In 2023, my husband and I decided to take an epic vacation that we had been dreaming about for years: a trip to Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The itinerary included a safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana, a cruise down the Zambezi River in Zambia, and a visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Read all about our magical trip to help you plan your own grand escape to this amazing part of the world. This post covers Botswana, with a separate post on the Zambia and Zimbabwe portions of our experience!

Where to Stay During Our Safari in Chobe National Park

Ngoma Safari Lodge is located in the Chobe Forest Reserve in western Botswana. We chose this location for two reasons: first, Chobe is known for its incredible wildlife, especially elephants, and second, the experience of seeing animals swimming and crossing the Chobe River is exceptional; the river draws animals to it all day long which allows for opportunities to see animals more frequently and in a unique setting than in other places in Africa. It is difficult to get to – we flew from DC to Nairobi, and landed in Zambia, but totally worth it. The lodge arranged for transportation for us, so that made it quite easy.

We chose the safari in Chobe National Park because of the location, and Ngoma Safari Lodge turned out to be one of the most spectacular places I have ever stayed. Each luxury suite is situated separately around the property, surrounded by trees and the stunning flora and fauna of the Chobe Forest. Each suite is complete with a gorgeous plunge pool, an indoor and outdoor shower, a luxurious soaking tub, and a cozy bed facing floor-to-ceiling windows. There is nothing quite as surreal as watching giraffes and zebras from your own plunge pool!

It’s a short walk from each suite to the main lodge, which is an open-air, rustic building that includes a bar, restaurant, shop, and more unreal views of the Chobe plains and river, with waterholes where animals come to drink from at all hours of the day.

Service is impeccable – the team at the lodge is warm, friendly, and kind and will assist with anything you need!

The Activities at Ngoma Safari Lodge

Safari in Chobe National Park: Each morning and evening, guests are invited to go on a safari into the depths of the Chobe forest to see the animals of Botswana. As the sun rose, we boarded our open-air jeep, complete with blankets and water bottles, to watch lions stroll, roar, and groom each other, herds of elephants ambling along the Chobe River, giraffes snacking on leaves and herbs, and dazzles of zebras nibbling on grass. We saw birds and alligators and antelopes and prairie dogs and wild dogs and the most beautiful small leopard I could ever imagine. During the evening safari, we stopped in a clearing for happy hour, where our amazing driver made us cocktails while we soaked in views of the sun setting over the Chobe River. It was quite the dream.

Boat Rides: One of the special activities offered by the lodge is a boat ride on the Chobe River. From that vantage point, you can see dozens of elephants not only along the riverbed but also swimming and crossing the river! It was spectacular. A gorgeous sit-down lunch is provided on the riverboat, with the host setting a table that is brimming with local dishes like roasted butternut squash, a black eye pea salad with a spicy sauce, fresh bread, and more.

The Food

This wouldn’t be the Dining Traveler if we didn’t discuss the food! The majority of the meals are provided at the lodge and are quite delicious. A full breakfast is served when you return from your morning safari and includes fresh juice, eggs made to order, potatoes, plantains, cereals, cheeses, and fruit. Lunch is by menu with dishes like burgers (including a veggie burger!), and dinner, served a couple of hours after the evening safari is concluded, is a three-course meal with various options featuring local ingredients such as stuffed peppers in a coconut sauce or stacked roasted vegetables in a tomato sauce. Be sure to come to the lodge early for a cocktail to enjoy the views, and then stay after dinner by the firepit for a cozy after-dinner drink.

How Many Days Should You Plan for Your Safari?

In summary, four nights at Ngoma Safari Lodge in Chobe National Park offers the perfect balance for an unforgettable safari experience. We paid $500 per person per night, a significant investment, but the return is extraordinary. The inclusive package of food, accommodation, activities, and game drives provides ample opportunity to immerse in and appreciate the park’s majestic wildlife. Chombe National Park is not just a destination but a priceless experience worth every cent. If you want the ultimate bucket list experience, this is it!

