Sandibe Safari Lodge
Location
- NG31 Private Concession
- Southern Okavango Delta
- Northern Botswana
Sandibe Safari Lodge is located on the southern border of the Moremi Game Reserve, the Okavango's core protected area, and offers some of Southern Africa's best wildlife viewing.
Situated on the edge of a small waterway that feeds into the Santantadibe River, Sandibe has exclusive use of 87 square miles (225 sq kms) of wilderness. Habitats here include papyrus-lined waterways, reedbeds, palm-fringed islands, seasonally flooded grasslands, dry savanna, open Acacia woodlands, and permanent forest.
The area is home to large numbers of animals and the game viewing at Sandibe is outstanding. Plains game species seen regularly include elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, impala, greater kudu, tsessebe, red lechwe, and warthog. The deeper water channels support good numbers of hippo and crocodile. Predators are plentiful, with very healthy populations of lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and African wild dog. Cheetah are also seen on occasion.
The diversity of habitats ensures a very good birding experience, particularly during the summer months between November and February, when migratory species are present to breed.
Main area lounge at Sandibe Lodge.
Sandibe offers 11 spacious and comfortable guest suites, one of which is a double unit designed for families. The suites are architecturally unique and are designed to resemble the nest of the golden weaver bird. Each guest suite includes a large bedroom, a private multi-level outdoor deck with plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, a fireplace for the chilly winter months, and an air-conditioning unit for the warmer days. Each suite has a private butler service.
The architecturally spectacular main living area is a truly a masterpiece, designed to resemble a pangolin (a seldom seen scaled anteater) with long flowing lines constructed of curled wooden beams and wood shingles. Stairs open onto lofty ceilings of the copper-colored and open-air dining areas, while the upstairs bar and lounge extend along an elevated walkway to a viewing platform.
A series of decks descend to the forest floor and Sandibe's 'boma', a traditional enclosure where guests can enjoy an outdoor dinner. There is also a small gym and private Spa room for wellness treatments. The interactive kitchen includes a pizza oven and allows guests to take part in cooking with the chef if they have an interest.
Guest suite interior at Sandibe Safari Lodge.
Activities offered at Sandibe include safari game drives in open 4x4 vehicles that allow for customizable seating configurations and include bucket seats, padded roll bars, charging points for cameras and equipment, and camera bean bags on clamps. Guided walking safaris and scenic helicopter flights are also on offer.
AndBeyond are one of Africa's leading safari operators and they strive to minimize energy consumption at all their camps. Sandibe Safari Lodge is powered by a hybrid system, which combines solar power and a diesel-powered generator.
Sandibe's hybrid solar power plant has enabled the lodge to operate on an energy ratio of 70% renewable 'green' energy. Strict eco-friendly environmental standards are maintained so that no harmful chemicals or waste is allowed to enter the pristine ecosystem of the Okavango Delta.
Elephants visiting camp at Sandibe.
About the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's greatest safari destinations and offers an incredible diversity and abundance of wildlife. The Okavango is an UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
Often referred to simply as "the Delta", the Okavango is characterized by an ever-changing network of waterways that originate far to the northwest in the highlands of Angola. The Cubango River flows into northern Botswana and spills into the flat expanse of Kalahari sands, where it fans out into a shallow trough formed by tectonic faults beneath the sand.
The annual 'flooding' of the Okavango brings in rich sediments that provide nutrients atop the sands, which in turn creates a diverse ecosystem of permanent and seasonal waterways, deep-water lagoons, papyrus beds, palm-covered islands, seasonally flooded grasslands, and woodlands. The rich fresh-water environment changes year-to-year depending on the level of the floodwaters making it one of the most dynamic wildlife destinations on Earth.
Safari game drive at Sandibe.
Wildlife in the Okavango Delta is diverse and includes all of Africa's Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Commonly seen herbivores include giraffe, plains (Burchell's) zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, tsessebe, common reedbuck, greater kudu, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, and warthog. Both species of rhino are found, albeit in small numbers. The Delta is also home to red lechwe and sitatunga, both of which are water-dependent antelopes.
The abundance of herbivores means that predators are common in the Okavango. Commonly seen species include lion, leopard, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, and African wild dog. Cheetah are sometimes seen in the larger grasslands like those on Chief's Island. Less frequently encountered predators include serval, caracal, honey badger, and various species of mongoose.
The abundance of water in the Okavango provides habitat for Nile crocodiles and hippos, both of which are seen easily at any of the safari camps located near the Delta's permanent water. Primates in the Delta include chacma baboon, vervet monkey, and bush baby (galago).
