
Gomoti River Santawani
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
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Best Time
Best for wildlife spotting

Gomoti River Santawani
Best Time
Best for wildlife spotting
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.
"The lodge is built directly on stilts over the water – a soundscape like in a movie with hippos right outside the veranda."

🎯 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:

Quick Facts
Rating
4.3 · 38 reviews
Type
Hotel
Address
Website
gomoti-river-lodge.comHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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
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.

Exceptional Game Drives
Surrounding wilderness
Embark on outstanding game drives led by knowledgeable guides for a special African experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating to Gomoti River Lodge
Booking & Expectations
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 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:
🦛 Listen to the Night
The sounds of hippos and other wildlife create a magical atmosphere. :sound:
🐘 Embrace the Wild
Expect spiders and other creatures; it's part of the authentic African experience. :spider_web:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 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:
🦛 Listen to the Night
The sounds of hippos and other wildlife create a magical atmosphere. :sound:
🐘 Embrace the Wild
Expect spiders and other creatures; it's part of the authentic African experience. :spider_web:
🌟 Ask About Game Drives
Inquire about game drive options and guides for an unforgettable safari. :camerawithflash:
What Travellers Say
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
What People Dislike
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
🎫 🎫 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.
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.
Gomoti River Lodge offers well-equipped tents built on stilts over the water, providing a unique lodging experience.
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.
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.
🎫 🧭 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.
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.
The lodge offers outstanding game drives. The unique overwater accommodation also provides constant opportunities for wildlife observation.
Information regarding Wi-Fi availability is not consistently mentioned. It's advisable to assume limited connectivity and prepare for a digital detox.
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.
🍽️ 🍽️ 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'.
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.
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.
One reviewer mentioned hot wine being served in the evening, which they found unusual for the price paid.
The bar is described as well-stocked, and the service is generally attentive.
📸 📸 Photography
The overwater tents offer unique perspectives for capturing the lodge and its surroundings. Game drives provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
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.
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.
No specific photography restrictions are mentioned, but always be mindful of wildlife and other guests.
Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the 'golden hours,' offer the best light for photography, both for wildlife and landscapes.








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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit