Botswana – What to Expect and Advice
Botswana has some of Africa’s finest camps and lodges. These range from five star luxury to more modest traditional tented camps. As well as mobile set ups. But whatever you choose the experience is always high quality.
Botswana has deliberately kept its safari industry low key and exclusive. And sustainable! With a strong emphasis on putting monies back into the local communities and conservation. This shows in both the rich wildlife and consistently high levels of service. Hospitality and guiding skills are exceptional here, in both the smaller more rustic lodges and the high end.
If cost is important to you, then due to Botswana’s dry climate, we’d seriously suggest you consider travelling during the green season (November to April). The rains here are not as heavy as some of Botswana’s neightbours. In addition the wildlife is still just as plentiful, the colours more vibrant. Plus many of the lodges run green season special offers.
Our Insider Tips
Combine 3 or 4 camps or lodges in different environments. e.g. Kalahari or Salt Pans, ‘wet’ Delta, ‘dry’ Delta, and Savuti/Linyanti/Kwando enclaves.
If cost is important to you, then due to Botswana’s dry climate, we’d seriously suggest you consider travelling during the green season (November to April). The rains here are not as heavy as some of Botswana’s neightbours. In addition the wildlife is still just as plentiful, the colours more vibrant. Plus many of the lodges run green season special offers.
For those wanting a fantastic safari experience then Botswana is safe and stable and won’t disappoint.
Botswana’s Top Wildlife Viewing Areas
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is the country’s main attraction. It’s the world’s largest inland delta – an incredibly lush oasis in the middle of the Kalahari desert. Some of the best wildlife in Africa takes refuge here.
The Okavango Delta is a vast patchwork of wet and dry ‘islands’. Huge herds of elephant and buffalo roam this paradise, complemented by a plentiful collection of browsers and grazers. And predators naturally flock to where food is so plentiful.
It is worth staying in a private concession or reserve as opposed to the main National Parks. Since then you will also be able to do walking safaris, and night time activities which aren’t permitted in the Park itself. The wildlife is just as plentiful across the whole area, and many lodges adjoin the Parks to give the best of both worlds.
A safe and reliable safari destination, the Okavango doesn’t disappoint, and easily combines with Victoria Falls, and Capetown.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is world famous. It is part of a huge wildlife corridor between Botswana and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park to the east. Towards the end of the dry season wildlife flocks to the Chobe ‘waterfront’ area near to Kasane. Here there is plentiful water to drink in the permanent waters of the Chobe River.
Unfortunately, so do the hordes of visitors! Along the riverfront multiple hotels and lodges have sprung up in the busy, dusty town of Kasane. This makes for an affordable and cheerful safari destination, with some outstanding wildlife viewing. But the downside is that it is not one where you will be alone in remote wilderness.
Interestingly, the lions of Chobe and the neighbouring reserves are not phased by the many visitors. In fact, they have developed clever hunting techniques of using the safari vehicles as cover, behind which they stalk the local buffalo, to which they are partial.
Those wanting privacy, and smaller camps and lodges should head to the escarpment further inland, or ideally the Linyanti, Savuti and Selinda private reserves to the east – where wildlife is just as numerous, if not better, without the volume of tourism. Read on below…
Eastern Chobe – Savuti, Selina, Linyanti, Kwando, Kwara
The private reserves to the East of Chobe National Park are an exclusive alternative to the more mainstream Chobe National Park. Also with incredible numbers of wildlife. Here are some of our absolute favourite bush-camps that are mainly only accessible by air. Giving you privileged access to private areas that simply teem with wildlife due to year round water sources.
We speak from experience when we say that this is one of the greatest spots on the African continent to visit, especially if you wish to support local communities and environmentally friendly lodges which are less commercialised and personal.
The Linyanti Swamp is one of Africa’s best kept safari secrets and the Savuti and Kwando with their strong predator numbers and annual zebra migration have been the subject of numerous TV documentaries.
As well as large numbers of lion, leopard and hyena, the region is particularly famous for the recent increase in the African wild dog population, now re-branded as painted wolves! As a highly social animal they are wonderful and engaging to watch.
Makgadikadi & Nxai Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans and neighbouring Nxai Pans and Boteti River Area are remote expanses of nothingness – fascinating to those interested in remote desert adapted species or wanting to experience the great zebra migration – one of Africa’s largest animal migrations. But the migration is virtually unheard of – so without the crowds of the Serengeti!
The pans burst into life during the wet summer season, when animals pour into the area, although there’s plenty of resident game here year round. Safaris here are great for families with plenty of focus on exploring the ecosystem on nature walks and picnic trips to see the famous baobab trees.
This area is perfect for viewing a contrasting ecosystem to the Okavango – what the land is like once the waters of the Okavango disappear under the sands.
You should definitely plan a visit if travelling during the green season, and both the Nxai Pan and the Boteti River areas in particular are highly worthwhile with huge herds of zebra and other animals when the migration visits. And if lucky, you might see the highly social and endearing meerkats!
Kalahari Desert
One of the world’s most extensive mantles of sand that extends south into South Africa, west into Namibia and north into Angola and Zambia, and covers nearly 70% of Botswana. The wider region includes several of Africa’s most remote game reserves.
The few lodges here tend to be upmarket with a strong emphasis on the local communities of bushmen and the delicate desert ecosystem. The focus here is on learning about the bushmens’ way of life, understanding the desert ecosystm, and studying smaller species up close – such as the loveable meerkats.
The hands on approach makes it perfect for families and also lovers of nature and pure unadulterated wilderness.
So to repeat…
You should definitely consider a safari in Botswana because…
In summary, Botswana is the perfect safari destination for those looking for a wildlife-rich and comfortable safari. It’s especially good for first time safari goers, or those who want luxury. While prices are higher than some other safari destinations the high quality experience in terms of lodges, guiding and sheer quantity of wildlife makes it well worth it!
For more about our Botswana tours contact us or check out our Botswana trips here.
