Botswana Safaris
Botswana has earned a reputation as one of the finest, if not the finest, safari destination.
About Botswana
Botswana is one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories, with a tiny human population and huge tracts of pristine land set aside for wildlife. Botswana Safaris offer visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience untouched nature and abundant wildlife.
With numbers strictly regulated, visitors can escape crowds and enjoy one of the highest ratios of wildlife to people anywhere. Botswana Safaris are renowned for their combination of great game, uncrowded reserves, excellent small camps, and the use of open vehicles for day and night game viewing—a formula that is hard to beat.
The most productive wildlife areas are all in the far north of the country, and because each region has a distinct character, a well-rounded wildlife safari should include a few days in these areas.
We recommend the concession areas of Linyanti, Selinda & Kwando, situated northeast of the Okavango Delta and home to many elephants, buffalo, lions, wild dogs, lechwe, sitatunga, hippos, and giraffes.
The Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world, is dominated by the Moremi Game Reserve and surrounded by an extensive network of private concessions that offer exclusive game-viewing safaris. The wildlife here rarely disappoints. The center of the delta is a labyrinth of reed-lined channels best explored by mokoro, a traditional dug-out canoe. Cruising between islands just inches above the waterline allows you to feel part of the environment.
Meanwhile, Chobe National Park is famous for its massive herds of elephants, prides of lions, and many buffalo. Chobe has arguably become overpopular due to its accessibility (particularly from the relatively nearby Victoria Falls) and is the one place in Botswana where you might encounter crowds and large impersonal lodges. That said, there are still some gems, such as Savuti, perhaps the region’s best-kept secret.
For a more ethereal experience, the Makgadikgadi Pans are large prehistoric lakes almost entirely devoid of human habitation that cover an area the size of Portugal. The pans are now barren salt flats fringed with grasslands and isolated “islands” of palm trees and ancient baobabs. The wildlife here is both limited and ephemeral, and it is more about wilderness than wildlife—although spending time with a family of habituated meerkats is definitely a top wildlife-viewing experience.
Even more off-grid, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is reached by a tiny number of visitors every year and offers the ultimate remote safari. Black-maned lions, plentiful cheetahs, and good populations of dry-land specials such as meerkats, brown hyenas, caracals, and oryx are among the many highlights, making it an exceptional choice for Botswana Safaris focused on true wilderness.
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- Embark on a private expedition in the Okavango Delta
- Superb wildlife experience
- Safari by mokoro
- Luxurious camps and lodges
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Best time To VisitBotswana
Wildlife viewing peaks between June and October
While Botswana is an excellent all-year round destination, the high season focuses on when wildlife viewing is at its most abundant.
June to October is peak season for wildlife-viewing in many areas with game-concentrations rising as the out-lying water dwindles. Be aware that in June and July night-time temperatures, particularly in the desert, can dip to nearly freezing – the days are generally cool, clear and very pleasant.
September and October see the mercury rise in both daytime and night, with daytime temperatures peaking at around 40˚C in mid to late October, although mercifully always remaining dry, and not humid, heat which makes a huge difference.
Understand the seasons and take advantage of low rates
You can expect few guests and the same amazing standards of guiding and accommodation – all with low season rates – between January and March.
Most of the rain in Botswana falls between December and March. While this means wildlife can be harder to spot within the denser vegetation, you’ll still see plenty of animals and have the opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of newborn calfs and a plethora of migratory birds. Arrive a little later in April or May and you’ll enjoy clear skies with cool days and nights.
The annual “flood” usually arrives in the Okavango in April or May and much of what was savannah will be submerged, creating stunning waterways that are superb to explore by Mokoro, and forcing wildlife to concentrate on fewer and smaller islands. Similarly, in the Linyanti Swamps, Selinda Spillway and Savuti Marsh, the timing and amount of rain will have a profound effect on the local wildlife, determining the sizes of herds of elephant, buffalo and number of predators around.
Best time To VisitBotswana
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They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
Botswana’s top experiences
Tracking with the bushmen of the Kalahari
A cultural and wildlife experience learning about tracking and the secrets of the Kalahari Desert.
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- Light touch brilliance in Okavango Delta
- Extraordinary luxury of your own private mobile camp
- Access to game-rich areas – away from the crowds
Botswana’sParks & Areas
Few places rival Botswana’s game areas and epic wildlife experiences. Its diversity can take you from vast savannah grasslands to otherworldly salt pans and meandering waterways.
Chobe National Park
Renowned for its high game concentration, Chobe National Park is home to a range of ecosystems, ideal for the intrepid explorers who want to see a little bit of everything.
