Botswana Safaris

Bespoke Luxury African Safaris

Explore Amazing African Destinations

Book Your Luxury Botswana Safari

Botswana is a prosperous country known for its arid climate, sweeping savannah flatlands and the wetland oasis, the Okavango Delta. Botswana is an entirely unique safari destination featuring some of Africa’s most diverse wilderness and geographic grandeur, and what better way to soak up the seemingly endless beauty of such a destination than with us on Safari. Our Botswana Safari packages are truly something to be awed, providing a plethora of precious memories. We take pride in our knowledge of the area and have tailored our Botswana Tours to showcase the best Botswana has to offer, meticulously looking over every detail. With so much variety and beauty offered in Africa, why choose one of our Botswana Holidays?

Thanks to Botswana’s decision to minimise their tourist footprint, the discerning traveller will enjoy a profoundly exclusive luxury safari in true wildlands; including a reserve known as the “Elephant Capital of the World”.
Beyond the narrow eastern corridor housing most of Botswana’s population lies a near-roadless wilderness of savannahs, arid ground, and salt pans, making up the vast flatlands and surrounds of the Kalahari Desert. In the midst of this untamed landscape lies the Okavango Delta, a wetland oasis of forking rivers blanketed in vegetation and overflowing with wildlife.
The extensive diversity in this part of the country means a safari-goer can visit four different lodges and encounter four unique experiences, spending time in the region’s delta, desert, savannah and riverine environments.

Your Exclusive Botswana Safari Holiday Awaits

Due to their policy of capping tourist numbers in favour of conservation, Botswana is by far the most expensive safari destination in Southern Africa. However, it is also, perhaps, the most distinctive.
On one of our Botswana holidays, you can visit unique locations such as the Savute, a remote corner of Chobe

National Park is known as the Elephant Capital of the World (for its huge pachyderm population),
and the Makgadikgadi Pans, desolate salt flats with sparse flora but seasonally plentiful fauna ideal for stunning wildlife tours. Safari lodges in these locations are easily on par with anything you might find elsewhere in Africa, both in terms of the excellence of their luxurious accommodation and the warmth of their personalised hospitality.
Botswana also has the honour of being considered the most stable and safe of all African nations, meaning you can be assured of enjoying one of our Botswana tours with the highest degree of comfort and safety.

Your Personalised Botswana Safari Awaits

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The 'Destinations africa' difference

