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Thobolo's Bush Lodge and Campsite is perfectly situated allowing for easy day game drives into Savuti, Linyanti and the top end of the Chobe National Park river frontage. We are located at the largest natural pan in the entire Northwestern region - Barangwe Pan. Both the Lodge and the Campsite are totally off the grid operating 100% on solar. Our solar powered boreholes keep the pans full throughout the year providing us with an abundance of wildlife. Thobolo's (Setswana for Gunn) Bush Lodge is owned by Mike Gunn, who built and operated Gunns Camp in the Delta for 20+ years.
We really liked Thobolo’s for a stop on our overlanding trip. I recommend for one night only between Savuti and Chobe Riverfront, as it is between them and the roads are very sandy and rough (so going to the parks from here isn’t ideal). Stay a night and enjoy the pool (which was well in use on our stay), have a good meal in the restaurant, and watch elephants and other animals at the water hole. Someone else commented about the viewing deck being 100 degrees, and yes…because it is October in Botswana (hottest month). The lodge can’t help that. There is a small shade in each campsite, and we felt perfectly safe walking to the ablutions in the evening (unlike camps inside Savuti and Khwai). Also, ablutions don’t usually provide much because you are camping :) I was more than happy with the bathroom, shower, and wash-up area for laundry and dishes. The managers and staff are excellent and the place is very organized and well run. We really enjoyed the signage on the way!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The roads are very sandy, so be sure you know to deflate your tires :)
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.
First of all, I have to say that Ann-May and Danie Smit, the manager couple, are great hosts, even more than hosts! At the reception there is a sign that says “Come as a guest and leave as friends”. Ann-May and Danie really make you feel like friends! We wanted to spend one night at the campsite and then drive on to Savuti. The campsites are large and all have a barbecue. The abolutions are new and clean. The weather changed that evening, it thundered, stormed and rained a lot. The poles of our roof tent were ripped out - Ann-May and Danie helped us and for an extra charge we were allowed to move into chalet no. 5. We slept wonderful. The beds are great! We had to change our travel plans in Savuti and returned to Thobolos Bush Lodge for another night in a chalet. We got a chalet again without any complications, this time no. 6. The chalets all have two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a dining area with a fully equipped kitchen. The only thing missing at the moment is air conditioning, but this will be installed soon. The pool is a great place to relax. But one of the best things is the balcony with a beautiful view of the waterhole. We were able to observe many, many elephants, but also hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and antelopes. It was wonderful! We can absolutely recommend the lodge and the campsites. The facilities are spacious and clean, the waterhole is great.Ann-May and Danie make your stay like being at a friends home. We loved it staying there! We will come back!!!
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
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Trip 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 Thobolos Bush Lodge, Owner at Thobolo's Bush Lodge
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We are truly grateful for your kind words and thrilled to hear that you felt at home with us. It was an absolute pleasure having you at Thobolos Bush Lodge, and we're glad we could help during the unexpected weather. Seeing our guests leave as friends is exactly what we aim for! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the chalets, the pool, and, of course, the breathtaking views of the waterhole. Watching the wildlife from the balcony is always a magical experience! Your feedback about the air conditioning is appreciated, and we're excited to share that installations are on the way. We can’t wait to welcome you back! Until then, safe travels and wonderful adventures! Warm regards, Danie and Ann-May and Thobolos Bush Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Staying at Thobolo's Bush Camp was the highlight of our stay in Botswana. Not only were we fortunate to see many animals visit the water holes but the hosts Danie and Carin are second to non with their hospitality, helpfulness and friendliness. They go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience while staying with them. The camp facilities (bathrooms, wash up facilities etc) were spotlessly clean and the swimming pool was a fabulous added bonus. We would highly recommend this place as part of a self-drive adventure in Botswana, especially if travelling on a budget, and would return at the drop of a hat.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:We went in April and it was incredibly quiet so probably no need to book in advance for camping.
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.
We loved our one night stay at Thobolos! We saw many giraffes on the drive to the lodge and we were welcomed so warmly when we arrived. The grounds and campsites are beautiful, the lodge patio overlooking the pan is well put together with cold beverages and good company! We didn’t see animals but had incredible views of thunderstorms rolling in! The ablutions were so clean and a hot shower at the end of the day felt great! Would love to have more time there to enjoy the views and the pool. Many thanks to AnnMay and Danie ~ they made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed, going above and beyond to make sure that our water tank was filled and Mike was even there to give us the best route to our next stop! I should also mention that they had great Wi-Fi at the lodge! Loved our stay and hope to make it back there again!
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip 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 Thobolos Bush Lodge, Owner at Thobolo's Bush Lodge
Responded 2 days ago
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Thobolo’s Bush Lodge and that the beauty of the campsite, the warm hospitality, and the stunning views made your visit special. It’s always a treat to see giraffes on the drive in, and while the wildlife can be unpredictable, we’re glad you got to experience the incredible thunderstorms rolling over the pan—nature’s own spectacular show! 🌩️✨ We’re also happy that you found the ablutions clean, enjoyed a hot shower, and felt comfortable during your stay. It was truly our pleasure to ensure you had everything you needed, from filling up your water tank to helping with route planning. We appreciate your kind words about our team, especially Ann-May, Danie, and the lodge owner Mike — we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments! And yes, we take pride in offering great Wi-Fi in the bush so that our guests can stay connected while enjoying the wild. We would love to welcome you back for a longer stay so you can relax by the pool, take in more of the views, and hopefully spot even more wildlife! Until then, safe travels and happy adventures! Best regards, The Thobolo’s Bush Lodge Team 🌿🐾
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We had a very warm welcome and during our stay the hosts were very polite, sweet and enthousiastic about the area. When travelling through Botswana, this place is a must go to! The view deck is amazing! Hundreds of animals will come to drink water, which gives spectacular views. We loved it!
