Botswana Safari

The largest island in the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Island, is situated in the prestigious Mombo concession of the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. You’ll find the fascinating Big Five and many other wild animals on Chief’s Island. The predators on this island are particularly well known. High concentrations of top prey species, such as buffalo, impala, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, tsessebe, and warthog, are drawn to its expansive floodplains and variety of habitats.

As water levels rise, much of the delta’s wildlife retreat to this area, which has been raised above the water level by tectonic activity. As a result, the island is home to some of Botswana’s most diverse wildlife. Wildlife abounds on Chief’s Island, where visitors can spot it on exhilarating game drives, bush walks, and boat tours. Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceros are all found in this area, so your chances of seeing the Big five are excellent.

On Chief’s Island, visitors have a choice of comfortable, luxurious accommodation options. A few operators even have mobile camps on the island.

Mombo Concessions

On the northwestern tip of Chief’s Island lies one of Okavango’s most famous game viewing areas, the Mombo Concession. Mombo is known to BaYei locals as “the place of plenty” and is arguably the most fertile land of the Okavango.

Mombo is located just below where the Okavango River splits into three primary channels and supports a diversity of wildlife hard to find anywhere else in Africa. When the water levels of the Okavango rise during winter floods, many animals move to find dry land on the island.

In the nineties, wild dogs ruled the Mombo Concession, with the largest pack having as many as 40 dogs. Their presence inspired the book Running Wild by Dave and Helene Hamman, which played an essential role in raising awareness of these lesser-known carnivores’ behavior and vulnerable status.

Nowadays, Mombo is a great place to visit on a Botswana vacation as it is famous for its large lion population and very relaxed leopards.

Botswana’s famous Chobe National Park, which includes the Savute Channel and the natural grandeur of the Linyanti River, is a must-see wildlife attraction. Chobe National Park, which covers about 11,000 km2 (4,247 square miles), was Botswana’s first national park and has Africa’s highest concentration of wildlife. Chobe Savuti Marsh is located in Chobe National Park.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park was proclaimed in 1968 and protects an area of 11,700km2 (4,517 square miles) that was mainly ravaged by big game hunters and commercial logging at the time of its formation.

The Park is located in the northeast of Botswana, falling within the convergence of two major biomes: Kalahari savanna meets broad-leaved and acacia woodland and Zambezi Teak forest.
Running through these beautiful ecosystems is the illustrious Chobe River, with its yawning floodplains and surrounding riparian forest. Chobe has some of the best safari lodges in Africa, with great views of the wildlife, delicious food, and excellent service on a Botswana safari holiday.

The Chobe River rises in Angola as the Kwando (Cuando) River and then disappears into the swamplands of the Linyanti, reemerging as the Chobe River. During winter months, the banks of the Chobe attract the largest population of elephants in the world at around 60 000 – 70 000 individuals.

Add great herds of buffalo, notoriously fearless lion prides, and 468 bird species to date, and you’ve got a playground for nature-lovers that’s second to none. From November to December, herbivores migrate between the Chobe River and the Savuti Marsh in pursuit of fresh grazing grounds.

The Savuti Marsh in Botswana

The Savuti Marsh is an expanse of grasslands in the western region of Chobe National Park. In Botswana’s BaYei dialect, the word Savute means “unclear,” which is thought to be a reference to the area’s unpredictable water supply, the Savuti Channel.

During the rainy season, the Savuti plains are lush and green. While Bateleur eagles and White-backed vultures circle the skies, large herds of buffalo and zebra can be seen roaming the open plains. Small islands with Ilala and Wild date palms are grouped together, providing shady hiding places for predators during the midday sun. During the dry season, many elephants are drawn to three man-made water holes introduced to the Savuti region in 1995.

The Savuti channel has been a subject of great intrigue throughout history for its mysterious patterns of flow that experts believe to be influenced by underground tectonic forces.

The earliest mention of it can be found in European missionary explorer David Livingstone’s journal where, in 1851, he referred to Savuti (“Sontwa”) as a “dismal swamp”. The channel seems to have remained a drying wasteland for close to a century but began to flow again in 1957 when it drowned a large portion of the area’s acacia trees.

These dead trees still stand today, creating an intriguing, almost ghost-like landscape. In 1982, the channel again dried up, a process that Dereck and Beverley Joubert documented in their film Stolen River and, later, Journey to the Forgotten River.

The drought transformed a thriving wildlife area into a dramatic battleground for survival. Large lion prides became specialized elephant killers, and crocodiles sought refuge by hibernating in the Gubatsaa Hills. In 2008, the area got wetter, and the channel flooded into the marsh in 2010, with the channel beginning to dry up again in 2016.

The drying-up process is fascinating, with storks, eagles, herons, and numerous other bird species flocking around small pools to feast on trapped fish. Even leopards have been caught grabbing catfish from the muddy shallows, showing their remarkable ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Kubu Island is a dry granite rock island located in the Makgadikgadi Pan area, en route to four major parks and game reserves in Botswana. Kubu Island is the only place on a Botswana safari with prominent rocky features, breathtaking views of the salt pans in the Makgadikgadi, and solitary aesthetic beauty.

It’s beautiful in a rugged, enigmatic way, made more so by the presence of puzzling relics and ruins that litter the arid hillside. Artifacts found on the side of the lake appear to date from early Stone Age times, over 100 000 years ago, right up to recent decades.

Some researchers have suggested that the island may have been used for ancient rainmaking ceremonies, with its protruding rocks being the highest point in the area. Because human settlers could not have survived here without water, the island was most likely inhabited when a giant lake still surrounded it, or at least several wetter pans fed by other watercourses, reached by boat. Perhaps it would have been teeming with fish, crocodiles, and hippos.

The Makgadikgadi is an extraordinary Botswana region characterized by salt pans stretching as far as the eye can see, rocky granite islands, and open grasslands that spring to life in the wet season. In 1970, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park was declared, which today comprises an area of 4,900km2 (1,891 square miles).

The Makgadikgadi’s two largest pans, Ntwetwe pan and Sua pan (sometimes called Sowa pan), do not fall within the park’s boundaries but are reachable by 4×4 rental in the dry season. These are both spectacular places to explore on a Botswana safari holiday for those who seek freedom in solitude.

Plains surrounding the saltpans are dotted with ostrich, zebra, springbok, and oryx, closely pursued by dark-maned lions. On the western border of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is the Boteti (or Botletle) River, a prime drinking and bathing spot for domestic cattle and migrating zebras and elephants.

Nxai Pan National Park is another unique area to explore where, in the peak of the wet season, Botswana safari travelers spend a good deal of the night listening to the evocative roaring of lions that ambush both springbok and impala at waterholes during daylight hours.

Moremi Game Reserve, the only officially recognized wildlife reserve in the iconic Okavango Delta, is also often considered the most stunning for Botswana safari tours. The most diverse habitats and animal populations can be found in Moremi Game Reserve. This reserve spans thousands of square kilometers and encompasses a breathtaking panorama of forests, lagoons, floodplains, and islands, making up nearly a fourth of the Okavango Delta.

Lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, African wild dog, zebra, Red lechwe, and many more resident species can be viewed year-round, making for excellent game viewing on a Botswana safari holiday.
The idea to create a reserve in the Okavango region came from Robert Kay (a crocodile-hunter turned conservationist) and his wife June (a writer).

Yet it was the local BaTawana people (with help from the San/BaSarwa) who spearheaded the project, most notably Mohumagadi Pulane Moremi, the wife of deceased Chief Moremi II and the BaTawana’s Queen Regent. The reserve was named after the BaTawana Royal title, “Moremi”.

Botswana’s world-famous Okavango Delta, also known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari”, could easily be the most pristine oasis in the world. The Okavango River finds its origins in the highlands of Angola, in a catchment area of about 112,000 km2/43,243 square miles. From here, it begins a winding journey of 1,900 km (1180 mi) before fanning out into an intricate system of waterways covering 22,000 km (13670 mi) of Kalahari sand, a phenomenon that astronauts in space can observe.

Although the river would have once reached the ocean, today, it is swallowed up by a thirsty basin of white Kalahari sand, creating an effect that resembles an outstretched emerald hand, or more correctly referred to by scientists as an “alluvial fan”.

With top-notch wildlife, Okavango Delta luxury lodgings, and guiding, the Okavango Delta offers some of the best safari experiences in Africa. Additionally, it provides some of the most diverse safari pursuits including walking safaris, horseback safaris, mokoro, boat, balloon, and helicopter safaris, among a wide range of other safari activities.

There are many different kinds of places to stay in the Okavango Delta. Water camps focus on the delta, its unique waterways, birds, and animals that live in the water. Land-based camps focus on the wildlife that comes to this oasis in the wilderness. Mixed camps have activities on land and water. Most visitors on a safari in Botswana choose a camp that uses both land and water or mixed-use camps.