  • We know Africa - it's in our blood

  • Consummate service around the clock

  • We make Africa travel a breeze

  • Total safety with vip transit

  • Life changing wildlife experiences

  • Incredible value for money

what our customers say

We have just returned from our first trip to southern Africa, organised by John and his team at Destinations Africa. It was an amazing trip, covering self driving in Namibia, safaris in Etosha, Botswana and Sabi Sands, with stays in Cape Town and Victoria Falls. The wildlife viewing was incredible, thanks to our wonderful local guides and trackers in each camp. All of the locations and accommodation chosen were perfect for us, with meetings and transfers between each location. I highly recommend the team at Destinations Africa for your next adventure!
Julie Rust
Julie Rust
01:28 25 Sep 23
Having just got back from Africa we wanted to share the wonderful experience we had with John's company.John listened to what we wanted to do and then made insightful suggestions, and constructed a great itinerary for us. He was always there to answer questions or arrange little add ons. His personal knowledge of all the accomodation was very helpful. His selection of lodges was wonderful. We never had to worry about pick ups or arrangements because it was always clearly set out in our itinerary, and everything went seamlessly. We always felt safe and supported.We would not hesitate to go with this company again and recommend it to others, it was an amazing experience!
Leon Allen
Leon Allen
08:26 06 Sep 23
Trip of a lifetime thanks to John and the Destinations Africa team! Although we are well traveled this was our first trip to Africa and Destinations Africa could not make it easier. They selected two amazing safari lodges for us with exceptional service and incredible guides. Every detail was thought of and taken care of. Best week of our lives. They were also able to pull this off with just 3 weeks notice in peak season!
Joshua K
Joshua K
08:36 09 Jan 23
John was so helpful with putting together a week long safari in Tanzania and a short trip to Nairobi, Kenya for our family of 3. All of the accommodation was beyond what we expected and the staff at all of our accommodation were incredible. We enjoyed our daily game drives, the food served and everything in between! We were so lucky to see all of the big 5 and plenty of other animals! We could not recommend Destinations Africa and their partner Albatros Travel more!
Mikayla Payne
Mikayla Payne
02:35 06 Jan 23
We are a family of seven adults who have just returned home after visiting Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa for 24 days. Destinations Africa's expertise and know how made this possible. We chose Destinations Africa because of their positive, nothing is a problem, can do, attitude. We enjoyed amazing, oh so comfortable bush safari camps but also chose to push the boundaries and experienced hot air ballooning, diving with the great white sharks and very high and long zip lining. We had the most awesome, fantastic, seamless, exciting but safe holiday of a lifetime. Our memories and photos are priceless.Destinations know how to do Africa. If you want your ideas and wish list to be made into the ultimate African adventure, talk to Destinations Africa. Go to Africa. Live and breath like never before.
Graham Leahy
Graham Leahy
04:23 14 Jul 22
Destinations Africa are highly recommended. We have now engaged them for a second time. The level of service from start to after the holiday are excellent. The suggested trips, accommodation and places we stayed were spot on. It was an absolute pleasure to deal with Sandie and we are looking forward to booking our new trip
troy daff
troy daff
03:50 26 Nov 19
We had an amazing time in South Africa and Zimbabwe in October 2019. We were 2 families with young adult children - 9 all together.Cathy from Destinations Africa organised our 15 night tour exceptionally well. Everything went very smoothly. Someone was there every time we landed in an airport to pick us ( we had 3 internal flights ) and all the transfers went very smoothly.We had 4 nights in Cape Town- went to Table Mountain, Cape Point and wine lands.Then we had safari at Simbabala Lodge in Tmbavati and Imbabala Lodge at Hwange ,Zimbabwe. The experience specially at Simbavati was amazing. We saw the Big 5 in 3 days. We saw wild dogs 2 consecutive days which is rare. All the staff , specially our guide and tracker were excellent.We had a different experience at Imbabala as not as many big animals like Simbavati. But we still enjoyed viewing animals and more varieties of birds. We enjoyed the hospitality of the young owners and all guests having meals together on one dining table and interacting with each other.It was very interesting to cross borders- zambia , Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe, Botsawana. We did a day tour in Chobe , Botswana.Then we went to Victoria falls hotel in Zimbabwe. The kids loved all the activities in the area- Devil pool experience, Gorge swing which etc. Victoria falls was majestic even though this was a low water season.We are very happy, we came back safe and sound and nothing went wrong. Excellent planning and organising from Cathy. I will certainly book with Destinations Africa when I am ready to visit Africa again.
Chamila Kulasekara
Chamila Kulasekara
08:15 16 Oct 19
Destinations Africa are the best company to travel to Africa with. This is my fifth time with this company and everything always runs like clockwork. Always exceeding expectations.Travelling to many different places over the years. Everywhere I stayed at was amazing.I would always use this company and highly recommend them. Thank you to everyone.
Di Huntington
Di Huntington
13:22 18 Sep 19
My family and I spent 3 weeks in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The bookings and transfers went smoothly. The advice we were given was extremely helpful and the quality of the hotels, lodges and tour guides were amazing. I highly recommend the team at Destinations Africa
Dallas Kennedy
Dallas Kennedy
06:45 13 Sep 19
My husband and I went on a 2 week holiday to Zimbabwe and South Africa. We experienced 2 game lodges and visited Johannesburg and Cape Town. Cathy from Destinations Africa put together the most amazing trip. Everything was perfect, exceeded our expectations and we could not have had a better time. We look forward to being able to visit Africa again sometime and would certainly be getting Destinations Africa to arrange this for us. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!!
