BOTSWANA
Our Travel Guide

Botswana stands as one of Africa's greatest conservation success stories and premier safari destinations.

This landlocked country in Southern Africa has transformed itself from one of the world's poorest nations at independence in 1966 to a middle-income country with a strong commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism.

Botswana's approach of "high value, low volume" tourism protects its pristine wilderness while offering travelers some of the most exclusive and extraordinary wildlife experiences on the continent.

From the iconic Okavango Delta to the vast Kalahari Desert, Botswana presents landscapes of breathtaking diversity and wildlife encounters of unparalleled intimacy.

Herd of Lechwe Antelope crossing water, Botswana

Photo by Dave Christensen

Botswana stands as a testament to what visionary conservation policies can achieve. By deliberately choosing quality over quantity in its tourism development, the country has preserved vast wilderness areas that offer some of Africa's most authentic safari experiences.

The combination of extraordinary wildlife density, diverse ecosystems, limited visitor numbers, and exceptional guiding creates a safari experience of unparalleled quality.

The country's commitment to conservation extends beyond protected areas through innovative community partnerships that ensure local people benefit directly from tourism.

This sustainable approach has created economic incentives to protect wildlife and natural resources while preserving cultural heritage.

Botswana is not a budget destination, but the premium price delivers exceptional value through exclusive experiences, pristine environments, and the knowledge that your visit contributes to conservation success. For those seeking an authentic African wilderness experience where animals roam freely across vast, unfenced landscapes, Botswana offers an unmatched safari destination that leaves visitors forever changed.

Whether poling through crystal-clear Delta channels, witnessing the great elephant herds of Chobe, tracking lions across the Kalahari, or sitting with San trackers learning ancient survival skills, Botswana provides profound connections to nature and culture that represent the very best of African safari travel.

Botswana offers travelers a safari experience unlike any other in Africa, with several distinctive characteristics that set it apart:

1. Exceptional Conservation Philosophy

Botswana has pioneered a visionary approach to conservation and tourism:

High-Value, Low-Volume Tourism Model: By limiting bed numbers and charging premium rates, Botswana minimizes environmental impact while maximizing economic benefits.
Anti-Poaching Commitment: Botswana Defense Force manages anti-poaching efforts, demonstrating national commitment to wildlife protection.
Vast Protected Areas: Nearly 40% of the country's land is under some form of conservation protection.
Community Conservation: Many concessions operate on community-owned land, ensuring local people benefit directly from tourism.
Hunting Ban to Photographic Safari Conversion: Many former hunting areas have been transformed into photographic safari concessions.

Notable Achievement: Botswana hosts the world's largest elephant population (approximately 130,000), representing nearly one-third of all African elephants.

2. Outstanding Guide Quality and Professional Standards

Botswana's safari guides are among the world's finest:

Comprehensive Training System: The Botswana Guides Association and Department of Wildlife and National Parks oversee a rigorous multi-level qualification system.
Specialized Water Knowledge: Guides in the Delta receive specialized training for water-based safaris, including poling mokoro canoes and navigating waterways.
Local Expertise: Many guides come from nearby communities, possessing ancestral knowledge of tracking, traditional plant uses, and animal behavior.
Environmental Interpretation Skills: Guides are trained not just to find wildlife but to interpret entire ecosystems, from soil types to bird migrations.
Professional Development: Ongoing training programs ensure guides stay current with conservation science and guiding techniques.
Expert Trackers: Many camps pair guides with dedicated trackers from San (Bushmen) communities, whose tracking abilities are legendary.

Guest Experience: The guide-to-guest ratio in most premium camps is 1:4 or better, ensuring personalized attention and customized wildlife experiences.

3. Pristine Wilderness Experience

Botswana offers a genuine wilderness immersion that has become increasingly rare:

Absence of Fences: Most wildlife areas have no internal fencing, allowing natural animal movements.
Limited Vehicle Numbers: Most concessions restrict the number of vehicles at wildlife sightings (typically maximum 3).
Remote Locations: Many camps are accessible only by small aircraft, ensuring isolation from mass tourism.
Minimal Development: Even luxury camps typically have fewer than 20 beds and are constructed to leave minimal environmental footprint.
Dark Sky Preserves: Minimal light pollution means exceptional stargazing opportunities.
Natural Soundscapes: The absence of mechanized noise in many areas preserves the authentic sounds of the African bush.

