MUCHENJE SAFARI LODGE – CHOBE

Muchenje Lodge is situated on the quieter western area of Chobe National park only forty minutes’ drive from Kasane and just over two hours from the Victoria Falls. The lodge is set at the top of an escarpment overlooking the banks of the Chobe River and offers wonderful game viewing experiences including game drives, boating, walking and mokoro safaris with easy access to the quieter river roads within the National Park.

LOCATION

The lodge is located in north western Chobe around 40 minutes’ drive from Kasane in northern Botswana.

LODGE

The lodge is owner run and managed and attention to detail is paramount – the lodge has a home from home atmosphere with comfortable main areas, airconditioned rooms, communal dining and a swimming pool.

The ten thatched chalets are privately laid out along the edge of the escarpment and decorated with rustic luxury and each chalet has a deck to enjoy panoramic views of the flood plain. Chalets have two beds which can be made up as a twin or kingsize with an ensuite bathroom housing a large walk-in shower, double wash basins, and WC. Each room has their own incredible double aspect views of the Chobe River from a private veranda.

The lodge has a family/honeymoon suite which is an open room housing a master bedroom with an upper mezzanine deck that can accommodate two. The ensuite bathroom has a walk-in shower with double wash basins along with a separate bathroom with a bath with bi-fold doors which open out to a private veranda with amazing views.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Chobe is famous for its huge herds of elephant and buffalo, prolific wildlife with over 450 bird species and 75 species of mammals

Full Day Excursion with Boat trip on Chobe and game drive – after breakfast drive to the Jetty on the Eastern side of the park where the lodges small private boat will depart at approximately 11.30 and spend 2.5 hours exploring the river. The guides know where the elephants prefer to congregate, drink and cross to Sedudu island and you will explore the banks, trees and pools on the way. Once the boat finds a suitable crossing or drinking area the boat rests and the guests enjoy a delicious picnic whilst watching the elephants gathering on the banks. The activity returns to the vehicles enjoy a slow drive through the park along the river back to the quieter western banks. Although the full day out is long and dusty you have an amazing opportunity to break the usual safari cycle and get to enjoy a more rounded experience of the Chobe area.

Game Drives – Muchenje is a 5 minute drive from the Ngoma Gate of the Chobe National Park. Game Drives use this gate to enter and explore the Western side of the Chobe River. The drives explore the river road and woodland areas that are adjacent to the river and the Chobe flood plains which provide an important food source for thousands of animals during the winter from June – November.

Guided Walks – there is nothing like seeing elephants on foot and a morning walk within the Forest Reserve is wonderfully rewarding. in the early mornings the guides explore the river frontage and open pans within easy reach of the lodge.

Night Drive – game drives have to leave Chobe National Park at sunset. The lodge offers drives after dinner each night. Leaving the lodge at about 9pm you will explore the river road in front of the lodge with the chance to see nocturnal species such as porcupine, genet and genet.

Muchenje Village Visit – on a 3 night stay you can visit the local village of Muchenje. Here you are introduced to Esther a local granny who looks after her grandchildren at her homestead. A wonderful opportunity to be introduced to the real heart of Botswana – the rural community that support this peaceful and beautiful country. Esther like many women, looks after the children whilst her children work away from home. The drive then stops off at the local Mabele Primary School at break time to visit the inaugural Pack for a Purpose Project.

MUCHENJE LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES CHILDREN AGED 8 YEARS AND OLDER – THE LODGE IS FAMILY FRIENDLY AND HAS A TWO BEDROOMED FAMILY CHALET