Julie Short
Julie Short
03:54 11 Sep 19
My husband and I went on a 2 week holiday to Zimbabwe and South Africa. We experienced 2 game lodges and visited Johannesburg and Cape Town. Cathy from Destinations Africa put together the most amazing trip. Everything was perfect, exceeded our expectations and we could not have had a better time. We look forward to being able to visit Africa again sometime and would certainly be getting Destinations Africa to arrange this for us. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!!
Julie Short
Julie Short
03:54 11 Sep 19
A great big thank you to Sandie at Destinations Africa for planning the most memorable and unforgettable adventure for our first trip to Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Sandie listened to us regarding our time frame, budget and “must sees” and put together an incredible 17 day itinerary that balanced both safari adventure and the sights of Cape Town. We were looked after from the moment we landed in Johannesburg to our final flight from Hoedspruit. Everything ran smoothly. Our accommodations were expecting us and we were checked-in immediately, our transfers were comfortable and on time with friendly and informative staff. All aspects of the trip were finely tuned and ran to perfection. Our accommodations whilst on safari were breathtaking due to their locations be it on the Zambezi River or because the elephants came into camp and we could watch them from our window. The staff at the lodges were friendly and happy and treated us like a member of the family. The food was fresh, delicious and abundant. Then there were the game drives. We saw The Big 5 multiple times, saw leopard and lions “in action” and even saw rhinos mating!! We were also fortunate to see cheetahs, zebra multiple times, hippos both in the water and on land, giraffes multiple times and many other wild life that we had only ever seen in pictures and we couldn’t believe how close they came. The game drives were thrilling. We also enjoyed our time in Cape Town. Our accommodation was comfortable and very handy to the V&A Waterfront where a lot of the Cape Town action is. Although we don’t usually do a Hop on Hop Off bus we found this was a great way to explore Cape Town and get to Table Mountain. Our full day Cape Winelands tour was a lovely way to see more of the area and to visit the lovely villages on the way to our wine tastings. With a couple of days to do our own thing as well it was a good balance of planned and own time. Sandie, thank you again. I’ve already told many friends about Destinations Africa and given them your name. If anyone wants a trip of a life time then contact Sandie at Destinations Africa. Sandie will arrange for you the best trip of your life. We’ll back for another adventure.
Susie Soong
Susie Soong
05:24 10 Sep 19
My family and I, went on a 3 week holiday to South and East Africa, it was unforgettable and exceeded all our expectations. It was a trip of a life time, we have traveled extensively, and this particular trip would be on top of our list, we are planning on going back in the near future.We especially loved the detailed digital itinerary that provided so much information on every stage of the trip and could be shared with friends and family.
Elisa Kisvarda
Elisa Kisvarda
03:22 21 Aug 19
My family and I, went on a 3 week holiday to South and East Africa, it was unforgettable and exceeded all our expectations. It was a trip of a life time, we have traveled extensively, and this particular trip would be on top of our list, we are planning on going back in the near future. We especially loved the detailed digital itinerary that provided so much information on every stage of the trip and could be shared with friends and family.
Elisa Kisvarda
Elisa Kisvarda
03:22 21 Aug 19
Our 3 week holiday to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia was unforgettable and exceeded all our expectations. Thanks to Sandie for great recommendations and all arrangements, including finding answers for all our questions. Everything went very smoothly. We especially loved the detailed digital itinerary that provided so much information on every stage of the trip and could be shared with friends and family.
Linda Richardson
Linda Richardson
06:16 13 Aug 19
We have just returned from a fantastic 19 day trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe.What an amazing experience. From the moment we arrived we were met and transferred with effortless precision. Our accommodation surpassed expectations, the food was amazing and the attention to detail, second to none. Cathy suggested we travel on Rovos Rail and that was an amazing trip. I had never thought of train travel before.. can't wait to do another! The camps we stayed in were luxurious, extremely comfortable and so exciting - Elephants wandering past your front door was an everyday occurrence. We saw the big 5, several times over and the guides we had were informative, courteous and very professional. Prior to going, Cathy designed a trip that suited our group of 4 to a tee! All our questions were clarified promptly and we were never left wondering. If you are considering and African holiday I would definitely recommend Destinations Africa for a trouble free and personalised holiday! I extend a special thanks to Cathy for being our travel manager! Sue Peterie
Sue Peterie
Sue Peterie
23:31 24 Jul 19
Rick and I have been to Africa 3 times over the past 6 years. Destinations Africa have been amazing in planning our trips to suit price, places we wish to go and suggesting the most fabulous Private Game reserves. Christa went out of her way to accommodate our needs and we have always found that each trip has been seamless with arranging pick ups, flights, luggage care and finding new and exciting Private Game reserves. The accommodation is always fantastic and we have never had any worries during our time away. Our favourite is always Savanna Private Game Reserve but we have visited many other wonderful lodges during our trips, including Stanley’s Camp in Botswana, Motswiri, Motswari, The Hide, Imbabala and also went to Victoria Falls, staying at the magnificent 116 yr old Victoria Falls Hotel. There has always been an abundance of animals at each reserve which has been the highlight of our holidays. In summary, we would recommend Destinations Africa without hesitation for an amazing experience.
Dawn Moore
Dawn Moore
04:11 12 Jul 19
