ICHINGO RIVER LODGE

The main areas are built of thatch and timber, raised slightly above the riverbank, with open-sided lounges and a dining area that look directly onto the Chobe River. There is a small swimming pool and shaded deck where guests can watch boats drift by and elephants cross the channels, all accompanied by the constant soundtrack of birdsong.

The accommodation consists of spacious Meru-style safari tents set on wooden decks, shaded by riverine trees. Each tent has en suite facilities, ceiling fans, mosquito netting and a private veranda facing the water, creating a simple but comfortable base with a strong sense of place - just how we like it! The style is classic safari rather than ultra-luxury, with polished wooden floors, canvas walls and thoughtful, practical touches that suit the climate. The tents are well spaced for privacy, and the river views are a constant presence, whether you are waking to the call of fish eagles or watching the light fade over the floodplains.

What makes Ichingo distinctive is its exclusive focus on river-based activities. There are no traditional 4x4 game drives here, and that is precisely why we like it so much. After time spent on safari in the Okavango Delta or Linyanti, Ichingo offers a refreshing change of perspective. Wildlife is viewed almost entirely from the water, either from small tender boats [per tent] or on larger aluminium boats, allowing for quiet, close encounters along the banks. Elephants swim between islands, buffalo gather at the water’s edge and hippos wallow in the shallows, all seen at eye level from the river.

The birdlife is exceptional, making this lodge particularly appealing for keen birders and photographers. The Chobe River and its surrounding wetlands attract a remarkable variety of species, from African fish eagles and malachite kingfishers to herons, bee-eaters and jacanas. The ability to position boats carefully for the light and angle makes it a superb location for photography, whether focusing on birds in flight or dramatic wildlife scenes along the shoreline. Seasonal fishing is also a highlight, especially for tigerfish and bream, adding another dimension for those who enjoy a more active pursuit.

Access is straightforward, usually via a light aircraft flight to Kasane followed by a short boat transfer across the river to Impalila Island. Despite its proximity to the town of Kasane and the border of Botswana, the lodge feels peaceful and removed, immersed in river channels and village life. Its position at the meeting point of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe adds a subtle sense of geographic intrigue. For guests travelling through northern Botswana, Ichingo works beautifully as a contrast to the land-based game drives of the Okavango or Chobe National Park, offering a slower, water-focused safari that showcases the river as both lifeline and stage for extraordinary wildlife viewing.