– Perfect to hook up with Victoria Falls
– Large numbers of elephants by Chobe River in dry season
– Brilliant boating
Okavango Delta
The largest inland delta in the world, Okavango offers visitors vast spreads of lagoons, channels and forests.
– Embark on a private expedition
– The winding waterways of the Delta
– Experience safari by mokoro
– Camping on islands
Moremi Game Reserve
Named after the former chief of the tribe who once lived there, Moremi Game Reserve is Botswana’s oldest conservation area, boasting spectacular wildlife and a heritage all its own.
– Opportunity to game view by boat and 4×4
– See the colourful packs of wild dog
Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
The Makgadikgadi is a remote and elemental place, which demonstrates two very distinct and unique faces to its visitors.
– The zebra migraton
– Camping under the stars
– Brilliant green season experience
– The largest salt pan in the world
Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
This camp is the laidback sister of Jack’s and San Camp with understated brilliance in the heart of the great Kalahari.
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San Camp is not for everyone but those that go with an open mind and can appreciate that there is more to Africa than elephants and lions.
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The camp commands stunning views over the plains and the open fronted dining room gives a very pleasant feeling of being a part of the landscape.
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One of the only camps to be able to offer permanent water-based activities plus game and night drives and guided walks.
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The camp has been carefully designed and laid out and the overall impression is one of style, quality and indulgence.
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This is a superb camp for small family groups and can be reserved for exclusive use with a minimum of eight paying guests.
Learn MoreBotswana (FAQs) Need to Know
What is the accommodation like in Botswana?
Botswana long ago headed down a path of low tourist numbers and top-quality camps. The level of comfort and stratospheric opulence at a few of these places can be startling, as is the price tag, however they’re also located in some of the most game-rich areas you can find anywhere with wildlife-documentary quality interaction. The level of exclusivity in terms of not seeing other vehicles is truly remarkable.
At the other end of the scale, adventure is alive and well on an expeditionary mobile safari and one of the beauties of Botswana is that it is possible to combine both experiences on the same safari. No amount of rose petals or personal butlers will make up for the smells and sounds you’ll experience with a few nights under canvas in the African wild. In Botswana we use either light or luxury mobile camps where the focus is on intelligent simplicity; great wildlife viewing, experienced guides and access to remote areas usually off the safari trail.
Is Botswana a good family safari destination?
Botswana is a great place to consider for your family. For young people, a safari in Botswana may be the most exhilarating experience. The adventure of travelling in light aircraft low over the waters of the Delta and plains of the Kalahari is unparalleled. Furthermore, waking up early to explore the wilderness in an open vehicle or out in a dug-out canoe is not something they are likely to forget.
Some of the camps and lodges work closely with San Bushmen trackers who have a particular affinity for kids and will be delighted to spend time showing them the tricks of the bush. The great thing about Botswana is the variety of activities on offer so it is unlikely that boredom will have a chance to set in.
However, this does need to be qualified. Many camps and lodges don’t allow children below the ages of 8 or 12, some won’t let under 16’s out on walks. You should also note that some camps don’t offer concessionary rates to children and even, in some instances, may require you to take exclusive use of a vehicle or part of a camp at an extra fee. That said, there are camps that are genuinely family-friendly and tailor accommodation, meals and activities to meet the needs of their young guests.
What is a mokoro safari in Botswana?
A mokoro is a traditional dug out wooden canoe that is used by locals to navigate the waterways of the Okavango Delta. It’s one of the few places where you can indulge in a safari experience from a couple of feet above the clear water. In some camps, it is in fact the only way you can explore, while others offer mokoro trips as the seasonal changes in water levels allow. As a completely different experience to your dusty game drive, it should be top of the to-do list when visiting the Okavango.
Travelling by mokoro through the Okavango Delta is slow by nature, and you can’t dash over to see an animal spotted in the distance. However, you’ll find that a surprising number of birds and animals congregate around the islands, lagoons and reed beds of the Delta. You just have to quietly glide by and keep your eyes peeled.
What vaccinations do I need to travel to Botswana?
To find out the latest information about vaccinations to travel to Botswana please visit:
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/33/botswana#Vaccine_Recommendations
When is the best time of year for Botswana Safaris?
While Botswana is an excellent all-year round destination, the high season focuses on when wildlife viewing is at its most abundant.
June to October is peak season for wildlife-viewing in many areas with game-concentrations rising as the out-lying water dwindles. Be aware that in June and July night-time temperatures, particularly in the desert, can dip to nearly freezing – the days are generally cool, clear and very pleasant.
September and October see the mercury rise in both daytime and night, with daytime temperatures peaking at around 40˚C in mid to late October, although mercifully always remaining dry, and not humid, heat which makes a huge difference.
To find out more please visit:https://www.naturalhighsafaris.com/botswana-safaris/#best-time-to-visit
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.