Birding is outstanding in the Delta, with over 400 species possible. A typical safari day can easily produce over 100 species for an avid birder.
ROOMS INCLUDES & EXCLUDES CHILDREN FACILITIES ACTIVITIES
Accommodation
11 guest accommodations in total comprising:
- 10 twin-bedded air-conditioned luxury suites, each with two three-quarter beds (separate mattresses with shared base). Mattress converters are available that transform the beds into a king size beds.
- 1 air-conditioned family suite consisting of two regular suites connected by a covered inter-leading walkway. Each of the suites has two three-quarter beds and en-suite facilities. The family suite can accommodate two adults and two children (third child on special request).
Each guest suite is built atop an elevated wooden platform and looks out over a waterway channel and its golden reed beds. En-suite facilities include a double-basin vanity, indoor shower, outdoor shower, and separate toilet. Large wooden and mesh sliding doors open onto a private multi-level deck, with a seating area, daybed, outdoor shower, and rim-flow plunge pool.
The suites are connected to the camp's main area by sandy footpaths on the ground.
Aerial view of guest suite at Sandibe.
The elegant suites have an organic design, complete with hand-woven exteriors, which reinforces this cosy and intimate illusion. Looking out over the wilderness surrounding the camp, the suites are nestled into the big trees and thickets that spring up around the water’s edge. Each suite is 1 076 square feet (100 sq meters) in area. The distance between guest suites is approximately 98 feet (30 meters).
Other items and features in the guest suites include:
- Air-conditioning unit for warm summer days and nights.
- Private butler service.
- Wood fireplace for cold winter nights.
- Indoor lounge area.
- Mini-bar with a selection of Musgrave gins, non-alcoholic Vemont VerGin spirits, and Fever Tree mixers.
- Complimentary pair of Swarovski binoculars (one per suite).
- In-room Wi-Fi.
- Mosquito netting over the beds.
- Ceiling fan.
- Telephone.
- Hairdryer.
- In-room safe.
Sandibe can accommodate a maximum of 24 guests in total: 2 persons in each of the 10 standard suites and 4 persons in the family suite.
Includes & Excludes
Includes:
- All meals and local beverages including soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas, and coffees.
- Safari experiences (game drives, walking safaris, and birding) accompanied by an experienced guide.
- Africa Foundation community visit.
- Back-of-house sustainability tour.
- Guides' Journal with illustrations of fauna and flora to record your sightings.
- Concession map with Sandibe's illustrated Star Birds checklist.
- Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day). Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned by the evening.
- A complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik EL Range 10×42 binoculars per room for use during your stay.
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance.
- Wi-Fi access.
- Tourism Levy & VAT.
Excludes:
- Purchases from the Safari Shop.
- Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, and cigars.
- Spa / wellness treatments.
- Scenic helicopter flights.
- Any applicable wildlife fee, park fee, reserve fee, concession fee, other land-use fee.
Single Supplement
A single supplement may apply for any room booked by a single traveler; please ask us for pricing.
Children
Families can rest assured that your children will always be safe and well cared for (both during activities and at the lodge) by the lodge staff.
Children of all ages are accommodated at Sandibe:
- 1 family suite available (2 suites linked by an enclosed walkway).
- 1 triple suite available - max 2 adults and 1 child under 16 years.
- Safari walks for children at the discretion of the Lodge Manager.
AndBeyond’s WILDchild programme, designed especially for children, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family, but forges strong bonds between young guests, our planet, and its people.
Facilities
Main guest area facilities include:
- Architecturally beautiful dining, bar, and lounge space with protected and open areas, as well as private areas for both dining and relaxing.
- Expansive main area elevated to give views overlooking the channel.
- Boma for outdoor dining nights.
- Interactive kitchen.
- Massage and wellness treatment room. Healing Earth treatments offered in massage room or in guest suite.
- Well-equipped gym with treadmill, rowing machine, stationary bicycle, and free weights.
- Safari Store.
- Hybrid solar power plant has enabled the lodge to operate on an energy ratio of 70% renewable 'green' energy.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access (in guest suites).
- Guest toilets in main area.
Activities
Activities included in the rate:
- Daytime game drives in open 4x4 Land Cruisers.
- The safari drive vehicles are customizable with changeable seat configurations (a maximum of 6 guests), bucket seats, padded roll bars, charging points for cameras and equipment, as well as camera bean bags on clamps.
