Thamo Telele

Located just outside Maun on the Thamalakane River, a 40-minute drive (or five-minute helicopter hop) from the airport, Thamo Telele is a family-owned lodge on a private reserve of leadwood and acacia. The clue here is in the name. ‘Thamo Telele’ is Setswana for the long-necked wildlife that call the property home and you’ll spot giraffes ambling by at breakfast and popping up at sundowners.

Practically speaking, there are 11 rooms in total: nine canvas tents and two thatched chalets, plus a 17-metre swimming pool, a network of nature trails, and a couple of horses if you’d like to explore from the saddle. Helicopter flights, cultural tours and nature-trail bike rides are on offer too, making Thamo a smart launching pad for the Okavango, or a gentle return to real life on the way home.