Safari in Namibia vs Safari in Botswana

So, you’ve settled on southern Africa as your ideal safari destination, but you can’t choose between two lands of contrasting beauty: Namibia and Botswana. In Namibia, the vast Namib Desert swallows up the land, stretching from sea to city. Further north, wildlife congregates at Etosha National Park to take advantage of its clay pans. Botswana, meanwhile, boasts the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site frequented by the world’s best wildlife filmmakers and countless travellers.

Despite sharing an immense border, Namibia and Botswana are incredibly different. While Botswana has its own desert regions, including the incredible Central Kalahari Game Reserve, it’s nowhere near as arid as Namibia. Instead, seasonal floods transform the Okavango Delta into a veritable wetland paradise – during the dry season, no less!

However, when it comes to safaris, both countries boast some of the finest game viewing in all of Africa. So, if you don’t plan on visiting both, how can you possibly choose? Well, we’ve built thousands of bespoke itineraries for travellers over the years, and this is where it all starts. If you really have to choose just one, you’ll need to be equipped with everything you need to know about safaris in Namibia and Botswana, how they differ, and the types of experiences you can expect on either side of the border. Let’s dive straight into it and help you choose your next African safari destination.

Quick Comparison: Namibia vs Botswana

The weather is predictable in both countries, especially when planning around the rainy season – and this matters for a safari. During the dry winter months, there’s less vegetation, making it easier to spot wildlife in the bush. Additionally, animals congregate around water sources, ensuring excellent game-viewing opportunities at waterholes and rivers.

Nowhere is this more spectacular than in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. During the dry season, rain is scarce, but the delta transforms into a vast wetland as water flows in from sources far north in Angola. Herbivores thrive on the abundant vegetation, while predators take full advantage. Remarkably, lions in the delta have adapted to navigate crocodile- and hippo-infested waterways to hunt their prey.

In Namibia, the Etosha National Park offers incredible wildlife viewing during the dry season, as animals flock to its famous salt pans and waterholes. Namibia’s desert landscapes, including the iconic Sossusvlei dunes and Skeleton Coast, provide a stark but stunning contrast to its wildlife regions. The country experiences dry winters and hot summers, with minimal rainfall in most areas, making it easier to plan safaris year-round. However, temperatures can soar in the summer months, especially in desert regions, so timing your visit during the cooler winter or shoulder seasons is ideal for comfortable exploration.

Namibia’s wildlife is as diverse as its dramatic landscapes, offering a unique safari experience. Etosha National Park is a standout destination, renowned for its vast salt pans and waterholes that attract an array of animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes.

Namibia is also home to some of the world’s most iconic desert-adapted species, such as the hardy oryx, springbok, and the unique desert lions and elephants, which have evolved to survive in the harsh arid conditions of the Namib Desert and Kunene Region.

Along the remote Skeleton Coast, visitors may encounter Cape fur seals and even elusive brown hyenas. Namibia’s commitment to conservation has fostered thriving populations of wildlife, with extensive community-based conservancies playing a key role in protecting species like the critically endangered black rhino.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta presents a more remote and exclusive experience. Known for its seasonal flooding, the delta transforms into a lush oasis during the dry season, attracting large herds of elephants, buffaloes, and various predators. Chobe National Park is another prime location for viewing wildlife, particularly its massive elephant populations that crisscross their way across the Chobe River. The water also attracts huge flocks of migrating birds during the wet season.

Botswana’s unique water-based safaris and low-impact tourism policies emphasise preservation and seclusion, creating a more intimate connection with nature.

Best Safari Destinations

If You Want to See the Big Five

You can see all of the Big Five in Namibia, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to do this in one place. Etosha National Park has four of these iconic animals, but you’ll have to find African buffalo elsewhere.

That makes Botswana the clear winner for Big Five safaris (although rhinos are challenging to see). Both Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park offer epic wildlife sightings, including lions with dark manes and buffalo that spend much of their time with just their heads poking out from the water!

If You Want to See Lots of Elephants

Some sources estimate that there are over 100,000 in Botswana’s Chobe National Park alone. The healthy population means that this is one of the only places where lions actively hunt elephants!

If You Want to See Big Cats

You can see lions, leopards, and cheetahs in both Namibia and Botswana. Namibia is famous for its desert-adapted lions, while Botswana’s Okavango Delta has thriving populations of both lions and leopards.

Namibia also has one of the largest populations of cheetahs that live outside of protected areas, thanks to various conservation initiatives based around the country.

If You Want to See Birds

The Okavango Delta is the undisputed winner here. The seasonal floods attract immense numbers of birds from as far afield as Siberia, and the abundance of local species like eagles, vultures, and colourful bee-eaters makes it a bird photographer’s dream. A bit further south, flamingos and other waders fill the brackish waters of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Activities

Going on safari is all about wildlife, but you can combine your game viewing with plenty of other exciting activities. In some cases, you can even enjoy a safari from above.

Safety

• Southern Africa is generally safe for tourists, particularly in well-established safari destinations like South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. However, it is always advisable to follow local guidelines and travel advisories.
• Safari lodges and parks have stringent safety protocols in place to ensure the safety of guests, including guided game drives and secure accommodations.
• Urban areas may have higher crime rates, so travellers should take standard precautions and stay vigilant.

Ready to Make Your Decision?

Both Namibia and Botswana provide exceptional safari experiences, but the right choice depends on what you’re after.

If you’re looking for striking desert landscapes and unique wildlife adaptations, Namibia is an excellent choice. You can explore iconic destinations like Etosha National Park, renowned for its salt pans and abundant waterhole game viewing, or venture into the rugged wilderness of Damaraland to see desert-adapted elephants and rhinos. Namibia’s dramatic landscapes, such as the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and the windswept Skeleton Coast, also provide incredible opportunities for photography and exploration.

However, if you’re drawn to a more exclusive safari experience, Botswana might be more suitable. The Okavango Delta offers a unique water-based safari experience, and Botswana’s emphasis on low-impact tourism ensures fewer crowds and a deeper connection with nature. From the incredible herds of elephants that traverse Chobe National Park to the Zebra Migration that takes place across Nxai Pan National Park and Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana offers unforgettable safari experiences.

Whichever destination you choose, you’ll come to appreciate why both Namibia and Botswana are among the best safari spots in Africa. When you’re ready to plan your adventure, speak to one of our expert safari travel planners, and we’ll help create your perfect itinerary.