Chobe Chilwero borders Chobe National Park, home to the world's largest remaining population of elephants. This is an incredibly luxurious lodge with just 15 guest cottages, as well as the only full spa on the Botswana safari circuit.
A great deal of thought has gone into making Chobe Chilwero a luxurious riverside retreat in the heart of the bush, with all of the facilities of a larger resort. Guests can relax in the split-level swimming pool, unwind with a pampering session in the spa or enjoy the gourmet food that the lodge has become known for.
The main area commands fabulous views over the Chobe River which borders Chobe National Park to the north. As well as the elephants for which the park is famous, there are also huge herds of buffalo living in the towering teak forests that are characteristic of the area. Each room has two showers - one inside and one outside. The freestanding tubs in the bathrooms are big and comfortable. Each cottage has its own private garden where guests can sip cocktails after a day of game viewing, or why not enjoy your very own private dinner served under the African sky.
Chobe Chilwero, a visit to the spa is an absolute must. The full-service spa offers a range of treatments and rituals of the highest quality to relax, restore and revitalise guests. Authentic African design has been integrated with, and inspired by, the abundance of nature that surrounds the lodge. Great care has been taken in selecting brands, treatment methods and practices that are environmentally friendly. Treatments are provided by trained professionals, and include products from both the Africology and Thalgo lines. Spa facilities include an indoor spa bath, Vichy showers, hydrotherapy, plunge pool, relaxation area and private treatment rooms - one of which is elevated in the treetops.
game drives
Elephants feature largely on any activity at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, 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. Thrilling game drives lead by qualified professional guides bring guests close to hippos, buffalos, puku, antelope, lions and other creatures that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. Game drives are also the perfect opportunity for the expert guides to share their wealth of information on the area and its inhabitants. The puku, a small rusty-brown antelope, alongside impala, kudu and red lechwe, are only a few of the common antelope found here. Naturally, 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 an African sunset over the still waters of the Chobe River, toasting to the end of yet another beautiful day, while looking forward to what the new day will bring… Specially designed riverboats take guests up close to elephants as they wade in the river or near to the buffalo who gather on its shores. Sundowner cruises are also a great way of seeing animals up close as they come out of the shade to graze in the cooler evenings. Chobe is renowned for its abundance of elephants and dramatic sable and roan antelopes with their impressive horns. Sitatungas – antelope with splayed feet to help them run in swamps – are often seen here, as are the wild dog and lion that prey upon them.
Overview
Included Activities
Additional Activities
Getting There & Away
Rates
Fact sheet | Book Lodge | Print Slideshow
Terms of UseMapSatelliteHybridSanctuary Chobe Chilwero is accessible by road and air. Kasane has its own international airport, which is approximately 10 minutes away by road. Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero’s preferred air charter company, Mack Air, offers an excellent service linking most camps in the region including Sanctuary Baines’, Sanctuary Chief’s and Sanctuary Stanley’s (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). Please note the luggage restriction is 20kg per person in a soft-sided bag. Road transfers are available to / from Livingstone and Maun, which take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Spa Treatments
Inspired by the abundance of nature that surrounds the lodge, the fully fledged spa has drawn from that beauty to develop a range of treatments and rituals of the highest quality to relax, restore and revitalise guests. Authentic African design has been integrated with the natural elements surrounding this luxury lodge. Great care has been taken in selecting brands, treatment methods and practices that are environmentally friendly. This luxurious spa features an indoor spa bath, Vichy showers, hydrotherapy, plunge pool, relaxation area and private treatment rooms, one of which is elevated in the treetops with incredible views over the surrounding landscape. Spa treatments include products from both the Africology and Thalgo ranges. Treatments may be pre-booked through Central Reservations, at the Spa reception, with the Lodge manager or with the therapist. A full consultation will be held before every treatment. Guests are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to their appointment. The spa is open from 7am till 7pm daily.
Tour of the Falls on the Zimbabwean side
Only an hour and a half’s drive from the spectacular Victoria Falls, Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a great base from which to explore this great wonder of the world. Meet the Sanctuary Retreats representative in the reception area of Chobe Chilwero for the transfer across the border to the entrance of the Falls. Transfer time is approximately 1 ½ hours depending on border formalities. From here, the guide will escort guests around the Falls sharing some facts and history along the way. Sanctuary Retreats will supply raincoats during high water months when guests 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. There are however, three exit paths along the way in case guests get tired. Guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the walk, as well as suitable waterproof protection for camera equipment. Guests will also have the opportunity to do some curio shopping in the adjacent open-air markets before returning to Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero.
Price: $132 per person
Included in the rate:
Services of a Sanctuary Retreats qualified driver / guide
Return transfer from Chobe Chilwero to tour of The Falls
Entrance fees to Victoria Falls Rainforest
Guided tour of The Falls
Bottled water
Excluded in the rate:
Day entry visa fee – Payable at the border upon entry
Lunch
Any gratuity or items of a personal nature
Fishing
Guests will meet up with their guide at reception who will have a cooler box ready with refreshments and beverages of the guests’ choice. Mineral water is always included. It is normally the same guide assigned to the guests for their other game activities whilst staying at the lodge. They are taken to Chobe Safari Lodge jetty for the activity. Here they are handed over to the coxswain and agree on a pick up time for the transfer back to the lodge. The best time for fishing at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is in winter (May, June, July and August) because that’s when the water is slowing down. The types of fish guests can expect to catch are Bream and Tiger Fish, on a catch and release basis.
Price: $55 per person (per hour)
Included in the rate:
Charge of the boat per hour and a max of 3 hours.
Max 3 pax per boat subject to availability
Fishing Equipment
Tour of the Falls on the Zimbabwean side
Only an hour and a half’s drive from the spectacular Victoria Falls, Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a great base from which to explore this great wonder of the world. Meet the Sanctuary Retreats representative in the reception area of Chobe Chilwero for the transfer across the border to the entrance of the Falls. Transfer time is approximately 1 ½ hours depending on border formalities. From here, the guide will escort guests around the Falls sharing some facts and history along the way. Sanctuary Retreats will supply raincoats during high water months when guests 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. There are however, three exit paths along the way in case guests get tired. Guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the walk, as well as suitable waterproof protection for camera equipment. Guests will also have the opportunity to do some curio shopping in the adjacent open-air markets before returning to Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero.
Price: $132 per person
Included in the rate:
Services of a Sanctuary Retreats qualified driver / guide
Return transfer from Chobe Chilwero to tour of The Falls
Entrance fees to Victoria Falls Rainforest
Guided tour of The Falls
Bottled water
Excluded in the rate:
Day entry visa fee – Payable at the border upon entry
Lunch
Any gratuity or items of a personal nature
Fishing
Guests will meet up with their guide at reception who will have a cooler box ready with refreshments and beverages of the guests’ choice. Mineral water is always included. It is normally the same guide assigned to the guests for their other game activities whilst staying at the lodge. They are taken to Chobe Safari Lodge jetty for the activity. Here they are handed over to the coxswain and agree on a pick up time for the transfer back to the lodge. The best time for fishing at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is in winter (May, June, July and August) because that’s when the water is slowing down. The types of fish guests can expect to catch are Bream and Tiger Fish, on a catch and release basis.
Price: $55 per person (per hour)
Included in the rate:
Charge of the boat per hour and a max of 3 hours.
Max 3 pax per boat subject to availability
Fishing Equipment
