The charming Mankwe Tented Retreat is situated in a private concession on the doorstep of the game-rich Moremi Game Reserve. Tucked away in a grove of mopane trees and mysterious woodlands, this safari lodge sanctuary offers its visitors an unbeatable location close to both land and water-based safari activities. In 2016, after a devastating fire destroyed Mankwe Bush Lodge, the entire lodge was rebuilt from the ground up. The retreat is constructed from natural light wood, ensuring a sense of harmony with its forested surroundings. Architects have successfully merged the structure of the main area with the surrounding environment, carefully integrating natural materials with modern design elements such a clean lines, neutral colours, and soft lighting. In total, there are 10 tented suites. Tents are built on raised wooden platforms, each with their own private viewing deck. Expansive bedrooms offer a configuration of two twins or a king-sized bed. Bathrooms are ensuite with a shower, and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness through the canvas windows. Guests can relax in the knowledge that each suite has a fan for cooling off during the sizzling summer months. The main area comprises a small swimming pool surrounded by wooden decking that flows through to various sheltered sections for relaxing and also has a dining section. Adjacent to this area is the boma. From here, a meandering wooden walkway winds its way to a second swimming pool section complete with wooden decking, sun loungers and an intimate pool bar. Another enclave breaks away from the central and pool area, and leads to a small relaxation lounge and games/reading area. Eager safari-goers can tailor-make their own activity schedule. Most guests opt for a full-day excursion into the Moremi Game Reserve, and boat cruises through the Okavango Delta’s reed-lined channels - provided the water levels are high enough. Game drives take place in Mankwe's concession, which includes 20 000 hectares of an additional traverse along the Khwai River where predators can be spotted.
On my 15 day safari this place was my favorite overall! I was nervous about the tents but the overall experience was more like glamping. The staff welcomed us with cold drinks and warm wash cloths, they sang to us at night and were so much fun. They had great personalities and ended up becoming like family. The food was amazing and they had a variety of things to eat. The "cold" showers were oddly refreshing after a long game drives, they offered hot bucket showers as well. They place was extremely clean and comfortable! At night the staff would surprise us with a hot water bottle compress wrapped in a hand sewn covering, in our beds. My mother and I fell in love with the bed warming accessory. The game driver that we had "MG" was the best driver we had on our entire trip! His knowledge of the animals was impeccable and his eagerness to make us all happy was one of a kind. He made sure we always got a good angle to take pictures and kept us safe the entire time. He drive smoothly and had good English. John the manager was always there to help. Overall the best place along with the experience we stayed! I recommend this area and camp to everyone! 100% amazing
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Bring warm clothes for the morning game drives and something to cover your face.
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 Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 1 week ago
Hi Amanda, Thanks for the great review. We are so happy to hear that we were your favorite place and you've labeled us the "Best Safari and Camp Ever! - That is quite a compliment! We will pass on your comments to the staff, as they go out of their way to make guests feel like family. And we'll give a special "shout-out" to MG - he is a terrific driver and host. We hope you will come back again for another amazing safari holiday. Kind regards, The Hideaways team
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We’ve stayed at the Mankwe campsite twice before and decided to treat ourselves for a few nights of luxury in the tented lodge. We were not disappointed at all. From John giving us an early check in to the wonderful warm and friendly staff to SK our knowledgeable, funny and dedicated guide our stay was perfect. The talented chef went above and beyond to ensure that all meals were delicious, gluten free and safe for me to eat. This is highly unusual and it was a real treat for me. SK went out of his way to ensure interesting game drives culminating in witnessing a wild dog pack kill. Very special. Thanks SK - we won’t forget that drive in a hurry!
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Date of stay: October 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.
Response from Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 1 week ago
Hi Diane from Bath, Thank you for your great review! It's great to hear you had an amazing bush experience with us. We especially love to see repeat-visitors, and we are happy to hear that we did not disappoint! Indeed, our team does everything they can to provide great services, including our tailored meals and interesting game drives. It's great that you were able to see some amazing wildlife. Please come back again soon! Kind regards, The Hideaways team
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One of my favoite stops on our Africa trip by far. The accommodations were so incredible and unique. we were greeted by the staff, with a wet cloth and cold drink. … we were also greeted with a spectacular view of the watering hole and from the pool deck saw, elephants, tigers and giraffes. Loved the open air large screen in the shower.. saw an elephant pass by in the morning. The staff were wonderful.. food was fabulous and Tlameo was adorable, friendly and accommodating. Our Safari guides, Professor and SK were absolutely fabulous and what we got to see and how they made it all happen was breath taking… how our guides and Nkossie Masso(our main guide) spotted thing as they drove was crazy… The night drive was pretty thrilling… if we had only had these two safari as our only part of the trip, with the things we experienced and saw I would have went home satisfied!!!! The only down side was when we were checking out and the manager John told us that the WiFi was down and we had to pay cash for our bar bill, laundry service and tips it WAS NOT cool to have to dish out that much cash in our first week of a three week trip.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Make sure you cameras and phones are charged… the place is fabulous and our safari guides,...