The Okavango Delta and Chobe are the best places to go on a birding safari in Botswana. Due to its exceptional diversity of habitats, Chobe is home to the most bird species (468) in the country. On a Botswana safari, a drive or houseboat tour along the Chobe River will provide countless possibilities for bird watching.

These include the chance to see:

• Enormous raptors like Bateleur Eagles
• Migrating Wahlberg’s Eagles
• White-backed or Lappet-faced vultures
• African Fish Eagles

The Fish Eagles rule the best riverside perches, throwing back their heads and punctuating the air with cries of untamed majesty.

Beginning in the winter, African Skimmers migrate to the riverbanks of the Chobe, where they build their nests on exposed sandbanks and skim across the silvery waters while holding their beaks open to catch tiny fish that surface in search of warmth.

Shallow flocks of Rock Pranticoles migrate from North Africa and lay their eggs in the river’s small rock depressions.

Other common waterbirds in the area include:

• African Spoonbills
• Squacco Herons
• Open-billed Storks
• Black Herons
• Great Egrets
• Pied Kingfishers
• African Jacanas
• Yellow-billed Storks

Other migrant species you could see on a birdwatching tour on a Botswana Safari include:

• Yellow-billed Kites
• Woodland Kingfishers
• Carmine Bee Eaters

In the forested sections of Chobe during the summer months, birders should keep an eye out for the following bird species:

• Schalow’s and Purple-crested Turacos
• Trumpeter and Crowned hornbills
• Crested Guinea fowls
• Racket-tailed Rollers
• Brown-necked Parrots
• Narina Trogons

The Linyanti Swamps in Botswana are a great spot to watch tiny waders like the Lesser Jacana and African Painted Snipe, as well as the endemic Slaty Egret. Gregarious Southern Carmine Bee Eaters choose to build their nests on the dry floodplains of Linyanti, which is unusual for a bird that often prefers riverbanks. Their eggs and chicks are more susceptible to predators like raptors, tiny carnivorous animals, and water monitors here on the ground.

The best way to enjoy all that a Botswana safari holiday offers is on a boat cruise on the Chobe River. The town of Kasane, which borders the Chobe National Park, is the starting point for all Chobe boat trips. Regular morning and afternoon departures are available. In the renowned Chobe National Park, you can get up close and personal with a wide range of wildlife. Enormous herds of animals frequently travel to the river and the islands to feast on the luscious new grass.

On a Chobe Boat cruise, you’ll have frequent hippos and crocodile encounters, as they love to bask in the sun next to the water. Botswana safari goers can also see buffalo, Puku and lechwe antelopes, giraffes, and other plains game. You might even be fortunate enough to glimpse a lion or a leopard. Given that the Chobe National Park itself is home to over 460 different bird species, a cruise on the Chobe is also very popular for birding safaris.

Boat cruises can be organized by one of the many riverside safari operators. There are also houseboats and boats fitted with the latest photographic equipment operated by Pangolin Safaris.
The Chobe waterfront is the most commercial part of Chobe National Park, close to the town of Kasane. There are several large hotels and lodges along the river, although Chobe Game Lodge is the only lodge along the river that falls within the park’s boundaries. The public campsite along the Chobe river is called Ihaha.

Greater and lesser flamingos go from East Africa’s Great Rift Valley to engage in one of Africa’s most incredible avian feasts. From a helicopter flight over the flamingos, these stunning birds look like pink clouds in a silver sky. Helicopter flights over the flamingos are run by Helicopter Horizons and can be organized through San Camp, Jack’s Camp, and other Botswana safari accommodation options in the area.

Another place to view the flamingos on a safari in Botswana is from Nata Bird Sanctuary (northeast of Sua Pan), 10km/6,2mi from the town of Nata. There is a basic campsite near the entrance to the park, and the sanctuary is open to day visitors who can gaze at the flamingos from an elevated wooden hide during wet months.

The sanctuary is run by a community trust and is home to 165 bird species recorded in the area, including pelicans, spoonbills, ostriches, and myriad ducks and small waders.

A great spectacle each year in Chobe (and all across Botswana) happens during the onset of the first rains; the rain triggers reproductive winged termites to leave their colonies in pursuit of wet earth to begin new mounds.

As they exit in their thousands, they attract birds of every plume and feather, including large raptors and vultures that congregate around mounds to snatch these sausage-bodied insects from the air. Even leopards partake in the feast, taking advantage of the rich protein source.

There is no better way to grasp the region’s remoteness than by flying over the iconic Okavango Delta in a light aircraft/helicopter. From the air, the wetland landscape is woven together with great intricacy. Serpentine channels cut through emerald carpets of marsh, spilling into lagoons with pods of hippos.

Winding streams twist and loop, diverging into lazy pools and vast plains scattered with islands. Palm trees hug the islands’ outer banks, encircling white-sandy grazing grounds speckled with impala, zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo.

Animal tracks criss-cross through dry wooded areas and continue through shallow waters where black and orange silt marble the sand.

It’s common to see lechwe splashing over swampy ground and large herds of elephants. Sometimes giraffes gallop awkwardly across savanna plains with their characteristic slow-motion gait or families of zebra frolic in patches of sand.

A flight from Maun is mandatory to reach most Okavango Delta luxury camps and lodges, but many travelers also book additional scenic flights. Most flights leave from Maun (the small tourist town known as the “gateway to the Okavango”).

After taking off, there is an expanse of mopane veld littered with homesteads and cattle before the plane reaches the buffalo fence, and finally, the Okavango Delta in its full splendor.

Once the plane crosses the buffalo fence, there is more chance of spotting wild animals, and slowly but surely, the landscape transforms into a watery wonderland. Winter is the best time for a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

Breathe in the aromas of the bush and feel the breeze in your hair during a horseback riding adventure in Botswana. Horseback safaris in Botswana are one of the best ways to get close to the bush without being on foot. The freedom of riding a horse across the plains is exhilarating.

While the more adventurous can enjoy several days on a horseback safari, those strapped for time can take a quick, half-day ride in the vicinity of the camp or lodge. Because horses aren’t seen as a threat by wildlife, antelope and even animals like lions and elephants get much closer than they would during a Botswana safari on foot.

Horseback safaris in Botswana are entirely safe. They take place in a completely controlled environment, and the guides are knowledgeable and well-informed about the area. There are significant differences between horse riding as a morning or afternoon activity and a multi-day ride where travelers spend nights in fly-camps or simply under the stars beside a campfire.

The multi-day horseback safari requires riding skills and, more importantly, the physical stamina to ride for six to eight hours daily. Guests must be very comfortable on horseback and be able to handle their horses.

The shorter half-day riding requires less skill, which happens at a slower pace. The horses or ponies are carefully paired with each rider, and novices are well looked after. If you’re after the perfect horseback safari, booking the right accommodation in Botswana is crucial. Different lodges operate in vastly different areas.

The most intimate way to explore the Okavango’s meandering channels and hidden lagoons is on a guided mokoro safari trip. Mokoro trips are available at many water-based camps and lodges in the Okavango and Maun for self-drivers. The thought of slinking through the wild territory of hippos and crocodiles may seem a little daunting, but it helps to keep in mind that the men who guide these safaris have spent a lifetime navigating these waters and know what they’re doing.

Mokoro guides commonly choose shallow areas where there is less chance of encountering hippos and always have a scout polling ahead to keep a good lookout.

A mokoro safari in Botswana gives you the best chance to catch a glimpse of the rare and secretive Sitatunga antelope. Sitatunga love quiet backwaters with floating papyrus islands and usually feed while partially submerged in water.

They are expertly adapted for swamp life with splayed, elongated hooves that enable them to tread soft marshlands with ease. When a mokoro approaches, these shy ungulates will commonly swim away, with only their nuzzles sticking out of the water.

Other fascinating creatures to look out for on a Mokoro safari are:

• Colorful Painted Reed frogs
• Tiny Long Reed frogs
• Malachite and Pied kingfishers
• Pygmy geese
• African and lesser jacanas
• Day and night water lilies

Jack’s Camp is one of Southern Africa’s most storied and recognizable camps. The camp was established by explorer Jack Bousfield in the 1960s and is situated in a spectacular location on the edge of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans, looking over shimmering expanses of sun-scorched earth.

Jack Bousfield was a bushwhacking crocodile hunter who arrived in Botswana from his Tanzanian homeland in the 1960s. He was overtaken by the Makgadikgadi region’s romance and set up a small camp. He died in 1992 in an airplane crash, and Jack’s son Ralph and his then-partner built the glamorous Jack’s Camp in his father’s memory.

The newly renovated Jack’s Camp honors the place’s longstanding and beloved 1940s camping aesthetic. Seven twin and two double guest tents are significantly larger than they used to be.

