The Best of Botswana
Your African bush experience
Botswana
Botswana is a destination where nature’s wonders and thrilling wildlife encounters create memories of a lifetime. Explore the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where winding waterways teem with diverse fauna, offering a unique safari experience. In the Savuti region, witness dramatic predator-prey interactions against a backdrop of arid plains. Linyanti, with its lush marshes, provides a haven for elephants, big cats, and rare species, while Chobe National Park is renowned for its large elephant herds and spectacular riverfront game viewing.
Earthstompers recommends four regions for travel to Botswana: Chobe Riverfront, Savuti, Moremi and the Okavango Delta. Depending on your time & budget available, we can combine several of these destinations into an unforgettable Botswana package.
Chobe Riverfront
Located in northern Botswana, is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Read More
The park’s diverse ecosystems, including lush floodplains, dense forests, and expansive savannas, support a wide variety of animals, from lions and leopards to hippos and crocodiles. The Chobe River, which forms the northern boundary of the park, is the heart of the action. Game drives along the riverfront offer incredible opportunities to witness wildlife in their natural habitat, while boat safaris provide a unique perspective, allowing you to see animals like elephants, buffalo, and countless bird species up close as they come to the river to drink.
Chobe is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 450 species recorded, including African fish eagles, kingfishers, and carmine bee-eaters. The park’s accessibility makes it an ideal destination for travelers. Whether you’re seeking thrilling wildlife encounters or simply wish to soak in the beauty of Botswana’s natural landscapes, Chobe National Park promises an unforgettable adventure.
Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent game lodge located within the renowned Chobe National Park, making it Botswana’s premier choice for guests seeking an ideal base to explore the park and the Chobe River. This five-star lodge is fully certified in ecotourism by the Botswana Tourism Organization, ensuring a sustainable and luxurious experience.
Closest airport: Kasane & Victoria Falls Airport: road transfers from Kasane (30 minutes) or Victoria Falls Airport (2 hours)
Perfect for: Couples, friends, groups & families (children of all ages welcome)
Exclusivity: Big lodge: 44 bedrooms
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: 4×4 game drives, motorised boat safaris, eco-tours & cultural excursions
Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe Savanna Lodge is located in the Eastern Caprivi, within the Zambezi Province of Namibia, along the northern bank of the Chobe River. The lodge offers stunning views of the expansive floodplains of Chobe National Park’s Puku Flats, providing a picturesque setting for guests to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.
Closest airport: Kasane & Victoria Falls Airport: road transfers from Kasane (30 minutes) or Victoria Falls Airport (2 hours), plus Chobe river crossing by boat
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & families (children of all ages welcome)
Exclusivity: Medium lodge: 13 suites
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: Motorized boat safaris, bush walks, fishing & cultural excursions
Zambezi Queen
Zambezi Queen luxury river safari on the magnificent Chobe River between Botswana and Namibia. Cruise and float along the Chobe River beside the wildlife-abundant Chobe National Park for an exceptional African river safari experience. A river safari provides the perfect vantage point to fully appreciate Chobe’s highlights, including wildlife viewing, birdwatching, fishing, photography, and engaging cultural experiences.
Closest airport: Kasane & Victoria Falls Airport
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & family groups (children older than 14 welcome)
Exclusivity: Medium lodge: 14 cabins
Price: From R15688 per person per night; varies according to season (2 nights minimum stay)
Activities: Motorised boat safaris, fishing, birding & cultural excursions
Chobe Princess
Chobe Princess river safari on the magnificent Chobe River between Botswana and Namibia. Enjoy a distinctive river safari holiday filled with comfort and incredible wildlife encounters as animals gather by the river. A river safari provides the perfect vantage point to fully appreciate Chobe’s highlights, including wildlife viewing, birdwatching, fishing, photography, and engaging cultural experiences.
Closest airport: Kasane & Victoria Falls Airport
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & family groups (children older than 7 welcome)
Exclusivity: Small lodge: 5 suites
Price: From R12347 per person per night; varies according to season (2 nights minimum stay)
Activities: Motorized boat safaris, fishing, birding & cultural excursions
Savuti
Savuti, part of Chobe National Park, is famed for its dramatic landscapes and intense predator-prey interactions.
Read More
Known for the mysterious Savuti Channel, which flows and dries up unpredictably, the area is a dynamic ecosystem that supports a wide range of wildlife. The Savuti Marsh, when filled, is teeming with life, attracting large herds of buffalo, zebras, and wildebeest, followed closely by lions, hyenas, and cheetahs. Savuti is also renowned for its population of bull elephants and its spectacular birdlife.
