The Chobe region has a wide selection of safari lodges and guesthouses to meet the budget of every traveller. 5-star lodges to rival any accommodation anywhere in the world. I specialise in finding the budget traveller's paradise and have I not found the best gem for a budget traveller exploring the Chobe region. The sprawling Kwalape Safari Lodge is a jungle getaway for the nature lover. As you enter the lodge you are greeted by Kwalape’s fleet of Safari vehicles that will take you on your Game Drive adventure.
The reception is an open gateway into the lush and green grounds of one of the best to stay in Chobe. Once you have finalised your check-in formalities you will follow a myriad of pathways that lead to the various accommodation options offered by Kwalape Safari Lodge.
You could be forgiven for thinking you are on the set of George of the Jungle. The pathways are far from boring with views of some spiralling plants and a few ponds dotted along your way. This incredible jungle is a refuge for birds and you will not miss the orchestra of chirps and tweets as you walk along.
Now that you have chosen to stay at Kwalape Safari Lodge, you’ll enjoy the buffet restaurant which offers a selection of food to satisfy an international pallet. If you have been dying to try some local cuisine, you are also in luck. Bogobe, Pap, morogo and seswa are on offer for you to enjoy. The friendly restaurant staff will ensure you enjoy your meal and stay.
Part of the charm of this restaurant is the open plan that lets the fresh air and sounds of nature serenade your meal time. That is exactly what an African Safari is all about. Enjoying nature while making zero trade-offs on the modern amenities we have come to enjoy.
After your meal, you’ll be tempted to shuffle over to the bar area for a cold beer or even a blended whiskey as a digestive. You can also get a rare chance to enjoy a selection of local and international beers in one sitting. The pool is built around a massive tree and thatched to shelter you away from the elements as you reminisce on your adventures in the Chobe National Park. The thatched roof is perfect for those hot African summers as you unwind.
The bar faces a fire pit that doubles as a stage for the many traditional dances you will enjoy when you stay here. On cooler nights, you can enjoy your drink while chatting away at the fire. On some nights you will be treated to a taste of the traditions of the people in the Chobe region.
If anyone loves to swim as much as I can you’ll love the swimming pool at Kwalape. The natural material finishings are a big part of the appeal. Imagine the Instagram photos with that background. Kwalape is family-friendly because the kids can enjoy the pool as you lay by the pool to watch over them.
Kwalape has a selection of Chalets that are comfortable and spacious for you to take a break after a long day tracking lions in the Chobe National Park. The massive King sized bed is precisely what will make sure you are well-rested for your next adventure the next day.
The reed finishings pay homage to one of the most ubiquitous materials the people of the Chobe River have used for millennia. Your bed is adorned with a mosquito net to protect you from the pesky mosquitoes that are prevalent in this area.
Your chalet comes with a shower that offers hot water to wash up after a long day exploring Victoria Falls or the New Kazungula Bridge. You get all the other amenities you’d expect in a Lodge of Kwalapes pedigree; a toilet and basin.
If you want to relax and enjoy a private moment away from other guests, your chalet has a balcony where you can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. The patio like everything else in the lodge is well put together. The use of natural materials will make you feel even close to nature around you. The canvas finishing of the chalet's outer walls will give you the feeling of camping out in the wilderness.
Your balcony overlooks the lush jungle that covers the whole lodge. Imagine waking up to this view every morning. This is what safari destinations are made for: to take you out of your busy life and immerse you in the beauty of nature.
If you are on a tighter budget Kwalape Safari Lodge offers camping options as well; Canvas tents and a Campsite for you to pitch your own tent. The Canvas tents are perfect if you are a camping novice, you can find a ready-pitched tent and settle in immediately. The tents are spacious enough for a couple to stay comfortably. You will find that the canopy in front of your tent is lovely for sitting to plan the rest of your trip while enjoying your cup of coffee.
Kwalape Safari Lodge offers a wide array of activities for you to get the best out of your visit to the Chobe Region. Think well about everything you want to do while you are here and let the receptionist know what activities you would love to do and when you want to do them.
The following are just a few of the activities you can look forward to: Boat Cruise, Game Drive, Kasane Tour, Kazungula Bridge Tour, Victoria Falls Day Trip, Livingstone Day Trip, Ngoma Tour and Impalila Island Tour.