Simple but stylish and well-conceived, this small lodge is ideally-placed for daily adventures into the Chobe National Park (the nearest gate, a 10-minute drive away) and is easily accessible from Kasane, Victoria Falls or Livingstone. Nestled on a rocky ridge above the Chobe River, it overlooks the vast floodplains and game-rich river. An eco-minded outfit from the ground up, Chobe Elephant Camp is constructed with only the local wood that is in ample supply. It’s also made clever use of another resource – the sandy soil; sandbags are stacked and plastered over to create the walls of the main area and chalets, with the added benefit of keeping things cool.

With a corrugated iron roof, sealed concrete floors and exposed wooden beams, the main area is simple and roomy with an airy ranch-style feel. You’ll find the bar and lounge and open-air dining area under one roof. It’s charming with select touches of animal skins and bright red cushions but is regrettably set a bit far back from the overlook for a view of the Chobe River and floodplains below. You’ll have to venture to the pool area for that (amply sized and decently furnished), past the sandy boma area where guests convene for drinks around the campfire.