The Botswana safari experience tends to be unlike any other in terms of exclusivity and luxury. Accommodation is world-class and stylishly chic, the wildlife and guiding are outstanding with general standards of service superb across the board. As a result, Botswana is a safari haven and the most expensive of all the African safari options. .
The expense is certainly justified however; a Botswana safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The dry season here (between May and October) sees some of the greatest wildlife migration on the planet as the Okavango Delta receives floodwater from the Angolan highlands, attracting a huge variety of game drawn from the arid Kalahari desert. Visitor numbers to the private concessions are strictly limited, making for a truly exclusive and intimate safari experience.
Botswana is unique amongst its neighbours in its conservation strategy of low-volume / high-value tourism, conceived way back in the 1960s and diligently adhered to. The Botswana people know that their country is one of the last true wildernesses on earth, and they want it to stay that way.
1. The Okavango Delta. If you have ever wondered what animals dream about, we’re pretty sure they dream about being in the Delta. This is Eden, a lush green paradise where elephants rumble about taking their pick of bulging fruits, hippos man the waterways and predators stretch out a paw for a meal.
2. Exclusivity is the name of the game for those on safari in Botswana, by decree of the government. We’re not just repeating the same old mantra when we say you’ll only see the occasional other traveller, this is the real deal.
3. Botswana is a year-round destination because it is fascinating all year round! The landscapes change dramatically, many areas going from flood to drought and back again, and there is always something exhilarating to experience. You can never be sure of what you’re going to step in to when you arrive for your Botswana safari.
4. The Migration. No, not the wildebeest of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara; we’re talking about the other, lesser-known but nevertheless huge migration of 25,000 zebra which move about within Botswana’s borders in search of water.
5. Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa, with the Chobe River supporting up to 50,000 during the dry season. If elephants are your priority, Botswana is the safari destination for you.
There are various factors to carefully consider when choosing accommodation in Botswana. The primary factor in the Okavango Delta area is the flood waters, generally at its lowest in December and highest in July across the region. Camps are divided into 'wet camps' (close to main channels, which have water year-round), 'dry camps' and 'mixed camps'. Wet camps offer boating safaris in mokoro canoes; dry camps are best for viewing the big game, predators and grazers (game drives are taken in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives and walking may also be possible); and mixed camps can offer the best of both. We recommend a combination of two or three different types of camp for the variety of wildlife and experience.
Camps vary enormously in style and feel, as well as by location and the range of activities offered. We can help you put together the perfect combination of camps for you, according to your travel dates, budget, required activities and general preferences.
For a taster, some of our favourite lodgings include Little Vurumba in the Okavango Delta which offers some of the best water and land-based game viewing in Africa. It is expensive, but for an amazing safari only a stone throw away, not to mention the seclusion and privacy it offers, you can't get much better!
Another Delta hideaway is Little Mombo which, my god, will cater for your every single need. Only with 3 rooms, and bundles of staff you will be reasonably well attended to during your stay here!
Voted the best safari experience in the whole of Africa, Zarafa will give you a safari of a lifetime in the Savute/Linyanti areas of Botswana. This is if you want to fork out around $2,500 per person per night... The ultimate safari location naturally comes at a price!
Overlooking a waterhole, at Savute Safari Lodge you can enjoy a G&T by the pool whilst watching all the thirsty animals congregate at your feet. Of course game drives are still necessary, but there is a limited amount of places in Africa where you can enjoy this kind of wildlife from the comfort of your so-very-Botswana luxury accommodation.
Botswana is unique amongst its neighbours in its conservation strategy of low-volume / high-value tourism, conceived way back in the 1960s and diligently adhered to. The Botswana people know that their country is one of the last true wildernesses on earth, and they want it to stay that way.
Why choose Botswana for your safari?
1. The Okavango Delta. If you have ever wondered what animals dream about, we’re pretty sure they dream about being in the Delta. This is Eden, a lush green paradise where elephants rumble about taking their pick of bulging fruits, hippos man the waterways and predators stretch out a paw for a meal.
2. Exclusivity is the name of the game for those on safari in Botswana, by decree of the government. We’re not just repeating the same old mantra when we say you’ll only see the occasional other traveller, this is the real deal.
3. Botswana is a year-round destination because it is fascinating all year round! The landscapes change dramatically, many areas going from flood to drought and back again, and there is always something exhilarating to experience. You can never be sure of what you’re going to step in to when you arrive for your Botswana safari.
4. The Migration. No, not the wildebeest of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara; we’re talking about the other, lesser-known but nevertheless huge migration of 25,000 zebra which move about within Botswana’s borders in search of water.
5. Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa, with the Chobe River supporting up to 50,000 during the dry season. If elephants are your priority, Botswana is the safari destination for you.
What are the best safari lodges in Botswana?
There are various factors to carefully consider when choosing accommodation in Botswana. The primary factor in the Okavango Delta area is the flood waters, generally at its lowest in December and highest in July across the region. Camps are divided into 'wet camps' (close to main channels, which have water year-round), 'dry camps' and 'mixed camps'. Wet camps offer boating safaris in mokoro canoes; dry camps are best for viewing the big game, predators and grazers (game drives are taken in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives and walking may also be possible); and mixed camps can offer the best of both. We recommend a combination of two or three different types of camp for the variety of wildlife and experience.
Camps vary enormously in style and feel, as well as by location and the range of activities offered. We can help you put together the perfect combination of camps for you, according to your travel dates, budget, required activities and general preferences.
For a taster, some of our favourite lodgings include Little Vurumba in the Okavango Delta which offers some of the best water and land-based game viewing in Africa. It is expensive, but for an amazing safari only a stone throw away, not to mention the seclusion and privacy it offers, you can't get much better!
Another Delta hideaway is Little Mombo which, my god, will cater for your every single need. Only with 3 rooms, and bundles of staff you will be reasonably well attended to during your stay here!
Voted the best safari experience in the whole of Africa, Zarafa will give you a safari of a lifetime in the Savute/Linyanti areas of Botswana. This is if you want to fork out around $2,500 per person per night... The ultimate safari location naturally comes at a price!
Overlooking a waterhole, at Savute Safari Lodge you can enjoy a G&T by the pool whilst watching all the thirsty animals congregate at your feet. Of course game drives are still necessary, but there is a limited amount of places in Africa where you can enjoy this kind of wildlife from the comfort of your so-very-Botswana luxury accommodation.
