Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Tread in the footsteps of elephants as you walk the ancient paths that bisect Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge in the shady forest of the Okavango Delta.

Awaken to the sounds of animals, laugh at the antics of baboons and squirrels over breakfast, and spend your days exploring mazes of papyrus and golden, grassy floodplains.

Connect with the remote wilderness of Africa in this serene, earthy camp, where little separates the comfort of the warm interiors from the haunting beauty of the natural spectacles outside.

Accommodation

Camouflaged under a tumbling canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig leaves, eight thatched cottages emerge in leafy clearings right on the edge of the Delta’s waterways. Blending seamlessly with its surroundings, the tranquil beauty of Sandibe Safari Lodge surprises not only guests but even the occasional wandering animals, startled as rough wooden beams and thatched roofs take shape within the leafy groves. The sounds of Africa lull and soothe travellers, as elephants splash in the quiet waters, baboons chatter and a myriad birds call and twitter in the trees.

The greens of the river bank peer into spacious guest cottages through large, airy screens. Earthy ochre tones bring the forest floor indoors, while tactile textures, from leather and silk to rough hewn wood, celebrate the natural beauty of the setting. Gaze out onto the banks of the Santanadibe River from under the canopy of your king size bed or spend a restful hour watching the quiet play of light on water from your private raised deck. At one with the forest, enjoy the warm luxury of the sun skipping across your skin in the large outdoor shower.

Wildlife

Renowned for its abundant wildlife, the Okavango Delta and the areas surrounding Sandibe are home to a large number of species, including many predators, as well as a number of species adapted to the semi-aquatic lifestyle, such as the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga. Lion prides, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog may be encountered, while families of hippo hide in the deeper channels and lagoons. The area supports the continent’s largest surviving concentration of elephant and buffalo, while roan and sable antelope roam the open woodlands.

While lion are commonly encountered near Sandibe, they are not the only predator found in the area. Although predominantly nocturnal and difficult to spot, leopards are fairly common throughout the Okavango, particularly in dense riverine forest. Apart from the more commonly encountered predators, the Okavango is also a stronghold for the endangered African wild dog, although sightings of this rare animal are relatively uncommon. Exhibiting a fascinating social structure, wild dog live in packs led by a dominant pair with a strict social hierarchy.