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 Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 1 week ago
Hi Jeff Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear you had a great time with us, and that you enjoyed the staff-services, amenities and wildlife. Since your stay, we have upgraded the WIFI and made adjustments to the additional services on offer. We really appreciate your feedback, and hope you will join us again for another safari adventure. Best regards, The Hideaways team
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We stayed in the campsite for 2 nights,and the tented retreat for 1 night in April 2022. The pitches are set well away from any other pitches, and each pitch is just for you, and the ablution block is also just for you. Firewood was provided by the camp, and the site and ablution block were cleaned daily. We slept in tents on the top of our 4x4 , good job, because we heard Lion, leopard, Elephant etc close to camp, and trough the night. Such a great experience. Our Hosts, Johan and Yolanda, and all the staff were absolutely superb, extremely helpful, and a mine of information. Our final night was spent in the sumptuous comfort of the tented retreat..The rooms are superb, open fronted, with nature all around you.The huge 4 poster bed, with full mosquito netting was so comfortable, The huge shower with loads of solar powered hot water was fantastic.The bar , pool, restaurant, WiFi, peace and tranquility etc etc, etc, all added up to a truly unique experience.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Amazing place and staff! Food was great, facilities felt like “glamping.” Large tents with hot bucket showers and small compost toilets (for night use) with a larger shared bathroom facility with flushable toilets and “cold” showers with running water in a separate structure. Lounge and tiki-style bar where you can charge electronics day or night. Sleeping tents have a battery to power lights after dark. Meals and service were amazing, including greeting us upon return from safari with wet cloths to wipe faces and refreshing drinks. It was everyone’s favorite place to stay during a 15-day safari, both staff and facility-wise. Highly recommend for the most authentic and close-to-nature experience in Botswana!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:WiFi, no electric outlets in sleeping tents but charging in main areas, food was delicious, felt...
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 Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 2 weeks ago
Hi Jenna from Tallahassee, Thank you for your terrific review - and for saying Mankwe is the best place to stay in Botswana! We love to get such positive feedback. It's great that you enjoyed 'glamping' in the wild. We will pass on your compliments to our team, especially our kitchen staff who make the most amazing meals. We hope you can come back to Mankwe soon! Kind regards, The Hideaways team
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An awesome experience. Wonderful location, lovely accommodation and incredible staff. Thank you for such an exceptionally warm welcome and a great stay - we loved every second of this beautifully located and maintained camp with its peaceful decks and elephant frequented waterhole.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip 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.
Response from Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 2 weeks ago
Hi Christine, Thank you for your lovely review. We are placed that you had an exceptional experience with us! Please come back to Mankwe soon - the elephants are waiting! Kind regards, The Hideaways team
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We could not have been more warmly welcomed by the staff at Mankwe Bush Lodge
we loved the full guided tour of the premises
The swimming pools are to die for - especially the plunge pool overlooking the watering hold with a succession of elephants to enjoy as we sipped a cold beer!
The camping ground was amazing with our own ablution block and hot showers.
and back at the lodge - a great business area with strong wifi for us tro catch up on after a few days in the Chobe
In a nutshell - faultless!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip 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 Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Jim, Thank you for your amazing review from last year! We are pleased to hear you received a warm welcome and enjoyed your stay at Mankwe! It's great when our guests enjoy our tours of the area and our amenities. When the elephants arrive, they never fail to disappoint! Please come back to Mankwe soon! Best regards, The Hideaways team
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What a setting amongst the beautiful Mopane trees. This was another remote camp with permanent tents. The game drives from here were some of the best. Wonderful sightings of lion, leopard and elephants. Facilities are basic but the staff make you feel your are so special. We were greeted with song and wonderful warm people.
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Date of stay: August 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.
Response from Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Moonflower59-Traveller, Thanks for the great review. We are pleased to hear that you had a lovely time at our remote camp among the Mopane trees. Indeed, we are fortunate to offer some of the best game drives and wonderful staff who create memorable holidays for all our guests. Please come back to Makwe soon! Kind regards, The Hideaways team
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Mankwe Lodge is a beautiful place situated on the corner of Chobe and Moreni National Parks. It’s an excellent location for close encounters with wildlife, birds and nature. Johan and Yolande are wonderful hosts and their lovely team of caring employees take really good care of you. The guides for game drives are exceptionally knowledgeable and fun to learn from. The luxury tents are gorgeous and the camps are everything you need. The outdoor decks and lounges have pools, and the jewel of it all, view to a water hole that attracts elephants in large numbers in addition to ungulates and birds. All accompanied by a cooling breeze and a cold drink. A visit is highly recommended, regardless of budget.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip 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 Hideaways Africa, Sales at Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Fuglekikker from Norway! Thank you for your review from last year. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our "Oasis in the bush". Indeed, Mankwe Lodge is a beautiful spot and an excellent location for experiencing close encounters with wildlife, birds, and nature. We will pass on your compliments to your hosts and their lovely team, including the exceptional guides. Please come back to Mankwe soon! Best regards, The Hideaways team
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We stayed there for our honeymoon following a problem with another lodge we had to go to. We were pleasantly surprised, the place is just beautiful, everything was done quite recently and the team is really extremely friendly and caring. Many thanks also to Monika and Od who are great guides who love their craft, who are endearing and who allowed us to really enjoy safaris and see beautiful animals in action. Thanks also to the Bartender/Servant and sometimes opera singer for special occasions;) We wish you lots of happiness and customers! ♥️
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Sankuyo area.
PRICE RANGE
R 1,042 - R 14,364 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Mankwe Bush Lodge
LOCATION
BotswanaNorth-West DistrictNgamiland EastSankuyo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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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