Skybeds | Best Botswana Safari Lodges

The place

The Khwai Private Reserve is wonderfully diverse, and from Skybeds we can see a decent portion of life’s rich tapestry spread out beneath us. Our eyes are naturally drawn to the waterhole – from 5m up in the air we’re able to look down on a thirsty giraffe. The ground immediately around the waterhole is mostly bare, with game trails radiating out from it like bicycle wheel spokes. They lead off into the low scrub, while behind us are trees that rival our eyrie in height. On the game drive here from Sable Alley (we added this experience into our itinerary during the planning stage) we learned that this is the only waterhole for many kilometres, which explains its popularity with elephant, kudu, and fleetingly, a small herd of roan. The guide assures us that the nights are just as active and tells us that we’re not here to sleep. This prompts a theatrically lascivious wink from my partner!

The Khwai Private Reserve is wonderfully diverse, and from Skybeds we can see a decent portion of life’s rich tapestry spread out beneath us. Our eyes are naturally drawn to the waterhole – from 5m up in the air we’re able to look down on a thirsty giraffe.

The ground immediately around the waterhole is mostly bare, with game trails radiating out from it like bicycle wheel spokes. They lead off into the low scrub, while behind us are trees that rival our eyrie in height. On the game drive here from Sable Alley (we added this experience into our itinerary during the planning stage) we learned that this is the only waterhole for many kilometres, which explains its popularity with elephant, kudu, and fleetingly, a small herd of roan.

The guide assures us that the nights are just as active and tells us that we’re not here to sleep. This prompts a theatrically lascivious wink from my partner!

The room

Imagine if grown-ups built treehouses. They would be adventurous, but also romantic and rather comfortable. They’d probably also be rather like Skybeds. Ours is the middle of three, and they’re widely spaced so that no two-legged mammals will disrupt our slumbers. We climb up the sturdy wooden staircase to check out the fully-functioning bathroom, and then ascend again to find our double bed with its mosquito net suspended from a framework of light poles. The view is compelling, and becomes more so as the light begins to fade. For several magical minutes, we can see the reflections of animals coming to drink, but not the creatures themselves. We lean on the railings and inhale the scent of the slowly cooling earth. As I flop down on my side of the bed in sheer contentment, I detect something warm and soft beneath me. I leap up, momentarily alarmed, but upon investigation it proves to be a hot-water bottle. Snatches of sing-song Setswana reach us as the camp staff prepare our dinner over an open fire.

Imagine if grown-ups built treehouses. They would be adventurous, but also romantic and rather comfortable. They’d probably also be rather like Skybeds. Ours is the middle of three, and they’re widely spaced so that no two-legged mammals will disrupt our slumbers. We climb up the sturdy wooden staircase to check out the fully-functioning bathroom, and then ascend again to find our double bed with its mosquito net suspended from a framework of light poles.

The view is compelling, and becomes more so as the light begins to fade. For several magical minutes, we can see the reflections of animals coming to drink, but not the creatures themselves. We lean on the railings and inhale the scent of the slowly cooling earth. As I flop down on my side of the bed in sheer contentment, I detect something warm and soft beneath me. I leap up, momentarily alarmed, but upon investigation it proves to be a hot-water bottle. Snatches of sing-song Setswana reach us as the camp staff prepare our dinner over an open fire.

What sets it apart

Skybeds is different in every way. Architecturally, it stands out – the design is head and shoulders above any other camp we’ve stayed at. Being able see so far – and so many animals – from bed takes me back to being an excited, knee-hugging child anticipating a special treat. Skybeds hits exactly the right notes in terms of rustic charm; including a real bathroom removes my only concern about staying there and we feel instinctively safe in our elevated bedroom. As we’re in a private concession, night drives are permitted, and our guide plans the evening perfectly. After watching a hyena den come alive as darkness descended, our thoughts – like those of the hyena – turn to nourishment, and we arrive back at Skybeds to find that dinner is ready. Feeling safe, warm and comfortable in the heart of the African bush, with an unobstructed view of the stately stellar procession above, makes instant ‘glampers’ of us both.

Skybeds is different in every way. Architecturally, it stands out – the design is head and shoulders above any other camp we’ve stayed at. Being able see so far – and so many animals – from bed takes me back to being an excited, knee-hugging child anticipating a special treat.

Skybeds hits exactly the right notes in terms of rustic charm; including a real bathroom removes my only concern about staying there and we feel instinctively safe in our elevated bedroom.

As we’re in a private concession, night drives are permitted, and our guide plans the evening perfectly. After watching a hyena den come alive as darkness descended, our thoughts – like those of the hyena – turn to nourishment, and we arrive back at Skybeds to find that dinner is ready.

Feeling safe, warm and comfortable in the heart of the African bush, with an unobstructed view of the stately stellar procession above, makes instant ‘glampers’ of us both.

At a glance

Unique camp with just three, three-storey platforms overlooking a productive waterhole. Each skybed has a bathroom and dressing area on the lower levels, and an open-air double bed under the stars up top.
Beautiful location in the Okavango Delta, private concession, private airstrip, private vehicles available (additional cost) and private dining available.
Game drives, night drives, guided walking safaris, stargazing and bush dinners.
No children under 12 are permitted to stay at Skybeds, but older children are welcome when sharing with adults and with constant supervision.

Unique camp with just three, three-storey platforms overlooking a productive waterhole. Each skybed has a bathroom and dressing area on the lower levels, and an open-air double bed under the stars up top.
Beautiful location in the Okavango Delta, private concession, private airstrip, private vehicles available (additional cost) and private dining available.
Game drives, night drives, guided walking safaris, stargazing and bush dinners.
No children under 12 are permitted to stay at Skybeds, but older children are welcome when sharing with adults and with constant supervision.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.