Gomoti River (Santawani) - Image 1
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Gomoti River Santawani

4.3
·38 reviews·Phologelo, Botswana

Unique overwater tents immerse you in Botswana's wildlife, with hippos and elephants as your neighbors. Experience thrilling game drives and a magical...

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early mornings

Best for wildlife spotting

CrowdLow
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Gomoti River (Santawani) - Image 1

Gomoti River Santawani

Best Time

Early mornings

Best for wildlife spotting

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Unique overwater tents immerse you in Botswana's wildlife, with hippos and elephants as your neighbors. Experience thrilling game drives and a magical African soundscape.

4.3
(38 reviews)

"The lodge is built directly on stilts over the water – a soundscape like in a movie with hippos right outside the veranda."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Confirm Booking Details

Clarify all inclusions, especially drinks, to avoid surprise charges on your final bill. :moneybag:

🗺️ Download Offline Maps

Essential for self-drivers as road signs are minimal. Plan your route in advance. :iphone:

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Quick Facts

Rating

4.3 · 38 reviews

Type

Hotel

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Overwater Tented Accommodation

Overwater Tented Accommodation

The lodge itself

Sleep in well-equipped tents built on stilts directly over the water, offering unique wildlife encounters.

Abundant Wildlife Viewing

Abundant Wildlife Viewing

From the lodge and during game drives

Hear and see hippos, elephants, and a variety of beautiful birds right from your veranda or on exciting game drives.

Reddit
Exceptional Game Drives

Exceptional Game Drives

Surrounding wilderness

Embark on outstanding game drives led by knowledgeable guides for a special African experience.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Navigating to Gomoti River Lodge

Finding Gomoti River Lodge can be tricky as road signs are scarce. Plan for potential delays and consider a GPS or detailed map. Self-drivers should allocate extra time to locate the lodge, as some visitors reported spending up to 30 minutes searching. Reddit

Booking & Expectations

Consider booking directly or clarifying package inclusions to avoid unexpected charges, especially for drinks. Some guests experienced reservation issues and found the pricing high for the overall experience. Reddit

Best Times

When
Early mornings
Why
Best for wildlife spotting
Crowd
Low
When
Evenings
Why
Atmospheric hippo sounds
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🎯 Confirm Booking Details

Clarify all inclusions, especially drinks, to avoid surprise charges on your final bill. Reddit :moneybag:

🗺️ Download Offline Maps

Essential for self-drivers as road signs are minimal. Plan your route in advance. Reddit :iphone:

🦛 Listen to the Night

The sounds of hippos and other wildlife create a magical atmosphere. Reddit :sound:

🐘 Embrace the Wild

Expect spiders and other creatures; it's part of the authentic African experience. Reddit :spider_web:

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Confirm Booking Details

Clarify all inclusions, especially drinks, to avoid surprise charges on your final bill. Reddit :moneybag:

🗺️ Download Offline Maps

Essential for self-drivers as road signs are minimal. Plan your route in advance. Reddit :iphone:

🦛 Listen to the Night

The sounds of hippos and other wildlife create a magical atmosphere. Reddit :sound:

🐘 Embrace the Wild

Expect spiders and other creatures; it's part of the authentic African experience. Reddit :spider_web:

🌟 Ask About Game Drives

Inquire about game drive options and guides for an unforgettable safari. Reddit :camerawithflash:

What Travellers Say

4.3
(38 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Gomoti River Lodge offers a unique overwater tented experience with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including hippos and elephants, and exciting game drives. While the staff are generally friendly and attentive, some guests have noted issues with food quality and unexpected charges for drinks. The lodge's remote location and lack of signage can also pose a challenge for self-drivers.

"Don't book as an individual. They clearly have an agreement with a German travel agency, clearly with huge discounts as well... Food was not great.
Worst thing though : they forgot our reservation! So they didn't even expect us. We got a backup room.

