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Elephant Sands was a very memorable experience. As the name says, this is all about the elephants - and they didn't disappoint. From the moment we arrived at lunchtime until lights out at 10pm there was a constant stream of elephants to the watering hole. We spent hours watching the social interaction between the different groups of elephants - young single males squaring up to each other, younger ones hovering cautiously at the edge. The highlight was when a small herd waited until the young bulls were gone before protectively bringing a very young baby to the pool and teaching it to wash itself. When another group came then they ushered the baby away into the bush. At night we were woken several times by the trumpeting of elephants close by and we could hear them walking past our tent. The accommodation in tents was rustic but comfortable, including flushing toilet and shower. The chalets are a bit more plush. Food was good but nothing special, but the highlight was dinner (fixed price buffet) and sitting beside the fire with a glass of wine watching wild elephants from a distance of no more than 20m - an unforgettable experience.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The reason one goes to stay at Elephant Sands is to experience a once in a lifetime event of having wild elephants drinking only a few feet from your room and while eating dinner. It was truly amazing! As other travelers pointed out, the accommodations could use some attention. We had 3 lamps in our room and all 3 had the wire cut, so they didn't work. Lighting was dim. We accidently left the windows unzipped/open as it was in the 80s during the day, but when it dropped down to the 40s at night, we were cold. Our error. Just don't leave your windows open after dark to preserve the heat, and you're fine. But, the accommodations are reasonable and the minor defects are dwarfed by the truly unique experience. The water is shut off at 10pm each night, at which point the elephants leave for the evening, so make sure you take your showers before that time. Wifi is only available in the main area and is weak. The game drive from there was actually really great. We saw TONS of elephants and also ostriches, buffalos, eland and spring hares. They have a restaurant on site as well as a gift shop.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elephant Sands was a night stop, camping, on the way to Zimbabwe / Zambia. The location did not disappoint. Knowing that ES is in a semi desert area which is also experiencing SEVERE drought it was understandable that the watering hole is virtually dry the main attraction of having these wonderful animals walking by within meters of our campsite is a true blessing. There are approx 12 camp sites which have a reed / wood slats lapa under which you can pitch your tent or set up your table chairs if you have a roof top. There is a very functional braai / working space available next to these lapas. The ablutions are basic and clean, minor maintenance needed where taps are loose or leaking. We brought this to maintenance attention. remember that this is a Wild camp and there WILL be lots of Dung, if this is not for you then rather stay in a luxury lodge and don't complain. The reception/bar/ restaurant and pool are is well maintained with free wifi available. Use the left hand access road track it is less sand and easier to negotiate. We loved this camp.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Location
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As there was plenty of rain before we arrived, the elephants did not have to visit the man-made water hole as there was plenty of water and green vegetation in the bush. So we did not see any elephants. This was very disappointing but a result of mother nature and there was nothing that could be done about it . What was in the control of the owners was the building work that was being done during our visit. The public area ( the pool, the bar and the restaurant were massively impacted by the noise and disruption of the building work. The biggest impact was on the catering the food was prepared in the kitchen area and in the braai area and then served buffet style either outside or in a covered area. The food was just about warm and served in darkness. It was difficult to see what there was and eating by a dim solar lamp was not pleasant. The staff worked hard but seemed to be without any help or direction from the owners. One night the chef used his own mobile phone to create a bit more light. The owners appeared in the public area at dinner time but just sat around. They made no attempt to interact with customers or staff. This was most unprofessional and very disappointing. The USP of this place is the elephants that come to drink from the water hole. Sadly, we weren't able to experience this. The prices charge here were the highest we had experienced in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The experience from the poorly signed entrance, to the reception, to the standard of accommodation was not good and left us feeling ripped off. I would not recommend this place.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Call beforehand to see if the elephants are currently visiting. Do not pay upfront as we did as...