4. Extraordinary Wildlife Density and Diversity

The concentration and variety of wildlife in key ecosystems is remarkable:

One of Africa's largest remaining populations of endangered wild dogs
Unique adaptations like swimming lions in the Okavango
Desert-adapted species in the Kalahari including the iconic black-maned lions
Massive elephant herds in the Chobe region (sometimes exceeding 400 individuals)
Annual zebra migrations that rival the Serengeti in scale but see far fewer tourists
Over 570 bird species including many rarities and near-endemics

5. Diverse Safari Experiences

Botswana offers an unmatched variety of ways to experience wildlife:

Water-based safaris in mokoro canoes and motorboats
Traditional game drives in specialized safari vehicles
Walking safaris with armed professional guides
Mobile tented safaris following wildlife movements
Helicopter flights over inaccessible wilderness areas
Photographic hides at strategic water sources
Cultural interactions with indigenous San communities
Horseback safaris in selected areas

1. Okavango Delta

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most extraordinary ecosystems: an inland delta where the Okavango River empties into the sands of the Kalahari.

Wildlife: Elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, wild dogs, red lechwe, sitatunga, and over 400 bird species.

Unique Features:

World's largest inland delta (15,000 km²)
Annual flood cycle bringing water from Angola's highlands
Mosaic of islands, channels, and floodplains
Water-loving species like red lechwe and sitatunga antelopes
Exceptional predator concentrations, including swimming lions
Safari experiences by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), motorboat, and land vehicles

Travel Tip: Visit during the annual flood (June-August) for the classic Delta experience with water-based activities, but don't dismiss the "green season" (December-March) when rates are lower and birdlife is exceptional.

2. Chobe National Park

Botswana's first national park, famous for massive elephant herds along the Chobe riverfront.

Wildlife: Highest concentration of elephants in Africa, buffalo herds, lions, hippos, crocodiles, sable antelopes, and abundant birdlife.

Unique Features:

Four distinct ecosystems: riverfront, Savuti marshes, Linyanti marshes, and dry interior
Spectacular boat safaris along the Chobe River
Savuti Channel's famous predator-prey dynamics
Opportunity to view wildlife from both Botswana and Namibia sides of the river
Large buffalo herds during dry season

Travel Tip: The riverfront area near Kasane can get crowded; consider staying in the less-visited Savuti or Linyanti sections of the park for a more exclusive experience.

3. Moremi Game Reserve

The only officially protected area within the Okavango Delta, combining permanently flooded areas with seasonal floodplains and dry land.

Wildlife: All major predators, particularly renowned for wild dog sightings, plus red lechwe, giraffes, zebras, and diverse birdlife.

Unique Features:

Stunning Chief's Island, the largest landmass in the Delta
Exceptional game viewing along Paradise Pools and Xakanaxa Lagoon
Combination of water and land activities
Some of Botswana's most comfortable safari lodges
Excellent year-round wildlife viewing

Travel Tip: The eastern section accessed from Khwai is available for self-drive safaris, while the western areas generally require fly-in access to private concessions.

4. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

One of Africa's largest protected areas (52,800 km²) and a dramatically different ecosystem from the Delta.

Wildlife: Black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, brown hyenas, oryx, springbok, and desert-adapted birds.

Unique Features:

Ancient fossil river valleys (including the famous Deception Valley)
Spectacular open plains game viewing
Dramatic seasonal transformation after summer rains
San Bushmen cultural heritage
Phenomenal night skies and stargazing
Exceptional summer wildlife concentration following the rains

Travel Tip: Unlike many other Botswana destinations, the Central Kalahari is at its wildlife prime during and after the summer rains (January-April) when the plains erupt with grasses, attracting herbivores and their predators.

5. Makgadikgadi Pans

An otherworldly landscape of vast salt flats, the remains of an ancient super-lake.

Wildlife: Zebra and wildebeest migrations, flamingos (when flooded), meerkats, brown hyenas, and unique desert specialists.

Unique Features:

Surreal, lunar-like salt pans stretching to the horizon
Habituated meerkat colonies that interact with visitors
Massive zebra migration after summer rains
Fascinating archaeological sites and stone tools
Opportunity to interact with San Bushmen trackers
Quad bike adventures across the pans (during dry season)

Travel Tip: Experience both wet and dry seasons for completely different experiences—crystal white salt pans during dry months and water-filled pans with flamingos and migratory birds during wet months.

6. Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando Concessions

Private reserves north of the Okavango offering exclusive wildlife experiences along three river systems.

Wildlife: Large elephant herds, buffalo, wild dogs, lions, leopards, and roan and sable antelopes.

Unique Features:

Remote and exclusive private concessions
Important wildlife corridors between Okavango and Chobe
Exceptional predator viewing, particularly wild dogs
Combination of riverine and woodland habitats
Premium camps with ultra-low tourist density
Walking safaris and water activities (seasonal)

Travel Tip: These private concessions offer some of the most exclusive and premium safari experiences in Botswana, with exceptional guiding and service standards

San Bushmen Heritage

The San people (Bushmen) are among the world's oldest cultures, with a deep connection to Botswana's wilderness.

