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Ngoma Safari Lodge is a 5 star bush property located in Northern Botswana within the Chobe Forest Reserve. Accommodation available include eight luxury suites that overlook the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplain. Designed with an emphasis on space, peace and luxury, from here you will experience the abundance of wildlife in Chobe and relax in your own secluded sanctuary, or dine al fresco on our elevated deck with panoramic views.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Chobe Forest Reserve, Chobe National Park 7800 Botswana
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I cannot fault this place. We stayed for 4 nights in January 2022, during the wet season. The landscape was green and lush, and the lodge has incredible views, where you can see across the border to the Namibian side. We had access to the game park from the east entrance, where there are so many zebras. And we also had access from the west side, so that was incredible-best of both worlds. Despite it being 'low season' with rain, we still had amazing sightings and saw everything except the elusive leopards. Our guide Sam went out of his way to help us find animals, and the drives didn't have the usual 2 hour time caps you'd get in commercial hotels. We only had a go at the boat cruise once because it was a wet day, but we more than made up for it with daily game drives .
The food was incredible, there was only one other couple during our stay, so we enjoyed a sense of exclusivity. Restaurant is small with incredible views overlooking the border with Namibia. The menu is westernised, with a touch of local cuisine sprinkled in every so and often. Breakfast was also diverse, with both continental and hot breakfasts available. If you're doing an early morning game drive, you had the option for breakfast on the go-which was still a full breakfast (very creative chefs)
The rooms were bliss. Had a large walk in shower and a bath, air conditioning and small kitchenette. The decor is amazing (will attach photos)
Overall incredible experience, would highly recommend this place.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing Coordinator, Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 16 Feb 2022
Dear Maureen Thank you for the amazing feedback, we are delighted to hear that you loved your recent stay at Ngoma Safari Lodge and that we could make your visit truly memorable. We are so excited to hear that the “locals” aka the wildlife gave you such a warm welcome and that you had amazing sightings during your stay. Our staff and Sam are fantastic their enthusiasm and passion exudes through everything they do. The rooms are majestic and offer guests privacy, luxury and panoramic views of the Chobe flood plain - A Truly African Experience :) Thank you for choosing us for your Botswana adventure, we really look forward to welcoming you back in the near future at one of our Machaba Camps.
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Located on a cliff, the lodge benefits from a wide horizon view; the rooms are well designed and very confortable. The restaurant proposes elaborated specialties and the staff is discrete and efficient. A great location for resting when visiting Chobe National Park.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing Coordinator, Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 17 Jan 2022
Thank you for your amazing review! Ngoma Safari Lodge is a remarkable place to visit with spectacular views of the Chobe river and Caprivi floodplain and really delighted to know that we have exceeded your expectations. Thank you for choosing us for your Botswana Safari, we really look forward to welcoming you back in the near future at one of our other Machaba Camps.
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My wife and I have just returned from Ngoma, and we really didn't want to leave. The place is not only in an absolutely stunning location, but the service we received throughout was fantastic. They really do think of everything, from cold water bottles when being picked up from the airport to a packed lunch when departing.
We were particularly thankful for Ngoma catering for Gluten-free food. Which they did with great care and came up with wonderful treats as well. Whenever there were snacks brought out, there would be gluten-free ones as well. This was delightful and very much appreciated. Samson and his team should be rightfully proud of the meals were very much enjoyed.
As for the game drives, we had Sam as our guide, and he treated us to some amazing sights throughout our 4 days at Ngoma. He's such a knowledgeable guy, and really has a passion for showing people all of the life within the park. We were very lucky to have him to guide us.
The drives took us to different parts of the park, at different times of the day, on water and on land, so there was always a different story and landscape to see which made each drive feel like the first. The animals were plentiful, and with the waterhole lit up at night, you get to see some of the more shy species as well.
We also really appreciated the airport transfers. Our journey to Ngoma was greeted by staff to give us a very personal welcome, and on our departure we were lucky enough to have an early game drive which finished about 5 mins from the airport!
It really was the trip of a lifetime and 5 stars doesn't do it justice. Thank you to all at Ngoma, I'd recommend it to anyone.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing Coordinator, Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 28 July 2022
Dear 238perrym, This is an amazing review, we loved reading every word! Thank you for taking the time to write about your recent stay at Ngoma Safari Lodge. We are thrilled to hear that you loved Ngoma as much as we do and that it was not just the lodge but the staff who impacted your stay so positively. It is wonderful to know that your dietary needs were not only met but exceeded and appreciated. Thank you for your special mention of the staff, we will pass your thanks and appreciation on to the whole team. It sounds like you had an amazing safari experience made even more special by Sam. Your recommendation is hugely appreciated, thank you for choosing Ngoma Safari Lodge for your Botswana experience, we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.
