Grays Eden

Just ten minutes from Maun Airport, Grays Eden Boutique Hotel is on the banks of the Thamalakane River and where many journeys through Northern Botswana begin or end. It’s close to town yet removed enough to feel calm and private. High thatched ceilings and tall archways let in natural light, while wide private verandahs look out across lawns shaded by leadwood and raintrees. This is not a safari camp, but rather a place to pause and refresh before heading into the wilderness.

You might spend the afternoon beside the swimming pool overlooking the river, enjoy a picnic basket on the lawn or book a spa treatment after your long journey. The Eden Kitchen and Restaurant focuses on local produce with an à la carte menu featuring both regional dishes and familiar favourites. Later, gather in the Cliff Wine Cellar for a tasting or around the fireside boma as the evening cools. The pace is entirely yours – linger over lunch, head out for a quiet walk along the riverbank, or retreat to your villa or cottage for as long as you feel like.

The property's villas and cottages each feature their own veranda and open, airy interiors. The design is clean and understated yet luxurious-feeling, with soft blues, whites and natural materials throughout. Ceiling fans and fireplaces keep rooms comfortable year-round, breakfast is included and airport transfers are complimentary. Grays Eden Boutique Hotel is exactly what it’s intended to be – a smooth, welcoming transition into or out of Botswana’s safari country.