Botswana Safari Lodges - Secrets to choosing the right camp

Budget

Botswana is one of the most popular but also one of the most expensive safari destinations in Africa. Most lodges are priced in USD for foreign visitors. I often get asked why Botswana is so expensive. One reason is the policy of Botswana's government to minimise impact and maximise revenue from tourism.

Botswana has opted for a low volume, high yield approach to safari tourism. Even for small lodges, concession fees are expensive. Many lodges are situated in remote locations and can only be reached by light aircraft. This affects the cost of getting supplies, which is reflected in higher rates. In addition, a typical Botswana safari itinerary will include several inter-lodge flights which will add significantly to the overall trip cost.

One of the best ways to get good value for money in Botswana is to combine lodges from the same lodge chain and make use of whatever long-stay discount or specials they may be offering. There are several well-known lodge chains operating in Botswana, each with a nice portfolio of different camps and lodges.

Seasons

Botswana is a very seasonal destination, and it's important to know how the seasons differ so you can choose the best time of year to go on safari. During the peak safari season, from July to October, prices are at their highest, and in many areas, game viewing is at its best.

This is the dry season, which means rain is unlikely, and animals flock to permanent water sources such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe River and other permanent waterways. The peak season and dry season end in October, the hottest month of the year in Botswana.

November is shoulder season and transition time. The first rains arrive and bring relief from the heat, the impalas and many other animals have their young, and the bush begins to turn green. December to March is the rainy season or green season, and this is also the low season with lowest prices. For someone who wants to explore Botswana on a tight budget, this will be a good time to consider. The green season is also known as the secret season.

This is one of the best times to visit the dry Central Kalahari as well as the salt pans (Makgadigadi and Nxai Pan areas) as the green season brings herds of zebras and other grazers to these grassy plains, followed by the predators that hunt them. It's also the best birding season. April to June is shoulder season again. The rain subsides and the bush begins to dry out, but water levels continue to rise.

Okavango Water Levels

Much depends on the water levels in the Okavango Delta. At the end of the dry season, during low water levels in the delta, large green floodplains are exposed and attract an array of different animals. During this time, many lodges in the delta have access to bigger traversing areas which are normally underwater during the flood season.

A common misconception is that the rainy season is also the flood season. The rising of the Okavango water level does not coincide with the rainy season. The flood season follows several months after the rainy season. In fact, peak water levels are often reached during July or August, deep into the dry season. In areas further away such as the Boteti River and Savute Channel, the flood levels peak even later. And the lowest water levels are often reached in December or January, well into the rainy season.

Land-based or Water-based Camps

A key difference between different lodges, in particular within the Okavango Delta region, is whether they are land-based or water-based camps. Typically, at water-based camps, the focus is on water activities such as boat cruises, mekoro (traditional dugout canoe) trips, fishing, and bush walks on islands in the Delta. Sometimes, water-based camps will offer limited game drives during the low water season, but do not have any land to conduct game drives on during high water season.

By contrast, land-based lodges focus on land-based activities, mainly game drives. If they have access to water, they may also offer boat cruises, mekoro trips and perhaps activities such as fishing, but the focus is on game drives. Land-based lodges are a better option for people who want to maximise their game viewing, as opportunities for game viewing during water activities is a bit more limited. Water-based lodges are often a great way to just relax and take in the beauty of the wilderness at a slower pace.

Private Concession or Government Game Reserve

Another key issue affecting the safari experience in Botswana is whether the lodge is situated within a government game reserve or national park, or not.