Planning for Botswana safaris and tours? If you are looking for safari destination, look no further than Botswana. Just as mentioned in many Botswana Travel Guides, the country is well gifted with wildlife, good scenery and stunning nature. The country had great landscape with deserts rich with diamonds, rivers that makes the area fertile. More than half of the population of the country is dedicated to conservation and is covered by either a national park, game reserve or forest.
There are many other private nature resorts and concessions. The country has a policy to favor luxury travel but yet low impact on the nature with great game viewing experiences. The country also has a low population which also allows the wildlife to flourish since they have low human activity. The Northern section of Botswana is the best area for wildlife viewing in the country. It is also where the Okavango Delta is located. This is the largest inland delta in the entire world. The delta area is very fertile solid that allow the growth of vegetation and is also home to over 400 bird species.
The nice weather, vegetation and water attract animals like Zebras and Giraffes. There are many predators as ell since they can easily find prey here. In the northern east of the Delta is the most sought after national park on Botswana safaris: Chobe National Park. This national area has one of the largest animal concentrations in Africa. The park is generally known for for the many numbers of Elephants with herds that are as big as 400 elephants. There are predators like lions and cheetahs. See some of our Top Botswana safari tours below.
Botswana is not only good for the wildlife concentration but it has its history that shapes the way of life there. The country got its independence from the colonial masters in the year 1966.
The country grew to its potential basing on the diamond reserves and agricultural potential.
Like most African countries, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the lives of the people here.
The area however has remained peaceful and it’s a very stable nation with very good nature, beautiful infrastructure which makes the area more accessible.
Why Go on a Botswana Vacation?
Aerial Views of the Okavango Delta, Botswana
There are so many reasons to go on a Botswana safari tour and below are some of them.
Much More Than a Classic Safari Destination
The country is a mixture of deserts and open grasslands with many other papyrus canals. A safari in Botswana will offer wildlife and water experiences.
There will also be a good mix of luxury and adventure experiences in the most remote areas. You will have great sights and stunning experiences that will blow your mind and also give you everlasting memories.
The Okavango Delta which is one of the largest deltas and its one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world.
Travelers will come here to have the best experience of the world’s biggest inland delta which is found in a desert. You will from here have to see Chobe national park which has one of the best animal concentration in Africa.
Desert, delta, rivers and baobabs, unusual species like lechwe and sitatunga, sensational bird-watching, an annual zebra migration, exquisite safari accommodation… Botswana really does have it all.
One-of-a-Kind Botswana Safari Activities
Botswana boosts of the diversity in both wildlife and the landscape which allows a wide range of safari activities and adventures.
You will always have something new on your safari to Botswana whether it’s the first or tenth trip here. It’s a peaceful country and one of the friendliest.
You will adventure the Okavango delta to the traditions of the people here and then socializing with the Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert, you will have an adventure that you will remember for a life time.
Phenomenal Game Viewing Safaris All Year Round
The area have a very good climate that is mild and allows wildlife viewing almost any time of the year to view destinations like the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. You will have a great safari experience all year round.
The safari here will allow you to see the big five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) which is one of the reasons safaris here are very common.
You will have other rare species while on safari here like the wild dog, brown hyena, lechwe and sitatunga. Be ready to also explore the large herds of elephants that are concentrated in the many conservational areas here.
Some of the Finest Safari Lodges & Camps in Africa
Most of the Botswana safari camps and accommodation facilities being located in the remote areas and islands, the facilities have a touch of luxury and a feel of staying in the wild.
You will have facilities like the spas, gyms, outdoor bathtubs and private plunge pools. Some are located in the thick vegetation while others are isolated in the Kalahari Desert.
On several occasions, Botswana has been ranked as the top luxury destination in Africa as it offers travelers a wild options of exclusive lodging facilities and camps that give you a chance to be next to the wildlife and yet it comes with a lot of privacy.
You will experience both guides’ safaris and nature walks as well as night game drives that maximize the search for wild life. You will have both boat cruises and aircraft tours.
The Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari Destinations
The map of wildlife safari in Botswana will deliver, from the Okavango Delta to the rolling savanna plains and the stunning Savuti and the Makgadikgadi salt flats. The Okavango Delta is the heart of the Botswana safari and will be explored boat.
You will have the sight of vast lands of the Kalahari which will offer you a very good vaccine to take you away from the modern world. You will have a chance to see and interact with the Bushmen one of the few groups of people that still lives like the ancient people.
Easy Logistics & Convenient Add-Ons
There is good transport means like the good airstrips to help you access the Okavango Delta and Chobe National park areas which will help you travel safe and comfortable. There are many other airstrips that will make your safari effortless.
With the many flight options anywhere in the country, you can have combined safari with countries like South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. This means you will have a chance to mixture to visit places like the Cape town, Victoria Falls and the Namib Deserts.