Hi to AllJust wanted to let anyone who may be wanting to go on a dream trip to Africa, you cannot go past "Destinations Africa".From our very 1st contact with Cathy, it was obvious that this lady knows her stuff when it comes to travelling to and around Africa. There was huge amount of information re our proposed trip well before we left and nothing in regard to queries etc was too much trouble.Everything, and I MEAN everything, was organised to a tee and absolutely nothing went wrong during the entire trip, we could not have been happierThank you Destinations Africa, you have given us "memories for a lifetime".
Trevor Walker
Trevor Walker
10:13 23 Jun 19
Thanks Destinations Africa for organising a fantastic trip the safaris were amazing Elephants Eye and Motswari were incredible we were treated like Kings and Queens fabulous foodFabulous people .
jim chadwick
jim chadwick
05:23 05 Jun 19
Hubby and I just got back from an amazing first trip to Africa organised by Christa from Destinations Africa. Christa created us a wonderful 3 week holiday from start to finish. It couldn't have been better. From pick ups, charter flights, choosing 5 different safari camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe for us, not forgetting Victoria Falls, we were met on time, every time by happy drivers, pilots and camp staff. The service at the camps was second to none and delivered so much more than we thought possible. Christa's choice of camps was perfect for us and each camp gave us special memories each different to the other. The animal life was exceptional. Destinations Africa get 5 stars from us for service, knowledge and knowing what we would enjoy. Thank you.
Bronwyn Dixon
Bronwyn Dixon
07:49 22 May 19
Our family has had two holidays at Simbavati, mainly staying at the River Lodge.Both have been wonderful experiences, really feeling that we were welcome visitors to a natural environment, still wild but approachable, and unspoilt. The River Lodge fits in to its natural surroundings while giving you all the amenities you need, we were not intruding or changing the habitat but felt very well looked after. The Hilltop Lodge is more modern and man-made but still blending gently into its environment.Destinations Africa made everything so easy for us - all our questions were answered quickly and with confidence, all the background information was sent to us to cover all aspects of a trip to Africa, not just to the game reserve. We felt that they cared personally about our group and what we wanted to achieve.Go and enjoy!
diane ross
diane ross
02:37 17 May 19
Destinations Africa listened to what I wanted, and delivered a dream trip. It was my first visit to Africa, alone, and they managed everything, all my connections and accommodation and activities. It was a perfect wish list of locations (Cape Town, Victoria Falls, safaris), the lodges were exceptional and friendly, the food was great. I saw every animal I dared to hope for, including the Big 5. Destinations Africa know what they're doing.
Jen Riddler
Jen Riddler
04:42 25 Mar 19
Travel Destinations Africa (TDA) is the best travel agent I have every used for anything. Their knowledge of Africa is unparalleled. Nothing is left to chance. The destinations themselves are superb, the arrangements seamless and all done with a very high level of personal service over the phone and via the internet. We have used TDA's services twice now and despite the fact we know Africa reasonably well will always use them when arranging a trip to Africa. I cannot recommend them highly enough
Martin Heffron
Martin Heffron
23:28 07 Mar 19
Our agent's local knowledge was invaluable, even the airport hotel was great! Ha ha. The safari at Karen Blixen Camp exceeded all expectations. We can't thank Destinations Africa enough for planning such a great trip for us.
Lainy Thompson
Lainy Thompson
22:16 21 Jan 19
The single most personal and detailed service we have ever worked with!What make Destinations Africa such a pleasure to work with was that they really took our experience, interests, passions and travel history into account. Cathy from DA interviewed my husband and I for almost an hour to deeply understand what we were interested in, how we like to travel, what experiences were the most important to us and other personal details. Based on what we provided in that initial interview, Cathy came back with recommendations, we provided feedback and she iterated on the itinerary until it was absolutely perfect. But this wasn't a simple booking service, we were provided with regular proactive updates and recommendations on additional activities as well as details on everything from the type of vaccinations required, to what type of currency we would need. We also felt completely supported by them while on the trip. Congratulations to the amazing team at Destinations Africa (especially Cathy!) for all of their fantastic work. If you are considering an African trip (and let's face it, after our experiences why wouldn't you be??), give them a buzz.
Juliette Connolly
Juliette Connolly
07:21 28 Nov 18
Wow, what an amazing trip we have just returned from. We visited Nairobi and Giraffe Manor, the Maasai Mara and Karen Blixen Camp, the Serengeti and Mbuze Mawe Serena Tented Camp, Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu Acacia Lodge Farm and then on to Zanzibar and Sultan Sands Resort. Cathy and the team at Destinations Africa should be very proud of themselves with their organisation and handling of our trip. From the first phone call with Cathy I felt she understood exactly what I was looking for in this exciting adventure I was about to plan. Any dealings we had with Destinations Africa were handled promptly and everything ran smoothly. And we felt safe everywhere we went. Thank you Cathy, for making our dreams come true.
Lyn Nicholson
Lyn Nicholson
01:47 01 Nov 18
We are about to leave on our trip. Destinations Africa have been nothing but superb. We have been working with Cathy and the service and knowledge has been fantastic. We have done a lot of travel, and cannot recommend DA enough. Quick to respond, brilliant advice, and extremely well organised. If you're planning on a trip to Africa look no further than this company to help you create a trip of a lifetime.
Graham Connolly
Graham Connolly
23:23 30 Oct 18
