Botswana Safaris

Botswana is without doubt one of Africa's finest safari destinations.

At the heart of Botswana’s safari areas is the Okavango Delta, where Africa's third-largest river fans across desert sands in a myriad of simmering waterways and lagoons, giving birth to a green oasis half the size of Switzerland. A safari here is unique and a game watcher’s paradise as one of the world's richest ecosystems teems with wildlife of all kinds. Though much of the water is seasonal, there are some permanent rivers, and mokoros (traditional poled canoes) glide silently by groves of papyrus and iridescent flocks of birds.

To the north of the Delta the Chobe River, within easy driving distance of the Victoria Falls, attracts some of Africa's largest elephant herds; while to the south the extraordinary Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans, drum-flat and shimmering in the sun, give way to the stunning dunes of the Kalahari, home to Bushmen communities. In Botswana’s spectacular and pristine environment tourism treads lightly, with safari lodges kept small and eco-sensitive, visitor numbers strictly limited and man's intrusion controlled.

Botswana Safaris - Travel Tips

The best time to safari in Botswana is from April to October after the main rains, although for birders the months of December to May are particularly good.
For a safari in the Okavango Delta the waters are traditionally at their peak in the middle of the dry season from late July to early August.
Game in Botswana tends to be relaxed making extremely good viewing for safari goers.
Botswana is an excellent family safari destination and combines well with safaris in Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa or Zambia.

Botswana Safaris - A Personal View

Jo Netscher Before visiting Botswana, a guide in Zambia once told me that the cape turtle dove’s call was supposedly chanting, ‘Bots-wana, Bots-wana, Bots-wana’.

Now whenever I watch any wildlife safari documentary I can always hear the turtle dove in the background promoting safaris in Botswana with its two syllable call.

And what’s not to promote? This is probably one of the most famous African safari destinations and where I was lucky enough to explore the channels of the Okavango Delta by mokoro and by boat safaris, be wowed by the game and the birdlife in the Linyanti region, and lastly discover the alien habitat of the Makgadikgadi Pans by quad bike.

Jo Netscher - One of Aardvark Safaris' Botswana safari specialists

Botswana Safaris - Ideas You Might Not Have Thought About

		Bushmen Safaris Combine a wildlife safari with a few nights at a traditional Bushmen community in the western Kalahari. Guests have plenty of opportunities to learn about Bushman culture and one of the highlights is to walk in the surrounding area to discover how they manage their hunting and gathering, and gain an insight into their unique way of life. Accommodation is in authentic grass shelters which are cleverly designed to provide the normal comfort of a safari camp. This community project offers a dignified and culturally sensitive experience with an almost extinct people.

		Riding Safaris If you have a passion for riding, game viewing on horseback will give you the opportunity to get close to wildlife and fully appreciate the sights and sounds of the bush. Riding safaris in Botswana are of varying length and follow natural game trails. You may well come across herds of elephant or buffalo and often get the chance to gallop alongside plains game.

		Affordable Botswana on a Mobile Safari Experience Botswana’s wildlife with a set departure mobile camping safari. You have your own private vehicle and guide and get the chance to explore on foot and by mokoro canoe. Staying in simple yet comfortable tents in private campsites you will discover the true luxuries of mobile camping; hot showers, chilled sundowners and superb meals cooked over an open fire.

		Elephant Safaris An elephant back safari at Abu Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is for many the ultimate safari and provides a unique opportunity to experience and understand these legendary creatures. Join the elephants in their hedonistic routine of relaxed enjoyment - eating, bathing, meditating and going for long walks through the bush. Game viewing takes on a new and striking perspective as you can see across vast distances.

		Great Deals in the Green Season Take advantage of great prices in some of Botswana’s best safari camps by travelling during March to May. Known as the Green Season, this is a spectacular time of year, bursting with new life, lush vegetation, vivid colours and dramatic skies. Lagoons are full and bird viewing is at its best with migrating birds in breeding plumage. As wildlife and their young are pushed together in drier areas game viewing is also excellent.