The famous interiors are still present, but now there are also cabinets from the Natural History Museum, elaborate textiles from around the world, and cooling systems for the beds. Showers are available indoors and outdoors in ensuite bathrooms, as well as a personal plunge pool on each veranda.

The renowned Natural History Museum, a library, an old pool table, and a fully stocked bar are all located in the new, larger mess tent. The renowned nomadic Persian tea has expanded, and the store has been restored and replenished with fresh goods.

A Botswana quad-biking adventure should be on the bucket list of all daring adrenalin seekers for their Safari in Botswana. Revving through the isolated moon-like vistas of the Makgadikgadi gives travelers the luxury of disconnecting with time and space. On a multi-day Quad biking trip, quad bikers can sprawl out beneath the stars in the evening, blissfully cocooned in comfy bedrolls. These extended trips can include stopovers at Kubu Island (during the winter season) and Chapman’s baobab.

Many safari lodges in the area offer quad biking, including more budget-friendly places like the wonderfully quirky Planet Baobab.

Visitors can take a journey to Gubatsa Hills for a game drive to see several historic San rock paintings during their safari holiday in Botswana. Gubatsa Hills stands out from its surroundings as a steep outlier in an otherwise level environment. Bushmen rock art in the small hills surrounding Savuti was first discovered in March 1968 by Tim Liversedge, a warden of Chobe National Park. The latest of the paintings is thought to have been done around 1810.

Although the paintings are all of a similar style and outlined in red-ochre (similar to the nearest rock paintings found at Tsodilo Hills), they seem to have been done by different groups of people.

Through the years, small groups of San bushmen would have moved in and out of the area following migrating game and adding their contributions to the adorned rock faces.

Some of the animals depicted in the paintings are:

• Eland
• Giraffe
• Elephant
• Gemsbok
• Hyena

Today, Botswana Safari guests can get out and scramble up the rocky hills to view the artworks on the Southeast cliffs overlooking the Savuti channel. Guests can also marvel at the historic baobabs and look out for the rare klipspringer antelope.

There are several extraordinarily monumental historic baobabs in the Makgadikgadi area, but the ones most worth visiting are Chapman’s and Green’s baobabs in Ntwetwe Pan and Baines Baobabs in Nxai Pans National Park. Green’s baobab can be found at Gutsha Pan on the Gweta–Orapa track, 27km south of Gweta village.

In the days of early European explorers, a small pan beside this baobab was filled with perennial water, giving the old tree special significance as a beacon of hope that signaled a spot to replenish supplies after a long trek through the saltpans.

The intrepid Green brothers were among the many early traders, hunters, and explorers to carve their names here, leaving “Green’s Expedition 1858–1859” scrawled into the tree’s bark and giving the tree its name. Perhaps the most intriguing mark on this baobab is the date 1771, which is even before Livingstone’s time and possibly left by an early Portuguese explorer.

The tree is now one of Botswana’s National Monuments. Baobab trees can live for thousands of years, and this one certainly bears the battle scars to prove it, gunshot wounds included.

Located in the south of Nxai Pans National Park are the seven baobabs known as Baines Baobabs or the Sleeping sisters. This stunted cluster of Africa’s most iconic tree was immortalized by the paintings of Thomas Baines, a British landscape artist commissioned by the Royal Geographic Society. Baines camped beneath these trees in 1862 en route to the memorable Victoria Falls.

The pans at Baines Baobabs are dry and bare for much of the year, as are the branches of the baobabs themselves, but during the wet season, the pans are covered in sheets of water, and green canopies emerge from the tree’s branches.

Baines Baobabs overlook Kaudia Camp Pan on the South side of the Nxai Pan South camp. Three allocated camping areas with basic toilet and shower facilities require visitors to bring their own water.

You can gain a unique grasp of the culture and in-depth knowledge and awareness that these native people have of the earth by taking a walk across the Kalahari terrain with a local San Bushman. The San bushmen of the Kalahari have long been a subject of great intrigue and fascination, admired by anthropologists, scientists, storytellers, and everyday travelers alike.

Sadly, very few bushmen live the same ancient nomadic lifestyle that their ancestors did. Still, some aspects of these traditions have been kept alive through their employment at various safari lodges. While staying at these Botswana safari lodges, travelers can enjoy educational bush walks, where San elders pass on their skills and knowledge.

As the oldest living inhabitants of Africa, the secret of the San’s survival was their total dependence on the natural provisions of the land. To the untrained eye, however, the barren shrubs and grasslands surrounding the Makgadikgadi pans seem anything other than a plentiful pantry of resources to survive on.

This common assumption makes walking with the San a fascinating experience, a time to delve deeply into some of humanity’s most cunning tricks of survival. The walk is a tactile exploration involving tasting various foods, including berries and fire-roasted beetles, and demonstrations in fire-making, dancing, hunting, and medicine-making.

Several camps in the Makgadikgadi region offer a bushman walking activity on a Botswana safari, including Meno a Kwena, Jack’s Camp, and San Camp.

The Makgadikgadi Pans offer guests the incredible chance to spend a morning with a local meerkat colony. The meerkats respond to the non-threatening presence of people by simply carrying on with their daily activities, which consist mainly of rummaging the veld for scorpions and other tasty bites to eat.

The habituation of these lively little desert mammals depends very much on the dedication of a full-time ‘Meerkat man’ who follows the family group daily and helps locate them for visitors in Botswana.

Guests are driven to the den area in the early morning, just before the meerkats have left their burrows. As the sun rises, they cautiously peep out of little holes in a humble sandy mound and, deeming it safe to come out, scuttle to the highest points to scout for predators and food.

Sometimes these lookouts happen to be the shoulders and heads of guests! Eventually, the whole colony, babies included, are joyfully chirping and tussling away while guests sit or crouch among them. It’s a truly unique and intimate African experience with one of the most sociable and resourceful desert-adapted creatures on earth.

Budget holiday tour options for Botswana include self-driving or overland safari tours. These are two exciting and adventurous ways to travel through the country and give visitors the chance to be exposed to the country on a more intimate level than fly-in Botswana safaris, which are also far more expensive.

Self-drive safaris in Botswana involve a fair amount of preparation with regards to route planning, taking into consideration the time of year and whether rainfall might have affected accessibility of some areas.

There are few self-catering options within the national parks and the Delta. If you plan to stay at a lodge in an area such as Savuti or Moremi, a reservation will come at a fully inclusive price.

Camping keeps costs down and is ideal for traveling on a budget through Botswana. The public campsites are located within the national parks and are unfenced, quiet, equipped with the basics, and they come in at a reasonable price. Costs for a self-drive holiday in Botswana would include fuel, park and vehicle fees, food and beverages, and any activities that might be of interest, for example, a boat cruise of Chobe River.

Overland safari tours are perhaps the most affordable way to get as much out of a Botswana safari as possible without having to shoulder any of the pressure of handling the route, the vehicle, the fees and payments, activities, food shopping, or meal planning.

These pre-planned holidays have a tried and trusted route in place and are led by a professional guide who knows the country well. An overland tour would include visiting all of Botswana’s prime destinations over about two weeks.

The price you pay for the tour includes all transport within the country, three meals a day (unless otherwise specified), park fees, accommodation at campsites and lodges (depending on itinerary), and all standard activities.

The overland trucks are equipped with tents and stretchers, fold-up camping chairs, and a fully equipped kitchen with gas stoves, providing everything you need to be sorted for accommodation.

With extensive protected areas and landscapes designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, the ecosystem in Botswana is pristine, and luxury safaris in Botswana prevail throughout the region. Total extravagance has been achieved in several globally acclaimed private tented camps and luxury safari villas in Botswana, which provide no holds barred treatment for their guests to showcase this one-of-a-kind countryside to the planet’s custodians.

Flying between Chobe River, Savuti, Moremi Game Reserve, the Kalahari, and the Okavango Delta luxuriously eliminates the time spent driving along dusty roads in challenging conditions, whisking travelers off to each Botswana luxury safari destination in no time at all.

The Private Concessions of the Okavango Delta provide the most luxurious holiday tours in Botswana where safari activities are exclusive and personalized, and the accommodation and lodge services are elite.

Advice for achieving an affordable Botswana safari would be to plan ahead and book accommodation in Botswana in the best wildlife areas at the best time of year so that you can get the most out of your budget Botswana safari experience. It helps to research the lodges in the country to compare prices and find affordable safari options in hotspot areas like the iconic Okavango Delta, Chobe River, Savuti, and Moremi Game Reserve.

Classic Botswana safari camps without “all the frills” are often the best choices for feeling a genuine connection with the natural surroundings, indulging the senses, and creating a multi-dimensional experience.

If you can forgo luxuries such as air conditioning, electricity, and king-size beds with percale cotton, the reward in terms of value will be far greater.

