Botswana is one of Africa’s best safari destinations for those who enjoy wilderness, exclusive and personal lodges, and superb guiding. Unfettered by fences, the wildlife of Botswana travels in vast herds across the plains of the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta, the Chobe River swamps, and floodplains and salt pans of the Makgadikgadi. The national parks and private game reserves cover nearly half of the country – and form a unique range of ecosystems which support a rich diversity of plant, bird and animal life.
Roughly the size of France, but with a population of just 1.8 million, Botswana has some of Africa’s last great wilderness areas - arguably a Botswana safari is the very best Africa can offer. One-sixth of its territory is dedicated to permanent, well-managed game sanctuaries. In the heart of these expansive, untouched areas, you will find an array of excellent camps in private concessions and national parks.
Botswana safari camps
Lodges and camps in Botswana are usually remote and often only accessible by light aircraft. Once at your camp, you won’t be game viewing with a crowd of people and vehicles. Instead you’ll be in a small group, following the game off-road (abiding by ecological and concession guidelines), taking night drives (where permitted) and enjoying stimulating bush walks. Game drives are mostly in open-top, 4WD safari vehicles.
Camps operate to a very high standard, with comfortable beds, spacious rooms, lighting, private facilities (most bathrooms are en suite), hot and cold running water, excellent rangers and very good food.
Different ways to go on a Botswana safari holiday
There are a variety of ways to go on safari in Botswana. We can design a tailor-made safari for you, utilising Botswana’s incredible choice of superb safari camps and lodges, taking in different types of habitat and activities, depending on your own interests and budget.
Alternatively, we can send you camping deep in the wilderness. Mobile safaris are for small groups, usually no more than eight/twelve people, from no-frills fly-camping to sheer luxury, where you’ll be sipping fine wines from crystal glasses at dinner. Some have set departures whilst others can be run as private safaris.
Botswana safari holidays for children
In general children are welcome on safari in Botswana but there are age restrictions at some camps, and for mobile safaris children must be 12 or over. Certain lodges have family units and offer a specialist children’s guide or an inventive children’s programme, which can add enormously to your child’s enjoyment.
Botswana holidays & tours
See a selection of Botswana holidays and tours - we can tailor-make any of these itineraries to suit specific interests and dates.
Get in touch to speak with one of our Botswana specialists if you'd like to start planning your trip.