A Living Art Gallery in Botswana

Baines’ Lodge Is Better Than Ever

Story and photography courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

Welcome to a luxury safari experience like no other, where the architecture and landscape converge to create an oasis for relaxation, adventure, and inspiration. Baines’ Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, reopened last fall following a complete rebuild that pays tribute to Thomas Baines, the nineteenth-century explorer-artist whose watercolors first captured southern Africa’s wilderness for the world. The six-suite property in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, A&K Sanctuary’s smallest and most intimate, combines sustainability-focused design with meticulous craftsmanship to create what designers describe as a “living gallery” where the Delta itself becomes the artwork.

Perched on the floodplains of the Boro River at the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve, the rebuilt lodge draws deep inspiration from its namesake’s artistic legacy. Like every A&K Sanctuary property, Baines’ Lodge is designed to provide guests with an authentic and immersive travel experience, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of its destination. A&K Sanctuary is committed to sustainable tourism practices and actively supports local communities through conservation and development initiatives. Working in partnership with Luxury Frontiers, the design team created spaces that frame views of the wetland with such intention that the landscape reads like a series of paintings. Every material and texture references the surrounding environment: soft greens mirror the reeds, muted tans echo the sand, rich timbers ground the interiors in their African setting.

The lodge operates on what designers describe as an “African pavilion gallery” concept. Open-plan spaces defined by columns rather than walls create fluid transitions between indoors and outdoors, whilst soft greens, papyrus hues, and rich timbers mirror the natural palette of the Okavango. Raised on stilts and linked by wooden walkways, the six suites and communal areas have a distinctly nautical feel, transplanted into the reedy, wildlife-rich water-world of the Delta.

The Explorer’s Lounge is equipped with a microscope, spotting scopes, interactive maps, and a library, while Leica binoculars are provided at check-in for wildlife viewing from private decks. A swimming pool extends the watery theme, with sweeping Delta views from its sun loungers.

Hand-crafted details throughout the lodge celebrate local artisanship. Woven ceilings above the bar, created by Daliwe artisans in South Africa, mimic termite-mound interiors with navy strands echoing the Delta’s waterways. Carved woodwork subtly reflects the textures of elephant skin, while reclaimed timber from the original lodge has been repurposed across the property. Almost all furnishings are custom-made, ensuring each surface and fabric carries human craftsmanship and connection to place.

The 2025 rebuild prioritized minimal environmental impact. Sustainably sourced Lunawood throughout the property is light and durable, but can be removed after twenty years without leaving a trace. Passive ventilation and solar power provide luxurious comfort while reducing energy requirements.

The Okavango Experience

Abercrombie & Kent pioneered luxury adventure travel with its first African safaris in 1962, founded on an ethos of adventure by day, luxury by night. With just six suites and only four guests per vehicle, Baines’ Lodge offers safari experiences that balance exclusivity with ecological diversity. The private concession allows activities restricted in main park areas: walking safaris led by expert guides and night drives in search of nocturnal species.

Game drives in the early morning and late afternoon explore one of Africa’s most biodiverse habitats. The Okavango Delta’s wildlife populations are extraordinary: elephants move through the channels in significant numbers, while lions, leopards, and wild dogs hold territories across the concession. When seasonal floods transform the landscape between May and September, the 5,800-square-mile patchwork of waterways attracts concentrations of resident and migratory birdlife.

When water levels permit, traditional mokoro canoe excursions and motorized boat trips offer different perspectives on the Delta’s wetland ecology. Scenic helicopter flights reveal the vast scale from above.

Star Baths on private decks allow guests to soak beneath the constellations, making Baines’ Lodge particularly popular with honeymooners. The minimum age is sixteen, ensuring an intimate and romantic atmosphere.

A&K’s bespoke itineraries and escorted small-group tours offer one-of-a-kind, inspiring experiences, from expedition cruises and tailormade trips to exclusive villas, safari camps, and private jet journeys, unlocking a world of possibilities for a Life Well-Travelled.

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Baines’ Lodge is now accepting bookings. The property can be experienced as part of two of A&K’s signature Tailormade journeys: A&K Sanctuary Safari – Victoria Falls to the Okavango Delta or Safari Odyssey Across Southern Africa. View more on Baines’ Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, at AbercrombieKent.com/sanctuary.