Sediba Sa Rona Marks a New Chapter in the Sustainable Making of a Safari Lodge

Sediba Sa Rona Marks a New Chapter in the Sustainable Making of a Safari Lodge  

Taking shape on the existing footprint of the iconic Khwai River Lodge, Desert & Delta Safaris ushers in a new era of safari tourism that symbolises the future. Born from the pioneering partnership between Desert & Delta Safaris and Savanna Expeditions, Sediba Sa Rona, meaning Our Source of Water, prioritises a new relationship between people, planet and purpose. Opening on 16 March 2026, Sediba Sa Rona is designed by an award-winning African architect and African designer on the banks of the River Khwai at the meeting point of the eastern Okavango Delta and the legendary Moremi Game Reserve. 

Rising from one of Botswana’s first exclusive photographic safari lodges, Sediba Sa Rona will minimise its environmental impact while embracing a bold, modern redesign that celebrates natural textures, organic architecture, and striking design elements that harmonise with the surrounding wilderness.

Luxury and leisure hand-in-hand 

Sediba Sa Rona will accommodate up to 30 guests in 15 luxurious tented suites, one of which is a spacious two-bedroom family tent set beneath a canopy of ancient leadwood and fig trees. Each suite is beautifully appointed with en suite bathrooms and private decks offering sweeping views of the Khwai River—ideal for quiet moments and spontaneous wildlife sightings. The main lodge area will feature inviting open-air spaces for dining and relaxation, including a swimming pool, elevated viewing platforms, a fire deck under the stars, and a well-stocked bar. A serene spa will offer a range of wellness treatments, and a curated curio shop will showcase handcrafted pieces inspired by the region.

Sediba Sa Rona places guests at the heart of one of Botswana’s most celebrated wildlife regions. Game drives take place twice daily—morning and afternoon—with guided walks, conditions permitting. Night drives within the Khwai Concession reveal the secret lives of nocturnal species, with optional day trips into Moremi Game Reserve. Guests can also enjoy mokoro excursions, gliding quietly along the river in traditional dugout canoes, or spend time birdwatching, with more than 400 species recorded in the area. For a truly unforgettable perspective, scenic helicopter flights are available at an additional cost, with panoramic views of the Delta’s waterways and floodplains.

Architecture with integrity 

Sediba Sa Rona’s architectural transformation is already underway, led by Jack Alexander Architecture Studio, known for its award-winning work across Africa. The lodge’s story begins with respect for the original 1960s historic lodge. An adaptive reuse approach has been adopted, salvaging timber and repurposing teak furniture not only to preserve the spirit of the original structure but also to reduce the environmental footprint of the rebuild. The concrete pool, once a relic of older construction methods, has been restored rather than replaced. Brick walkways were removed and donated to local communities. It’s sustainability in practice and principle, both in and beyond the lodge.

“Wherever possible, we have sought to carefully dismantle, recondition and then reuse existing elements and materials in the new lodge. We also wanted to ensure that we would not need to cut down a single tree,” says Jack Briscoe, one of three founding partners of Savanna Expeditions. “Our architectural philosophy is not to compete with nature. Instead, we work with and around the natural features, echoing the landscape, such as patterns between communal spaces mimicking the winding flow of the Khwai River. Together, with Desert & Delta Safaris, we are building something with depth and reach; it is a collaboration rooted in mutual respect and a shared belief in Botswana’s potential.”

Modern sustainability 

This sustainable approach dovetails with the Desert & Delta Safaris CARES philosophy, which defines how the company operates and reflects the values of building on core commitments to people, place, and purpose. Desert & Delta Safaris operates in some of the world’s most precious and pristine environments and takes its responsibility to minimise tourism’s impact seriously. Its sustainable tourism model safeguards a thriving wilderness through reducing waste, conserving resources, and embracing renewable energy. Every team member helps in the conservation of the wild places they operate in, supporting research that protects their diverse ecosystems.

Sediba Sa Rona is 100% off-the-grid, made possible by a newly installed solar farm with battery and inverter systems, a comprehensive water-treatment plant, and the repurposed steel water tower in the nearby staff village. Together, these systems supply clean energy and fresh water to both the lodge and all staff residences.

Design with a difference 

Décor, details and furnishings have been led by Sigourney Kinnear at Dakota Design, the team behind the interior design at Savute Safari Lodge, which has been awarded “Best Leisure Interior in Africa” by International Property Awards. Dakota Design follows a philosophy of deep respect for location, community, functionality, and continuity to create spaces that are refined and rooted in spaces that feel anchored and intuitive. 

Nature leads at Sediba Sa Rona. From the filtered light through the thatch to the palette pulled from the surrounding grasses and trees, all is a quiet echo of the landscape. Materials mirror the environment as a natural extension of individual spaces. Every suite is zoned without walls—light, texture, and ceiling shifts guide guests through a gentle journey from rest to reflection. Spaces are built to last and built to live in, all of which are key features for Desert & Delta Safaris. Luxury is understated, thoughtful and authentic, deeply attuned to its setting and enhanced by an attention to detail that blurs old and new and speaks to its riverbank setting.

A legacy reborn 

More than a lodge, Sediba Sa Rona is a legacy reborn. It represents a bold new chapter in responsible tourism — where the prosperity of community and nature is honoured at every turn. The ripple of positive impact is expansive, reaching from nature and wildlife to empowering communities and citizens. From safari suites and activities to soulful service and sustainability, every detail invites guests into a deeper connection with the land, its wildlife, and the spirit of Botswana.

“As custodians of our country, we’ve made it our mission to preserve, protect and empower entire ecosystems,” says Marketing Director at Desert & Delta Safaris, Andrew Flatt.

“Sediba Sa Rona is an extension of the company’s values, where homegrown success is not a box to tick. It’s a priority that makes us better, stronger and, importantly, informed. This is what sets journeys with us apart. Safari journeys and travel must be about more than passing through. We’re pulling down the veil between travellers and the destinations they visit to offer immersive exploration that is symbiotic. The same applies to our ecological footprint. The result is travel that changes for the better, or travel that leaves places as untouched as we found them.”

On 16 March 2026, this sanctuary will join the Desert & Delta Safaris collection as a legacy reborn, and a promise to the future.

About Desert & Delta 

One of the original safari operators in Botswana, founded in 1982, the nine Desert & Delta Safaris camps are set in prime locations in northern Botswana’s famous game reserves, national parks & wilderness concessions, with one just across the Chobe River in Namibia’s Eastern Zambezi Region and one due to open in March 2026. Together, these luxurious lodges offer an outstandingly diverse safari experience whilst providing the personalised service and attention to detail for which Desert & Delta Safaris is known. Guests are immersed in a safari experience that develops an understanding of the animals, people, and geography of this magnificent country.