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Where to Stay in Montevideo

We spent a total of three nights on our weekend trip to Montevideo. We stayed in the tiny, quaint Hotel Palacio, which met all of our needs: close to different local sites and cafes, comfortable, and affordable. The hotel is located in the Cuidad Vieja, which is the old part of town where you can find most of the historical sites. It is within walking distance of the Cordón and Palermo neighborhoods, where you can find many of the best bars and restaurants in Montevideo!

What to do

Curioso City Walking Tour: We loved this walk through the Cuidad Vieja, where we learned all about Uruguay’s history. We visited Independence Square, stopped at the famous Puerto Mercado, took pictures at the Cuidadela Gate, and went into the Artigas Mausoleum. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the city and gave us detailed insight into the culture, politics, and history of Uruguay at large.

A Stroll Along La Rambla: La Rambla is one of the longest sidewalks in the world, and it happens to be along Montevideo’s beautiful waterfront. During a walk along La Rambla, you will see surfers, swimmers, sunbathers, volleyball players, musicians, beachside cafes, and more. Because we visited Uruguay in December, during its summer, the beach was packed with locals enjoying the warm weather. The walkway links Cuidad Vieja with Carrasco, although we didn’t walk quite that far. We strolled for several miles and then jumped off for a cocktail in Cordón. I highly recommend spending an afternoon wandering down La Rambla during your weekend in Montevideo. It’s a great way to enjoy the local life!

Where to Eat and Drink

Our weekend in Montevideo was not without several delicious culinary experiences. We tried to visit spots in the ciudad vieja and different neighborhoods such as Cordón and Carrasco.

Escaramuza Café: We loved this gorgeous café in Cordon so much that we went back twice. You enter first into a charming bookstore, where the bookshelves are filled with books all the way to the ceiling, and then walk straight back into a plant and light-filled patio, where guests lounge for hours over coffee and the most delicious pastries, including an absolutely divine dulce de leche lava cake. From scones to brownies to tortas to tartas this spot is a dessert lovers’ paradise and a dreamy location for whiling away an afternoon during your weekend in Montevideo.

Federacion: Check out this sidewalk café and treat yourself to hot chocolate and a buttery croissant.

Cafe Brasilero: Small but historically significant as the oldest cafe in Montevideo, a stop at this cafe is an absolute must during a weekend in Montevideo. Located in Cuidad Vieja, we found the cafe to be relaxing and cozy, with great cappuccinos!

Café La Farmacia: This is a great breakfast spot in Ciudad Vieja, with a charming old-world ambiance, warm lattes, and simple breakfast dishes like avocado toast and cheese empanadas.

Dueto Cocina Urbana: Like Argentina, Uruguay serves up plenty of delicious Italian fare, thanks to the influence of Italian immigrants. Dueto is a charming and elegant venue with simple Italian fare, including pastas, freshly made bread, salads, and desserts. Helpful tip: This restaurant is right next door to Hotel Palacio in the Cuidad Vieja!

Manzanar: For a super trendy dining experience during your weekend in Montevideo, try Manzanar. Tasty cocktails combined with a hip décor and menu eclectic menu featuring everything from pizza to sushi, we ate, drank and people watched for hours. Manzanar is located in Carrasco, a neighborhood that is a on the other side of town from the old city, but is a modern, high-end part of town where some of the more upscale dining venues are located.

Namaste: It’s always interesting to see how other countries interpret the cuisine of other cultures. We visited this unique spot for lunch and indulged in a fusion fare that included wok-fried noodles, curry-infused risotto, and vegetarian chivitos, which are traditional Uruguayan sandwiches.

Baker’s Bar, KFE, and Office Bar: Fun and filled with locals. Stop by any of these spots for a quick drink on your way to dinner or after dinner!

The Verdict

A weekend in Montevideo is fun, interesting, and relaxing. From the historical sites to the bevy of cafes to the lovely beachfront La Rambla to the variety of dining options, we had a blast and highly recommend this city for visiting!

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