Highlights

• Rooms and facilities built around nature.
• Located on the bank of the Chobe River and near the Chobe Game Reserve.
• Only hotel in Kasane with a 9-hole golf course.
• Extremely friendly and hands-on staff.

Background

The Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa is one of the elite hotels of the Cresta Hotels brand and one of only two hotels in the “African Fingerprint” category. The unique location and one-on-one service make this destination the African adventurer’s dream. The 4-star Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa was built around an 800 year old baobab tree which dominates the center of the hotel. According to African legend, the baobab tree grows upside down because it kept walking when God originally planted it in the Chobe soil. He uprooted the tree and flung it into the ground upside down. The Cresta Mowana is steeped in African legend and lore like this which adds to the enchantment of the hotel.

Experience

With a flight from Gaborone, I arrived at the small Kasane airport. A complementary shuttle ferried us to the Cresta Mowana. Located right on the Chobe riverbank, the resort is surrounded by wildlife and pristine natural environments.

I was welcomed by the gracious team who helped me with my bags and processed my check-in. I made my way to one of the four Luxury Suites. The suite was tastefully decorated in warm earthy colors that matched the hotel’s serene surroundings.

Each suite has its own lounge area, dining area and workspace filled with comfortable furniture to relax after a long day of sightseeing. They also have 1.5 baths outfitted with a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower finished in natural stone and tile. The main bathroom had two sinks and the half bath had a sink and toilet connected to the living room.

The bedroom and living room both had a stunning views over the Chobe River. There was a balcony connecting the living room with seating outside.

Other accommodations include Luxury Bedrooms which have similar views and a small sitting area. Each of the 112 Bedrooms and 4 Suites include mosquito netting, a mini bar, air conditioning and ceiling fans, tea and coffee, satellite TV, and in-room safes.

Cresta Mowana’s Serondela Restaurant serves a fabulous buffet of local and international cuisine. The menu occasional includes wild game meats from wildebeest, impala, warthog and kudu. You may even find Mopani worms which are considered a delicacy in Southern Africa. You can also order light meals from Boma Terrace during the day if you’re not quite ready for bountiful buffet.

After dinner the Savuti Bar is the perfect place to watch the sunset. They offer an extensive list of cocktails, cold beers, and exotic fruit juices throughout the day.

The main attraction at Cresta Mowana is the diverse wildlife that surrounds the resort. There’s over 75 different species of mammals around the area including large herds of elephants in the nearby Chobe National Park which has some of the densest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. The hotel can arrange for guests to embark on a guided game drive through the park where giraffes, leopards, cheetahs and lions are commonly sighted. While out on the game drive you can also reserve a spot on the river boat cruise or try fishing in the Chobe River. For guests who prefer to explore on their own, mountain bikes can be hired. I started with an evening river boat cruise where I spotted more elephants than I could count. Then went for a game drive in the national park the next day. All the game drives have professional guides and drivers that can spot animals and answer any questions you may have.

The Spa is a perfect place to rejuvenate the body and mind. There are four private rooms overlooking the river including the double room if you want to share the experience with a friend or spouse. Guests can choose from a wide range of treatments including the unique African and Asian signature treatments in which the therapists have been especially trained. The other facilities include a sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, heated spa bath, and a relaxation room.

Just a few steps away from the Spa is the Infinity Pool. With the Chobe River just across the lawn, this will be the closest you’ll get to swimming in the river itself. Guests can also play a round of golf on the 9-hole course. Cresta Mowana will provide you with the clubs and bags.

Hosting a conference at Cresta Mowana is a truly unique experience. The Bateleur Rooms and Ntsu Boardroom can accommodate conferences and private events for groups as small as 10 or as large as 130 people. Standard equipment for events includes a PA system, overhead projector and screen, business services, and even stationary. All of the hotel’s facilities are at your disposal including catering which can range from simple snacks to a full buffet. Special requests can also be arranged through the hotel’s coordinator. A business center is available for use as well.

The team at Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa was attentive and made my stay an extraordinary experience. The one-on-one service ensured I was not only greeted by name, but also taken care of to maximize my stay whether. Based on my arrival and departure time, the team recommended and reserved game drives for me. I found all of the services to be of excellent quality.

With modern luxurious facilities, exceptional service and a location set on the breathtaking Chobe River, Cresta Mowana Safari & Spa is a hotel not to be missed. I would highly recommend this resort for anyone looking for a unique African safari experience of river boats and game drives combined with the modern comforts of a 4-star hotel.

Contact
Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa
Address: Upper Rd, Kasane, Botswana
Telephone: (+267) 625 0300
Website: http://www.crestamowana.com/
Email: resmowana@cresta.co.bw