It is vital to book your Botswana accommodation a year in advance to ensure the availability of lodges during the best season for game viewing. On the other hand, the peak season for some might not be others’ idea of fun.

The popular time to travel will result in a high density of tourists, vehicle traffic, and high prices, which could detract from the experience if you’re out to seek solitude and exclusivity.

For some, the “off-season” is the best time to go, as the prices of safari lodges are reduced by about a third, the parks are much quieter, and there is more freedom to roam.

The most adventurous experience you can have on a Botswana holiday is to do it by road. There are good road networks to cater to self-drivers, car rental in Botswana is available in the form of well-equipped 4×4 vehicles, and border crossings are mostly efficient.

Campsites in Botswana are basic and designed to keep the element of the wild present, so sleeping in a tent while a lion, hyena, elephant, or hippo walks by at night is a likely possibility.

The best adventurous self-drive itineraries in Botswana include Moremi and Savuti, where wildlife is abundant, and public campsites have ablution blocks with running water.

There is no electricity for refrigeration or charging, and there are no cooking facilities, so it is essential to pack a gas cooker or use a fireplace. It is vital to bring firewood from outside the park as it’s forbidden to gather wood inside the park.

Pack light, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunblock, binoculars, and a camera, and always have a map of game drive routes. Fuel is unavailable in the parks, so make sure to refuel before entering or bring extra fuel in jerry cans.

Botswana is one of the world’s prime wildlife viewing destinations. While the Big Five needs no formal introduction, it is fitting to add that Botswana is one of the best countries to go on a Big five safari to see these magnificent animals in one trip.

Quick Guide to Spotting the Big Five on a Botswana safari tour:

• Chobe National Park is best for the highest concentration of elephants.
• The Savuti region is best for lion spotting.
• Northern Okavango is the best place to see the large Cape buffalo.
• Moremi Game Reserve will offer excellent views of rhinos.
• Mashatu Game Reserve plays host to the elusive leopard.

Even though Botswana doesn’t have endemic bird species, it is regarded as a premier birding destination because of its protection of a number of threatened and endangered species. Coupled with an excellent seasonal variation in birding, Botswana is a good choice for bird lovers.

The summer months from October to February tend to be the best months for viewing migrant species, while the dry winter months see many birds flock to the waterholes.

The call of the Woodland kingfisher is one of the most noteworthy calls in Botswana’s northern region and heralds the summer birding season. Wattled cranes, storks, herons and egrets are also indications that the flood season in the Okavango is not far off.

The Okavango Delta in particular is the greatest stronghold in Africa for Wattled cranes, as well as Slaty Egrets. Other notorious species include the Pel’s fishing owl, the African skimmer and the White-backed night heron.

Botswana also has the most renowned Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo breeding sites in southern Africa.

Although Botswana’s malaria risk is lower than some other African countries, there is still a certain risk associated with travel through the bush. Therefore, you should practice precautions before traveling to Botswana for a safari.

The most important thing to note is that anti-malaria medication is a must. You should consult your doctor before leaving for your Botswana Safari tour.

Further precautions such as long-sleeved shirts and jeans in the evenings will reduce your chances of mosquito bites. Pack some mosquito repellent for applying to your hands, face, and neck. It’ll help keep the mosquitoes at bay.

The colder dry winter months have less mosquito activity. May through to October is best. Additionally, areas with fewer people have less risk of transmission, even if there is water. Kalahari, Okavango, and Moremi concessions and the Makgadikgadi Pans are low-risk areas.

Photographic safaris are very popular in Botswana due to the wildlife density and the relaxed attitude animals have around vehicles and boats. The best way to get the most out of photography on safari is to book the experience with a specialized photographic tour operator.

These companies have game-viewing vehicles equipped with camera mounts, swiveling seats, and equipment that will enhance a photographer’s experience. Boat cruises on the Chobe River often bring guests close to elephants, hippos, buffalo, and highly sought-after bird species, such as the African skimmer.

A photographic safari operator will have a trained guide who knows how to manage a sighting for the best photographic results. Photography can take time and patience, so it’s best to hire a private guide and book with a group aiming for the same experience on their Botswana safari holiday.

It’s easy to enjoy a romantic safari in Botswana, given the surrounding environment and romantic views. Some of the best couples activities on a safari in Botswana include mokoro cruises (two to a mokoro), horse riding, private bush dinners, and couples’ spa treatments.

Highlights on a romantic Botswana holiday

The great thing about traveling as a couple is there are very few limitations. Most lodges in Botswana are designed to sleep two people in a room. Accommodation is geared towards couples sharing a bedroom and bathroom facilities. At the same time, verandahs and lounges are made up with two chairs, two bathrobes, two sets of towels, etc.

Travel Tips for a romantic holiday in Botswana

Traveling as a couple through Botswana can be a bonding and challenging experience for those who choose to self-drive. There is room for a pilot and co-pilot, a navigator and a music maestro, a relief driver for long distances, and two people to set up camp, cook, and clean.

Traveling as a couple in Botswana can be romantic, but it can also be remote. It’s essential to ensure that each person is informed about the destination with regards to navigation, emergency details, knowledge of the animals, and possible risks so that if one person falls ill, the other can take control.

Botswana’s zebra journey between Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans in search of fresh grazing is the second largest zebra migration in the world. Scattered herds of Botswana’s national animal can be seen throughout the Makgadikgadi palm belt and near the salt pans, where the mineral content of grasses is highest.

The nomadic habits of the Burchell’s Zebra in Botswana weren’t adequately understood until tracking devices were used by the conservation group Elephants Without Borders in 2012. The scientists were amazed to discover that some zebras were trekking from as far away as the floodplains of Chobe near the Namibia–Botswana border, arriving in the Makgadikgadi area via Savute.

This migration is a round trip of 500km(310mi), the longest of all recorded large mammal migrations in Africa. The most popular and well-known location for viewing this beautiful spectacle is Meno a Kwena camp situated along the Boteti River on the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Walking safaris in Botswana are geared towards adventurous travelers looking to supplement their safari experience by immersing themselves in nature. If you consider yourself adventurous and want to appreciate some of Botswana’s most pristine places on foot, then consider a walking holiday in this beautiful Southern African nation.

Botswana is mostly flat, which means the walking need not be very taxing, but an adventurous mind is key to making the most of the experience.

Walking safaris in Botswana means it’s possible to meet some of the larger wildlife in their natural habitat and see Botswana through a different lens. Walking is led by an experienced guide and done slowly and securely to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

There are three campsites within Chobe National Park, all unfenced and overlooking beautiful wild areas while still having basic ablution facilities (flush toilets and warm showers).

Ihaha (GPS: S 17 50.484?; E 24 52.748) is on the Chobe Riverfront and has ten spacious campsites. The large trees and expansive views over the river is what makes Ihaha a firm favorite for Botswana regulars.

In dry season there is a good chance you will have large herds of elephant and buffalo coming down to drink close to your camp.

Savuti (GPS: S 18 34.014, E 24 03.905) is a campsite suited to hardy campers, with thick sand and limited shade. There are 14 campsites and the best sites are under the shady trees along the Savuti channel (you can request one of these when you make your booking). The barricaded ablution blocks are to ward off thirsty elephants trying to access water during dry season.

Savuti is known as one of the noisier choices of camp (both human and animal noise) but it’s also one of the most exciting, with a good chance of lions, elephants and hyenas wandering into camp at night.

Campers must be on guard against these dangers, especially with small children. It’s important to stay in your campsite after dark and drive rather than walk to the bathroom. There is also a small tuckshop with a limited selection of snacks.

Linyanti (GPS: S 18 16.228, E 23 56.163) is Chobe’s most peaceful and tranquil campsite with only five demarcated camping areas. The most popular sites are numbers one and two which have uninterrupted views over the Linyanti River.

Linyanti has a limited road network for the public but the scenic meandering riverfront drive is one of the most beautiful stretches in the park.

What better way to celebrate love than on a Botswana honeymoon safari? Just the two of you in the African bush with a private candlelit dinner on your veranda and wildlife passing by. The country is home to some of the most diverse and pristine wilderness areas in Africa, with an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty that will leave you in awe.

The combination of luxury and adventure makes for an unforgettable honeymoon experience. The tranquility and serenity of being in the middle of the wilderness with your loved one is an experience that will stay with you forever.

When to go on a honeymoon Safari in Botswana

The most popular time to visit Botswana for a honeymoon would be during the dry season, from about May to October. Days are warmer with clear skies.

With less rain, the vegetation is not as lush, and it’s easier to spot wildlife. The animals tend to concentrate around the water sources, and this tends to become an action-packed area. However, with the popular season, the number of visitors to Botswana increases, camps can be full, and some sections of the park can feel a little crowded.

Traveling during the wet season during a honeymoon in Botswana is a great time to travel if you don’t mind a rain shower or two. The parks are quieter and lodges offer great prices and value-adds.

