Botswana Safari

Botswana safari highlights

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:

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.

Year-round wildlife:

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.

Elephants:

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. 

The best Botswana safari regions: the options  

Linyanti – A private & dry park but with a river, Linyanti offers exclusivity, unbelievable wildlife (fantastic leopard, wild dog, elephants) and with beautiful sunset boat rides. Action packed game drives are the main attraction here.

Okavango Delta – Big 5 galore in a magical private reserve. Wild dog, unique wildlife adapted to the watery landscapes, boating, game drives, night drives, walking, horse riding… Diverse, teeming with life and with activities for days, The Okavango Delta is rightly heralded as offering the best wildlife viewing experience in the whole of Africa.

Chobe National Park – A public park meaning it is a little busier than Linyanti and the Delta, but with fantastic wildlife for less money.

Makgadikgadi Pans – The wild card; people come here more for the unique & beautiful landscapes and the meerkats rather than for a classic African wildlife safari. For the adventurous, it is a great option with horse riding and quad biking trips through this dramatic and wild land.
 

Botswana safari holiday itineraries: the details 

Botswana has a great light aircraft flying circuit, hopping from one lodge to the next. Our most popular itinerary is 5 or 6 nights in the Delta (2 or 3 nights in each of 2 types of lodges), then moving up to Savuti/Linyanti for 3 nights, then on to Zambia (Victoria Falls) for some R&R - and plenty of adventure activities for adrenaline seekers, including rafting, canoeing and bungee jumping. This itinerary takes in such huge variety in landscapes, wildlife and game-viewing options - it also works perfectly in reverse! Alternatively the fascinating city of Cape Town is a wonderful place to spend a few days, just 3 hours from Maun.   
 
For the more adventurous, or those seeking something different, a week in the Linyanti/Savuti/Delta areas could be followed by 3 or 4 nights around the Makgadikgadi Pans where the zebra migration's fight for survival is at its most prevalent. 
 
There are various options for combining a Botswana safari with other destinations.  The most popular option is a week or ten days in the Botswana wilderness, followed by a short hop from Chobe to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls for some R&R - and plenty of adventure activities for adrenaline seekers, including rafting, canoeing and bungee jumping!  Alternatively the fascinating city of Cape Town is a wonderful place to spend a few days, just 3 hours from Maun.   
 
Beach extensions from Botswana require a connection in Johannesburg; from here there are various fabulous beach options including Zanzibar (just off the Tanzania coast), Mozambique, Seychelles and Mauritius.  Let us know what you are after and we will talk through all the options with you.

Botswana parks: public or private?

Public: Busier than private parks, national park regulations means no extra activities (except boating) but overall good value for money if your priorities are seeing the fantastic Botswana wildlife.

Private: An exclusive safari experience, more freedom to get closer to wildlife & move off road, quieter than public parks, unbelievable wildlife, more activities (including night drives) and generally more freedom to make the most out of your safari experience. However, this comes with a price tag!
 

Botswana safari lodges and camps

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. 
 

Dry, mixed or wet safari camps?

 
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.
 

Botswana safari activities

Botswana offers a wide range of safari activities including your normal jeep game drives, night game drives in the private concessions, walking safaris and boating safaris in mokoros (dugout canoes). Each of the concessions have different landscapes and the game viewing experience varies quite a lot. With Botswana, it is best to mix a range of different camps that can offer a variety of activities so you can experience this extraordinary country from all possible perspectives.

Best time to visit Botswana for a safari holiday

Any time is a good time to visit Botswana... as previously mentioned, it changes dramatically throughout the year. However, the best time is from mid-May to mid-November with probably July, August and September being the prime months to go as the Okavango Delta is experiencing its annual flood. From October onwards it begins to get extremely hot, but with the heat comes some fascinating game viewing. The rainy season is from the middle of December to the middle of March, however, compared to other Africa countries the rains are not too severe. During this time, visit the Kalahari Desert and the Makgadikgadi’s to witness Botswana’s own mini migration of zebra and plains animals. Call and ask one of our Botswana experts about when the different game viewing areas are at their best or visit our Botswana page. 

Cost of a safari in Botswana: prices

 
It is true that a Botswana safari has the potential to be the most expensive holiday you can go on… As an example for the best value combination though, a 3 night stay in Splash Camp (Okavango Delta), and 3 nights in Lebala (Linyanti) would cost $4,000 per person (low season prices!). The most costly and luxurious trips can go all the way up to $30,000 per person…  

AFRICA ODYSSEY’S BOTSWANA SAFARI TIPS

Botswana luxury safari holidays

Combine the Okavango Delta with Linyanti for the ultimate private & exclusive safari experience

Helicopter over Delta to grasp the full beauty of the watery & magical Okavango

For the ultimate luxury African safari camp, take a peek at Mombo Camp…
 

Botswana honeymoon safaris

Ask us about the best camps for this, but at Duma Tau you can enjoy a romantic sleep-out under the stars, giving your honeymoon in the wild that extra special touch it deserves.  

Head over to the Makgadikgadi Pans if you are an adventurous pair in search of wide spaces & beautiful backdrops. This will give you some variation and allow you to enjoy some really very different activities alongside the traditional 4x4 game drives.

On a honeymoon especially, it is important to look at the smaller safari camps in private concessions. This will give you an extremely intimate and memorable safari.

Botswana family safaris

Check out Seba Camp for the ultimate family holiday lodge – as a base for elephant research, there is so much for kids to learn about here, and it offers a truly immersive and educational experience for all ages.

If you are looking to travel to the private reserves then go in off peak season! The prices plummet & the wildlife is still amongst the best in Africa.

Desert and Delta child rates are fantastic, so if you want to cut the cost of what can be a hugely expensive family holiday, then ask us about their camps.
 

Botswana horse safaris

Okavango Horse Safaris – Thw rustic, adventurous option which will see you packing up your things and riding to different mobile camping spots. ‘Fly campin’ with an even more adventurous twist.  

Raw Botswana – A relaxed way to enjoy a riding safari, with a leisurely 2 hour afternoon ride.

African Horseback – This company see’s luxury combined with riding. You stay at the same luxury lodges and go for rides from that camp, and return back every day.
 

What to pack & what to wear on a Botswana safari?

For detailed information about what to pack for your safari, please see our pre departure information page. For Botswana in particular though, the main thing (which many do not think of) is to bring some layers! It can be pretty chilly in the mornings as you rise early to catch the best wildlife action. Other essentials for your actual safari include binoculars and a camera.
 

Botswana Safari Vs South Africa Safari

Both Botswana and South Africa offer visitors an incredible game viewing very comfortable accommodation. A safari in Botswana is a truly incredible experience, with some of the best game viewing in Africa as well as the best lodges. South Africa also has many incredible lodges that could easily rival Botswana in terms of luxury and service levels. The game viewing however, is a little different. The best place for safari in South Africa is in the Sabi Sands area adjacent to the Kruger National Park. An excellent area with a high concentration of game... Even now, Botswana has a much wilder and raw feel to it. The animals move around more naturally than in South Africa, and the private concessions mean you get a far more private safari.  

Botswana Safari further details:

Between us here in our office we have visited almost every lodge or camp in Botswana that is worth talking about, so the best way to book a Botswana safari is to get in touch and have a chat with us. Email us on [email protected] or call through on 1866 356 4691 in the US or the UK on 020 8704 1216