Botswana Safari

Botswana Overview

Landscape of the Okavango Delta

Botswana safari holidays provide the most exclusive and spectacular wildlife and big 5 experience in Southern Africa. This unspoiled country gives you a taste of true wilderness and entices you with world class safari experiences in Botswana that challenge that of its neighboring Southern African countries. Low-impact travel is the future of tourism and Botswana is the leading destination for eco-friendly upmarket safaris. Whether you choose an Okavango Delta safari or a Chobe river safari, you can rest assured that you’re not negatively impacting the natural environment and are contributing to a culture of sustainable travel. With a Botswana safari you can experience a traditional big game wildlife safari in one of Africa’s top destinations.

From the evergreen jewel of the Okavango Delta, the heart of Botswana’s safari attractions, to the jam-packed elephant paradise of the Chobe, Botswana holiday packages offers a diverse and one-of-a-kind.

Travel further south of the delta to the far-flung stretches of the Makgadikgadi saltpans and the semi-desert grasslands of the beautiful Kalahari. You’ll be spoiled for choice with the option to go on guided game drives, nature walks, river cruises, canoe trips or explore on the backs of elephants and horses to make the most of Botswana's legendary wildlife.

Anyone who has been to Makgadikgadi would tell you that the zebra migration is one of the biggest highlights of your Botswana safari vacation if you visit the region at the right time of the year. There are a range of Makgadikgadi safari packages available that suit every traveller. The zebra migration is a spectacular sight and is unique to this corner of Botswana. This particular migration is Africa’s second largest after the Serengeti migration. It occurs in the rainy season when Makgadikgadi salt pans transform into a paradise of shallow streams, large pool-like puddles and vibrant green vistas. The Okavango Delta, fed by the Okavango River, swells each rainy season and creates a vast wetland teeming with life. The migration of some 30 000 strong zebra is a traditional journey from Makgadikgadi to Okavango Delta, in search of mineral-rich grasses, safe breeding grounds and, of course, water, creating a sight which is unforgettable and absolutely breathtaking. This little known wonder attracts small crowds, ensuring an exclusive safari experience, and is best seen from one of the Botswana luxury safari camps in the Makgadikgadi and Nxai National Parks or the Kalahari Desert, all teeming with wildlife and lush greenery during the rainy season.

The Chobe is home to Africa's largest elephant population as well as huge herds of buffalo, zebra and many antelope species, and with such abundant game, Botswana has plenty of Africa's top predators – lion, leopard, hyenas and rare wild dogs. Why not take a Chobe river safari to see the Big 5 in Botswana? Even the bird watching is incomparable with sightings including cormorants, pelicans, herons, egrets, bustards, cranes, plovers, lapwings, storks, giant kingfishers, bee eaters, and of course, the iconic African fish eagle. A boat trip along the Chobe River, a river separating Botswana and Namibia, allows you to see the animals from a different perspective and get up close and personal with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other animals coming down to the river to drink. Afterwards, enjoy the saltpans and Kalahari scrubland south of the delta. A Kalahari safari vacation gives you the opportunity to enjoy this region which is home to exceptional experiences like quad biking safaris and genuine cultural encounters with Africa’s indigenous people, the San.

Botswana safaris

Places to Visit in Botswana

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    The Kalahari


    The most remote game reserve in Africa. The Kalahari was, until very recently, closed to the public. If you’re an adventurous traveler seeking a real wilderness safari in Botswana experience, the Kalahari in central Botswana is your dream come true.

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    Kgalagadi


    Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park gives you an opportunity to break away from the idea of a typical safari. This semi-desert national park straddles the dunes of the South African and Botswana border, with beautiful landscapes and different wildlife as cheetah, hyena, honey badger, bat-eared fox, meerkat, and many others.

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    Moremi


    Moremi holds tremendous scientific, environmental and conservation value. Definitely worthwhile to stop and see cheetahs and leopard or large prides of lions on the northeast tip of Moremi, along Khwai River,

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    Okavango Delta


    Okavango Delta safari holiday gives entrance to the spectacle of wild Africa in a pure and untouched way. It is only on a Okavango Delta safari that you can experience the heart-stopping excitement of big game viewing, the supreme tranquility and serenity of an unscathed delta, and evocative sight of amazing natural beauty.

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    Chobe National park


    Welcome to the home of over 50,000 elephants. During an afternoon drive you may be surrounded by elephants, as the main road becomes impassable and scores of family herds cross the main road to make their way to the river to drink, bathe and play.

Best Time to Visit Botswana

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DRY SEASON (May to October)

  • The dry season is the most popular time for tourists, however thanks to Botswana’s model of low volume, high quality, areas never seem to get too crowded.
  • Rain is rare and most days will have clear skies.
  • Very few mosquitos (You get to have peaceful sleep during safaris for once!).
  • Wildlife is easier to spot because animals are generally concentrated around waterholes and rivers.
  • It gets cold at night and in the mornings.

WET SEASON (November to April)

  • There is lots of rain, however, rain generally occurs in short afternoon showers only, which means you’ll have the rest of the day to explore.
  • It’s the low season and safaris and hotels are generally cheaper with fewer tourists.
  • You get to see lots of migratory animals such as certain birds.
  • It’s much warmer.

things to do in Botswana

WILDLIFE SAFARI

GAME VIEWING

Hiking

PHOTOGRAPHY

snorkeling

CAMPING

fly in safari

Kite-Surfing

balloning

bird-watching

CULTURE-TRAVEL

Beach & relax

Things to Carry on Botswana Tours

  • Casual clothes. Even if you’re staying at a luxury resort, you only need casual clothes.
  • Flight information, passport and travel insurance, etc. An electronic copy may be not enough.
  • 3-5 short-sleeved t-shirts and 2 long sleeved shirts plus your waterproof jacket.
  • Take only two pairs of shoes. High heels are not recommended.
  • A track suit works well to sleep in while a sports bra for women can be handy on game drives.
  • Loose layers and accessories that protect you from the sun and biting insects
  • Jeans are not a good idea, denim takes forever to dry.
  • A Kindle or iPad will keep you busy while you're in transit or waiting.
  • Remember, crime is not rampant in Botswana.
  • Pack flip-flops for in the showers and boating trips.
  • Phone and charger (available sim card at the airport in Botswana).
  • Local currency (Botswana Pula). Even though the dollar and rand are widely accepted
  • Camera and charger. This is a must
  • Comfortable shoes (takkies)
  • Also a pack of wet wipes and some leave in/dry shampoo.
  • If you're planning on doing a mokoro safari, include a waterproof bag to store your electronics.
  • Bring some motion sickness tablets if you plan on taking a helicopter ride.
  • A headlamp or torch for the nights into the wild
  • Pack a good pair of polarised sunglasses.
  • Don’t forget your sun block, a hat and insect repellent.
  • Waterproof jacket - specially during wet season.
  • If you have a small solar charger, pack it.
  • A backpack will come in handy to store your possessions during the day while you’re on safari
  • A couple of re-sealable plastic bags.
  • Botswana uses a mix of the British-type plug (Type G – three rectangular pins) and the South African type plug (Type M – three round pins).
  • It is a good idea to get adapters on arrival. Lodges often provide loan adapters.
  • Most importantly, bring an open mind and an adventurous spirit.