Showers occur mainly in the afternoon and will have little impact on your Botswana safari vacation. The bush is lush and green. With water comes new life, and you’ll see plenty of newborns. This would also be the time for migrating birds to visit.

Where to travel on a honeymoon in Botswana

The most popular route traveled in Botswana during a safari would include visiting the Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, and the Kalahari. The Chobe National Park is known for its large herds of elephants and cruising along the Chobe River while spotting hippos and crocodiles.

The famous Victoria Falls is also only a short two-hour drive from the Chobe National Park and is a great day visit should you be staying a little longer. The sparkling waterways of the Okavango Delta are a must-see when on a Botswana honeymoon safari. The channels create mazes and paths through the wet bush, forming small islands.

These channels are great for exploring in a mokoro, and the islands are ideal for bush walks. The destination often forgotten is the Kalahari. Magical red sand is the home to many desert-adapted animals, including the Black-maned lions.

Accommodation on a honeymoon safari in Botswana

Botswana has you spoiled for choice when choosing your accommodation for your Botswana honeymoon safari and features the option of luxury tents with white linen and mosquito nets draping the beds.

Some even have an outdoor bath to enjoy after an early morning activity and watch the wildlife pass by as you unwind. There’s also an option to sleep under the African skies. Just wheel your bed out onto your deck and fall asleep with the night sounds of the African bush and the stars shining overhead.

Which activities to include on a honeymoon safari in Botswana

Just as you’re spoiled for choice by the different accommodation options in Botswana, you’ll also have a variety of activities to choose from while honeymooning In Botswana. Game drives, either early morning or afternoon, would be available in most areas throughout Botswana. You drive out as the sun rises, catching the wildlife as they start their day.

Some of the more unique ways of exploring Botswana would be cruising the Chobe River or exploring the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a mokoro. Cruise the Chobe river on your Botswana honeymoon as the cool breeze offers relief from the hot African Sun. Here you get to indulge in each other’s peaceful company as you watch elephants enjoy the refreshing waters and crocodiles lurking around.

There is just something romantic about flying. Why not take to the sky on your Botswana safari honeymoon? Not only can you view the beautiful landscapes below as you board your scheduled flight between camps, but you can also spoil your loved one with a romantic early morning hot air balloon safari.

Wake up before the sun rises as you’re transported to the launch site. Here you get to see the beautiful colorful balloon fill up with hot air as you sip your coffee before jumping aboard. With the sun rising over the landscapes and the wildlife stretching as their day begins, this promises a fantastic start to your day.

Experience one of our Botswana family safaris to create lifelong memories. The variety of Botswana’s wildlife is incredible, from the elephant and zebra herds of Chobe National Park to the thriving Okavango Delta and the big cats of the Kalahari. And it’s not just the wildlife that makes Botswana perfect for family safaris.

There are family-friendly Botswana lodges and private guides for personalized safaris. Botswana has plenty of age-appropriate kids activities, with kids menus and babysitters.

Highlights on a Family Safari in Botswana

In the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans, children will benefit from the demonstrative Bushman walks, which focus on animal tracking, spoor identification, insects, fire-making, traditional uses of plants, and making arrowheads out of stones. 

Chobe River is ideal for Botswana family safaris because boat cruises are a safe and comfortable way to get close to animals like elephants, hippos, and crocodiles.

For a family with older children, game drives in Moremi and Chobe can be exciting due to the plentiful animal encounters that are sure to be unforgettable.

Travel Tips on a Family Safari in Botswana

It is best to travel to Botswana as a family when the children are a bit older so that they can get the most out of the experience. Children must be older than eight to go on a game drive, while walking safaris require children to be at least 12 years old.

Wildlife is abundant in Botswana, but terrain can be challenging, and sometimes you might endure a long, bumpy ride to get the results, which children might not tolerate well.

Families traveling from abroad should seek out lodges that cater specifically to children, feature family-sized tents, special babysitting services, and kid-friendly bush walks and activities.

Botswana can be a refreshing, eye-opening, relaxing, and a somewhat spiritual experience for solo travelers; although most activities happen in a group, you’re never really alone. The Okavango Delta has several tiny camps, which would create the peaceful and intimate experience a solo safari traveler might prefer, especially if it is water-based and offers the serene activity of a mokoro excursion.

Alternatively, solo safari travelers in Botswana looking to join a group would benefit significantly from an overland safari tour, which covers most of Botswana’s prime destinations.

Highlights of a solo safari in Botswana

Traveling solo in Botswana allows the opportunity to meet new people and create lasting relationships with like-minded individuals, particularly on longer-lasting tours or itineraries in Botswana, such as an overland trip, when a group stays together throughout the experience.

It’s incredibly rewarding to explore a destination as untamed as Botswana on a journey of discovery, contemplation, peace-seeking, or renewal if the purpose of your solo trip is indeed to enjoy it alone.

Travel Tips for a solo safari in Botswana

Guests traveling alone (but not necessarily looking to be alone) will be at home in the Okavango Delta, Moremi, or Chobe National Park, where safari lodges offer between three and 15 bedrooms and cater to guests traveling as a single or a group. Meal times and activities are shared and occur at set times, so the experience is enjoyed as a group.

Botswana’s primary attraction is its vast wilderness. From the endless palm-covered islands of the Okavango Delta, to the moonscape saltpans of the Makgadikgadi region, it’s the perfect destination for anyone seeking pristine, unfenced surroundings.

Botswana’s commitment to safeguarding its wildlife heritage is unparalleled in Africa. The country covers a total area of 581,730 sq km, and approximately 40% of this land falls within a wildlife-protected area.

These areas are a sanctuary for the world’s largest concentration of elephant, and a stronghold for other endangered large mammals such as the black rhinoceros, African wild dog, cheetah and lion.

For avian enthusiasts, there exists no better place in the world to view the Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane, and seeing the illusive Pels Fishing Owl for the first time has been known to bring bird-watchers to tears!

In 2014, Botswana consolidated its position as a conservation leader by banning commercial hunting, paving the way for former hunting areas to be transformed into photographic safari destinations.

The government’s decision to opt for a high-quality, low-impact tourism model means that safari-goers can generally avoid congested game drives, especially when staying in one of the many privately operated concessions, which commonly have their visitor density limited to around one guest per 50 sq km. These concessions, licensed out to top safari companies, boast some of the most luxurious yet eco-conscious lodges and camps in Africa.

In order to lease the land, lodge owners must show commitment to uplifting local communities by providing jobs for people in close proximity to concession boundaries. Today wildlife and tourism employs around 45% of adults in Botswana, making it the country’s’ second largest income earner after diamonds.

Travellers can feel secure in the knowledge that Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable and peaceful nations, with the continent’s longest continuous multi-party democracy and a steady economy.

Botswana is a safari destination that boasts outstanding wildlife density and variety, and it is wild and organic without fences and developed tourist facilities. In this sense, it attracts adventurous travellers who are passionate about nature and wildlife experiences and who are not nervous in the presence of wild animals.

Keen photographers would benefit greatly from a Botswana holiday at different times of the year, as varying locations offer unique and interesting natural scenery, not to mention superb wildlife activity to capture.

The terrain in Botswana is rough with plenty of dust, thick sand, and seasonal flooding, so exploring the country by road – which includes long morning game drives in areas like Savuti – means packing an adventurous spirit and tolerance for the natural elements.

On the other hand, Botswana has some impeccable luxury lodge options, with exclusive airstrips, seamless service, world-class food, and supreme comfort, which bring extreme comfort to visitors willing to pay.

Botswana is easily sewn into an itinerary including Victoria Falls and the Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe’s Hwange and Mana Pools, Zambia’s South Luangwa, and Namibia’s Caprivi Strip; so travellers planning a southern Africa trip should consider including a safari in Botswana.

People who return for a Botswana holiday repeatedly give many reasons for their visits, and high on the list is the warmth and peace-loving nature of the local Setswana-speaking people, the incredible diversity of wildlife, exclusivity, and the large variety of safari activities on offer.

For a small country dominated by the dusty Kalahari Desert, a Botswana safari tour is truly unique in its available variety of activities. Activities in Botswana differ between seasons when landscapes alter dramatically, determined mainly by the natural flooding of rivers and annual rainfall.

The Chobe River in Botswana is a popular hot spot for tourist activities. Botswana safari operators offer fishing trips, specialized photographic safari boat cruises, game drives, and beautiful riverside camping. Chobe Game Lodge, the only lodge inside the Chobe Game Reserve, now boasts several electric and solar-powered safari boats, adding a new element of interest for the modern, eco-conscious traveler.

Savuti, to the west of the Chobe region, is famous for its mysterious and fascinating channel. It has a history of drying up unpredictably, influenced primarily by a series of shifting fault lines that lie deep below the earth’s surface, a continuance of the Great Rift Valley.