We recently used Destinations Africa to organise our trip along the Garden Route (self drive) in South Africa, 8 days in Zimbabwe (a minibus for 6 people) and finally 5 days at Savanna Lodge in Sabi Sands west of Kruger National Park. It would have to be one of the best trips we have so far taken. Everything went like clockwork, the transport and accommodation was superb. The Garden route exceeded expectations. Travelling through Zimbabwe was an eye opener.. don't let anyone put you off exploring this very interesting country with amongst the friendliest people you could meet anywhere.We have been to a number of game parks in Africa and Savanna Lodge would have to be the best we've ever visited. Apart from the superb accommodation and food, the game drives were fantastic. If you want to get up close and personal with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes... you name it, we saw it.Thanks so much Destinations Africa for such an amazing holiday. Would we recommend it?? Definitely!!
Maureen Hessey
Maureen Hessey
07:06 21 Sep 18
Our recent (and first) trip to Africa exceeded our expectations !!!!! Cathy at Destinations Africa worked with us and put together a 3 week itinerary which was a perfect balance of safaris, culture and sightseeing, and met our budget objectives. Every aspect was covered in the documentation and the logistics of meet & greet (4), internal flights (7), transfers (5), & border processing between Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa worked like clockwork, exactly as planned.All of our accommodation was first rate and the 4 safari venues that we went to were very different and provided a multitude of varied wildlife experiences ...... the icing on the cake was the final 5 nights at the Savanna Lodge in SA where there was a multitude of “surprises” built into the program for guests - what a fantastic way to finish our trip !ps: we don’t know how Cathy managed it, but we even ran into an Australian on the Chobe River who I last saw 55 years ago !
Andrew Bell
Andrew Bell
22:19 19 Sep 18
We have just returned from a 3 week honeymoon to Mana Pools and South Africa. Having used the wonderful services of Destinations Africa for my 2011 trip to Africa I did not hesitate to contact them once more when we decided to go to Africa.Everything was perfect. As usual, John and Sandie went out of their way to ensure they understood EXACTLY what we wanted to get out of the trip, to understand why we wanted to go to Africa and what we wanted to experience.The locations, accommodation, transfers, flights, the African support staff, everything was spectacular.I wouldn't trust anyone else to arrange our trips to Africa.
Amanda Lancaster
Amanda Lancaster
01:58 07 Sep 18
I have just returned from an incredible walking safari with Robin Pope Safaris in Zambia. What an incredible experience! With our expert guide, Kanga, we saw all of the animals we could possibly hope for including leopards, one with her cub. The staff, food and lodgings were top class and I would return tomorrow. Victoria Falls and the Victoria Falls Hotel were an added bonus which we thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend the helicopter ride over the Falls.Thank you Cathy and team at Destinations Africa for your superb help with itineraries and all on ground arrangements. I would use you again without hesitation.All up, an unforgettable 5 star experience.
Julie Stewart
Julie Stewart
02:05 22 Aug 18
Christa planned the most amazing family trip of a lifetime for us! We spent 3 amazing weeks in South Africa and Zimbabwe and enjoyed every moment. Our accommodation and transfers were all seamless. We met the most amazing people on our trip and it's certainly left us with a myriad of lasting memories. Thank you so very much!
Robyn Follett
Robyn Follett
12:18 07 Aug 18
Cathy at Destinations Africa was amazing in organising a trip for myself and three girlfriends to East Africa and Victoria Falls. She was so efficient, always friendly, very patient and went above and beyond to give us the trip of a lifetime. From the moment we set foot in Africa we had a friendly face to greet us and we were never left wondering about any of the arrangements...the trip ran like clockwork. All the hotels and lodges we stayed at were terrific and the game viewing was spectacular. I can't thank Cathy and the rest of the Destinations Africa team (particularly Albatross Travel in East Africa) for all their hard work. I wouldn't hesitate in coming to them again for further Africa travel.
Denise Luey
Denise Luey
05:10 06 Aug 18
Christa from Destinations Africa is absolutely amazing!Our sincere gratitude to Christa for not only recommending wonderful destinations and organising these, but also for re-organising at late notice when a death in our family meant rescheduling.All proceeded to plan, with highly recommended accommodation and destinations. We particularly enjoyed the three safari camp stays, each were amazing in experiencing wildlife encounters. Victoria Falls, Cape Town and the Garden Route added icing on to the cake!Throughout my experiences with Christa and Destinations Africa, we received valuable, current information and support throughout. Christa was always friendly, approachable, thorough and knowledgeable, going out of her way to help in any way she could. All within a reasonable budget!I sincerely thank Destinations Africa for organising our wonderful African adventure, and would recommend them to any interested travellers.Yvonne and AndrewHamersley, Perth, Western AustraliaJuly 2018
Yvonne Hare
Yvonne Hare
06:41 29 Jul 18
Wow Wow Wow! Just home from the best holiday I have experienced! And I'm a big traveller. I can not fault any little thing about Destinations Africa from the very beginning, and all the way through our trip, it was smooth sailing, John and Sandie are experts and listened to what I wanted and certainly delivered. Our itinerary was magic, just like Africa, trust me if you want a holiday that is wonderful and you want to feel totally at ease with the whole experience, look no further. Thanks guys for you expertise it was brilliant.
Dianne Mapleson
Dianne Mapleson
05:15 06 Jun 18
Destinations Africa planned our first trip to Africa, we visited Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Elephant Plains Game Reserve. All accommodation was first class from service to comfort to meals. The activities booked for us were interesting and informative. We especially liked the lunch with the local lady in Victoria Falls. Cape Town was a lovely city with the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain highlights. Then Elephant Plains with the great variety of animals we viewed was a dream come true. Thanks for a great itinerary and all your help.
Christine Mitchell
Christine Mitchell
22:40 27 May 18
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Botswana:

