Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana
The Story
A wedding in the presence of elephants
On 10 October 1975, sixteen months after their divorce, Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton for the second time. The ceremony took place at the Chobe Game Lodge in the village of Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River in northern Botswana. It was conducted by the local African district commissioner, Ambrose Masalila, and witnessed by two lodge employees: the manager and a tour guide. News of the marriage didn't surface for five days. It lasted nine months — which is still longer than most safari holidays.
" The most romantic, and most remote, address Taylor and Burton ever chose to say "I do."
The first five-star lodge in Botswana
The Chobe Game Lodge was the first five-star safari lodge in Botswana and remains the only lodge built inside the Chobe National Park. It has a Moorish design, with tiled floors, towering arches, and Moroccan-style lanterns. All rooms and suites offer private terraces with river views, and the honeymoon suite has its own infinity plunge pool — which seems appropriate given the circumstances of its most famous wedding. The lodge now operates with electric safari vehicles and has Botswana's first all-female guiding team, a detail that Taylor, who spent her later years championing women's causes, would have loved. All meals and drinks are included.
One of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa
The Chobe River frontage is home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Elephants, hippos, buffalo, and crocodiles are regular visitors to the waterfront. If you want to remarry your ex-spouse in the presence of elephants and a district commissioner, this is the place to do it.
Signature Experiences
The honeymoon suite
All rooms and suites offer private terraces with river views, and the honeymoon suite has its own infinity plunge pool — appropriate enough given the circumstances of the lodge's most famous wedding.
Game drives with Botswana's first all-female guiding team
The lodge now operates with electric safari vehicles and has Botswana's first all-female guiding team, a detail that Taylor, who spent her later years championing women's causes, would have loved.
The Chobe River frontage
The river frontage is home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Elephants, hippos, buffalo, and crocodiles are regular visitors to the waterfront.
Famous Connections
Who Came Here
Plan Your Visit
Good to Know
- How to Book: Book direct at chobegamelodge.com or by phone. Rates are all-inclusive, covering meals, drinks, and game drives.
- Best Time: Open year-round. The dry season concentrates wildlife along the Chobe River frontage.
- Accessibility: Contact the lodge directly to confirm access requirements.
- Tip: Rates are fully inclusive of meals, drinks, and game drives. Ask about the lodge's electric safari vehicles and its all-female guiding team — both firsts for Botswana.