Other things that are bad:
No road sign, you have no idea how to get there as a self driver. Took us half an hour longer just to find the place.
Since they forgot about us, the room was only ready by 4 pm. We had to wait for over an hour before it was ready, but we did receive drinks while waiting...
Those drinks were then added to our final invoice!!! Never did we receive welcome drinks that were not included in the price, that's just greedy!
Cold water in the shower in the morning, since they forgot to open the hot water tap.
Hot wine in the evening, that's really not okay for the price we paid.
Finally, the price: around 8500 p/ 570 EUR + drinks invoice for one evening of 600 extra Pula! Definitely NOT worth that price!
Shame on you management"

Thomas Lambrechts

"My wife and I had abgreat time at Gomoti River Lodge, the staff were very friendly, the service was great, great food and there were hippos and lots of beautiful birds around camp"

Kingsley Letlhoma

"Nice view"

Mababe River Lodge

What People Like

Unique overwater tents
Abundant wildlife sightings
Exciting game drives

What People Dislike

Food quality inconsistent
Unexpected drink charges
Difficult to find

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Finding Gomoti River Lodge can be challenging due to a lack of road signs. It's highly recommended to download offline maps or use a reliable GPS system. Allocate extra travel time, as some visitors have reported spending up to 30 minutes searching for the lodge. Reddit

Information on public transportation options to Gomoti River Lodge is limited. It is generally recommended to arrange private transport or a transfer, especially if you are not self-driving. Reddit

From Maun, the most common approach is by self-drive or pre-arranged transfer. The journey involves navigating through unpaved roads, so a 4x4 vehicle is advisable. Reddit

Unfortunately, specific landmarks are not widely advertised, and road signage is minimal. Relying on GPS coordinates and pre-trip research is crucial for a smooth arrival. Reddit

If you get lost, try to retrace your steps to the last known point or contact the lodge directly if you have a signal. It's best to have their contact information readily available. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Yes, advance booking is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons. Some guests have reported issues with forgotten reservations, so confirming your booking is essential. Reddit

Check-in times can vary, and rooms may not be ready until the afternoon, as experienced by some guests who had to wait until 4 pm. It's advisable to confirm these times with the lodge upon booking. Reddit

Gomoti River Lodge offers well-equipped tents built on stilts over the water, providing a unique lodging experience. Reddit

While accommodation and meals are typically included, some guests have noted that drinks, even 'welcome' ones, can be added to the final invoice, leading to unexpected costs. Clarify this upon booking. Reddit

The primary cost is for accommodation and any associated activities or meals. There isn't a separate entrance fee in the traditional sense, but the overall price for a stay can be significant. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can expect to see hippos, elephants, and a variety of beautiful birds right from the lodge. Game drives offer further opportunities for wildlife encounters. Reddit

The tents are described as well-equipped and clean, though it's Africa, so expect some spiders. They are generally considered comfortable and safe for an immersive experience. Reddit

The lodge offers outstanding game drives. The unique overwater accommodation also provides constant opportunities for wildlife observation. Reddit

Information regarding Wi-Fi availability is not consistently mentioned. It's advisable to assume limited connectivity and prepare for a digital detox. Reddit

The atmosphere is described as outstanding, with a soundscape like a movie thanks to the proximity of hippos. It offers a special and exciting African experience. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Food is served buffet-style, and the menu is presented by the chef. While some guests found the food great, others described it as 'not great'. Reddit

This is a point of contention. Some guests were charged for drinks, including 'welcome' drinks, which they felt was greedy. It's crucial to clarify drink policies upon booking. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, buffet-style dining often allows for some flexibility. It's best to inform the lodge of any dietary needs in advance. Reddit

One reviewer mentioned hot wine being served in the evening, which they found unusual for the price paid. Reddit

The bar is described as well-stocked, and the service is generally attentive. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The overwater tents offer unique perspectives for capturing the lodge and its surroundings. Game drives provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. Reddit

Yes, it is generally safe to photograph wildlife from the lodge's veranda, as long as you maintain a respectful distance and follow any lodge guidelines. Reddit

A telephoto lens is highly recommended for wildlife photography during game drives. A wider lens can be useful for capturing the lodge's unique architecture and the riverine landscape. Reddit

No specific photography restrictions are mentioned, but always be mindful of wildlife and other guests. Reddit

Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the 'golden hours,' offer the best light for photography, both for wildlife and landscapes. Reddit

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