Stay
  • Okavango Delta Lodges
    Okavango Delta Lodges

    Our preferred safari lodges of the Okavango Delta are resplendent in style, indulgent in comfort, and extraordinarily hospitable in service. With an endless abundance of wildlife to view, and diverse attractions to suit most tastes, the lodges of the Delta offer some of the best safari experiences on the continent.

  • Chobe Resorts

    Chobe National Park is 10,000 square kilometres of rich and abundant ecosystems, home to Africa’s largest elephant population. We seldom recommend the resorts here, as they are overcrowded and do not offer a true safari experience. However, we do use the various cruise houseboats on the bountiful Chobe River.

  • Lodge in Kalahari
    Kalahari Lodges

    The Kalahari is synonymous for the endless savannah sweeping in all directions, full of wildlife but devoid of human habitation. The remote lodges here are very far apart, meaning your safari viewing experience will always be exclusive and private. Though extremely comfortable, accommodation here may be simpler than in other Botswana safari lodges – however, this is only because the focus is on one thing: the wildlife.

  • Okavango Expeditions
    Mobile Camping (Okavango Expeditions)

    A different approach to safaris that is also suitable for the more budget-conscious traveller, Okavango Expeditions provide experiences very similar to the concept of the original Kenyan safaris of the 1920s. Packing and moving your entire campsite as you move from place to place, campers can choose between fully serviced journeys or self-packed adventures, all depending on your budget and preference.

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Safari
  • Sable Alley Game Lodge
    Sable Alley Game Lodge – Okavango Delta

    A new and exciting game camp with a modern and understated style, Sable Alley Game Lodge has the heart and soul of an East African camp but the views and wildlife of the Okavango Delta. Set in game-rich floodplains on Khwai Private Reserve, Sable is a light, bright piece of luxury that is as sustainable as it is sophisticated.

  • Jack’s Camp – Kalahari
    Jack’s Camp – Kalahari / Makgadikgadi Pans

    Situated on the salt pan relic of one of the world’s largest super-lakes, Jack’s Camp has ten bedouin-style luxury tents with ensuite bathrooms and exotic furnishings, and is attended by some of the most knowledgeable guides in Africa. Observe a fascinating melody of rare wildlife at this oasis of comfort in an otherworldly landscape.

  • Stanley's Camp – Okavango Delta
    Stanley's Camp – Okavango Delta

    Set in the midst of ebony and sausage trees on the Okavango Delta, Stanley’s camp is an unpretentious and authentic safari experience with ten luxury tents and private viewing decks. A superb location to view buffalo in large numbers, Stanley’s Camp also offers guests an opportunity for a unique interaction with a herd of rescued orphaned elephants.

