Sunbirds Lodge
Welcome to Sunbirds Hotel, a hidden oasis in the heart of Kasane, Botswana, just 10 kilometers from the renowned Chobe National Park. Nestled within a lush garden teeming with vibrant birdlife, our boutique hotel offers a tranquil retreat where nature and comfort come together. Inspired by the colourful sunbirds that frequent our gardens, Sunbirds Hotel is more than just a place to stay—it’s a destination that connects you to the beauty of Southern Africa.
Whether you’re exploring the Chobe River, venturing to Victoria Falls, or simply unwinding in our peaceful surroundings, we invite you to experience the warmth of true Botswanan hospitality.
the History
Sunbirds Lodge was built by Mrs. Boammaaruri Merrigan, a female citizen of Botswana, known in the community over many years as Mma Ledombi.
She started working in tourism in Maun at Crocodile Camp, before moving to Kasane in 1998 to work as the Office Manager for Into Africa Mowana Safaris.
She fell in love with the region together with her husband and they honeymooned here in 2005 and acquired the land shortly afterwards. After the wall was built around the property in 2014, the garden was free to grow without harassment from elephants, and then the double and family rooms were constructed in 2016. In those days Mma Ledombi used to tow a trailer behind her trusty Hilux 1,000km up from the capital city Gaborone full of plants and tiles. She managed the construction herself and installed the irrigation system and hand planted the lawn you see at the hotel today.
Our Sunbirds
The Lodge was licensed in 2021 and named after the variety of sunbirds that live in the garden or come to visit. The new Sunbirds Lodge suites are named after the four most common sunbirds in the garden: Shelly’s Sunbird (rare in Southern Africa), the White-bellied Sunbird, the Copper Sunbird and the Collared Sunbird. You can see photos of these birds in the lobby that were taken by her husband in the garden.
They are some of the smallest birds in the region and have multi-coloured iridescent plumage that shines and sparkles in the sunlight. You will see the Sunbirds around the property drinking from the hibiscus flowers and other nectar producing trees throughout the day.
The Team
Mma Ledombi has assembled a friendly team of vulnerable young women including orphans and trained them in customer service, house-keeping and hotel management duties. Every Christmas she hosts a lunch for children in the village and also distributes excess clothes left behind by some of the guests to needy families. She is a great cook and Rudy’s restaurant was named after the Rudy burger she created in Maun in 1997.
“Sunbirds Lodge is more than just a place to stay—it’s a home built with heart, patience, and a deep love for this land. Every tree, every stone, and every smile here tells a story of resilience, community, and the beauty of Botswana. I want every guest to feel that warmth, to slow down, and to truly experience the magic of Chobe”