Worldwide Safaris
Botswana safari landscape
← All safari tours
Safari Itineraries·Botswana·8 safaris

Botswana

Okavango channels, Chobe's riverine elephants, the Kalahari's dry season — Botswana for purists.

About Botswana

A closer look at Botswana.

Botswana is Africa's most tightly managed safari destination. Low volumes, high prices, no fences around most reserves. The Okavango Delta — a river that never reaches the sea — is the headline, a mosaic of palm islands and channels that fills up in the dry season.

Most of our Botswana itineraries fly between lodges. Drive times are long and roads limited. Camps are small — often 8 to 12 tents — and the guiding standard is the highest in Africa.

What we build trips around

The headline safari highlights

01

Okavango Delta

Explored by mokoro (dug-out canoe) and 4x4. Water levels peak between June and September.

02

Chobe National Park

The highest elephant density in Africa along the Chobe River. Boat cruises are obligatory.

03

Moremi Game Reserve

The dry heart of the Delta — excellent predator viewing and broad mixed habitat.

04

Kalahari & Makgadikgadi

Seasonal salt pans and desert. Green season brings zebras and flamingos; dry season brings silence.

When to go

Best time to visit

May through October is dry season, which is when the Delta is flooded and wildlife concentrates on water. November through March is green season — lower prices, newborn animals, occasional rain.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
MayDelta floodwaters arrive
Jun
JulPeak water levels
Aug
Sep
OctDry peak, game concentration
NovHeat builds, first rains near
Dec
Peak Good Shoulder Low season
CapitalGaborone (Maun is the safari hub)
CurrencyBotswana Pula · USD accepted at lodges
LanguageEnglish & Setswana
VisaVisa-free for most passports for up to 90 days
FlightsFly via Johannesburg to Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK)
HealthMalaria precaution in northern Botswana; no yellow fever unless transiting
Questions we get

Botswana FAQ

Can't find what you're looking for? Drop us a line — a real safari expert will write back within 24 hours.

Ask a question
Why is Botswana so expensive?

Low-volume high-value tourism is policy. Camps are small, and park entry, concessions and conservation levies are deliberately high. It keeps the wild feeling wild.

Do I need to fly between camps?

Almost always yes. Roads in the Delta are seasonal and slow, and scheduled light-aircraft transfers are part of the experience.

What does a typical Delta day look like?

Morning game drive at dawn, back to camp for brunch, midday rest, then a mokoro trip or boat cruise followed by a sundowner game drive.

Is Botswana a good family destination?

Yes, but check camp age minimums — many are 6+ or 12+. We book family-friendly camps with dedicated guides for children.

Can't find the right fit?

Build a private Botswana safari from scratch.

Tell us your dates, travellers and what you most want to see — a senior safari expert will return a bespoke Botswana itinerary within 24 hours.