A&K has reopened the newly rebuilt Baines’ Lodge on the floodplains of the Boro River at the boundary of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve.
Developed in partnership with Luxury Frontiers, the redesign frames the Delta’s wetlands so that each view resembles a living canvas.
Materials are drawn directly from the surrounding landscape, with soft greens recalling river reeds, muted tans mirroring sandbanks and rich timbers anchoring the interiors in their African setting.
The Okavango Experience
With only six suites and a maximum of four guests per vehicle, the A&K Baines’ Lodge offers an exclusive Delta experience. Its private concession supports activities not typically permitted within the main reserve, including walking safaris and night drives led by expert guides.
Game drives explore one of Africa’s richest ecosystems, home to large elephant herds and predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog. Between May and September, seasonal floods transform the 5,800-square-mile Delta into a network of waterways, drawing resident and migratory birdlife in extraordinary numbers.
When water levels allow, guests can explore by mokoro canoe or motorboat, while scenic helicopter flights reveal the full scale of the Delta’s mosaic of islands and channels.
With star baths on private decks and a minimum age of 16, the lodge has been designed with couples and honeymooners in mind.
Architecture
The lodge’s “African pavilion gallery” concept is expressed through open-plan spaces with columns rather than walls, encouraging movement between indoors and out. Raised on stilts and connected by wooden walkways, there are six suites and communal areas, plus an Explorer’s Lounge equipped with microscopes, spotting scopes, maps and a reference library.
Leica binoculars are issued to guests on arrival, enabling intimate wildlife encounters from private viewing decks. A swimming pool continues the lodge’s water-themed design narrative with uninterrupted Delta vistas.
Sustainability
Throughout the property there is a commitment to local craftsmanship, with woven ceilings created by Daliwe artisans in South Africa.
Sustainability was a guiding principle in the rebuild. Lunawood, a durable and sustainably sourced timber, has been used extensively and can be removed without trace after 20 years. The lodge employs passive ventilation and solar power to reduce energy use while ensuring comfort in the remote environment.
