The Best of Botswana

Most 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.

Note: Most lodges in Kasane and Chobe National Park are reachable by road transfer from Kasane Airport or Victoria Falls. 

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).

Luggage is restricted to 20 kilograms per person, including your hand luggage. (Pack for only the 4 days on safari and store the rest of luggage.)

Bags are limited to soft shell bags, no hard suitcases allowed on charter flights. (30cm high, 45 cm high and 65 cm long). Bring a soft shell or duffle bag along.

Please inquire about the possibility of arranging luggage storage for you for excess luggage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pack light! (Luggage restrictions apply).

• Comfortable, casual, neutral-coloured clothing suited for the outdoors. Colours such as khaki, green, black, beige, brown, and blues are best for game viewing. To avoid looking like a safari novice, steer clear of bright red, yellow, purple, or white (white also gets dirty quickly which can happen easily in the bush), or loud, colourful prints. Wildlife can get distracted and startled by bright colours. Pack clothing that can be layered, such as a t-shirt at the base, a long sleeve shirt over it, and a fleece or jacket on top. Expect 4 seasons in one day!
• A lightweight, waterproof rain jacket
• A warm winter jacket, gloves and beanie for sunrise and sunset game drives in late fall/winter/early spring (May – September). Game drives are conducted in an open 4 x 4 safari vehicle, which can be cool and windy. Blankets or ponchos will be provided by the safari lodge for an extra layer of warmth.
• Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and lip balm
• Comfortable walking shoes – 2 pairs, in case one gets wet or muddy on a bush walk
• Binoculars
• Swimsuit – many lodges have a pool for guests to enjoy
• Camera, lenses, extra batteries, and memory cards
• Phone charging cable and plug adapters
• Personal documents, such as passports, ID, and visas
• Any personal medications and toiletries needed
• Although many lodges are quite casual, it is good to have a nice outfit to wear to dinner if the occasion arises.

In Botswana you get land and water based camps which allow for a big and exciting variety of activities on offer.

• 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

Yes, parts of Botswana are considered malaria areas, particularly the northern regions. This includes the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Savuti, Linyanti, and Moremi. The risk is highest in the rainy season (November to April), when mosquito numbers increase.

Botswana is renowned for its commitment to conservation, low-impact tourism, and vast protected wilderness. About 40% of Botswana is protected conservation areas. Places like the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and the Kalahari Desert offer pristine ecosystems with abundant wildlife. Its focus on fewer visitors and exclusive lodges means a more intimate and authentic safari experience.

The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest inland deltas. Seasonal flooding creates a unique landscape of waterways, islands, and floodplains, supporting incredible biodiversity. Safaris here can include both traditional game drives and water-based experiences like mokoro (dugout canoe) rides and boat cruises.

Yes, Botswana is home to all of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Elephants are especially numerous, with Chobe National Park known for having one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Leopards and rhinos are harder to spot, but sightings are possible in certain regions and reserves. Note: Rhino sightings are not as common as in South Africa and Namibia. Rhino was completely extinct in Botswana and was recently introduced back into certain areas.

Safari in Botswana can vary enormously: from the wetland labyrinths of the Okavango Delta, to river systems like in Chobe, to pans and salt flats like the Makgadikgadi, to the Kalahari desert. Each ecosystem offers different wildlife, water-based vs land-based activities, and seasons when they are most spectacular.

To really experience Botswana’s diversity, mix of regions, water & land wildlife, and maybe some less visited areas, travellers often recommend staying 7-10 days or more. This gives time to travel between different regions, rest, and adapt to the slower pace. If you have limited time I would chat to a consultant about only visiting one of the wildlife regions for 2-4 days. Example: Only visiting the Chobe riverfront area, or only visiting the Okavango Delta. (You will be back for more!)