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The breathtaking view when one arrives to the common area in Ngoma Safari Lodge is not enough to make this lodge worth the price paid. A very loose management and the general run down of the lodge make that this is a highly overpriced place to stay. The dated rooms are in need of renovation (old curtains, bathroom, furniture and room decoration), in some bungalows the Internet does not work (we had to change room due to this) and the phone system is out of order everywhere. But the key point is the management, co-shared by three persons who do not show sufficient knowledge about hospitality, hotel management and interaction with guests. It seems that the lodge is run in a improvised way. We had to do COVID tests before leaving and the whole arrangement of this was last minute and quite messy, creating unnecessary confusion. A pity, as with some investment on the physical facilities and a professional management team the place has everything to succeed.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing Coordinator, Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 16 Mar 2022
Dear Traveller, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Ngoma Safari Lodge, albeit it not what was expected due to the Internet connectivity and COVID testing arrangements and inconvenience caused thereof. We really do appreciate receiving feedback from our guests. Management were made aware of your comments and they addressed these concerns with the relevant individuals, to ensure that we are not experiencing similar situations going forward. We also contacted your Travel Agent to give feedback with regards to your concerns during your stay. We really look forward to welcoming you back in the near future at one of our Machaba Camps.
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We stayed here 3 nights and had a great time. On arrival we were met by the very personable general manager who explained the sequence of drives, and recent sightings. This was done in the main lodge overlooking the wonderful diaroma of grazing impala, zebra and giraffe. Our room was well laid out and bright which also overlooked, from the chaises by the plunge pool, the grazing animals. The food at the restaurant was uniformly good and plentiful. The staff very friendly and helpful without always being in your face. I hope that the Machaba Group that has recently acquired this property will not change things here, but adopt some of Ngoma's ways. Our drives with Sam were great with a sighting of a leopard having made a impala kill. Our animal interaction with vast herds of elephants, impala, zebra, cape buffalo and hippos was an exciting difference from our previous Okavanga camp.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from MachabaCamps, Marketing Coordinator at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 6 Feb 2020
Hi Harry, Thank you so much for that lovely review of the camp and your experience. Ngoma is a beautiful property, I am delighted you got to enjoy a superb safari with us! Machaba Safaris took over Ngoma over 6 months ago, and we love this beautiful piece of paradise in Chobe, with her unique charm and wonderful staff - we are thrilled you loved it too! :)
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Our time at Ngoma is hard to put into words. The lodge itself is situated on the most picturesque piece of land, you can't get tired of the view outlooking the floodplains. The rooms are very comfortable with incredible ambiance. We stayed for our honeymoon but I think they make all guests feel just as 'special' as we did. The hospitality is unbeatable, very friendly staff. Extremely knowledgable and respectful rangers. Chobe is a beautiful park - we saw lots of animals and felt the respect the rangers had towards them. We loved that we had to help 'track' the animals and took the time to do so. Ample game drives offered. Meals were all incredible. When we planned our trip to Africa we felt this was a once in a lifetime trip, however after falling in love with Ngoma, Chobe and Botswana we will definitely be returning. This would definitely be a lodge we would return to either as a couple or with family. Very safe, very welcoming.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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Response from Marketing Coordinator , Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 30 Mar 2020
Dear Ashley, Thank you so much for that lovely review of Ngoma. I'm happy you felt our warm hospitality and that we could make your honeymoon a special trip of a lifetime! Thank you for choosing our wonderful camp for such a momentous occasion. We hope the remainder of your trip was just as enjoyable :) Looking forward to welcoming you back soon!
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Amazing views coupled with world class service from Ben and his team, to well planned and executed activities with knowledgeable guides like Sam , to beautiful rooms with classy decor and an amazing outdoor shower and plunge pool with a view of the Chobe flood plains and the majestic chobe’s tributaries is unmatched.. and this is before you raise a thumbs up to the chefs who prepare amazing food that extends to a great vegan menu which was a welcome option.
This is an all immersive big 5 experience enjoyed in the most comfortable setting imaginable.
