Botswana
Botswana is arguably the world's best safari destination. Here you will find some of Africa's largest and wildest game reserves, and landscapes ranging from semi-desert to forests, and from dry savannas to watery swamps, all teeming with wildlife.
Botswana is known for its huge herds of animals, especially elephants, congregating at the main water sources in the dry season. There are hundreds of safari lodges in Botswana, most of them situated in prime safari areas and priced in USD.
The top game reserves and wildlife areas in Botswana include the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe Game Reserve (including Savute), the Kwando and Linyanti regions, the Makgadikgadi Pans, and the Kalahari.
- Botswana Highlights
- Wild, remote places
- Safaris in beautiful, unspoilt wilderness areas
- Big game (excluding rhino in most areas)
- Excellent game viewing
- Friendly people
Botswana is a very popular safari destination, and with good reason. Most lodges charge in USD, so it is not a cheap destination, but the game viewing and safari experience in Botswana is hard to beat.
Botswana is a very seasonal destination. The impact of the rains and dry and wet cycle are very noticable, and it is worth researching the seasons before you visit. The Okavango Delta is most affected by the annual ebb and flood of water levels, which depends on rainfall higher up in the Okavango river system. In other areas, the local rainfall is the most significant influence. For example, during the dry season when the smaller pans and waterholes have dried up, large numbers of animals congregate at the remaining water sources and main river systems, including the Boteti River, the Savute channel, the Kwando and Linyanti rivers, and of course the Chobe River. During the rainy season, water and grazing is available in abundance and the animals spread out over large areas, making game viewing more difficult. Yet this is one of the most beautiful seasons, when young animals abound, the bush is lush and green and the migratory birds are here in numbers. Many plants are in flower and there are some dramatic cloud formations and thunderstorms.
Another big difference affecting the safari experience in Botswana is the location of the lodges. Many lodges are situated in the national parks and official reserves, where no off-road driving is allowed, and no bush walks or night drives are conducted. Other lodges are built on privately owned land or private concession areas, where off-road driving is permitted, bush walks are possible and night drives with spotlights are conducted.
Botswana (and in particular the northern rivers) offers the best boat-based game viewing in the world. It is a unique and fascinating experience to quietly drift close to a herd of elephants drinking on the river bank, offering you an unhindered view of these magnificent animals as they drink, splash and spray the water, only meters away from the boat. Equally unique is the tranquil experience of floating down a palm-lined channel in the Okavango Delta, giving you close up views of hippos, herons and kingfishers in the nearby reeds. The Okavango Delta is without doubt one of the top birding spots in Africa.
The top two safari destinations within Botswana are the Okavango Delta (including Moremi) and the Chobe River area of the Chobe National Park.
Botswana is accessible by road from Victoria Falls, or by air from Maun, Kasane or Victoria Falls. Some lodges can only be reached by air, and charter flights are the most common form of transport between lodges.
Please have a look at the Botswana safari calendar for more information on weather and what to expect during different times of the year.
When to visit Botswana
Know the best time of the year to go
A safari travel calendar to help you decide when to visit Botswana, with seasonal highlights.
Go to the When to visit Botswana Calendar
Before you go to Botswana
Malaria is a consideration in Botswana
Learn more about malaria areas and malaria prevention in Southern Africa.
