A wild and unspoilt landscape, divided into a semi-arid Kalahari Desert, the amazing Okavango Delta waterways and the varied landscapes of Chobe National Park (from the riverfront bordering Namibia to the mopane forests and sandy plains), Botswana makes for the perfect safari setting.
Combine this with the awe-inspiring majesty of Victoria Falls, and you have an adventure with magical memories that’ll linger long after you’ve touched down on home soil.
Our Africa Travel Specialist, Kirsty Richardson, recounts a fantastic week of safari from her most recent visit and why you should make the journey to the wild oasis for yourself.
By Kirsty Richardson
My exploration of Botswana took me to some game-rich areas of the Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, before finishing at Victoria Falls. Although I didn’t have time to see the falls, I can assure you it takes your breath away, just as they did when I first saw them!
I enjoyed so many exceptional wildlife encounters amidst spellbinding scenery; it’s hard to pick a favourite moment, so we’ll begin with the Kalahari.
Wild encounters beneath the Kalahari skies
Over the course of my trip, I saw a great variety of wildlife, making it such a memorable journey. This was during the rainy season (November to March), when wildlife is more spread out and trickier to spot.
In the Kalahari specifically, I encountered the likes of Kori bustard, giraffe, lion, zebra, kudu, wildebeest and rhino. You won’t find rhinos anywhere else in Botswana, so it feels special to be in one’s presence, catching its gaze as it grazes.
To fully absorb the beauty of this remarkable wilderness, from its sweeping landscapes to the smallest, most delicate details – take time to set the camera aside. Allow yourself to be immersed in the natural soundscape and linger over the Kalahari’s dramatic sunrises. Throughout my stay, I was accompanied by clouds of brown-veined white butterflies, drifting gently through the air and lending an added touch of magic as they fluttered alongside me.
As the Kalahari’s dramatic, colour-washed sunset fades, day gently yields to night, and the vast desert sky comes alive with a canopy of sparkling stars. To truly savour this magical moment, I highly recommend a sleep-out deck experience, where you can lie beneath the infinite night sky and absorb the desert’s serenity and wonder after dark.
All in all, the Kalahari makes for an excellent addition to any itinerary, especially since the desert scenery is so vastly different from the watery plains and marshlands elsewhere in the country.
From here, I travelled north to one of Africa’s finest safari destinations: the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Following the flow of the Okavango waterways
The Okavango is now my new favourite place to safari!
I went into this experience a little hesitant, as I wasn’t quite sure whether I’d enjoy a mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe). But as soon as you float off along the reed-lined waterways, you’re immediately transported to another world – one where nature rules, its wildlife inhabitants roaming free all around you.
The vast skies were dramatic with storms on the far horizon. As I drifted along, a herd of beautiful lechwe antelope crossed the waterway in front of me, leaping high in the air, while two rams were charging each other and locking antlers in a dramatic battle.
Wildlife encounters here are nothing short of extraordinary. I was privileged to experience an abundance of species, from vast herds of elephants and an impressive pride of lions to frequent, thrilling sightings of elusive leopards. A true highlight, however, was an unforgettable encounter with a pack of 22 painted dogs, including nine playful cubs. Curious and captivating, it was hard to tell who was observing whom; it was a rare and deeply moving experience with one of Africa’s most endangered species.
In addition to the wonderfully tranquil mokoro excursions, I enjoyed expertly guided game drives, setting out mid-afternoon as the heat of the day began to diminish and continuing into the evening before returning to camp for a sumptuous dinner beneath the stars. Early morning departures offered a very different atmosphere, when the bush is at its most active and wildlife sightings are at their most rewarding, before the heat of the day encourages animals to retreat into the shade.
These dawn drives delivered yet more memorable moments: two magnificent male lions on the prowl, their bellies full, with one settling directly in front of my 4×4 unleashing a powerful roar that seemed to reverberate through every fibre of my being. Elsewhere, I paused to watch an elephant delicately yet decisively pluck fruit from a sausage tree, tearing down the kigelia and contentedly munching on its prize – a perfect snapshot of life in the African bush.
Arriving at my luxurious tent, I was welcomed by a troop of baboons ambling through the campgrounds, serving as a delightful reminder of just how immersed I was in the wilderness. Each morning began with the gentle chorus of birdsong, setting a serene tone for the day ahead. By including the Okavango Delta in your tailored safari itinerary, you too can enjoy these quietly magical moments, where nature becomes part of everyday life.
It was so magical and memorable; there really aren’t enough adjectives to describe it, and I was very reluctant to leave when it was time to move on to the next destination.
Next, I flew northeast to Chobe National Park.
Gentle giants and river rhythms in Chobe
My stay in Kasane may have been brief, but it was rich in memorable experiences. A sunset cruise along the Chobe River revealed a wealth of wildlife, followed by an early morning game drive in Chobe National Park, where I encountered buffalo, elephant, giraffe, hippo, mongoose, monitor lizards and crocodiles alongside a dazzling variety of birdlife. The morning began in the most peaceful way, stepping onto my veranda to watch pied kingfishers and cormorants fishing along the riverbank.
At both Chobe and in the Okavango, there were pods of resident hippo in the neighbouring waterways; I delight in their comical honking calls.
These semiaquatic mammals are an iconic sight in the area, sometimes seen with red-billed oxpeckers, which form a symbiotic relationship: the birds eat parasites on the hippos’ skin, cleaning them and relieving the hippos of the pests in the process.
This is the same for the giraffe, who share the same symbiotic relationship. These are surely the most graceful. I managed to capture this image of a red-billed oxpecker hard at work.
It’s also home to Africa’s largest elephant population, around 130,000 individuals. Following the movements of an elephant family as they slowly wander across the road or into the riparian woodlands, with the juveniles being chauffeured by their parents to their next destination.
The heart of Africa: Victoria Falls in full glory
I spent the last few days of my trip in the Victoria Falls area.
There are many vantage points to explore, offering unique views of the water plummeting 108 metres into a narrow gorge below.
I recommend visiting at a time of year when the falls are at their most potent. For a moment, you won’t be able to see anything but clouds forming in front of the falls. Then, suddenly, the spray dissipates and the falls are revealed; rainbow spectrums amidst the spray are crowned by the most beautiful blue skies you’ll see in your life.
The view of the falls from either Zambia or Zimbabwe is spectacular and truly must be seen to be believed! Another highlight could be a morning boat cruise down the Zambezi River to watch the sunrise. It’s incredibly peaceful, with the only sounds being the birds waking up and the odd hippo grunt! The water is calm, creating an authentic experience of the ‘true Africa’.
My trip was jam-packed with wildlife and adventure. Botswana’s location makes it ideal for combining with a stop in either Zimbabwe or Zambia for a journey that offers safari, eco-tourism and sightseeing at Victoria Falls. I already can’t wait to start planning my next trip!
Book your ultimate Botswana & Victoria Falls safari with Rainbow
To enjoy your own Botswana and Victoria Falls safari adventure, give us a call today. We’ll help craft a journey perfectly tailored to your tastes, from wildlife encounters in the Kalahari to the awe-inspiring vistas of Victoria Falls.
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