The Makgadikgadi saltpans also offer a wide range of exciting activities that keep guests returning again and again. In dry season adventurous travelers can quad bike across the pans and sleep out under the Milky Way, which the Kalahari Bushmen call ‘the backbone of the sky’.

In the green season, Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration unfolds alongside the Boteti River and is a magnificent spectacle, especially when viewed in dusty twilight hues.

The pristine, wild locations of Botswana’s camps and lodges make for an exhilarating Botswana safari, a perfect choice for those who treasure wild places. Safari-lovers speak of feeling a profound sense of freedom in Botswana’s wilderness that deepens with regular visits.

South Africa and Botswana are neighboring countries offering superb wildlife sightings, top-class camps, and lodges. Still, there are several differences to remember when choosing one safari destination over the other.

A safari in South Africa lacks the rugged remoteness of a Botswana safari. Still, private concessions like those in South Africa’s Sabi Sands are a reliable option for those eager to see a maximum amount of wildlife in a short time.

Unlike Botswana, South Africa’s game reserves are all fenced. This fencing limits the natural migration of animals within the ecosystem but results in a higher concentration of game, especially big cats.

Botswana’s game viewing, while excellent, can be unpredictable at times, as animals migrate according to the seasons. South Africa has several private concessions that offer a very exclusive, intimate safari experience on par with Botswana’s. Still, these areas are much smaller, so guests do not get exposed to the same variety of habitats as on a Botswana safari.

South African campsites like those in the Kruger National Park tend to be crowded, especially during school holidays. South African game reserves are mostly accessible by car, and few require a 4×4 vehicle. In contrast, a 4×4 is absolutely necessary to negotiate the thick Kalahari sand tracks in many of Botswana’s wild areas.

Botswana, with its simpler infrastructure and small remote towns, has a charming ‘real African’ feel, while the plentiful shops in South Africa, even within the Kruger National Park, make stocking up on supplies very convenient.

A South African safari is generally the cheaper route, with more choices regarding mid-range accommodation options. On the other hand, Botswana only offers two options – camp or stay in a luxury lodge, and most luxury Botswana lodges are only reachable by light aircraft, so it’s essential to pack light.

Booking for a camping safari in Botswana must be done at least a year in advance as campsites are limited. In contrast, you’re far more likely to get away with last-minute bookings in South Africa, although booking ahead is always the wiser option.

Namibia is Botswana’s western neighbor, and the two countries share a large portion of the Kalahari Desert. Namibia doesn’t have Botswana’s water supply, making the latter far superior in terms of wildlife density.

The only slight exception is a narrow stretch of land that protrudes from Namibia’s northeast corner, known as the Caprivi Strip.

Being mainly desert, a safari in Namibia is not the right choice for those wanting to see the Big Five on their first safari experience.

Yet, it does offer the chance to see some unusual desert-adapted creatures like oryx, brown hyena, black rhino, and the famed desert elephants and desert lions.

Both countries are equally rugged and remote, with a low population density and a rich cultural heritage. Still, when it comes to spectacular landscapes, the immensity of Namibia’s panoramic views is hard to beat.

The wilds of Northern Botswana safeguard the largest elephant population in the world. Colossal breeding herds and large solitary bulls traverse the landscapes of Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. Kobe’s broad-leaved woodlands and riparian forests are home to the endemic Chobe bushbuck and other lesser-known antelope species like Puku, Sable, and Roan.

Chobe also boasts the highest bird species diversity in Botswana (468 species), including birds found nowhere else in the country like the Schalow’s and Purple-crested turacos, Trumpeter and Crowned hornbills, and the Crested guinea fowl.

Savute, in the western Chobe region, is notorious for its large lion prides, historically numbering up to 30-odd individuals. The unpredictability of Savuti’s water supply has been known to set the scene for dramatic feats of survival, including hibernating crocodiles and bold lions preying on adult elephants. Savuti’s vast savanna plains are perfect for enjoying sightings of Burchell’s zebra, Tsessebe, giraffe, and impala.

Red lechwe splashing through the swamplands, hippopotamuses treading confidently out of the water at midday, and lions swimming across water channels are just a few of the spectacular wildlife sightings awaiting visitors to the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango comes into its own during winter when rainwater from the highlands of Angola fans out over temporary floodplains that teem with wildlife.

You could get lucky and spot a semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope lurking in the papyrus – or a Pel’s Fishing Owl. These beautiful owls replace their daylight rivals, fish eagles, on perches overlooking deep lagoons where they fish for large bream.

The Okavango Delta is also the best place to see the near-endemic Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, and special waterbirds such as the Lesser Jacana, White-backed Night Heron, and African skimmer.

The cracked and dry Makgadikgadi Salt Pans may not look like the environment that would attract a large wildlife population, but appearances can be deceiving.

Come summertime, these desolate arid expanses sprout juicy patches of grass, attracting springbok, wildebeest, and zebra, followed closely by lion and cheetah.

Along the Boteti River, you can watch Southern Africa’s largest zebra migration and, come nighttime, shine a spotlight on the secret lives of playful bat-eared foxes and shy brown hyenas.

A far cry from the photographic safari-enthusiasts that visit Chobe National Park now, the park was once the haunt of large-scale ivory hunters. It’s hard to imagine that by the second half of the 19th-century ivory hunting was so rife that elephant deaths in Botswana lead to elephants almost being extinct in the Chobe area.

Today, “thlou” (the local Setswana term for elephant) are safe in Chobe National Park and during dry season make up the largest density of elephant population in the world (60 000 – 70 000) a number that has continued to rise in recent years due to poaching pressure in Botswana’s neighboring counties.

In essence, Botswana has become a safehouse for an increasing number of Southern Africa’s refugee elephants who no longer feel protected traversing through the borders of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia.

Despite this, research by Elephants without Borders has shown that the elephants of northern Botswana still have the largest home ranges (24,828km2) recorded for African elephants and herds continue to move between western Zimbabwe, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia, southeast Angola and southwest Zambia.

However, Botswana’s elephant range has grown by 53% in the past 20 years and scientists worry about how this will affect the safety and livelihoods of local people living on the outskirts of wildlife and national park areas.

Initiatives like the Elephant and Bee Project that are building beehive fences to naturally repel elephants from raiding local farmer’s crops, are invaluable in protecting both humans and elephants.

As the largest terrestrial animal on earth, elephants eat up to 300kg of food a day and play a fundamental role in shaping their environment. The large herds of Chobe have put enormous pressure on the riverine forests lining the banks of the river, and it is common to see fallen tree trunks and battered broken branches tossed about the ground.

This would be devastating if it weren’t for the arrival of the summer rains when the elephants disperse, allowing the land much-needed time to recover. Elephant’s destructive habits have equally positive effects and are responsible for creating hideaways for smaller creatures and helping browsers, like kudu and bushbuck, to reach nutritious leaves.

Predators like lions and leopards often choose to hide their cubs in the safety of fallen logs, and elephant’s well-worn paths through the bush are used by many species. During drought, elephant’s dig for water in dry pans, helping to form waterholes that other animals can drink from.

While Chobe’s waterfront is the place to see large family herds, Savute is known as the domain of the large elephant bull. These lonely tusked giants float over the horizon or swagger around the dusty peripheries of small waterholes, drinking and moving off again. Chobe really is a “Land of Giants’ ‘, an ultimate destination for elephant-lovers.

Throughout Africa, elephants are not thought of as lion prey, with only three exceptions; the pride manages to separate a small calf from its mother (a rare occurrence), an elephant is very sick and weak, or the lion belongs to Savuti’s notorious Marsh Pride.

This fearless pride of lions, which once numbered 30 +, killed 74 elephants during a three year period (1993 – 1996), a phenomenon recorded by filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert.

The Joubert’s film, Ultimate Enemies (National Geographic) tells the story, as well as the more recent Planet Earth Series: Great Plains (BBC). This outrageously risqué behavior on the part of the lions happens mainly between August and November, peaking in October.

According to scientist Richard John Powder, the lions may be reverting to a role they once had during the Pleistocene era as hunters of megaherbivores.

The behavior could also be rooted in Savuti’s long history of drought periods where near-starved elephants were easy to bring down, helping the lions hone their elephant-killing tactics.

The introduction of artificial waterholes could have also played a role by encouraging elephants to become permanent residents (rather than migrating to other regions), and so readily available to feed unusually large lion prides. Today, the lion prides of Chobe are more fragmented and lions prey on elephant less frequently, but the legacy remains.

It’s good to know that Botswana’s Wildlife Reserves and National Parks are not fenced, so it’s possible that wandering wildlife and domestic animals will wander onto the main roads and in and around towns.

Important Botswana travel advice is that public bathrooms on a Botswana safari are mostly basic and might lack items such as toilet paper and hand soap. If you’re traveling through the country by road and exploring the parks on a self-drive basis, it’s wise to pack bathroom essentials.

