Chobe Lodge?
 

Since we have only 2 nights at Botswana safari in March, we give up the delta area and stay at Chobe National Park area.
We checked the following lodges to stay, but we do not know which is better for room, service and game:

Chobe Chilwero or Chobe Safari Lodge or Chobe Game Lodge???

Does anyone know or any recommendation?
Price is not a issue.

Shall we still try more isolated lodges for great safari game, such as Jeo, Mombo or Kings Pool even we have 2 nights?
This is the first time for Safari Game and such lodges and my friend told me that Chobe is not a bad place to experience the first safari.

Also, we stay 2 nights at Victoria Falls.
We are considering two hotels, Victoria Falls Hotel or Royal Livingston.
Any comments about those hotels are highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Next month(!) we'll be staying at the Stanley and Livingstone which is a short drive outside VF, but supposedly worth it. Then, we're off to Chobe Chilwero. I have faith we've been led to the right places. I'll let you know after, if you want.

Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent lodge within the boundaries of Chobe National Park. This gives it an advantage IMO since you get going on your morning game drives earlier and stay out later in the evening than those staying in the lodges outside.

I woudn't break up 2 nights over 2 camps. For me the main idea of a safari is to settle into a different rhythm, absorb the atmosphere of the bush and chill out. Chasing from camp to camp totally derails that.

The Vic Falls Hotel is a classic of colonial elegance and style. It is nicely situated a short walk away from the town, falls viewing area and the bridge. The Royal Livingstone is a much more modern affair in on the Zambian side and actually on the river above the falls. Where you choose to stay might depend on whether you will fly to Livingstone in Zambia or Vic Falls in Zimbabwe. Having said that you will almost certainly cross from one side to the other to enjoy the falls from all angles.

BTW, unless you plan to do more than visit the falls (i.e. bungee jumping, river rafting etc.) you really don't need more than a day. You might prefer to extend your safari time.

There is also Muchenje Safari Lodge. Chobe Game Lodge sleeps 100 guests, which makes it a hotel in my eyes, not a lodge.

Another thing to bear in mind is that March is the end of the rainy season, which means that concentrations of game at the Chobe River will be at their lowest, assuming normal rainfall. At that time of the year I would probably go for a lodge in the Delta.

Johan

Unless you really want to go bungee jumping or whitewater rafting, I would spend as little time as possible in Victoria falls and get out into the bush. That's what unique about the area, not a bunch of activities (except for the falls themselves, which are worth seeing).

I stayed in Chobe for two days in a tented camp set up my my safari company. I spent over a month on various safaris in Africa and I would recommend a tented camp over a permanent lodge. In a tent you really feel like you're out there (and going to the bathroom at night is a real adventure). There are lots of sounds at night, and you are sleeping out amongst the nocturnal animals. Really amazing, but perhaps not for the faint hearted. I did not stay at Chobe Lodge, but we had a meal there and it seemed nice. Full of oldsters, though.

You should skip Victoria falls and fly in and out of Botswana. The Delta is far superior to Chobe (unless you really enjoying seeing trees destroyed by elephant overpopulation).

No matter what you do, though, it will be a great trip. So don't worry too much about it.

Thanks
 

Thanks, everyone.
I really appreciate your comments/recommendations.

I was worry about the season, too.
I know March might not be a good time for safari.
However,since we have only two nights, I thought Chobe is easier to access.
Also, we have a lot of luggage because this is the part of round the world trip(we have to buy exta seat for luggage if we go to Delta).

If someone recommend Delta area lodges, which could be a good place in March and easy to access. I was told that Mombo is about $1600p/p. It sounds not a green season? Jeo, Kings Pool, Chiefs camp were considered, but I do not know the price.

Thanks again for great help from all here.

Assuming your safari will directly precede or follow your visit to Victoria Falls, you may wish to consider lodges on the near side of the Okavango, or even closer to Zimbabwe. Kwando, Selinda, Duma Tau, King's Pool, Savute Safari Lodge, and Savuti Elephant Camp are all fairly close to Kasane, but Muchenje is far closer, yet has the advantage of being sufficiently remote from the busy area near the Chobe gate, which gets traffic from all the lodges just outside the park.

Mombo is probably the most expensive lodge in Botwana, it thrives on its reputation. You should easily be able to find lodges that charge far less, especially in the green season. You can only do so much game viewing in 24 hours, after all, no matter how much you pay.

Lodge rates can generally be found online without too much effort.

Johan

Thank you, johan rebel.

I also look into those lodges which you recommended.

In an earlier post I said we would be staying at the Stanley and Livingstone. We were there in the middle of February. It was very secluded, halfway between Vic Falls and the Vic Falls airport - Zimbabwe. The place isn't very old and is beautiful and very comfortable. The folks were extremely friendly. (Great bar room too.) We went into the Vic Falls Hotel and had lunch on the rear patio. That was an entirely different place. Obviously attractive and historic, but a bit too many people.