Pangolin Chobe Hotel
The Pangolin Chobe Hotel was a labour of love over eleven months by Guts and his team working long long days and often into the night to turn a desolate abandoned shell of a building into one of the most innovative and captivating structures in the whole of Botswana.
Everything you need to know about The Pangolin Chobe Hotel in 3 minutes.
The Pangolin Chobe Hotel sits on the plateau overlooking The Chobe River and Namibia’s Caprivi floodplains which stretch out to the far horizon. The Chobe National Park boundary is a few hundred meters away meaning that with our proximity to the gate we are more often than not the first vehicle through the gate for game drives. Our boats are moored on the river directly below the Hotel and its a quick five minute transfer to get to them and then straight into the park.
The Pangolin Chobe Hotel is also a short transfer from Kasane International Airport and the Zimbabwe and Zambian Borders.
The reception is open 24 hours a day to suit your arrival time
Each of the fourteen rooms have been designed to maximise the space and provide plenty of surfaces (for cameras and laptops etc) and charging points galore. They are all en-suite and air-conditioned with safes and tea/coffee making facilities and plenty of intriguing design features.
At the hotel we have 9 king rooms and 5 twin rooms. You might have noticed from the room images the base of the beds is fashioned from concrete. This innovation means that we cant simply push two beds together to form a double. this however doesn’t matter as the twin beds themselves are both doubles meaning that each occupant of a shared room isn’t confined to a tiny single bed!
All of the rooms have a private balcony with chairs and a side table to relax and enjoy the view. The rooms are serviced daily by the hotel staff.
The centrepiece of the building is the wildlife photography gallery, off which all fourteen rooms lead. The gallery features an array of images from our resident photographic guides and other top wildlife photographers who visit us frequently with their guests to enjoy The Chobe. Each image has been chosen to showcase differing photographic styles and techniques to inspire budding (and seasoned) photographers to think differently about their compositions. At the end of the gallery you will find the editing suite for post-production sessions.
In the front of the hotel is our deck, where the majority of meals are served, which in turn leads to the sunken fire pit surrounded by our eco pool. The fire pit is large enough to seat a full house of guests and is a firm favourite before and after dinner. Overlooking the deck is the Pangolin Bar with arguably one of the best views of the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplains in the region. The well-stocked bar serves up delicious cocktails, perfectly chilled wine, ice cold beers and a plethora of soft drinks and freshly ground coffees.
At the Pangolin Chobe Hotel we pride ourselves on our food and service and you can be assured that you will be presented with delicious fare throughout your stay lovingly prepared by our team in the Kitchen.
In the morning, before the boat cruise of game drive, a light breakfast is set up with tea, filter coffee, juices, cereals and toast. While on the activities we stop for another tea/coffee break and a rusk – which is best described as an African biscotti!
When we return in the mid morning a hearty brunch is served with variations each day and eggs cooked to order. This is generally enough to see you through to dinner but just in case its not a high tea with sweet and savoury offerings are served just before that afternoon activity along with liquid refreshments.
During the afternoon activity you can opt for either soft drinks, waters or perhaps something a little stronger.
When you return to the hotel after your sundowner we invite you to freshen up and join your fellow travellers in The Pangolin Bar , or the sunken fire pit, for a cocktail or glass of wine and await the “cow bell” which signals dinner is ready. All the drinks at the hotel are included in your stay. We have a great selection of regional wines and spirits and a daily pre dinner cocktail.
Whenever possible we like to have dinner out on the pool deck under the African night sky. The menu and style of food varies from night to night with plated dishes, a braai (barbecue) and even on occasion a gourmet pizza night cooked in our mopane wood fired oven!
After a long day it might be time to retire but should you still have the inclination than time spent with like minded individuals, around our fire, recounting stories of the day and safaris past is what a trip like this is all about!
We can cater for the majority of dietary requirements. Please mention any specifics to the safari planners when you make contact.
Pangolin Photo Boat
Three 8-seater shallow hulled photo boats with customized gimbals and 360 rotational seats.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Pangolin Game Drives
One 8-seater vehicle with bean bag camera mounts and window seat for all.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Pangolin Cameras Supplied
Canon DSLR cameras, telephoto lenses, memory cards and photo tuition by the photo host.
This is included in the room rate.
Activities are mainly on the river…that’s what the Chobe (and Pangolin) is famous for!
The Chobe is often combined with other iconic destinations in the region that offer only land-based game activities. For this reason (and because the river is so special) you can expect to do more activities on the photo boats rather than the game viewer while at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel. As a guideline this ratio will be about three to one in favour of water-based activities.
What’s Included
Full board and accommodation in en-suite, air-conditioned rooms
- All meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) and selected drinks (wine, local beers, soft drinks and spirits)
- Twice daily photo safari activities (photo boat or game drive)
- Cameras, lenses, tuition by resident photo host and memory cards supplied
- Park fees and bed levies
- Airport transfers in Kasane
All items not mentioned in the inclusions
- Transfers other than mentioned
Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
- Visa fees if applicable
“Chobe is a magical place to view game. Pangolin gives you the chance to do this with ease and in comfort. The idea of the photo safari is brilliant. The organisation and execution are brilliant. The hotel is comfortable and the food is great”.
The service from the staff was amazing, super helpful & informative. The rooms are nicely furnished, & have a safe. Food was also great. We’d stay here again.
“Unbeatable for the ultimate African photographic safari experience”
“Great views back over the river too, especially from the bar. The food was up there with the best of any lodge we’ve been to, the staff were even better”
“The hotel’s design is unique and the display of great wildlife shots makes a statement”
“Can recommend to anyone, regardless of your skill with a camera. These guys know what they’re doing and great photos are guaranteed!”
“The staff at Pangolin Chobe Lodge are a complete delight. The food is wonderful. And the river is a truly amazing experience. As an amateur photographer, this was a great place to be”
Gallery