This is a must do again and again and again.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A truly magical experience from the moment we arrived. The views at Ngoma are breathtaking and the watering hole where zebras, impala, baboons, and elephants congregate is active all hours of the day. We were well cared for by the entire staff and enjoyed dining each night with our guide Sam. The lodge is owned by the Subian tribe, local people of Chobe, and nearly all those employed at the lodge are Subian and as a result we really got to know a tiny bit about the local culture. Sam our guide even took us to the school where he grew up, making our 4 nights at Ngoma an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. Animal viewing was off the charts, with hundreds of elephants, zebra, hippos, Cape buffalo, giraffes that can be seen from your room. Game drives were plentiful both by car and boat, enabling us to experience hippos, crocodiles and even elephants frolicking in the water. Pure magic. They also do full day game drives and night drives which was such a treat. For big cat fans, saw tons of lions both in and out of the park. The meals were expertly prepared and presented, and they even honored our request for a typical local meal that came paired with songs sung by the entire staff. It was a truly profound experience and one that we will cherish forever. The one tiny detail that could have been better was knowing what food had gluten in it and what was safe for me to eat. They informed me for most things but not all. Other than that it was exceptional in every way.
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing Coordinator, Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 9 June 2022
What an incredible review, thank you for taking the time to describe your experience at Ngoma Safari Lodge. It sounds like the lodge, the views, the staff, and the wildlife were all showcasing their very best during your stay. Our staff are so proud of their culture and heritage, we know how much they love sharing their lives with our guests. I am so pleased Sam was able to enhance your experience through sharing his life with you. Dining at Ngoma is an amazing experience, and all your feedback is greatly appreciated, even the one tiny detail, thank you, it sounds like the gluten free food offered allowed the tiny detail to be overlooked. We hope to welcome you back to our magical Ngoma Safari lodge or one of our other Machaba Safaris lodges soon.
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We loved the staff here and everything else runs like a well oiled engine.
It’s a luxurious resort style lodge with a central restaurant and bar overlooking the impressive Chobe National Park Breathtaking view.
We loved the safari, the decadence of the dining arrangement with Chef announcing the delicious food on offer and the beautifully appointed rooms and common areas.
Just beautiful and truly memorable Very experienced guide and such a pretty place. Great game viewing. Loved it guys
Thanks Big Ben, Wes and Zita for a short bit memorable stay in your paradise.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a small scale, high end lodge with spectacular views on Chobe river and valley, and a wonderful staff. Warm welcome. We stayed two nights in a very spacious private lodge with very comfortable bed, large bathroom, coffee/tea facilities, plunge pool, open air shower, sun loungers. Lots of privacy. The game drives by guide Jo were very interesting. This professional and kind guide showed us the animals in Chobe National Park and took us in a boat on Chobe river, to watch hippo’s, crocodiles, many elephants and many more animals. Catering, breakfast and dinners were all very good, with a lot of personal attention. Open air dining under a starry sky next to the fire was romantic. For our wedding anniversary they made a special effort, highly appreciated. Host Zita made our stay feel like home. Try the stacked eggs for breakfast, they are spectacular! I would highly recommend this lodge. Note: don’t depart too early for Kansane airport: there is nothing there, not even coffee.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Marketing Coordinator, Owner at Ngoma Safari Lodge - Machaba Safaris
Responded 27 Nov 2022
Dear Catharina, What an amazing review! Thank you! What more can we say, :) Thank you for taking the time to create and send through your feedback. We appreciate every detail and are delighted that we were able to make your stay so special. Our staff are the heart of our camps and lodges and we are so pleased that you mentioned those who so greatly impacted your stay, thank you for appreciating them. We hope to see you back soon!!
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Thank you for your message, to secure your reservation we can take payment with either a wire transfer or by credit card.
The credit card payment option does incur a 4% transaction fee which will be added onto your booking total. When you are ready to confirm we will send you a secure credit card payment link to make the transaction.
For reservations please contact us through our reservations e-mail address.
Thank you for your question.
Ngoma Safari Lodge has 2 suites that can be converted to triple suites but they are really only suitable for 2 adults and 1 child (between 10 & 12) as the 3rd bed is a sleeper couch.
If you would like more information please feel free to contact us at through the contact link on our website so we can assist you swiftly.
Hi Lissa,
Thank you for your question. There will be no change to your booking at Ngoma. All services, staff and managers remain exactly the same. We look forward to welcoming you to Ngoma Safari Lodge :) If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly via our website.
Regards,
Machaba Safaris Family
San Francisco, California245 contributions166 helpful votes
You should reserve 1 day for the game drive and 1 day for the Chobe River Safari. You will also see lots of animals on your way to the river. The safari on the Chobe River is fantastic. The wonderful staff at Ngoma Lodge will take care of your touring.
There are more places to choose from in the Chobe National Park area.
LOCATION
BotswanaNorth-West DistrictChobe National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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