Botswana
DESTINATION
A Botswana safari is equivalent to Africa’s most exclusive and rewarding wilderness experiences. From the intricate waterways of the Okavango Delta to the vast elephant herds of Chobe and the desert landscapes of the Kalahari – each journey reveals a new side of the country’s stark contrasts. Our tailor-made itineraries highlight the very best Botswana safari accommodations. Here, comfort, authenticity and breathtaking wildlife encounters create an unforgettable safari experience.
THE EPITOME OF LUXURY SAFARI
Why Visit Botswana?
A Botswana safari is unlike anywhere else in Africa. It’s defined by low-impact tourism and vast, unfenced wilderness. Discover landscapes teeming with wildlife, from lion and leopard to wild dog and vast elephant herds, often with no other vehicles in sight. Thanks to private concessions, intimate camps in remote locations and world-class guiding, a Botswana safari trip ensures both seclusion and extraordinary encounters with nature.
INLAND DELTA MEETS DESERT
A Land of Contrasts
From the red sands of the Kalahari Desert to the lush floodplains in the Okavango Delta, Botswana is a country of extremes. Your Botswana safari itinerary can range from desert-adapted species like meerkat and oryx to mokoro rides among hippo and fish eagle. This striking variety makes Botswana one of the most dynamic ways to experience Africa’s wilderness.
Botswana Safari: All You Need To Know
A Botswana safari trip deserves at least one week to truly capture the country’s diversity. Ideally, you should combine two or three destinations – such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Kalahari – for the perfect balance of water, wildlife and desert. Our carefully designed Botswana safari packages ensure smooth transfers and exclusive experiences across its diverse safari landscape.
- Destinations
- Experiences & Activities
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Get To & Around South Africa
- What Should I Pack?
- Travel Advice
What Are The Best Destinations To Visit In Botswana?
A Botswana safari should showcase the country’s most remarkable landscapes: From the wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the elephant-filled Chobe River and the dramatic beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Each stop adds a unique dimension to your Botswana safari trip, creating a journey of contrasts and extraordinary wildlife encounters.
WILDLIFE-RICH WATERWAYS
The Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is the heart of any Botswana safari. According to UNESCO, the world’s largest inland delta is home to about 130 mammal species across its mosaic of wetlands, floodplains, riparian woodlands, dry woodlands and forested islands. All of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros – are present, along with more unusual wetland antelopes such as sitatunga and red lechwe. The dramatic seasonal changes – when the floodwaters spread and recede – create dynamic ecosystems that support over 400 bird species (including many waterbirds) and prolific fish populations.
Private concessions such as the Kwara Concession (NG20) share borders with the famous Moremi Game Reserve, allowing wildlife to move freely across boundaries. We love the Okavango Delta for its exclusive safari experiences: fewer guests and unique activities like mokoro (dugout canoe) trips as well as boat safaris and walking safaris let you explore the wilderness with all your senses. Other private ecologically managed areas include Shinde NG21, Jao NG25, Chitabe NG31, Stanley’s NG32, and Gunns NG27B, each offering different habitat mixes and wildlife densities. A Botswana safari in the Okavango Delta is perfect for travellers who value high wildlife density, exclusivity and first-class comfort in remote settings.
LAND OF ELEPHANTS
Chobe National Park
Known for the world’s largest concentration of elephants, Chobe National Park entices with river cruises at sunset and spectacular predator sightings in its floodplains. According to Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Chobe is home to an estimated 120,000 elephants, the largest free-roaming population of elephants in the world. Over 450 bird species and a wide variety of mammals, from buffalo and lion to rare antelopes such as puku and sable call Chobe home. Stretching across four distinct ecosystems – the riverfront, Savuti Marsh, Linyanti Swamps and the dry hinterland – the national park is one of the most diverse safari landscapes in Southern Africa. In the dry season, huge herds visit the Chobe River and you can experience excellent predator sightings in Savuti.
What sets Chobe apart is the combination of land and water safaris, giving you a unique perspective on wildlife. Sunrise and sunset boat cruises along the Chobe River provide front-row seats to elephants swimming and hippos wallowing. Traditional game drives let you experience documentary-worthy scenes such as predators stalking prey in open grasslands. Private concessions such as Linyanti and Selinda, located on Chobe’s fringes, provide more exclusive safari experiences with fewer vehicles, off-road game viewing and luxury lodges. The national park’s proximity to Victoria Falls also makes it easy to extend your Botswana safari trip with further highlights.