  • King’s Pool

    Ideally situated overlooking the hippopotamus-filled King’s Pool Lagoon in the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, King’s Pool Camp offers specialist wildlife viewing tours such as colonial-style barge rides along the Linyanti River, nocturnal game drives, camouflaged viewing decks, and even wilderness walks in the company of armed and expert guides.

  • Vumbura Plains – Okavango Delta
    Vumbura Plains – Okavango Delta

    Vumbura Plains is two camps of seven luxury suites apiece, set on raised wooden platforms above the Okavango Delta’s floodplains, allowing perfect viewing of safari wildlife in all directions. Special attractions at this camp include a ride along the Delta on a Makoro (dug-out canoe), nocturnal game drives, and an incomparable view of the ground from the camp’s hot air balloon.

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Visit
  • Okavango Delta

    What luxury Botswana safari would be complete without a visit to the Okavango Delta? A lush sequence of waterways brimming with animal and plant life in the midst of a vast dry expanse of savannah and desert, the Okavango Delta is a place for safari treks like no other.

  • Kalahari Desert

    Though a desert in name, the Kalahari is actually a complex ecosystem in a landscape of savannah and semi-arid land that supports enormous numbers of game and provides a perfect backdrop for a Botswana wilderness safari. For a true taste of Africa, there can hardly be a more appropriate location than “the great thirst” of the Kalahari Desert.

  • Makgadikgadi Pans
    Makgadikgadi Pans

    Mysterious and alien, yet somehow irresistibly alluring for wildlife lovers, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are at once completely dead and totally alive, with seasonal rainfall bringing huge herds of wild animals to the otherwise empty salt flats. With accommodation options ranging from budget to extremely luxurious, a visit to the Pans is definitely recommended.

  • Moremi Game Reserve
    Moremi Game Reserve

    Covering 5,000 square kilometres on the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including no less than 500 species of birds, making it superb for bird-watching. The physical landscape is every bit as diverse, with grasslands, floodplains, lagoons, forests of acacia trees, pans, savannahs and dense Mopane Woodlands.

  • Chobe

    The first national park in Botswana, Chobe is a large but densely packed conservation environment containing an estimated 50,000 elephants. Being perhaps the most popular of all Botswana safari holiday destinations, and with game lodges aplenty suiting various budgets, a wildlife tour in Chobe will see you in good company.

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Do
  • Game Drive with Lions
    Game Drives (Safaris)

    Naturally we recommend taking in a game drive in your visit to Botswana otherwise, why are you even going there? The only problem you will have is choosing between the sheer number of options on the table. Will you choose desert savannah, delta floodplains, desolate salt flats, or pristine rivers? What about luxury game lodges, intimate mobile camps, night-time wildlife tours, or river cruises in traditional canoes? National parks, private reserves, or remote exclusivity? Better yet, just try them all – you won’t look back.

  • Makoro (Dug-out Canoe) Safari
    Makoro (Dug-out Canoe) Safari

    Get up close and personal with the water wildlife of the Okavango Delta by participating in an intimate Makoro Safari. With just you and your guide in a low-impact canoe, pushing your way in tranquility through the teeming waterways, you are sure to get much more than a glimpse of some of the most fascinating wildlife on the planet.

  • Mobile Camping
    Mobile Camping

    Mobile Camping is a step more adventurous than your regular lodge-style safari with a single location as home base. Instead, on a mobile Botswana safari camp, you will become one with nature as you trek together with a select group of like-minded travellers and superb staff in a visceral wildlife experience that’s never to be forgotten. We recommend mobile camping with Okavango Expeditions.

  • Walking with Meerkats

    One of the special attractions at a few rare safari camps in the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans is the opportunity to spend time with some of the cutest and most sociable animals on the planet – meerkats. Thanks to a carefully crafted program of human habituation, guests have the opportunity to get close to, walk with, touch, and sometimes even be sat upon by these enigmatic but engrossing desert creatures.

  • Cruising on the Chobe River

    What better way to take in the sights Chobe National Park than via a cruise down its famous river, all the while surrounded by hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and more species of birds than you could name. The hallmark of these cruises is not only the magnificent and up-close wildlife viewing, but also some of the most dramatic sunsets imaginable.

