SANCTUARY CHILWERO LODGE – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a luxurious, air conditioned retreat in the heart of the bush located on the edge of Chobe National Park – the second largest national park in Botswana where some 80,000 elephants roam.

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a luxurious, air conditioned retreat in the heart of the bush located on the edge of Chobe National Park – the second largest national park in Botswana where some 80,000 elephants roam.

Relax in the split-level swimming pool or unwind with a pampering session in the full service spa complete with a treetop treatment room. Lots of activities are available at the lodge – game drives, sundowner cruises, photographic cruises, fishing and cultural village visits. Children of all ages are welcomed at the lodge and there are dedicated children’s programmes to keep the younger one’s entertained.

LOCATION

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero borders the Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. The lodge is reached by a 10 minute road transfer from Kasane airport.

LODGE

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero’s fifteen suites all have fabulous views of the Chobe River and floodplains below. Each suite measures approximately 61sm and has its own private garden – the perfect spot to sip cocktails or enjoy a romantic private dinner served under the stars.

The Suite are all ensuite and have freestanding bathtub and both an indoor and outdoor shower. The rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a hairdryer, ceiling fan, in-room safe, mosquito nets and mini bar. Complimentary wireless internet access is available in all of the rooms.

Three of the suites are Family Suites offering an extra bedroom for families. The romantic Pool Suite features a private plunge pool, a private deck where you can enjoy private dinners for two under the stars (weather permitting) and special turn downs every night.

The lodge also features a curio shop. Electricity supply is a combination of silent packed generator and battery system.

WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES

Chobe National Park is well known for its elephants and is home to the largest concentration of these gentle giants in Africa. The park also features an abundance of sable and roan antelopes. The lush riverfront region is home to giraffe, wild dog, lion, sable and Cape buffalo and is the only place in Botswana where Puku antelope can be spotted. In the savannah, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, impala and kudu are plentiful. Key wildlife includes: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, zebra, and hyena.

Game Drives – elephants feature largely on any activity at the lodge as the largest population left in Africa occupies this northern corner between Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Game drives in open-sided 4 x 4 vehicles bring these grey giants into easy reach as they drink and frolic at the water’s edge in their boisterous herds. Game drives lead by qualified professional guides bring you close to hippos, buffalos, puku and other wildlife that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. The puku, a small rusty-brown antelope, impala, kudu and red lechwe are only a few of the common antelope found here. Lion and leopard are also found in the area.

Sundowner Cruise – the best way to end a day of safari is sipping on a cocktail while watching the sun set over the Chobe River. Sundowner cruises are also a great way of seeing buffalo up close as they come out of the shade to graze in the cooler evenings and elephants as they wade in the river. Sitatungas – antelope with splayed feet to help them run in swamps – are often seen here, as are the wild dog and lion.

Photographic Safaris Cruise – the camp’s new safari boat can seat up to 18 guests and has a lower and upper deck, both featuring 360 degree swivel seats. The upper deck offers a great vantage point of the Chobe River and wildlife while the lower deck has a bar area and is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a river breakfast or lunch.

Family Safari – Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero welcomes children of all ages and is ideal for a family safari. A fence surrounds the lodge’s perimeter and children’s programmes and activities are available to keep the young ones busy. These include guided walking safaris within the grounds of the lodge to collect pods, leaves and seeds and learn about tree identification, a Safari hunt with clues hidden away, kiddies croquet on the lawn, make your own pizza with the chef and shortened game drives.

Fishing Excursions – you will meet up with their guide at reception and drive through to the jetty for your fishing activity. The best time for fishing in the Chobe area is in winter – May, June, July and August. Type of fish you might catch are Bream and Tiger Fish and all fishing is done on a catch and release basis. Rates include: Use of the boat for maximum of 3 hours and fishing equipment. Maximum 3 people per boat and subject to availability. This activity is at an additional cost.

Tour of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – the lodge is only an hour and a half’s drive from the spectacular Victoria Falls and is a great base from which to explore. Your guide will escort you around the Falls sharing some facts and history along the way and the lodge will supply raincoats during high water months when you are likely to get wet from the spray of the Falls. The walk is approximately 1½ hours in duration (3km) through the rainforest stopping at the various viewing points. You will have the opportunity to do some curio shopping in the adjacent open-air markets before returning to the lodge. This activity is at an additional cost.

Community Tour – visit the Dipetsana Women’s Bike Shop which was set up through Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy]. The shop employs five women providing them with a much-needed income to care for their families. Through donations of used bikes, the Initiative not only supports the women, but offers the local community access to a vital means of transport. The women enjoy giving visitors a tour of their shop and offer them the opportunity to participate in a scenic bike ride around Kasane with the option to continue the tour to the neighbouring women’s basketry shop to meet the employees and learn about their craft. Lastly you will stop at the local CARCAL animal rescue centre ($5 entrance fee) which takes in injured animals and birds with the aim to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.

SANCTUARY CHILWERO LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND THERE ARE DEDICATED CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES.

A PRIVATE VEHICLE MUST BE BOOKED FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 YEARS AND YOUNGER. HOUSEKEEPERS ARE ABLE TO BABYSIT CHILDREN WHILST GUESTS ARE ON AN ACTIVITY AND CHILD MINDING IS CHARGED AT A NOMINAL FEE WHICH IS PAID DIRECTLY TO THE CHILD MINDER.