EXCLUSIVE WILDLIFE PARADISE
Moremi Game Reserve
Bordering the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is often described as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. Covering 5,000 km², it combines permanent waterways with mopane forests, acacia woodlands and floodplains, making it a year-round haven for diverse wildlife. According to Botswana Tourism, Moremi is home to nearly 500 bird species and over 100 mammal species, including lion, leopard and cheetah. Furthermore, it is one of the best areas for wild dog sightings in Africa. This diversity makes it a core stop on any well-rounded Botswana safari package.
What makes Moremi particularly special is its balance of thriving ecosystems and the possibility of both land- and water-based safaris. Explore the winding channels by mokoro, enjoy game drives across predator-rich plains and stay in luxury lodges inside exclusive concessions like Khwai. Here, you experience off-road driving, night safaris and fewer vehicles, enhancing the intimacy of wildlife sightings. Combined with the Okavango Delta or Chobe, Moremi completes an adventurous Botswana safari package.
SHIMMERING SALT PANS
Makgadikgadi Pans
The otherworldly Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats, spans over 12,000 km² of vast, shimmering pans that are remnants of an ancient super-lake and transform dramatically with the seasons. According to Botswana Tourism, during the wet season (November to April) the pans come alive with thousands of flamingos and massive herds of zebra and wildebeest, followed closely by predators. Especially the zebra migration makes Makgadikgadi one of the most unique stops on a Botswana safari.
Beyond wildlife, the Makgadikgadi Pans are known for a sense of remoteness and surreal beauty rarely found elsewhere. Activities include quad biking across the pans, walking safaris with San people who share their deep knowledge of the desert with you, meerkat encounters and stargazing under some of Africa’s clearest skies. Private camps and lodges on the edge of the pans offer the perfect balance between comfort and adventure.
AN OCEAN OF RED SAND
Kalahari Desert
Remote and wild, the Kalahari Desert introduces you to desert-adapted wildlife and San Bushmen culture. The Kalahari stretches across Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, covering an immense 900,000 km² of semi-arid wilderness. In Botswana, it forms the backdrop for the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in the world. Despite its name, the Kalahari is not a barren desert but a mosaic of grasslands, acacia woodlands and fossil riverbeds. According to Botswana Tourism, the area is home to over 60 mammal species, including oryx, springbok, giraffe and the iconic black-maned Kalahari lion.
Venture beyond the well-travelled paths: A safari in the Kalahari is as much about solitude and raw beauty as it is about wildlife. Explore the sweeping pans, witness dramatic seasonal transformations and learn from the San people, whose deep connection to the land offers unique cultural insights. Luxury tented camps and mobile safaris provide intimate access to this remote region, where vast star-filled skies and the silence of the desert create a magical atmosphere. For travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-track Botswana safari, the Kalahari delivers an authentic wilderness adventure.
THE ZEBRA MIGRATION
Nxai Pan National Park
Famous for its towering baobabs and seasonal zebra migration, Nxai Pan National Park is a photographer’s paradise. Set on ancient fossil lakebeds that create vast open pans surrounded by grasslands, acacia woodland and mopane forests, it covers 2,578 km² of protected landscapes. During the rainy months from December to March, Nxai Pan bursts to life as thousands of zebras and wildebeest arrive, followed by lions, cheetahs and jackals. According to Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the area is also home to large herds of springbok, giraffes and elephants.
However, the national park’s highlights go far beyond wildlife. The iconic Baines’ Baobabs – a cluster of ancient baobab trees immortalised in 1862 by the explorer and painter Thomas Baines – stand as timeless landmarks on the edge of the pans. Fossil salt pans that shimmer under the African sun create surreal photographic opportunities. Nxai Pan is also known for its quiet, remote atmosphere and fewer visitors compared to Botswana’s northern parts. Don’t miss out on stargazing under crystal-clear night skies. Good to know: Nxai Pan is best accessed by 4×4 vehicles and accommodation ranges from camps to luxury tented lodges.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Botswana?
We love Botswana for its immersive wilderness activities – from mokoro rides and private game drives to cultural encounters in the Kalahari. Bespoke safari experiences define the essence of a Botswana safari trip, combining exclusivity and adventure.
Safari Experiences in Botswana
- Mokoro safaris in the Okavango Delta
- Morning and evening game drives
- Thrilling walking safari led by expert guides
- Luxury safari accommodation with private plunge pools overlooking wildlife
Extraordinary Adventures:
- Sunrise and sundowner cruises on the Chobe River
- Sleep under the stars without any light pollution
- Helicopter flight above the untouched wilderness
- Learning traditional survival skills with San people in the Kalahari
What Is The Best Time To Visit Botswana?
Understanding the best time to go on a Botswana safari is key to planning a seamless journey. From peak wildlife viewing during the dry winter months to birding and lush landscapes in summer, each season offers a different highlight.
The optimal time to go on a safari in the Okavango Delta is June to October, when floodwaters transform the region into a lush wetland and animal sightings are at their finest.
