1 Mar 2026

Dream Hotels & Resorts expands African footprint with two Botswana safari lodges

Dream Hotels & Resorts will assume management of Ghoha Hills Savuti Lodge and Nogatsaa Pans Lodge in Botswana as of 1 March 2026, marking a strategic expansion of the group’s presence in the Southern African safari market.

Situated in the game-rich Savuti area, often regarded as the heart of Chobe National Park, Ghoha Hills Savuti Lodge enjoys a rare and elevated hilltop position with sweeping panoramic views. Unlike many lodges set on the plains, it is one of the few properties in Botswana to offer such a commanding vantage point. This makes it particularly appealing to wildlife enthusiasts and photographers seeking wide sightlines and a distinctive perspective over the Savuti landscape.

Nogatsaa Pans Lodge offers access to the remote Nogatsaa pans area of Chobe National Park, a landscape of open plains, seasonal waterholes and large elephant herds. Regarded as an arm-chair safari destination, it offers a more relaxed, immersive in-the-bush experience. Truly remote and uncrowded, Big Five sightings are not shared with convoys of open safari vehicles from neighbouring lodges. The result is a more exclusive safari – unhurried, authentic and far removed from a tick-box wildlife experience.

 Both lodges are privately owned by the Kader Family and will continue to operate under their ownership. Nick Dickson, Group Custodian of Dream Hotels & Resorts, says the move strengthens Dream Hotels & Resorts’ position as a diversified hospitality group with a growing footprint beyond South Africa.

“Botswana remains one of Africa’s most respected safari destinations, underpinned by a strong conservation model and a low-impact tourism strategy. The opportunity to manage Ghoha Hills and Nogatsaa Pans allows us to participate meaningfully in that environment while applying our operational scale and distribution reach,” says Dickson.

While the group has an established portfolio across urban, resort and regional destinations, the addition of two high-end safari properties signals a  step into premium wilderness experiences in key regional markets.

Management integration will include the alignment of sales, marketing, distribution and operational systems, with a focus on preserving each lodge’s identity and conservation-led ethos. Existing reservation processes will continue without disruption, and trade representation remains in place in partnership with Tortilis Marketing.

The expansion comes at a time when regional travel between South Africa and neighbouring countries continues to recover and strengthen, with increased demand for immersive, experience-led travel. Conservation partnerships and community engagement initiatives associated with both properties will continue as part of the management mandate.

“These are well-established lodges in one of Africa’s strongest safari markets. Our focus is to strengthen their market reach and operational support while preserving what already makes them successful. We see clear opportunity in this region and intend to grow carefully, with the right partners and the right properties,” concludes Dickson.