It’s not permitted to leave your vehicle inside the parks unless you’re at a designated stretch point or picnic spot. It’s important to note that even those areas aren’t protected from roaming wildlife, so you should remain vigilant when walking around campsites, stretch points, and ablution blocks.

When entering a national park as an independent traveler (i.e., without a guide), some advice would be to have adequate cash to pay park fees. These include entrance fees per person and vehicle fees per day. In addition, you’ll need a printed voucher indicating that accommodation/campsite has been booked in your name.

Part of the beauty of Botswana’s wild areas is that they remain that way and have not been tampered with. Lodges and camps in Botswana are environmentally friendly and have a low impact on the surroundings. Some are so lightweight that they can pack up and close during seasonal floods in the Delta and reopen in April until October.

Campsites in the parks are remote and can be the best part of a day’s drive away from a town. Packing camping essentials such as fuel, water, food, ice, and firewood must be considered before embarking on your journey.

There are only a handful of countries whose residents require tourist visas to enter Botswana (you can find this list here). At the same time, every traveler must ensure that they hold valid, permanent passports with at least three blank pages remaining.

Most tourists in Botswana come from the United States, second-most is the United Kingdom, and third is Germany. Visitors from these countries do not need visas for 90 days, after which they can get an extension from immigration. Emergency or temporary passports aren’t accepted without an accompanying visa.

Those traveling with minors (children under 18) must provide a certified copy of the minor’s unabridged birth certificate and their valid, permanent passport to gain access to Botswana.
If the minor travels without one or both of their parents, an affidavit from absent parent/s consenting to their child’s travel is required.

The easiest and fastest way to travel to Botswana for safari is a connecting flight from Johannesburg International Airport (O.R Tambo) in South Africa. However, connecting flights from Cape Town and Windhoek (Namibia) are also available. Currently, there are no international carriers that fly directly to Maun Airport.

Transport on a Botswana safari is relatively efficient. Getting to your lodge or destination is as easy as jumping on an air shuttle service or a safari vehicle. It’s really up to you, based on your requirements, time, and budget. Fly or be driven. Each option comes at a cost, private air charters being the most expensive, while guided road transfers are more affordable. It’s also worth noting that some more remote camps and lodges are only accessible via aircraft or boat.

The best way to get to Botswana is to fly to Maun or Kasane. These two towns have international airports in northern Botswana, close to popular national parks and main roads. These airports facilitate the arrivals and departures of domestic flights to airstrips in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Central Kalahari. Self-driving travelers can easily access Botswana through the border posts from neighboring countries. Time allowances must be made for the time spent on the road.

Maun Airport

Maun International Airport is the central hub for all flights entering Botswana as a safari destination. The airport is located within the town itself.

Gaborone Airport

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is located just 10km/6mi north of Gaborone, offering daily one-hour flights from Johannesburg and three weekly two-hour flights from Harare.

Kasane Airport

Kasane International Airport is located around four kilometers / two and a half miles south of the town of Kasane and lies just a short distance from the Chobe National Park.

Paved highways connect Botswana’s major towns. Most are in good condition, but some sections are badly potholed. You’ll need to keep an eye out for these, as well as for both wild and domesticated animals. Stray cattle and donkeys are common near villages. Donkeys can be particularly dangerous. They tend to stand in the middle of the road, refusing to move and forcing cars to stop and drive around them.

Botswana’s traffic police are active on the highways and often set up radar speed traps after villages and vet fences. Don’t be tempted to accelerate back to highway speeds until you see the appropriate signage.

Away from the highways, road conditions deteriorate rapidly. There’s not much in the way of secondary roads, and you can go from tarmac to thick sand in a few hundred meters. Especially sandy sections include the access roads around Mabuasehube Game Reserve and the Kgalagadi, the Xade Gate road into the Central Kalahari, the main entrance road into Nxai Pan National Park, the road north of Maun to Moremi, and pretty much everything from the Savuti region to the Chobe River.

An unusual route, and perhaps the sandiest of all, is the north-south track between Khutse Game Reserve and the Central Kalahari. It’s about 230km/142mi of deep sand from Khutse to Xade Gate and shouldn’t be attempted lightly.

Botswana is well equipped for self-drivers, but there are long distances between parks, lodges, campsites, and towns, so traveling by road can be time-consuming. Fortunately, much of northern Botswana is land dedicated to conservation. Even when driving outside the national parks, wildlife roams free, so the opportunities to see animals en route between locations are abundant.

Fly-in safari goers will save plenty of time as they use Botswana’s many scheduled flights and air transfers, but this method of travel is more expensive. Road transfers from the major towns offer a more affordable way to get from A to B and, although more time-consuming, allow more time for game spotting.

The currency in Botswana is Pula, a Tswana word meaning “rain”. Pula is used throughout the country and is the accepted form of payment in restaurants, shops, hotels, or lodges. Most places in Maun, Kasane, Francistown, Gaborone, and other major towns accept international bank cards.

ATMs are located in the towns mentioned above, and you can withdraw cash before heading into the parks and reserves, where there are unlikely to be card facilities. Foreign currency is often accepted as a tip or gratuity to helpful staff and safari guides, but not as payment for something in commercial facilities. The current exchange rate is 1 BP = 0,10 USD.

Botswana is considered one of the safest countries in Africa to travel in. Tourism is welcomed and valued by the locals in general, as it brings opportunities and income. There is no reason for you to feel unsafe anywhere in Botswana, as there have been very few reported incidents of petty theft or other opportunistic crimes.

It’s always a good idea for you to know where your valuable items are stored while traveling and not to neglect common sense when safeguarding your possessions. The most likely place an incident would occur would be near a town and not in the national parks, so the areas to remain vigilant would be at petrol stations or parking lots where opportunists might linger.

Visitors to Botswana should never forget that they are traveling to a country that cherishes its natural surroundings and pays enormous attention to conservation and the environment’s health.
Botswana’s land is primarily dedicated to wildlife and sustaining a small population of people, so environmental impact is low.

It’s essential to respect the effort gone to protect the wild areas and to maintain a sustainable tourism infrastructure. Remember that waste disposal, water, electricity usage, and sewage systems are likely sensitive. A good rule when staying in lodges is to conserve water, e.g. short showers, and reusing towels and sheets.

A great idea when visiting Botswana for safari is to learn a few words or greeting terms in the local language, Setswana. To be able to greet your guide, cashier, or driver in their local language is an effortless way to show interest and appreciation for Botswana’s culture and customs.

Safari lodges and camps in Botswana serve an array of internationally recognized food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dietary requirements can be catered for with ease when given prior notice. Beef and chicken are popular meats eaten locally and served in many ways in restaurants and the dining rooms at lodges, so travelers can expect to enjoy foods they know when being catered for in the country.

Local dishes include beef seswaa, bogobe (pap), and morogo, which are eaten throughout Botswana and surrounding countries. Beef seswaa is slow-cooked beef (usually filet), which is then shredded and cooked as a pot stew with an onion and pepper gravy.

Bogobe is ground cornmeal boiled with water and salt until it becomes a porridge-like consistency. It’s served as the starch with meat and veg. Bogobe is often accompanied by a tomato and onion relish or cooked spinach in a dish known as morogo.

Meat is also traditionally grilled on open coals, as are large, white mielies (corn on the cob), which are farmed on a small, subsistence level.

These are often seen on the roadside, where vendors are set up with grills serving the passing local public. The local beer is a St. Louis, and it goes down a treat!

Tipping practice in Botswana can be compared to anywhere else in Africa. A general guideline for tipping servers at restaurants is to add 10% of your bill as a gratuity if you feel you’ve received a good standard of service. As always, this amount is at the client’s discretion.

When tipping your Botswana safari guide, a standardized approach is to tip an amount of 10% of the daily rate per person per day and pay it directly to your guide at the end of the stay.

It’s encouraged to show gratitude after an excellent safari experience by tipping well in either Pula, or the guest’s home currency.

Housekeeping and kitchen staff, backup guides, mokoro pollers, and boat drivers, are also eligible for tips, and there is often a deposit box for staff tips. Individual tips should be paid to the individuals themselves.

Travelers greeting local Batswana will notice that the spoken “dumela rra/mma” (man/woman) is accompanied by a handshake with the right hand while the left-hand moves to grasp your right forearm gently. This greeting is commonly shared between locals, and tourists are welcome to participate in the tradition.

Many people from Botswana (and indeed southern Africa) belong to a religion called Zionism, which is based on a fusion of African traditions and the Christian faith. Members of the ZCC (Zion Christian Church), by religious guidance, do not eat pork, drink alcohol, or consume drugs, while some solely consume the white meat of chicken and fish, eradicating red meat from their diets altogether.

