Destination · Botswana

Botswana

Water-based safaris through the Okavango Delta and the largest elephant population left on Earth.

"Gliding through the Delta by mokoro at sunrise, completely silent except for birdsong — it felt like nowhere else on Earth."

— Sarah, Botswana traveller

"The exclusivity is real. We had entire game drives without seeing another vehicle."

— James & Nadia, anniversary safari
Overview

Africa's wildest wetland, protected by design

Botswana pioneered "low-impact, high-value" tourism — capping visitor numbers to keep camps small, remote, and genuinely wild. The result is the Okavango Delta: a permanent inland river system that floods each year, turning the Kalahari sands into a maze of lagoons, islands, and channels teeming with wildlife.

Pair the Delta with Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population on the continent, and Botswana becomes one of the most exclusive and rewarding safari circuits in Africa — reached almost entirely by light aircraft between camps.

Trip highlights

  • Mokoro canoe safaris through the permanent channels of the Okavango Delta
  • Africa's largest elephant population on riverfront boat safaris at Chobe
  • Fly-in camps reached almost entirely by light aircraft, minimising visitor density
  • Strong predator sightings in the private Linyanti concessions
  • Black-maned lions and San Bushmen heritage in the Central Kalahari
  • Optional add-on to Victoria Falls via a short flight from Kasane
Best parks & reserves

Where to go

Iconic

Okavango Delta

Mokoro canoe safaris and light-aircraft camps spread across a permanent inland delta.

Elephant capital

Chobe National Park

Home to over 120,000 elephants, with dramatic riverfront boat safaris at sunset.

Wilderness

Moremi Game Reserve

A mix of dry land and floodplain within the Delta, known for strong predator sightings.

Remote

Central Kalahari

One of the largest protected wilderness areas on Earth, home to black-maned lions and San Bushmen heritage.

Seasonal spectacle

Linyanti

A private, low-density concession bordering Chobe with excellent predator activity.

Salt pans

Makgadikgadi Pans

Otherworldly salt-pan landscapes, home to zebra migrations and meerkat colonies.

Best time to visit

When to go

June–August (peak flood, dry season): The Delta is at its fullest, wildlife concentrates around remaining water sources. Prime game viewing and prime rates.

September–October: Hot and dry with excellent wildlife concentration, before the rains arrive — a favourite window for photographers.

November–March (green season): Lush scenery, newborn animals, and significantly lower rates, though some floodplain areas become harder to access.

Signature wildlife

What you'll see

The Big Five (rhino via specific reserves), Africa's largest elephant herds, wild dog, red lechwe, and exceptional birdlife across the Delta's waterways.

ElephantLionLeopard Wild DogBuffaloHippo Red LechweCrocodile
Sample itinerary

7 days, Delta & Chobe

1

Arrive Maun

Connect through Johannesburg to Maun, then transfer by light aircraft into the Delta.

2–4

Okavango Delta

Three nights split between a water camp and a land-based camp, mixing mokoro paddles, boat cruises, and game drives.

5–6

Chobe / Linyanti

Fly to a private concession bordering Chobe for two nights of elephant-dense game drives and riverfront boat safaris.

7

Depart

Fly back to Maun or Kasane for your international connection.

Accommodation examples

Where you'll stay

Luxury

Delta water camp

Elevated stilted suites over a lagoon, mokoro launch from your deck, full-board with private guiding.

Mid-range

Chobe riverfront lodge

Comfortable en-suite chalets with direct river frontage and sunset boat cruises included.

Value

Maun-based camping circuit

A more affordable way into Botswana, camping en route between Moremi and the Delta fringes.

From the field

Botswana in pictures

FAQs

Botswana safari questions

Botswana caps visitor numbers and light-aircraft access to keep camps small and wildlife undisturbed. Fewer beds and higher operating costs mean rates run structurally higher than road-based safari countries.

Most nationalities, including the US, UK, EU, and Australia, do not require a visa for tourist stays. Confirm current requirements for your passport before booking.

Yes — Victoria Falls, on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border, is a short flight from Kasane and a very popular add-on to a Chobe itinerary.

It works well, though it's a higher-budget entry point than Kenya or South Africa. Many first-time travellers pair Botswana with a lower-cost destination to balance the trip.

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