Botswana

May to October is the most popular period for dry weather, rising or full Delta waterways and concentrated wildlife around permanent water. November to April brings green landscapes, migratory birds, newborn animals and particularly rewarding conditions in the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans.

The right timing depends on which regions you are combining and whether water activities, wildlife density, photography or value matters most.

Seven to ten nights works well for most Botswana safaris, giving you enough time to combine two or three regions without turning the trip into a succession of airstrips.

We usually recommend at least three nights per camp. Five or six nights can still work well if you focus on one or two complementary areas, such as the Delta with Moremi or Chobe.

Botswana sits at the higher end of African safari pricing, especially in remote Delta concessions. The cost reflects more than the room: small camps, light-aircraft access, concession fees, highly personalised service and low guest numbers are all part of the equation.

What makes the biggest difference is location, guiding and access. We would rather prioritise the right concession and camp combination than simply choose the most expensive lodge on the list.

Botswana is a diverse safari destination, so you should start with what you most want to experience. Choose the Okavango Delta for mokoro excursions, waterways and a mix of land and water activities. Add Moremi or a wildlife-rich private concession if predators and game drives are a priority. Choose a Chobe safari for elephants and river-based viewing, particularly if Victoria Falls is also on the route.

The Makgadikgadi Pans and Kalahari suit guests drawn to open landscapes, meerkats, dark skies and a safari that feels very different from the Delta. They are especially rewarding for return guests or anyone wanting more than traditional safari activities.

Most guests fly into Maun for the Okavango Delta and Moremi, or Kasane for Chobe. From there, light aircraft connect remote camps and concessions.

These flights use small planes and often involve stops at several airstrips. Soft-sided luggage and strict weight limits usually apply, so we confirm the exact allowance for your route before departure.

Yes. Botswana’s main northern safari regions, including the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe, are regarded as malaria-risk areas.

Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure for advice based on the season, itinerary and your individual health. Mosquito avoidance remains important even when taking preventative medication, so follow the guidance provided by your healthcare professional and lodge.

We would not choose Botswana simply to complete a Big 5 checklist. Botswana offers excellent sightings of lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo across its main northern safari regions, while rhino are less predictable and depend on the area and current conservation conditions.

Its real strength lies in the depth of the safari: elephants along the Chobe River, predators in the Delta and Moremi, wild dog sightings and the chance to move between waterways, woodland and open plains in one trip.

Yes. Chobe and Victoria Falls sit close enough to connect by road transfer or short flight, making an Okavango Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls itinerary one of Southern Africa’s strongest combinations.

Botswana can also pair with Cape Town and wider South Africa, Namibia or Zimbabwe, although the route needs enough time to avoid turning an exceptional trip into a tour of regional airports.

The right safari lodge or camp is never chosen on looks alone. Two beautiful properties can still make a poor pairing if they deliver the same kind of day, so we look at water levels, wildlife, activities, guiding style and how each stop changes the route.

Strong options include:

• Chobe Game Lodge – Chobe River wildlife viewing 

• Duba Plains Camp – Predator-rich Delta safari 

• Selinda Camp – Remote wilderness and varied activities

• Leroo La Tau – Boteti River and Makgadikgadi landscapes

• Xugana Island Lodge – Water-focused Okavango Delta stay

We’ll recommend the camps that give each stop a clear purpose.