Key Experiences:

Guided walks with San trackers in the Kalahari
Cultural villages in D'Kar and Ghanzi
Ancient rock art sites at Tsodilo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Learning traditional hunting, gathering, and survival skills
Kuru Art Project showcasing contemporary San artists

Cultural Significance: The San possess extraordinary knowledge of desert survival, animal tracking, and plant medicine developed over thousands of years.

Travel Tip: When participating in cultural experiences, choose operators that ensure fair compensation and dignified representation of San communities.

Tswana Cultural Traditions

The Batswana (Tswana people) make up the majority of Botswana's population and have a rich cultural heritage.

Key Experiences:

Traditional kgotla (community meeting places)
Basket weaving demonstrations and workshops
Traditional music and dance performances
Village homestays in selected communities
National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone

Cultural Significance: Botswana's stable democracy builds on traditional Tswana governance systems that valued consultation and consensus.

Travel Tip: Attending a community kgotla meeting (when permitted for visitors) provides insight into Botswana's unique blend of traditional governance and modern democracy.

Contemporary Arts and Crafts

Botswana has a vibrant contemporary arts scene building on traditional skills.

Key Experiences:

Basket weaving in the northwestern regions
Pottery in eastern villages
Contemporary visual arts in Gaborone and Maun
Textiles and beadwork in various communities
Annual arts festivals, particularly in Gaborone

Travel Tip: Genuine Botswana baskets are among Africa's finest woven items and make excellent souvenirs; expect to pay a fair price for these labor-intensive artworks.

Maun

The safari capital of Botswana and main gateway to the Okavango Delta.

Air Access: Maun International Airport (MUB)

International flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Victoria Falls
Hub for light aircraft flights to safari camps throughout northern Botswana

Highlights:

Nhabe Museum showcasing local culture and history
Old Bridge Backpackers with riverside dining
Shopping for crafts and safari supplies
Helicopter scenic flights over the Delta
Thamalakane River boat trips

Travel Tip: Allow buffer days in Maun at the beginning and end of your safari; flight delays due to weather are common, especially during the rainy season.

Kasane

Strategic location at the meeting point of four countries (Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia) and gateway to Chobe National Park.

Air Access: Kasane International Airport (BBK)

Regional flights from Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, and Gaborone
Close proximity to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia)

Highlights:

Chobe riverfront activities
Day trips to Victoria Falls
Seboba Nature and Recreation Park
Cross-border excursions to neighboring countries
Crocodile farm and sanctuary

Travel Tip: Kasane makes an excellent start or end point for a Botswana safari, easily combined with Victoria Falls and Zambia's Livingstone area.

Gaborone

Botswana's capital and largest city, rarely visited by tourists but offering cultural insights.

Air Access: Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE)

International flights from Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and regional connections

Highlights:

National Museum and Art Gallery
Three Chiefs' Statues
Gaborone Game Reserve
Main Mall shopping district
Dam recreational area

Travel Tip: Fans of Alexander McCall Smith's "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" books can take themed tours of locations mentioned in the novels.

Okavango Wetlands

Location: Northwestern Botswana

Unique Features:

Annual flood cycle creating seasonal wetlands
Permanent channels and lagoons
Palm islands and riverine forests
Complex ecosystem of aquatic plants and animals
Constantly changing water levels and channels

Travel Tip: Each area of the Delta has distinct characteristics—research specific concessions and camps to find experiences matching your interests (water activities, game drives, walking, etc.).

Kalahari Desert Ecosystem

Location: Central and southwestern Botswana

Unique Features:

Not a true desert but semi-arid savannah
Ancient dry riverbeds (fossil valleys)
Wide open spaces with scattered acacia trees
Seasonal pans that fill after rains
Red sand and distinctive desert-adapted species

Travel Tip: The Kalahari comes alive after summer rains (December-March)—consider visiting during this "green season" for exceptional wildlife viewing and lower rates.

Tuli Block

Location: Eastern Botswana along the Limpopo River

Unique Features:

Dramatic rocky outcrops and kopjes
Riverine forests along the Limpopo
Distinctive mashatu trees (nyala berry)
Archaeological sites including ancient settlements
Confluence of Shashe and Limpopo rivers (where Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa meet)

Travel Tip: This less-visited region offers excellent elephant viewing, unique landscapes, and archaeological interest without the crowds of northern Botswana.