Botswana People & Culture
The country has a population of about two million which makes it a very low populated country. They are a homogenous cultural society. The biggest percentage of the population is Christian and most people speak Tswana but also English is wildly spread.
There are Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert that still live like the ancient people. The other part of the population is however based n the city and urban area. The capital of Botswana is Gaborone and most people live here with many of the other parts of the country uninhabited.
Religion in Botswana
The people here believe in their ancient traditions, Christianity, and the Roman Catholic. There are many Pentecostal churches, Zionists especially in the villages.
There are a few Methodists, Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist and Anglican churches, and predominantly expatriate Muslim, Quaker, Hindu and Bahai congregations mostly in major towns.
Social Conventions in Botswana
Like most African countries, the people here are still conservative when it comes to their core beliefs and norms. They are also not open to the values form other cultures that are strange to them.
You are free to practice your values for as long as you don’t disrespect theirs. Casual dressing is accepted mostly in the urban areas but be cautious how you dress in the remote areas.
Photography & Filming
Try as much as possible to avoid Using Cameras and binoculars near government entity offices and seek permission before you take any other pictures elsewhere.
Language in Botswana
The official language in Botswana is English but however the national language is Setswana. There are however other minority languages that are spoken like Kalanga and Sekgalagadi.
Botswana Landscape & Wildlife
Most of the country is covered in a desert and it’s dry and flat. There are many other areas that are covered in acacia trees and savanna grasslands. The northern area of the country receives the highest rainfall and it’s a woodland vegetation area as well.
There are wetlands as a well. Some of the wetlands are around Okavango Delta, Chobe River and Linyanti Swamps. These areas are also rich with wildlife concentration.
There has been a ban on hunting in the year 2013 and this has boosted the conservation efforts in the country. More than half of the area is covered in national parks and conservation areas with Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve taking the largest share.
You will have a change to see animals both in the desert and the savanna areas with the Kalahari desert being the biggest desert here remote but with great safari experience. Botswana has one of the largest Elephant concentrations with other animals like the wild dog, lions and hippos.
Geography
The country is a land locked country. Botswana is bordered by South Africa in the South and the east, Zimbabwe in the North East and Namibia in the west and north. It has a little touch with Zambia as they approach the Victoria Falls.
The Kalahari Desert covers the regions of the central and south of the country. The core wildlife concentration areas of the country are the Okavango Delta which is also the largest inland delta in the world, the Moremi Game Reserve and the Chobe National Park.
The Savute and the Linyanti Marshes; and Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in the far southwest also shared and managed with South Africa.
Best Botswana Safari Destinations
Canoe Ride on the The Okavango Delta, Botswana
You will have lot safari activities that Botswana has to offer, from the many wetlands, the numerous rivers and the stunning woodland environments. The other rewarding experience will be the Kalahari desert that has both game and sun-baked salt pans.
Each of the destinations in Botswana will offer different experiences. Here are some of the destinations you will look out for while in Botswana:
Okavango Delta: The Kalahari’s Green Oasis
This is a very green environment but located in the middle of the Kalahari Desert which makes it a center of attraction in this area. Its more mesmerizing to have a very green are in a very dry area. There is a mixture of woodland which houses the wildlife in this area.
The Okavango Delta is not only the biggest inland delta in the world, buts also a thrilling adventure. You will have a wide range of safari activities like nature walks, game drives, boat rides and canoe safaris. The biggest areas of the Okavango Delta is covered by the Moremi Game Reserve which is a private managed conservation area.
Chobe National Park: Elephants & Predators
Chobe National park is the most sought after destination in Botswana due to its high concentration wildlife and the big population of Elephants here. The best time to see game here is between the Months of June to September as the wildlife is usually congregated around the Chobe River. You will have a great interaction with the hyenas and Lions.
The Kalahari: Unique Parks & Thriving Wildlife
You will enjoy the vast sands lands with scanty wooded grasslands. This desert is unique as it is floods in some spots during the rainy season and this helps the animals flourish n this area. the Kalahari desert is one of the most famous destinations for travelers to Botswana. You will have a combined safari with the Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.
This safari experience here will give you the experience and the rate of exclusivity and privacy. There are many airstrips that will allow you easily access these areas. There are wetlands hat will allow you do some birding and also give you a time to have a peaceful and memorable safari Experience in Botswana. The areas are best visited in the months of June to October as these are dry months.
Tuli Block: A Hidden Gem
This is some of the least known destinations in Botswana yet it is full of great experiences. The destination is located along the Limpopo river area. The Tuli block offers a vast range of landscapes with many Baobab tress and large herds of Elephants surrounded by many private conservation areas. This area has the best night game drives on the Botswana safari as there are many elusive animals like the Leopards.
When is the Best Time to Visit Botswana?
The African Elephant in Moremi Game Reserve
You can visit Botswana anytime of the year. The best time however is the months of June to October as they are dry months. It’s during the dry months that the concentration increases due to the many water sources.
