Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis

One disappointment was that fishing wasn’t very good for us, but the bird life and everything else were amazing. The food was exquisite, honestly, I couldn’t ask for more. The staff were super friendly and welcoming, and they paid attention to little things that really lifted the experience. We had fresh date balls in our room every day, and even the napkins were presented thoughtfully at meals.

The birdlife and game were better than we expected, and the guiding was great. Fishing was a good experience, though we caught only two catfish and the tigerfish stayed away. For all four days, the welcoming staff kept up their five-star service. The food was excellent, and the gluten-free options were amazing. Thanks to everyone at Ichingo.

A beautiful setting by the river, comfortable rooms and outstanding service from everyone, both at the lodge and on the boats. We spent two nights and three days there, and it’s worth returning to.

The wildlife was a highlight of our two nights at Ichingo River Lodge. We took mostly the smaller boat excursions so we could get close to the animals, and it was amazing to see elephants and hippos from the water. We also tried the photography boat, which was fun. Its rotating chairs made it much easier to get a good shot, especially when filming. Our early birding trip on the last morning was peaceful and lovely. The tent was spacious and comfortable, and we liked sitting on the patio looking over the river. Food was very good throughout, with lots of choices at breakfast, lunch and dinner, including great vegetarian options. The braai on our first night was especially tasty, and the restaurant setup outside felt cozy. Everything was clean, and all the lodge staff were very friendly. Parking was secure, and the immigration and transport arrangements went smoothly. After a welcome drink and check-in to our lovely, luxurious tent, we had lunch. At the end of our stay, they took us directly to the Chobe Princess, making check-in for the river cruise easy.