Suburban stopover allows safari travellers a respite on their way into or out of the Okavango Delta
Dark grey storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. A deep rumbling is clearly audible, and the promise of rain seems imminent. Perfectly contrasted against the moody skies are the white buildings of Grays Eden. This beautiful sanctuary in Maun is a brilliant place to stay for a few days before embarking on a Botswana safari or to recuperate and refresh after being out in the wild.
“Safaris can be exhausting,” Grays Eden owner Sam Morris admits. “We’d like to believe we offer guests a ‘stay in the moment a bit longer’ opportunity before they return to the real world.”
“We knew from the get-go that the Delta-style lodges had been done so beautifully,” co-owner Sandrine says. “There is a certain flair in the Okavango Delta, which we didn’t want to compete with or try to replicate. What we have here is a bit of the Mediterranean look and elegance that we both love.”
Returning home
Born in Maun, Sandrine realised that her yearning to come back to her birthplace one day had to make an impact. Following a career as a flight attendant in London, she knew the time was right, so she packed up her husband and their two young children and travelled back to Maun.
A prime piece of land with breathtaking views over the Thamalakane River was up for sale, and Sandrine and Sam put in an offer, which was accepted. They broke ground in early 2022, and Grays Eden was officially opened by the President of Botswana in August 2024.
Warm and inviting, the result comprises seven fisherman’s cottages and five distinctive villas. The villas are exquisite, with a blue and white theme carried throughout the property and soft furnishings making for a dreamy stay. Four-poster beds are covered in silky white bedding, and at night, a mosquito net envelops the bed to keep any unwanted critters out. High ceilings, together with the all-white walls and floors, create a wonderful sense of space in the cottages and villas.
The cuisine is exceptional, and menus are crafted with care and precision to make the most of fresh seasonal ingredients. While enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner in the dining area with manicured lawns as your foreground, you might see tree squirrels chasing one another or a variety of birds foraging for worms.
Lounge by the spectacular pool, built directly into a cliff face, where you can swim laps to burn off your lunch. If you’re fatigued from your travels, treat yourself to time in the spa, where a pair of healing hands will massage all your stresses away, making you feel rejuvenated and ready for your next bush adventure.
Text & Photography | Heléne Ramackers
For more information or to book a stay, go to grayseden.com
