock up on crafts, books, or safari gear at the well-stocked curio shop.

Amenities

Guest accommodation at Chobe Chilwero consists of fourteen suites scattered throughout the lodge’s well-kept lawns and a pool suite with a private deck and a plunge pool.

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Spacious and light-filled, each suite has its own private garden with an outdoor shower and far-reaching views from the private deck, accessed by sliding doors from the bedroom. Inside, you’ll find smart, thatch-roofed interiors with a double or twin beds, bedside tables and reading lamps, a writing desk, a chaise longue, a comfortable armchair, a tea-and-coffee station, and a minibar. The en-suite washroom at the back of each suite contains a flush toilet, twin washbasins, a dressing table, a shower, and a deep-soaking bathtub. Additional features include air conditioning, a ceiling fan, an in-room safe, mosquito nets, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Three of the suites have a second bedroom, making them suitable for families, and the similarly styled pool suite has its own private plunge pool and a wooden deck where guests can enjoy private dinners under the stars on request.

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