The rugged beauty of Savuti, with its ancient baobabs and rolling savannahs, provides a striking backdrop for unforgettable wildlife encounters. Savuti offer travellers the chance to experience Botswana’s wild, untamed beauty, with opportunities for thrilling game drives, guided walks, and serene moments in the heart of nature.
Savute Safari Lodge
The Savute Channel, which stretches from the Linyanti River to Savute Marsh, has nourished the western section of Chobe National Park for thousands of generations. This winding waterway has a unique history of fluctuating between flooding and drying up, independent of rainfall in other areas. The Savute region, especially Savute Marsh, is famous for its intense predator encounters and outstanding game viewing, making it one of Botswana’s most sought-after wildlife destinations.
Closest airport: Kasane or Maun Airport; then light aircraft transfer to lodge (included in package)
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & families (children from 6 years welcome)
Exclusivity: Medium lodge: 12 bedrooms
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: 4×4 Game Drives
Moremi Game Reserve
Located in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, is a must-visit for travelers seeking an authentic and diverse safari experience in Botswana.
Read More
Known for its rich ecosystems, Moremi combines the beauty of the delta’s waterways with drier savannahs, creating a landscape teeming with wildlife. Visitors can expect to encounter a wide variety of animals, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rare species like the African wild dog. The reserve is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 species recorded. Moremi offers exceptional game viewing year-round, with both land and water-based safaris available.
Whether you’re exploring by vehicle, mokoro (dugout canoe), or on foot, Moremi’s breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife make it an essential stop on any Botswana safari.
Camp Moremi
For a quintessential African safari experience, Camp Moremi in Botswana’s acclaimed Moremi Game Reserve is an excellent choice. Located on the edge of the Xakanaxa Lagoon, the camp is renowned for its exceptional game-viewing opportunities, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the stunning wildlife and natural beauty of the region.
Closest airport: Maun Airport; then light aircraft transfer to lodge (included in package)
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & families (children from 6 years welcome)
Exclusivity: Medium lodge: 12 bedrooms
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: 4×4 game drives & motorized boat safaris
Camp Xakanaxa
Camp Xakanaxa (pronounced Ka-ka-na-ka) boasts a prime location on the banks of the Khwai River, adjacent to the Xakanaxa Lagoon in the heart of Moremi Game Reserve. This unique setting allows it to be one of the few safari camps that provides guests with an authentic land and water safari experience in the Okavango Delta throughout the year.
Closest airport: Maun Airport; then light aircraft transfer to lodge (included in package)
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & families (children from 6 years welcome)
Exclusivity: Medium lodge: 12 bedrooms
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: 4×4 game drives & motorized boat safaris
Okavango Delta
A UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most unique safari destinations in the world.
Read More
This vast inland delta in Botswana is a lush oasis in the heart of the Kalahari Desert, where winding waterways, lagoons, and islands create a paradise for wildlife. Travelers to the Okavango Delta can expect unparalleled wildlife encounters, with opportunities to see elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, and an array of bird species. Explore the delta by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) for a serene and intimate view of the landscape, or embark on thrilling game drives to discover the diverse habitats of this incredible ecosystem.
The Okavango Delta offers a truly immersive experience in nature, combining stunning scenery with rich biodiversity, making it a must-visit on any Botswana adventure.
Camp Okavango
Camp Okavango is a distinctive and eco-friendly safari camp located on the secluded Nxaragha Island in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta. This hidden gem offers guests an exceptional year-round water wilderness experience, immersing them in the breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity of the delta.
Closest airport: Maun Airport; then light aircraft transfer to lodge (included in package)
Perfect for: Couples, friends, small groups & families (children from 6 years welcome)
Exclusivity: Medium lodge: 12 bedrooms
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: Motorised boat safaris, mokoro excursions, guided bush walks & fishing
Xugana Island
Xugana Lagoon is celebrated as the most stunning permanent water site in the Okavango Delta, Africa’s largest and most remarkable oasis. Nestled in this remote delta, Xugana Island Lodge provides a year-round water paradise, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking scenery of the Okavango Delta, which features intricate waterways, expansive floodplains, and a diverse array of wildlife.
Closest airport: Maun Airport; then light aircraft transfer to lodge (included in package)
Perfect for: Couples, friends & families (children from 6 years welcome)
Exclusivity: Small Lodge: 8 bedrooms
Price: From $690 – $1240 per person per night; varies according to season
Activities: Motorised boat safaris, Mokoro excursions, guided bush walks & fishing
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
How do I get to these lodges?
All Botswana safaris begin from either Maun or Kasane, two easily accessible safari hubs. Daily direct flights operated by Airlink connect Maun and Kasane to Cape Town and Johannesburg.