- A complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik EL Range 10×42 binoculars per room for use during your stay.
- Guided walking safaris.
- Birding.
- Africa Foundation community visit.
- Back-of-house sustainability tour.
- Stargazing.
- Cooking with the chef in the interactive kitchen.
Optional activities at additional cost:
- Private activities are on offer (subject to vehicle availability which needs to be booked in advance).
- Scenic helicopter flights.
- Wellness treatments.
Example of a typical day:
- Early morning wake-up call. Morning wake-up and activity times vary according to the seasons, activities on offer, and wildlife sightings.
- Light breakfast before departing on the morning activity.
- Return to camp for a meal and rest period.
- Meet for afternoon tea and snacks (savory and sweet choices) before departing on the activity.
- Return to camp - freshen up or meet for drinks, followed by dinner.
- Enjoy a nightcap and/or discussion around the fire before retiring.
The video below details the scenic helicopter activity at Sandibe:
Great Good Fair Poor
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WHEN TO GO
The Okavango Delta offers very good wildlife viewing opportunities all throughout the year, but there are seasonal variations in terms of weather that may be a consideration when planning your visit.
The high season in terms of tourist demand is during the dry months between June and October. The latter part of the rainy season is the low season.
The winter (June through August) is dry and cool and wildlife may be easier to find as rain water is evaporating and the rivers and deeper waterholes become more frequently visited by the animals.
During the middle and later stages of the rainy season, the grass becomes tall and the bush becomes lush and thick, which makes for lovely colors, but makes spotting wildlife more difficult.
Sandibe Safari Lodge is open year-round.
Game drive at Sandibe Safari Lodge.
Summer / Rains
Northern Botswana, including the Okavango Delta receives most of its rain between December thru February, which is the summer season. November and December are wonderful months to visit the Delta, with only occasional rainstorms and most rain coming in short showers, which bring relief to the thirsty land after the dry season.
January and February typically experience afternoon downpours on most days, but all-day rain is very uncommon. By the middle of March, the rains become much less frequent and the grass and bush have grown long and thick. Mornings become cooler by the end of March.
In spite of being summer, the rains keep temperatures from becoming overly hot, although humidity and insect life are at their peak. Days are mostly overcast or partially cloudy, with dramatic skies and a lovely green color to the landscape. Afternoon temperatures average 88°F (31°C), but mornings are very comfortable at around 65°F (19°C).
Baby animals are in abundance, especially impala lambs and warthog piglets. Migratory birds arrive to breed and dramatically increase the number of species and overall numbers, particularly in the lagoons and pans, which are full of rain water and food for the aquatic species.
Unlike the dry months (May through October), when the middays can be very warm, causing wildlife to minimize activity and seek shade from around 10am til mid-afternoon, the overcast skies in the summer often mean that animals are active throughout the day, offering many more hours of game viewing.
Autumn
March, April and May are Fall season months and the beginning of the dry season in the Okavango, with rains very uncommon from around mid-March. The landscape is still lush and green, with sunny days and comfortable temps; afternoons average 84°F (29°C). Mornings are comfortable, but a fleece and base layer may be needed for the first hours on game drive.
Migrant birds fly north and water in the lagoons and rain pans is drying up. Permanent waterways in the Delta are however rising, as the 'flood' water from the Angolan highlands is now reaching the Delta.
Morning temps are around 54°F/12°C and afternoons average 79°F/26°C.
Winter / Dry Season
June through August is winter and the vegetation is drying and going dormant. The Okavango flood water is peaking but the surrounding landscape is mostly brown and yellow. Dust and sand particles in the air is on the rise. Game viewing is superb, with elephant and buffalo herds congregating along permanent water.
Mornings can be chilly to very cold at around 45°F (7°C). Warm clothes, including winter hat and gloves are needed for the open-air game drives. Dress in layers, as the temps do rise quickly during the day, with middays reaching 79°F (26°C).
Spring
September and October are the driest months as the landscape and animals eagerly await the coming rains. Game viewing is phenomenal, with all lagoons and rain pans completely dry and animals congregating around permanent waterways. The flood levels are down and the grass and vegetation mostly dried.
Days are warm, sunny and often cloudless and by mid-morning, most animals are seeking shelter in the shade and awaiting the evening temps to drop. October can be brutally hot and dusty and even smoky as sporadic grass fires can occur.
Safari camps are mostly full to capacity, with guests adhering to guide books saying this is the only tome to visit (not true of course!) Temperatures in October can easily reach 95°F (35°C) or even hotter.
