Island Safari Lodge

Island Safari Lodge Reviews

Island Safari Lodge

Old Matlapaneng Bridge Island Safari Lodge, Ngamiland East, North-West District, BotswanaSee Hotel Details
Island Safari Lodge
Island Safari LodgeIsland Safari LodgeIsland Safari Lodge
Choose dates to check available rooms
We Price Match
1 night

Guest Reviews

7.9/10
Good
47 review
Verified reviews
Location7.9
Amenities7.9
Service7.9
Cleanliness7.9
Filter by:
Sort by:
All reviews(47)
Positive reviews(36)
Reviews with photos/video(1)
Negative reviews(4)
Guest User
Stayed in Jun 2025
Other
8.0/10
Very Good
Posted on Jul 23, 2025
Nature at your doorstep. Charming view all day long. Be surprised you have new friends who are actually the helpful staff. The kind chef is very accommodating. 😘 William, the 'adventurer' on the ready to share his knowledge on types of safari. Watch out for his tall wide smile Kemo Dintwa, grateful for your few reassuring emails before we arrive. We are pleased to learn so much from Shaun, proprietor; Hayden & Katie who are the managing team. Love the hospitality of Team Island Safari, Maun. I knew I chose the right location researching from this Tripadvisor.
Guest User
Stayed in May 2025
Other
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jun 17, 2025
We booked a game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve through the lodge. This game drive with our guide William was breathtaking! Among other things, we saw elephants, giraffes and lots of lions up close on this experience. As William knew the area perfectly, he also knew exactly where to look for lions. He was also able to read the animals and the surroundings, giving us an unforgettable safari experience - we were able to see two lions fighting over a dead impala up close! Unbelievable. Without him we would never have seen so many animals. Thank you William!
oanitahmasisi
Stayed in May 2025
Other
8.0/10
Very Good
Posted on Jun 2, 2025
A very good and relaxing area to visit. Friendly for kinds of visit - solo, couple or even with kids. Highly recommend!
Response from Property: Dear Oanitah, Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation! We're thrilled to hear you had a relaxing experience with us and that you found the Island Safari perfect for any kind of visit – whether solo, as a couple, or with family. It means a lot to us to know that our setting and service made your stay enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable safari experience! Warm regards from all of us at Island Safaris
kleon983973
Stayed in Apr 2025
Business traveler
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on May 29, 2025
Only problem is it’s a one night business trip every 3 months. Would be great to stay longer to experience the true value of Island Safari Lodge
Response from Property: Good Day, Thank you so much for your kind words and for making Island Safari Lodge your preferred choice during your business trips to Maun! We truly appreciate your loyalty and are delighted to hear you think so highly of us. We completely agree — there’s so much more to experience here beyond a quick visit. We’d love to welcome you for a longer stay next time so you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty and adventure that Island Safari Lodge has to offer. Whenever you’re ready for a proper getaway, we’ll be here to make it unforgettable! Warm regards from all of us at Island Safaris
Sara S
Stayed in Apr 2025
Couple
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on May 26, 2025
We both stayed at Island safari lodge, and organised our safari and mokoro excursions with them. The experience was fantastic! Starting with a seemless airport transfer and help with acquiring a local sim-card, to our clean and comfortable room, our time with the lodge was fantastic. The staff are welcoming and helpful, and food provides plenty of choice. As a vegetarian I found that there was enough on offer at the restaurant and the veggie lasagna was top-notch. We had pre-organised an excursion via email, including overnight mokoro, mobile safari and a night on the salt-pan (with Gweta lodge). The guides (William and Dillan, and Jakey for the mokoro) were excellent and so knowledgable. We had the most amazing experience watching a pride of lions too! Food was tasty and filling (by chef Neo) and we were well looked after throughout. Absolutely recommend Island lodge to anyone wanting a fair-priced trip.
Response from Property: Good day, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Island Safari Lodge for your stay and excursions! We are thrilled to hear that your experience—from the seamless airport transfer to the overnight mokoro and mobile safaris—was truly fantastic. It’s great to know you felt welcomed and well cared for by our team, and that Chef Neo’s veggie lasagna hit the spot! We always strive to provide comfortable accommodations, delicious food with variety, and knowledgeable guides to create unforgettable memories for our guests. Your kind words about William, Dillan, Jakey, and the entire team mean a lot to us. We will be sure to pass along your compliments to them. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the safari sightings and the special moments in the wild. Thank you for recommending Island Safari Lodge. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another amazing adventure! Warm regards from all of us at Island Safaris
sammychatar
Stayed in Apr 2025
Traveling with friends
2.0/10
Posted on May 1, 2025
Safari Island Lodge did not live up to expectations at all. The photos online are misleading, and the reality falls far short. The breakfast was the weakest we’ve had anywhere – extremely limited: just a small bowl of fruit, some yogurt, bread with jam. Eggs are available, but it takes about half an hour to get them. Overall, a very poor breakfast experience. The lodge itself is outdated and certainly not worth the premium price being charged. On the positive side, the staff were friendly and helpful, and the mokoro guides did their best and were very kind – though don’t expect to see the wildlife they promise during the trip. William was very kind upon arrival, but on the return trip his attitude changed – he drove recklessly and was visibly irritated by even simple questions. All in all, not worth the money and a disappointing stay.