A highlight of any Botswana safari is traveling to the remote lodges. From Maun or Kasane, a fully integrated air charter service with Safari Air is included as part of your package, providing connections between lodges and the main hubs. You don’t need to book these internal Botswana flights yourself; your tour consultant will take care of all the local flight arrangements as a part of your booking.
Planning to visit Victoria Falls? A Botswana safaris is a great add-on to a Victoria Falls trip. We can arrange convenient road transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls (+/- 2 hour transfer time, including border crossing).
What time of year is best to go to Botswana?
Each season in Botswana has its own charm. Here’s what you can expect throughout the year:
January – March: Green, hot, and wet (low season)
- Weather: Rainy season with unpredictable showers and occasional heavy downpours, especially in January and February.
- Landscape: Lush and vibrant, ideal for nature and landscape photography.
- Wildlife: Animals are scattered due to abundant water and food. A prime time to see newborn antelope and migratory birds, making it excellent for birdwatching.
- Activities: Low water levels in the Okavango Delta limit water-based experiences.
- Advantages: Fewer crowds, better prices, and good availability.
April – May: Cooler and dryer (shoulder season)
- Weather: Cooler temperatures as the rainy season transitions into the dry season.
- Landscape: Still green and vibrant, with early floodwaters arriving in the Okavango Delta.
- Wildlife: Animals start returning to central water sources like the Chobe River, enhancing game-viewing opportunities.
- Activities: A blend of green and dry season experiences.
- Advantages: Moderate visitor numbers, attractive pricing, and good availability.
June – August: Cool and dry (peak season)
- Weather: Cool mornings and evenings with pleasant, dry days.
- Wildlife: Outstanding game viewing as animals congregate near water sources in the Okavango Delta, Chobe River, and Moremi Game Reserve.
- Activities: Perfect conditions for mokoro (dugout canoe) and boat safaris as floodwaters fill the Delta.
- Advantages: Minimal malaria risk and some of the year’s best wildlife sightings.
September – October: Hot and dry (peak season)
- Weather: Rising temperatures, with October being the hottest month.
- Wildlife: High concentrations of animals near water sources, with large elephant herds frequently spotted in the Linyanti and Chobe River regions.
- Activities: As Delta water levels recede, game viewing remains exceptional.
- Advantages: Unparalleled wildlife sightings during this time.
November – December: Green and warm (shoulder season)
- Weather: Hot with the start of seasonal rains.
- Landscape: The rains rejuvenate the landscape into lush greenery.
- Wildlife: Abundant newborns following the rains and a haven for bird lovers with the arrival of migratory species.
- Activities: Limited water-based activities in the Delta due to low water levels.
- Advantages: Fewer crowds, attractive rates, and good availability.
What is the daily schedule like whilst on safari in Botswana?
Safari schedules in Botswana vary depending on the lodge and season, offering a balance of wildlife-focused activities and relaxation. Lodges typically include two wildlife activities daily: one in the early morning and another in the late afternoon or evening. Midday is reserved for leisure, such as relaxing by the pool or enjoying included activities like fishing, birding, or cultural excursions.
Examples of included wildlife activities:
- 4×4 game drives
- Motorized boat safaris
- Guided bush walks
- Mokoro excursions
- Cultural excursions
- Fishing and birding experiences
Optional activities (at an additional cost):
- Spa treatments
- Helicopter flights
Important note: Not all activities are available at every lodge. Please refer to the specific lodge details for their inclusive offerings.
Meals: Lodges provide three included meals daily: breakfast, brunch/lunch, and dinner.
Sample daily safari schedule (summer):
- 05:00 Wake-up call
- 05:30 Morning coffee and light continental breakfast
- 06:00 Morning activity (3–4 hours): game drive, motorized boat safari, or mokoro excursion
- 11:00 Brunch at the lodge
- 12:00 Leisure time
- 15:30 Afternoon tea and snacks
- 16:00 Afternoon activity (3–4 hours): game drive, motorized boat safari, or mokoro excursion
- 19:00 Dinner served
Note: The schedule above is a general example and may vary by lodge and season.
Arrival day:
Charter flights from Maun and Kasane operate between 09:30 AM and 3:00 PM, aligning with guest itineraries and lodge transfers. Shared flights may include stops to accommodate other travelers.
Departure day:
- Lodge check-out is usually around 10:00 AM, allowing guests to enjoy a morning activity before departure.
- Charter flights between lodges and safari hubs are scheduled the day before, based on guest itineraries and connecting flights. Departure times, typically between 10:00–11:00 AM, are communicated by the camp manager the night before.
What should I pack for a Botswana safari?
Lodge Locations
MAP
Create Your Adventure
Get A Customised Tour Quote