Zionists can be recognized by some items of clothing, which on days of worship consist mostly of yellow and green. At the same time, most members often wear a lapel or badge of green cloth adorned with a metal badge indicating which branch of the church they belong to. Men also wear hats to show their religious affiliation.

Another thing to note is that it’s not in alignment with the Botswana custom to wash other peoples’ undergarments, and guests at lodges will notice that laundry service is provided for all clothing items, excluding personal underwear.

Every major town in Botswana has at least one shopping centre or mall, which includes major supermarkets, liquor stores, clothing, furniture, homeware, and electronic shops, in addition to local banks and ATMs. In terms of gift stores and curio shops, some safari lodges stock their own locally made woven baskets, jewellery, wooden carvings and bowls, and these items are usually sourced from communities in the area.

A number of safari operators and lodges offer village visits as an opportunity to meet local people, learn about their culture, and understand their way of life, and these are often opportunities for travellers to purchase some locally crafted items. Be warned, these local markets are expensive and it is likely that similar items can be sourced in gift shops in Maun or Kasane at a cheaper price.

The national language of Botswana is Setswana, spoken by the Tswana people in the region. English is recognized as a second official language and is spoken widely throughout the country.

People in remote and rural areas that tourists do not frequently visit are not likely to speak English well, so some basic Setswana will go a long way in communicating here.

There are also about 20 unofficial dialects spoken by people belonging to less dominant tribal groups, such as Hambukushu, Seyei, Herero, and Kalanga, while only about five of the original 13 Bushman dialects remain, known collectively as SeSarwa.

“Pula” is a word that is revered in Botswana. Not only does it appear on the national coat of arms, but it embraces other meanings too. In its literal sense, it means ‘let there be rain’ – in a primarily semi-arid country, rainfall is precious and considered a blessed event.

The local currency is Pula, and it’s also the country’s motto and rallying cry (in this context it means ‘shield’) and is shouted out by crowds at football matches whenever the national team, ‘The Zebras’, scores a goal.

A holiday in Botswana means being exposed to the elements daily, as game drives, bush walks, mokoro cruises, horseback safaris, and other outdoor activities take guests into the wild. No matter the time of year, it is important to pack lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, closed shoes, sunblock, and other sun protection.

During summer, when it rains and is very warm, it’s essential to take precautions against mosquitoes, whether that means being on prescribed malaria prophylaxis or merely using mosquito repellent every day.

During the rainy season, it’s also advised to bring waterproof gear, such as a raincoat, poncho, or water-resistant jacket. A water-resistant bag for camera gear and other equipment will be handy in the rain. Still, most safari lodges utilize game vehicles with canvas roofs and drop-down sides to protect guests against unexpected rainfall. Most lodges also provide waterproof ponchos.

In winter, temperatures can drop to under 10°C/50°F, making morning game drives quite chilly. Packing a warm jacket, scarf, and beanie is highly recommended. In places like the Kalahari, desert temperatures are extreme, and in winter it can get icy, so travelers should ensure they’re well prepared for the cold.

Suggested items to pack in general include:

• Basic medical aid, such as:
• Antihistamine
• Pain killers
• Any prescribed medication you may require

Outdoor gadgets that come in handy include:

• A head torch or handheld torch
• A power bank or solar charger for mobile phones and camera batteries

There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entering Botswana. Still, it’s essential to consider the surrounding countries that might require vaccinations if travelers will be crossing borders during their stay, e.g. Victoria Falls holiday.

Zambia requires vaccination against Yellow Fever. Regarding hepatitis and tetanus, vaccinations aren’t needed, but travelers are encouraged to consult their doctors for advice in these areas.

The same applies to malaria prophylaxis. It’s not essential, but it’s advised that visitors get an opinion from their doctors. It’s suggested that travelers spending time in high-risk areas (towns and areas with a high human density) consult their doctors for a prescription of Coartem to treat malaria.

Botswana has some remote and far-away places. Many of these places are likely to be where tourists are headed because they contain some of the country’s best wildlife and most pristine natural areas. There are a couple of highly rated emergency response teams equipped for both land and air rescue in Botswana.

If travelers are on a guided safari tour in Botswana, they will have their local guide to rely on, who will have first aid qualifications and a medical response protocol to follow in an emergency.

Safari lodges and camps are equipped with satellite telephones, Wi-Fi, or an accessible mobile phone network to contact the necessary medical facilities in an emergency.

If travelers have opted for the self-drive route, it’s advisable to have purchased a SIM card for one of Botswana’s mobile networks or to use international roaming in order to make calls domestically.

In an emergency, Medical Rescue International (MRI) is one of the country’s leading ground and aerial ambulance response services and is available all day, every day and can be contacted on the following numbers: 992 (toll-free from any local network) or +267 3901601 (international).

Patients can request to be flown to Milpark Trauma Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. If the patient, or anyone else in the party, cannot speak, the MRI responders will transfer the patient to the hospital appropriate for their medical condition. Milpark Trauma Hospital is the region’s best and most frequently used hospital.

The public sector dominates the healthcare system in Botswana – operating most of the care facilities. However, there is a considerable gap between public and private medical provisions, and you’re advised to purchase private health insurance for the trip to Botswana.

As in much of Africa, the public healthcare system mainly serves a lower-income bracket, while ex-pats and those who can afford it use the private healthcare system.

It’s always recommended that visitors use travel insurance and medical aid services supplied by their providers at home, which will ensure that they can benefit from treatment in the private healthcare facilities in Botswana. Citizens of Botswana pay a very small fee for healthcare in public hospitals and mobile clinics, as the healthcare they receive is mainly subsidized.

Private healthcare providers are geared towards catering to tourism and provide a good service. Medical Rescue International and Okavango Air Rescue are recommended medical services for tourists in Botswana.

Comprehensive insurance is encouraged for anyone traveling through Botswana or other African countries. It’s no secret that these adventures of a lifetime come with their associated risks, i.e. wild animals, challenging terrain and road conditions, and poor public health services.

Taking out travel and medical insurance covering specific area-related medical emergencies, or unexpected incidents, is the safest and most recommended way to go.

Before embarking on a Botswana tour, you should ensure you have comprehensive medical cover for specific activities you might like to partake in while on holiday. For example, bush walking, game viewing, horseback riding, bungee jumping, etc.

You should be covered for any incidents relating to wild animals and have authorization for a medical evacuation to take the necessary measures in an emergency in a remote area. Taking out insurance to protect cash, camera equipment, and baggage is also advisable and should fall under comprehensive cover.

It is recommended that, before departure, travelers have a copy of their medical and travel insurance policies and an emergency phone number to call, so that this information is available when fellow travelers, guides, lodge staff, or emergency personnel might need it.

You should also take out travel insurance to cover yourself in case of an unexpected change in holiday itinerary or an unforeseen cancellation. Ensure that you have access to money via credit card or an electronic funds transfer, as it’s likely that payment for medical treatment will have to be paid upfront and then claimed back from the insurance company later.

Botswana is an expensive safari holiday destination compared to the neighboring safari country, South Africa. Lodges and camps charge high prices, and additional activities, private guides, exclusive use of lodges, or game vehicles come at a fair price too.

Domestic flights and national park fees add to costs. That being said, the value of the experience is superior given the pristine wilderness that Botswana possesses and the level of expertise with which staff runs the lodge operations.

A great holiday in Botswana would last about a week to ten days, giving travelers enough time to see at least two of the country’s best natural areas, perhaps the Okavango Delta, Savuti Marsh, and Chobe River.

Booking to visit during peak season would also ensure the best wildlife experience and the most comfortable weather conditions. However, this would also up the price of the visit.
A week-long holiday visiting the three destinations mentioned here (during peak season) could cost about US$8000 per person.

Another highlight of Botswana is its people. Botswana is a mesh of many different tribes with unique origins and beliefs. The dominant group is Tswana (79%) whose language Setswana (or Tswana) is the spoken by 90 % of Batswana.

The Tswana have a deeply entrenched system of chieftainship and a rich cultural heritage rooted in deep traditional values, reflected in proverbs such as “we are people because of other people”.

The first inhabitants of Botswana were the Basarwa (3%) (Often know as San Bushmen). The traditional Basarwa lifestyle of hunter-gathering has sadly diminished over the years with the historic homelands of the Basarwa replaced by National Parks and towns.

Basarwa people, who can further be divided into several groups with distinct ‘click’ languages, are no longer able to live the traditional nomadic life of their ancestors. Walking with bushmen is a fascinating activity that attracts visitors over and again to regions like the Central Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

The baYei are another very interesting tribal group who arrived in the Okavango region from the Barostse floodlands of the Zambezi and lived in harmony with the Basarwa (known as Bukakhwe in the area). The baYei introduced the ‘mokoro’ dugout canoe, still used widely today as a way of transport and for fishing along the delta channels from village to village.