These months are regarded as the best safari months of the year. However risks of Malaria during this month are at the lowest and making it even a better time to visit.
You can also visit the area in the Months of January and April especially in the areas of Chobe’s Savuti region and the Kalahari Desert. You will have a chance to see migrating animals.
Climate:
Rainy season: October/November to March/April
Average summer temperatures: 18°C to 38°C
Average winter temperatures: 6°C to 27°C
Money & Spending
The legal currency of Botswana is the Pula and it’s a very strong currency n the region. The US dollar is a very accepted currency in most hotels and big restaurants around the entire country.
There are many forex exchange shops around the major towns. The traveler’s cheques are accepted. Most hotels will accepts both credit and debit cards.
Banking hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and 8:30am to 11am on Saturday.
Full banking services are only available in Botswana’s major towns, but ATMs are becoming increasingly more common.
Tipping
It’s not a must to tip but it’s only humane that you appreciate the services rendered to you. You can tip in either the local or foreign currency. The amount is dependent on the size or number of the people you are tipping.
It is standard that you tip about 10% of the total amount spent. You can tip more depending on your satisfaction.
Packing List for your Botswana Tour
Usually the best time to visit is in the months of June to October which are dry and hot months with temperatures during the day at about 40°C.
You will then have to carry shorts and t-shirts, carry long sleeved shirts to protect you from the sun and insects.
Make sure you carry neutral color clothes as animals are usually forced to charge at bright colors. Carry insect repellants and a hat to protect you from the sun.
If you visit in the cooler months you must carry clothes that make layers such that you are covered up in the morning and can remove them as it gets hotter in the day.
Have a rain coat to protect you from the rain.
Flights & Getting Around
Gaborone: From the national airport, you can fly to destinations like Sir Seretse Khama. You can also fly to and from Johannesburg.
Maun: There are daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town and makes it very easy to visit the Okavango delta. You can also charter a lighter flightier to fit your schedule.
Kasane: This airstrip is a get ways to the Chobe National park area from the towns of Johannesburg, Gaborone or Maun. You will transfer from this airport to the Chobe area by road. You can also safari in Savute or Linyanti. The Victoria Falls are about 100 km away from here.
There are many charter flight options to as many destinations around Botswana as possible. You can then arrange special arranges for a transfer from the airstrip to the lodge or the activity.
Visa & Passport Requirements
You will need to have a valid passport with almost 6 months left to expiry. Citizens of the EU and those from the common wealth countries, USA, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel and Norway are not required to have a visa to enter Botswana.
You will be allowed to an entry of 30 days stay for tourism purposes. You can also get visas to the neighboring countries in the capital Gaborone.
Crime in Botswana
There is some level of crime in Gaborone and Botswana just like most destinations all over the world. Crimes range from ATM fraud, pick pocketing, robbery and the foreigner will always be a target and therefore you are advised to take care.
There have incidents of rape but they are not common with foreigners. There are many incidents of snatching of valuables when cars are in slow motion like in heavy traffic.
Make sure you have the valuables deposited in a very safe area and safely guard your passports.
Local travel
Try to avoid a lot of gatherings and don’t travel alone. While in the national park, try to follow the lead of the guide.
Animals are very unpredictable and therefore try not to go against the guide and the other group members.
Road travel
The roads are well made and you can travel by road comfortably. The maximum speed is about 120 Kmh. you will be allowed to use the international driving permit up to about 90 days.
Most drivers will ignore the safety protocols and therefore try to be careful while driving.
Traveling with children
You will need special passes for children below the age of 18. Most requirements don’t apply to the foreign non residents but you may need to carry consent from the legal guardian or parent of the children in case you are not the parents.
Vaccine Information for Botswana
Like most destinations, you will be requiring to have some vaccines and some may just for your own good. COVID 19 vaccine isn’t mandatory but it’s advisable that you have it. Yellow fever vaccine is a must have and make sure you have a letter from your doctor in case you have exemption.
Hepatitis E is widespread and hepatitis B is hyper-endemic. There are many insect spread diseases throughout the year. There is presence of Bilharzia. There is a small risk of Meningitis.
You are advised to take a vaccination for tuberculosis.
Nightlife in Botswana
There many active bars and hangout places but the nightlife here is not as inviting as many other African countries. You can try the cinemas, restaurants and bars.
You can grab a few beers before you retire to your bed. There are many live music sessions here as well.
Where to Stay – Best Botswana Safari Accommodation & Lodges
Jao Camp, Botswana
The most famous safari destination in Botswana is Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve. It is these locations that also have the best accommodation option for your safari to Botswana.
You will have a wide range of options from the Luxury, mid range and standard. There are tented camps with en-suite facilities. The accommodation facilities are well located and managed by professionals to make your experience worth it.
The standards of dining, guiding and service are very high and several lodges in Botswana are among the most luxurious in Southern Africa.
