WATCH: Namibia vs Botswana

It doesn’t have to be either/or but take a look at the differences between Namibia and Botswana that may just change your mind about your dream safari in Africa.

The huge variety of places to stay in Namibia – from excellent campsites to five-star lodges – appeals to broader range of travellers, while Botswana caters largely for the high-end market.

Of the two countries, Namibia has a wider diversity of more startling landscapes, from a deep canyon in the south to rugged mountains in the north, the cracked salt pans of Etosha and the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and the dramatic Skeleton Coast.

Namibia’s close proximity to Botswana makes it an excellent destination for an extended Southern Africa safari. In fact, the Caprivi Strip borders Botswana and offers a very different landscape to the rest of the country. Take a look:

Namibia		Botswana

Wildlife	Only four of the Big Five (no buffalo) Highest concentration of Black rhino in Africa 350 bird species and more Game-viewing slightly more challenging, but Etosha National Park is excellent for wildlife enthusiasts Marine Big Five; Southern right whale, dolphins, Cape fur seal, African penguins, Great white shark	All of the Big Five as well as many endangered species like the African wild dog, red lechwe and Slaty egret (bird) Zebra migration is a wildlife highlight
Photography	The bizarre and often surreal landscapes of Namibia attract photographers from all over the world Etosha National Park is a great place for wildlife photography	Botswana’s pristine, well-maintained national parks and reserves are brilliant for photography. Best time to go for photography is between June and October
Type of traveller	Romantics who want to experience something different on a couple safari Groups who love road trips Budget-conscious travellers Family travel Adventure-seekers	Wildlife-based travellers Photographers Family travel Group travellers Active travellers
Accommodation	Secluded, intimate accommodation Variety of cost-effective camps and lodges Camping on a self-drive safari is very popular due to well-maintained facilities and safety	Premium, high-end accommodation is readily available Expect superb service and knowledgeable guides and trackers
Language, culture & history	Rather small percentage of English speakers Colonial-German and African dialects are the most widely spoken languages	Almost everyone speaks English Stable political history and economy
Experiences	Self-drive safaris are the most popular experience in Namibia Culture and history-based tours are great in Namibia Camping Stargazing is exceptional in Namibia Sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, fishing	Water and land-based game viewing Fishing on the Zambezi and Chobe rivers Horseback safaris in the Makgadigadi National Park and Selinda Game Reserve ‘Glamping’ and mobile camping Walking safaris
Best time to travel	Travel is possible all year round, but the summer months can be unbearably hot June to October for game-viewing	June to October is the best time for game-viewing
Transport	Most locations are remote so this destination is more suited to self-drive as fly-in transport is pricey National roads are well maintained but off-road driving requires a certain level of skill	Fly-in transfers are popular due to the vast expanses of wilderness Self-drive in Botswana is not as popular as in Namibia due to the difficulties in navigating across the watery landscape in Northern Botswana
Malaria risk	Most regions in the south are malaria-free, including Etosha National Park and areas along the coast	Medium to high risk of malaria in most parts of the country