Response from Property: Dear Sammy, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're truly sorry to hear that your stay with us did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. We’re disappointed to learn that the breakfast offering and overall lodge experience fell short for you. While many guests enjoy the simple, fresh options we provide to start the day, your comments have been shared with our team and we will be reviewing how we can improve both variety and efficiency of service. We’re glad to hear you found our team friendly and that the mokoro guides left a positive impression, even if wildlife sightings were limited during your stay. With regard to William, we were especially surprised to read your remarks. He has been a valued part of our team for many years and consistently receives outstanding feedback for his warm hospitality and professionalism. Nonetheless, we take all feedback seriously and will follow up to better understand what may have happened in this instance. We’re sorry your time with us didn’t reflect the experience we aim to deliver, and we thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. We hope you might consider returning in the future so we can provide a more positive and memorable visit. Warm regards from all of us at Island Safaris
gkhan989672
Stayed in Feb 2025
Other
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Mar 21, 2025
Lovely and tranquil. Private and serene. It's a lovely getaway for the family. Beautiful views. The bird life is incredible and there are animals around the Island. Staff are very helpful and accommodating. The food was absolutely delicious. We highly recommend you stay here when in Maun.
Response from Property: Good day, Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tranquility, privacy, and natural beauty of our little piece of paradise. The incredible birdlife and wildlife around the island truly make for a special escape, and we’re so glad you got to experience it. Our team takes great pride in making every stay memorable, and it’s wonderful to hear that their hospitality and the delicious food stood out during your visit. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would love to welcome you and your family back whenever you're in Maun! Best regards from all of us at Island Safaris
Stephan D
Stayed in Jan 2025
Other
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Feb 28, 2025
We, a group of 12 people and 6 vehicles some with 4x4 camping trailers overnight at this very great Lodge and campsite. There we water tapes and working power points to power our fridges. The ablution a bit of a walk from our camp was always clean and there were hot water for showers, enough as an Overland group also shared the facilities. At nightfall it was very quite no barking dogs! We really enjoyed our stay. In the past our tour guide did use the restaurant facilities (which was great) but not this time as the group gathered around their campfire for dinner. A pity that the river in-front of the lodge had no water (seasonal) otherwise we would have booked a boat trip. Can recommend this lodge.
Response from Property: Dear Stephan, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your group had a great stay at our lodge and campsite. It’s fantastic to know that our facilities, from the clean ablutions with hot showers to the working power points, contributed to your comfort. We love that you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity to gather around your own campfire—there’s something truly special about sharing stories under the African night sky. It’s also great to hear that you’ve had positive experiences with our restaurant in the past, and we’d love to welcome you back for a meal next time! Indeed, the river’s water levels vary with the seasons, but we hope you’ll visit again when it's flowing so you can experience a boat trip with us. Thank you for your recommendation—we truly appreciate it and look forward to hosting you again in the future! Best regards from all of us at Island Safaris
Chris G
Stayed in Jan 2025
Solo traveler
8.0/10
Very Good
Posted on Feb 9, 2025
Perfectly comfortable accommodation a little way out of town. Would have been good to have more time to explore. Not changed all that much from many years ago. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food fresh and tasty. Would be happy to stay again.
Response from Property: Good day, Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you found our accommodation comfortable and enjoyed the friendly service from our team. It’s always a pleasure to welcome guests, whether for the first time or after many years, and we’re glad you appreciated the fresh and tasty food as well. We do hope you’ll have the opportunity to stay longer on your next visit so you can explore even more of the beauty surrounding us. Looking forward to welcoming you back! Best regards from all of us at Island Safaris
Guest User
Stayed in Dec 2024
Family
8.0/10
Very Good
Posted on Jan 16, 2025
Review We’ve been here twice, and the lodge is marvelous. It is surrounded by beautiful nature and wildlife, with really nice chalets and family rooms. The price is absolutely reasonable. However, the experience depends on the staff working during your stay. During our first visit, we had an amazing team, including one staff member named Wuame, who was very attentive and cared for all the customers, as did the others on his shift. Unfortunately, during our second visit, we were not as happy with the staff. The waitresses seemed more interested in chatting in the kitchen and checking their phones. They even ran out of butter for breakfast, and there wasn’t enough salt available. The pappa was already hard, and the steak was burned on the outside. We definitely recommend this lodge because it is beautiful, but we also encourage the owners to pay closer attention to the performance of their staff. There were significant differences between the shifts, and the service quality needs improvement.
