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A herd of elephants spotted whilst game viewing at Muchenje Safari Lodge Botswana

Muchenje Safari Lodge

Chobe, Botswana

The jewel of western Chobe

On the western flank of Chobe National Park — far from the convoys of vehicles that crowd the park’s eastern reaches — Muchenje Safari Lodge occupies a commanding position on a forested escarpment, its thatched cottages arrayed along the ridge with uninterrupted views over the Chobe River and the great floodplains that stretch beyond. There are no fences between the lodge and the park boundary; elephant, buffalo and the full cast of Chobe’s wildlife move through freely, and the sense of immersion is immediate.

Each private cottage is thoughtfully appointed, with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and a private deck from which the river panorama unfolds at leisure. A dedicated family cottage offers a mezzanine sleeping area for children and two generous bathrooms — well suited to families seeking their first encounter with the African bush. The main lodge, centred on a communal dining room and broad deck, draws guests together around the fire pit as the stars emerge over the floodplain.

Activities here are guided with genuine passion. Experienced local guides lead pre-dawn four-wheel drive departures into western Chobe, returning with the golden light of morning; all-day safaris combine a river cruise from the private Sedudu jetty with a game drive along the Chobe’s banks, where elephant and buffalo are a near-constant presence. After dinner, the lodge is licensed for night drives in the Chobe Forest Reserve — a different world of genet, civet and porcupine revealed in torchlight.

Muchenje has been independently owned and run since 1996, and that continuity shows in the warmth of the staff, many of whom have ties to the nearby village of Mabele. Cultural visits to the village and to local schools offer a rare window into baSubia community life — a reminder that the finest safari experiences are those that extend beyond the game vehicle.

You will love

  • Unfenced western Chobe access 
  • Private jetty at Ihaha

     

  • Sunset mokoro on the river

     

  • Night drives in the reserve

     

  • Community spirit & warmth

Let us design your perfect itinerary.

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A canopied king bed in a Muchenje Safari Lodge cottage, with warm gold tones, wildlife artwork and sliding glass doors opening to a private deck overlooking the Chobe River.
A guide poles a mokoro through the flooded Chobe floodplains as a flock of birds rises into a pale sky above lily-covered waters.
The family cottage interior at Muchenje Safari Lodge, featuring a canopied king bed with a leather and batik headboard, woven bench, kilim-print ottoman and a spiral staircase rising to a mezzanine sleeping loft.
A tusked bull elephant bathes in the Chobe River, water streaming from its face, with a herd of elephants grazing on the floodplain bank behind.
A guided walking safari at Muchenje crosses an open green floodplain towards a large herd of zebra stretching across the horizon.
A canopied king bed in a Muchenje Safari Lodge cottage with a leather and batik headboard, woven bench and open bifold doors leading to a private deck among the trees.
A spacious Muchenje cottage interior with a canopied king bed, leather and batik headboard, artichoke pendant lights, thatched ceiling and a seating area beside sheer-curtained windows.
A Muchenje game drive vehicle watches as a herd of elephant and a group of buffalo gather at the Chobe River's edge at dusk, the sky flushed orange behind them.
A couple share sundowners on a zebra-print blanket beneath an ancient baobab tree, the Chobe floodplains stretching to a rose-gold horizon behind them.
A spacious Muchenje cottage bedroom with a canopied king bed, patterned cushions, thatched ceiling and sliding doors opening to a private balcony with Chobe River views.
Two bull elephants drink and bathe at the edge of the Chobe River as a Muchenje game-viewing boat passes quietly in the background.
Morning coffee on a private cottage deck at Muchenje Safari Lodge, with a sweeping panorama of green woodland and the silver thread of the Chobe River in the distance.
The main viewing deck at Muchenje Safari Lodge at sunset, with cushioned rattan chairs arranged around a central fire bowl and the Chobe River burning gold on the horizon.
A smiling Muchenje staff member holds a cocktail on a tray in the open-air lodge bar, with the green canopy of the Chobe Forest Reserve visible behind her.
The swimming pool and thatched main deck at Muchenje Safari Lodge, with sunloungers beside the pool and an open view over the floodplains to the Chobe River beyond.
The Muchenje Safari Lodge swimming pool at sunset, with teak sunloungers along the pool's edge, a thatched bar pavilion and the Chobe River glowing amber in the background.
A guest stands on Muchenje Safari Lodge's timber viewing deck at sunset, a paraffin lantern glowing beside her as the Chobe River catches the last light of the day.
An aerial view of Muchenje Safari Lodge perched on the escarpment above the Chobe River, its thatched main area and circular viewing deck surrounded by woodland and open floodplains.

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

Judith & Roger Williams

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing.  We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

Annette Whiley

Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10

Di & Kingsley Yates

Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.

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If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

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Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

Andrew & Pip Stevens

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Cozzi

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

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Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!

Mark Taylor

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.

Jenny Kidd
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