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip 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.
I've been staying at Thobolo's for some years now, and it is always a high point in my selfdrive adventures around Botswana and somewhere I always look forward to returning to! The Campsites overlook the wonderful Barangrwe Pan and the plain beyond. It is the perfect place to just set up your camp, sit with a glass of something cold, and watch the wildlife visit the Pan either from you Campsite, or the elevated viewing platform. The Ablutions are lovely, and always clean with plentiful hot water, and great facilities to get your clothes washed. The Lodge itself is wonderful! The staff always make you feel at home, and the addition of the Pool is a greatl bonus! You can chill out with a drink from the well stocked Honesty Bar, have a lovely dinner and sit on the balcony, with great views over the Pan and with the subtle lighting over the Oan you can enjoy the wildlife after dark. The whole site is now totally Solar powered! Which is an amazing feat! The recent addition of Danie and Ann-May as the management team is a wonderful bonus! From the moment I arrived, they made me feel so welcome, their passion and enthusiasm is most definitely infectious! It was so great to meet this lovely couple! Also this year, after many visits, I finally met the owner, Mr Mike Gunn, the man whos passion and determination built Thobolo's from nothing! It was a privilege to share a lovely dinner (some of the best Beef I've had for a very long time) with him Danie and Ann-May and hear some of Mikes amazing stories of his adventures over the years. Thobolo's holds a big place in my heart and always will! See you all again next year!!!
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled solo
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 Thobolos Bush Lodge, Owner at Thobolo's Bush Lodge
Responded 1 week ago
Wow! What an absolutely heartwarming review! 🌿✨ It truly means the world to us that Thobolo’s remains a highlight of your self-drive adventures in Botswana and a place you always look forward to returning to. We’re so glad you enjoy the incredible views over the Barangwe Pan, whether from the campsites or the elevated deck – nothing beats watching the wildlife with a refreshing drink in hand! 🦒🐘💦 It’s wonderful to hear that our ablution facilities, hot water, and laundry setup continue to meet your expectations, and that the solar-powered upgrades have made your stay even more enjoyable. Having you here is always a pleasure, and your kind words about our Management Team, Danie and Ann-May, truly warm our hearts. They are indeed a fantastic addition to the Thobolo’s family, and we’re thrilled that their passion and enthusiasm made such a great impression on you! 💛 Meeting Mike Gunn, the visionary behind Thobolo’s, is always a special experience, and we’re so glad you got to share stories and a delicious meal with him. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments about the beef! 🍽️ Thank you for making Thobolo’s part of your adventures and for sharing your beautiful experiences with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back next year for another unforgettable stay! Until then, happy travels and warmest regards, The Thobolo’s Bush Lodge Team 🌿🏕️✨
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The location is very nice. The lodge has a water pool so animals pass by all the time. We stayed at the camping which I was dissatisfied with. There were was no fencing (while for people staying in the rooms there is). We could not exit our tents to go to the toilet at night as it was unsafe. The facilities were very simple with no soap or paper and not even a bin in the women's toilets. The pool was out of use, there was no shade anywhere and the common space/bar was 1000 degrees. We also had the dinner there, the portion was really small. I would not suggest this place.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Don't camp there. Take a room maybe
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.
We stayed for 2 nights on our way to Kasane. Facilities are ok, the waterhole is great, but the service should improve. When we arrived, the manager did not inform us that our guide's dinner was not included, nor that he had to book, so he was left without dinner, since they could not add one more person to dinner. The next night (once already reserved for 3), they didn't ask how we wanted the steak cooked, and when asking why, the answer was that they always cooked it the same (the night before they had asked and they cooked it correctly). In addition, the staff that cleared the table did not wait until we had finished eating. Manners are important.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
I stayed at the campsite with this wonderful and homely feel place. The bar and restaurant are great with one of the best views over a water hole I have ever seen.
The pool is nice, abolitions to the camp sites are maticulately clean and have nice hot water.
I loves it!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
We camped at Thobolo's and had the best camp site very close to the water hole. The deck and bar area are beautiful and very stylish. We enjoyed a meal on the platform overlooking the water hole and spent the evening photographing the animals and sun set. Thank you to all the staff who helped make our stay so spectacular.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Service
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.
Thank you for your interest in Thobolo's Bush Lodge. Yes we do offer transfers from Kasane - $100.00 round trip per person.
Please visit our website for more information re the Day Game Drives offered and meals offered.
Please do not hesitate should you have any further questions.
Thank you.
Reservattions
There are more places to choose from in the Kachikau area.
PRICE RANGE
R 8,537 - R 10,411 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
BotswanaNorth-West DistrictChobe National ParkKachikau
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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