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Botswana

Travel Guide

Local time:

Both autumn and winter (April through September) are excellent times to visit Botswana, as the days are generally pleasant and the wildlife rarely wanders far from water sources. Nevertheless, these times also include periods of school holidays in Europe, North America, and South Africa, meaning that the more popular tourist destinations can become a little crowded.

In general, June, early July, and mid- to late September are the least crowded times to visit.

Summer is not a good time to hit the back roads, enjoy wildlife viewing or explore the Okavango Delta, as prolonged rains may render sandy roads uncrossable, and animals typically disperse when water is abundant. From December to March it is very difficult to get around the Chobe and Moremi national parks due to heavy rains, and many lodges actually close.

climate

Botswana has a mainly temperate climate. Rain falls during the summer months from November – March and varies from 8″ (200mm) in the arid south, to 24″ (600mm) in the north, peaking in December and January.

Generally speaking, rain tends to fall in short thundershowers.

Weatherwise, the best time to visit Botswana is April – September when the days are generally cloudless and sunny, with mild to warm temperatures (around 25°C). However, evening temperatures can drop sharply (the minimum can be as low as -3°C).

The best game viewing is between June and October, and best birding is between December and May. Nevertheless, note that during the summer months, daytime temperatures can rise to 40°C and drop to around 25°C in the evenings.

The unit of currency is the Pula (BWP), which is divided into 100 Thebe.

Three commercial banks operate in Botswana. The Bank of Botswana, a government subsidiary, allocates generous foreign currency allowances out of Botswana.
Bank hours are 09:00–15:30 from Monday to Friday, and 09:00–11:30 on Saturdays. Major hotels typically have foreign currency facilities and accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club. Most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept travellers cheques.

Many lodges however will NOT accept credit cards, so be prepared for alternative means of payment. Foreign currency can be used at the lodges, but change may be given in Pula. We recommend that our clients carry USD in cash as this is accepted everywhere.

No vaccinations are currently required for entry into Botswana when arriving directly from North America or Europe. However, we recommend that tetanus boosters for children and adults are kept up to date, with courses or boosters usually advised for diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and typhoid.

A yellow fever certificate is required if the visitor is over one year old, and arriving in Botswana from an infected area or a country where yellow fever is endemic (such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zaire). In the case of yellow fever, the vaccine must be administered at least ten days before arrival.

Malaria precautions are essential in most of the country from November to June. Fortunately, there are several safe and effective options for both adults and children. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers, especially after sunset. We also advise the use of insect repellents on exposed skin and, where necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net. Prompt investigation of fever or flu-like symptoms anytime within six weeks of travel is essential.

As with all travel to remote places, we recommend bringing a small supply of any medicines you may need, including a course of emergency “standby” treatment for malaria.

Due to early colonial rule, English is the official business language of Botswana, and most written communication and business texts are in this language.

The main spoken language of Botswana is Tswana, utilised by most of the population. However, English is still the primary language when it comes to writing.

There are also a large number of other African languages spoken by smaller groups, including Kalanga, Kgalagadi, Shona, Mbukushu, and Ndebele. Over ninety percent of the population speak a Bantu language natively.

All charter transfers on our luxury Botswana safari tours are in light aircraft that carry between five and seven passengers. Please note that these planes are limited with regards to the weight that they can carry. It is therefore vital that all passengers adhere to the luggage restriction of fifteen (15) kilograms per person in a soft bag.

This excludes a reasonable amount of camera equipment and carry-on luggage (up to 5 kilograms – 20 kilograms in total). In addition, please let us know if you are over 188 cm (6’2”) tall or weigh over 100kg (220lbs), so that we can plan our trip appropriately.

Tickets are generally not issued for charter flights; you will however receive a voucher for your trip.

Passport requirements: Each visitor to Botswana, except holders of United Nations Convention Travel documents, must be in possession of a valid, signed passport that is valid for at least six months beyond his/her scheduled departure date.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST TWO BLANK PAGES IN YOUR PASSPORT FOR STAMPS/VISAS ETC. IF NOT, YOU MAY BE REFUSED ENTRY INTO BOTSWANA. FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU CARRY A PHOTOCOPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT AND ANY OTHER IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WITH YOU. IN ADDITION, WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT YOU LEAVE COPIES OF YOUR DOCUMENTS WITH SOMEONE AT HOME.

VISA EXCEPTIONS: Citizens of the following countries do NOT require visas.

Nationals of all commonwealth countries, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and USA. Citizens of countries not mentioned must apply for visas. Please check with your embassy for up-to-date information as requirements can change.

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