Makgadikgadi Basin

Location: Northeastern Botswana

Unique Features:

Remnant of ancient Lake Makgadikgadi
Vast salt pans (among the world's largest)
Island baobab trees including the famous Chapman's Baobab
Nata Bird Sanctuary (flamingo breeding grounds)
Distinctive grasslands surrounding the pans

Travel Tip: During wet season, the pans can become inaccessible by vehicle; during dry season, quad biking across the pans creates an otherworldly experience.

Dry Season (May to October):

Peak wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around permanent water
Virtually no rainfall and clear skies
Cooler temperatures, especially June-August
Easier road conditions for self-drivers
Higher prices and need to book well in advance

Wet Season (November to April):

Lush green landscapes and wildflowers
Excellent birdwatching with migratory species present
New-born animals, particularly in December-February
Lower accommodation rates and fewer visitors
Some areas may become inaccessible due to flooding

Special Interest Periods:

Zebra migration in Makgadikgadi (December-April)
Okavango annual flood (arrives June-August)
Bird breeding season (October-January)
Kalahari wildflowers (February-April after good rains)
Best stargazing (May-August during dry, clear nights)

Most Western nationals (including USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) receive visa-free entry for up to 90 days
South African residents can enter with just an ID card (no passport required)
Check current requirements before travel as regulations can change
Onward ticket and sufficient funds may need to be demonstrated
Multiple entry requirements apply if combining Botswana with Victoria Falls visits

We will provide supporting documentation for your visa process, however, while we do our best to share the most current information, visa and passport regulations can change at short notice. Obtaining the correct visa is the responsibility of each traveler. We suggest you check with your consulate or embassy for current visa and passport information.

Vaccinations: Standard travel vaccinations recommended; yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries
Malaria: Present in northern regions (Okavango, Chobe, Linyanti); preventative medication recommended
Water: Drink bottled or purified water outside major towns
Safety: Botswana is one of Africa's safest countries with low crime rates
Wildlife Safety: Always follow guide instructions around dangerous game

Travel Tip: Medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended as remote areas have minimal healthcare facilities.

Mobile coverage good in towns and villages but limited or non-existent in wilderness areas
Most upscale safari camps offer limited WiFi in common areas
Consider purchasing local SIM card (Mascom or Orange) for data while in populated areas
Remote camps often have emergency satellite communications only
Many visitors appreciate the digital detox aspect of a Botswana safari

Travel Tip: Download maps, guides, and entertainment before departing major towns as connectivity will be limited in wilderness areas.

1. Mokoro Canoe Safari in the Okavango

Glide silently through lily-covered channels in a traditional dugout canoe, offering eye-level views of wildlife and tiny reed frogs.

2. Habituated Meerkat Encounters

Visit wild but habituated meerkat families in the Makgadikgadi region, where these charismatic creatures may use you as a lookout post.

3. Elephant Valley Experience

Witness hundreds of elephants converging along the Chobe riverfront during the dry season (September-October), creating one of Africa's greatest wildlife spectacles.

4. San Bushmen Tracking Experience

Learn ancient tracking and survival skills from indigenous San guides in the Kalahari, gaining insight into one of humanity's oldest cultures.

5. Helicopter Flight Over the Okavango

Gain a bird's-eye perspective of the Delta's intricate waterways, palm islands, and wildlife from a doors-off helicopter flight.

6. Sleep Under the Stars

Experience a "star bed" night in the Makgadikgadi Pans or Central Kalahari, sleeping on a raised platform under some of Africa's clearest night skies.

7. Wild Dog Tracking

Search for the endangered African wild dog in the Linyanti or Moremi regions, which host significant populations of these highly social predators.

8. Tsodilo Hills Rock Art

Explore the "Louvre of the Desert" with over 4,500 rock paintings dating back thousands of years at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Mobile Tented Safari Adventure

Experience the romance of old Africa on a mobile tented safari, moving camp to follow wildlife and sleeping in comfortable tents under canvas.

10. Zebra Migration Witness

Observe the annual zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi region, the second-largest land migration in Africa but seen by far fewer visitors than the Serengeti migration.

Be Respectful of Nature
Botswana is known for its unspoiled landscapes and wildlife. Stick to marked trails, don’t disturb animals, and leave natural areas as you found them.

Choose Responsible Tourism
Support eco-conscious tour operators and accommodations that prioritize conservation and benefit local communities.

Minimize Waste
Bring reusable items such as water bottles and shopping bags to reduce single-use plastics, which are restricted in many parks.

Conserve Resources
Use water and electricity sparingly, especially in remote areas where these resources are limited.

Support Local Culture
Engage with local people respectfully, learn about their customs, and buy locally made crafts or food to support the economy.

BOTSWANA Our Travel Guide

BOTSWANA
Our Travel Guide