NOVEMBER – MARCH
Summer
Lush landscapes and dramatic storms, with excellent birding and predator activity.
APRIL – MAY
Autumn
Cooling temperatures and clear skies make this an ideal time for a Botswana safari trip.
JUNE – AUGUST
Winter
Dry season, peak wildlife viewing and prime conditions for the best Botswana safari.
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
Spring
Extremely hot and dry, however still good for game viewing around shrinking water sources.
How to Get To & Around Botswana?
Reaching Botswana is straightforward, with excellent connections through Johannesburg and Cape Town. Light aircraft, helicopter or boat transfers between camps are signature experiences of our elevated Botswana safari packages – ensuring easy access to remote areas.
Botswana Flights from the US, Europe and Australia
From the US
Routes via Johannesburg or Cape Town with connecting flights into Maun or Kasane.
From Europe
Daily direct flights to Johannesburg, with short onward flights into Botswana.
From Australia
Connections via Doha, Dubai or Johannesburg.
What Should I Pack for Botswana?
Packing for a Botswana trip means preparing for an immersive nature experience. Neutral clothing for game drives, layers for cool mornings and essentials like binoculars and insect repellent help make every moment of your Botswana safari comfortable.
Summer:
- Lightweight clothing
- Breathable fabrics
- Rain jacket
- Neutral tones for game drives
Winter:
- Warm layers for cold mornings and evenings
- Hat
- Scarf
- Gloves
Safari Essentials:
- Neutral clothing
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Insect repellent
- Light scarf
- Comfortable walking shoes
Travel Advice for Botswana
Our team of travel agents ensures that you have a seamless journey through Botswana.
Useful Travel Tips for Your Botswana Safari
Currency
US-Dollars accepted at most lodges and camps
Languages
English is official, Setswana is widely spoken
Safety
Safari regions are safe, well-managed and often very remote
Visas
Many nationalities, including people from the US, United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia, do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days
Photography
Bring extra batteries and memory cards – low-impact tourism means intimate wildlife encounters
Religion
A mix of Christianity and traditional beliefs shapes Botswana’s cultural fabric
Botswana FAQs
How much does a Botswana safari cost?
A safari in Botswana is typically more exclusive and high-end than in many other African destinations. Prices range from:
- Mid-range safari: $800 – $1500 per person per night – including comfortable tented camps and guided game drives.
- Luxury safari in Botswana: $1500 – $4000+ per person per night – including all-inclusive lodges, fly-in safaris, private guides, mokoro excursions and conservation fees.
Which month is best for a safari in Botswana?
The best time for a Botswana safari is during the dry season from May to end of September when animals gather at the remaining, permanent water sources and the Okavango Delta is in full flood. The green season from November to March offers lush landscapes, excellent birdwatching and fewer crowds, though wildlife is more dispersed.
What is the best Botswana safari itinerary?
The best Botswana safari itinerary often combines several destinations. A minimum of 7-10 days allows for a deeper immersion across regions such as:
- Okavango Delta: Water-based safaris by mokoro and boat.
- Chobe National Park: Famous for elephants and riverfront game drives.
- Makgadikgadi Pans: Desert landscapes, meerkats and starry skies.
- Savute or Linyanti: Remote, predator-rich safari areas.
Is Botswana safe for tourists?
Yes, Botswana is considered one of the safest and most politically stable countries in Africa. Safari camps and lodges are highly secure, guides are well-trained and our bespoke Botswana safari tours provide seamless travel experiences.
Why should I travel to Botswana?
A holiday in Botswana offers some of Africa’s most pristine wilderness. With its low-impact, high-value tourism model, you enjoy exclusive safaris with minimal crowds, abundant wildlife and varied landscapes from the wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the desert of the Kalahari.
What is the best month to go to the Okavango Delta?
A safari in the Okavango Delta is best from June to August, when floodwaters create a maze of channels perfect for mokoro rides and animals concentrating around the water. This coincides with cooler, dry weather ideal for game viewing.
What is so special about the Okavango Delta?
The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to over 200,000 large mammals and 400 bird species. The unique ecosystem transforms the desert into a watery paradise, making year-round safari experiences with both land and water activities possible.
Can you see the Big 5 in Chobe?
Yes, Chobe National Park is famous for its huge elephant population with over 120,000 animals. And it also offers opportunities to see the other members of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. However, rhino sightings are rare and more likely in private concessions.
What makes Makgadikgadi Pans so special?
The Makgadikgadi Pans are among the world’s largest salt pans, a stark, otherworldly landscape that shifts with the seasons. In the wet season, the pans attract flamingos and migrating zebras, while during dry season you can enjoy quad biking, walking with San people and close-up encounters with meerkats.