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I wish I could go, but more important is there enough water for the elephants? I watched the documentary and my heart goes out to your family. All the work you do for the elephants. Repairing everything they break ( toilet seat anyone? ) . Maybe you can ask guests to bring a toilet seat with them as a donation? Better yet explain the drought & need for water!!! Hopefully the drought is over, but with climate change it will be back. You need trees, how you can keep animals away is the big question !! I hope future guests read this & think less of themselves & more about what you are trying to do, not to mention the most amazing close up visits with elephants anywhere!!!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:How about a way for non visitors to ask questions or comments. I watched their documentary & had...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elephant Sands do not cater for the camper and do not really care where they camp . No warm water in the showers, no water pressure, not clean ablution blocks. No place to get water or to wash your dishes. There are 4 showers, 2 for men and 2 for ladies. If one person shower nobody wlse kan open a tap otherwise you take the showers water. Will rather go to the Nxai pans ..... much better
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We loved our stay at Elephant Sands! Our safari tent was great with large windows to water the elephants from (although a distance from the water hole in comparison to the bar/restaurant area) but also enjoyed watching the birds too. The dinner was very nice, breakfast was ok. We got the feeling people had often left without paying their bill as we felt like the staff didn’t quite trust us. We had pre-paid as requested for the accommodation but they hadn’t had their admin updated so this was the initial payment issue - resolved once we showed them our banking payment and them finding one thing in their system, then they wanted the bill settling as we went instead of charging to the room and paying on departure. This is something I’d say needs improvement but didn’t spoil our experience. The pool didn’t feel too clean, confirmed once a dog enjoyed cooling off in it! But we enjoyed laying on the loungers without going for a dip. The highlight and the reason for staying here is 100% the elephants and they do not disappoint. Having spent nearly 3 months in Africa and doing a lot of safaris this was by far the most up close viewing experience we got and it is incredible. Would definitely stay again and recommend.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonderful place for close encounters with elephants. Stayed in a chalet in Sept 24- rooms comfortable and nicely decorated. You don't have electricity and water 24/7 but well worth it to have eles stroll past window. Water to rooms turned off at 10pm at night to stop elephants digging up pipes. Charging points for devices available at the bar.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We were a 7 head tour group. Our tours guide have slept in a nice permanent house and we in tents. The doors could not be locked and one jumped out of the anchorage but was built immediately !!!!The sanitary facilities are a bit old but the view in front of the tent fantastic. 👌Just unfortunately there were no animals at the waterhole. 😌The dinner was in buffet form and everything was very delicious 😋 At breakfast we missed sausage and cheese🤷♀️ As a stopover okay but not for several days !
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elephant Sands is a wonderful way to sit and observe the giants of the animal world. The focus of the lodge is the restaurant, bar and pool area which has the waterhole close by for 24 hour elephant watching. The accommodation is a mixture of elevated tented chalets as well as brick bungalows. Stayed in a twin tented chalet which was comfortable but...there were a number of issues that regular maintenance would of solved. It would appear that the overall accommodation is somewhat neglected in favour of the elephant waterhole. The bungalows seem to have been added in a very ad hoc manner with no real appeal. Food was ok, but again seemed to take a back seat and needs some improving. Staff were friendly but seemed a little unsure of themselves. Overall, if it was just the elephants my stay would of been wonderful but all the other small problems took away the full enjoyment of my stay.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:School holidays can get very crowded with campers
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cape Town, South Africa138 contributions122 helpful votes
Best way is by motor vehicle.You could look up on Google Maps. It is not a long drive, about 2 hours. 255km. Normal car/van should use about P 160 for a one way trip. Enjoy!
Johannesburg, South Africa313 contributions117 helpful votes
Hi John,
This is the contact details for Elephant Sands who you need to get in touch with directly. If you Google them the website will come up with all contact details, email etc:
Contact Information:
+267 73445162
+267 73445162
Elephant Sands is situated in Botswana, Africa, 53 kilometers north of Nata on the Nata - Kasane road
Sandbach, United Kingdom102 contributions99 helpful votes
"Call beforehand to see if the elephants are currently visiting. Do not pay upfront as we did as they are holding all the cards. Try other lodges in Nata,"
There are more places to choose from in the Nata area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
elephant sands botswana hotel nata
LOCATION
BotswanaCentral DistrictNata
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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