marthie2024
Stayed in Nov 2024
Other
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Dec 26, 2024
Easy booking. Friendly & very helpful receptionist. Friendly and helpful staff at the restaurant & bar. Clean & comfortable accommodation. Good dinner and excellent breakfast. For sure the best value for money, overnight stay in Maun.
Response from Property: Dear Marthie, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your overnight stay with us in Maun was so enjoyable. Our team works hard to ensure that every guest feels welcomed, comfortable, and well taken care of, so it’s truly rewarding to know we succeeded in making your experience memorable. We're delighted you found our accommodation clean and comfortable, and that both the dinner and breakfast exceeded your expectations. Our goal is to offer the best value for money, and your kind words affirm that we’re heading in the right direction. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Maun! Safe travels, and thank you again for choosing us. Best regards from all of us at Island Safaris
LordTanle1
Stayed in Sep 2024
Other
8.0/10
Very Good
Posted on Oct 26, 2024
Front desk and bar/restaurant staff was lethargic and unenergized or motivated for two nights in a row. When we arrived, we were missing basic items such as pillowcases on our pillows. We had to request a kettle for morning coffee as it is hard to prepare tea or coffee without hot water. The facilities were run down. For example, our sink leaked on the floor, toilet took multiple flushes, and hot water handle on our shower spun freely and hot water was only attained by pressing in the handle and twisting. Overall, the facilities need some very minor rehabilitation. Property was nice and location nice and felt safe...but it needs some love and staff improvements.
Response from Property: Good day, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We sincerely apologize that your experience did not meet your expectations and that there were shortcomings during your stay. We regret to hear about the issues you encountered with missing items and maintenance in your room, as well as the lack of energy from our staff. This is not the level of service or quality we strive to provide, and we appreciate you bringing these matters to our attention. Please rest assured that we are addressing the concerns you’ve mentioned. Our team is working on improving the energy and responsiveness of our staff through additional training and support. Additionally, we are evaluating the maintenance needs of our facilities to ensure all rooms are in top condition for our guests. We’re pleased to hear that you found the property and location to be nice and safe. With the feedback you’ve provided, we are committed to making the necessary improvements to enhance the guest experience. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future to show you the changes we’ve implemented. If there’s anything further you’d like to share or discuss, please feel free to reach out to us directly. Warm regards from all of us at Island Safaris
Jackie K
Stayed in Sep 2024
Other
8.0/10
Very Good
Posted on Oct 25, 2024
We had a lovely time at Island Safari Lodge and found the staff extremely helpful. We had a lovely view of the river from our particular campsite. The restaurant served a very nice breakfast. We would go again if we were ever back in Botswana
Response from Property: Dear Jackie, Thank you for sharing your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had a lovely time at Island Safari Lodge and enjoyed the serene river view from your campsite. It's also great to know that our staff made your stay memorable and that you appreciated the breakfast at our restaurant. We’re honored to have been part of your Botswana adventure and would love to welcome you back whenever you find yourself in this beautiful part of the world again. Safe travels and warm regards, Island Safari Lodge Team
Guest User
Stayed in Sep 2024
Family
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Oct 9, 2024
Island Safari Lodge exceeded expectations with its efficient and welcoming staff, who made the stay smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. The facilities are top-notch, with everything well-organized and easily accessible. The campsite was particularly impressive—well-maintained and spacious, with plenty of shade and privacy. The ablution blocks were spotless, showing a clear commitment to cleanliness and comfort for all guests. A big thank you to the team for creating such a lovely experience. If you're looking for a well-run, peaceful place to camp with excellent amenities, Island Safari Lodge is a fantastic choice!
kokerboom74
Stayed in Sep 2024
Other
6.0/10
Posted on Oct 6, 2024
a lodge and campsite located in a beautiful area but which must have seen better days. The campsite's sanitary blocks have been neglected, the braiis broken and not very functional, and the campsite has not been maintained. The staff, however, are very pleasant and smiling, especially in the bar and restaurant. The mokoro excursion was interesting. Overall, we enjoyed our stay with a feeling of ā€œit could be much better with a little more upkeepā€.
Response from Property: Good Day, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the natural beauty of our lodge and campsite, and we’re especially pleased to know that our team’s friendliness and the mokoro excursion added positively to your experience. We appreciate your honesty about areas where we can improve. Maintaining our facilities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all our guests is a priority, and we regret that the sanitary blocks and braais did not meet your expectations. Your comments are invaluable in guiding us to address these issues promptly. Your note about the potential for improvement inspires us to redouble our efforts to make the most of our beautiful location and ensure all areas of our lodge and campsite reflect the high standards we aim to provide. Thank you for your visit, and we hope to welcome you back in the future to experience the positive changes we are working toward. Warm regards from all of us at Island Safaris