Botswana is a first-rate safari destination and a leader in low-impact, upmarket tourism in one of Africa’s last wilderness areas. The beauty of the Okavango Delta can be discovered on an unforgettable or trip. Elsewhere, Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve combine stunning landscapes with exceptional wildlife.
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Rates
(USD)
- $182 to $1,146 pp/day
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Best Time To Go
- April to October (Okavango, Moremi, Chobe), December to May (Central Kalahari, Khutse, Kgalagadi)
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High Season
- July to October (Only Chobe gets crowded)
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Size
- 581,730km² / 224,607mi²
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Pros & Cons
- Low-density tourism and ecofriendly lodges and
- Excellent wildlife viewing in northern parks
- Beautiful and diverse scenery of dry desert, , and Delta waterways
- Low population, quiet roads and vast undeveloped areas
- Political stability and safety
- Expensive upmarket safaris with fewer budget options
Wildlife
Botswana has an abundance of big African animals such as elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo and zebra. Big cats are prevalent, with plenty of lions, leopards and cheetahs to spot. Rhino is making a comeback here, although they remain difficult to see. You can find endangered antelopes (including wetland-adapted sitatunga and red lechwe) and African wild dogs in some of the country’s northern parks.
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Activities
The most popular activities are guided where you look for wildlife and go bird watching. Botswana is also excellent for self-drive safaris and game drives, although they’re not permitted in some of the private concessions of the Okavango Delta. Cruising through the Delta’s waterways in a is a highlight. and night drives are possible in some of the private or community concessions.
Weather & Climate
Humidity won’t trouble you in Botswana, but there are big changes in temperature from day to night. Winter (April to October) is the Dry season and has almost no rainfall. The season starts off cool but gets very hot toward the end, before the rains come. From June to August, you’ll need to wrap up warm at night. Summer (November to March) is the hot Wet season, with heavy rains to be expected in January and February. Temperature extremes between day and night are greatest in the Kalahari.
More about the weather and climate
Best Time to Visit
Botswana’s parks are best explored under the clear skies of the Dry season (April to October), when wildlife gathers around the remaining sources of water. You can still see plenty of animals in the Wet season (November to March), but they can be hard to spot in the thick vegetation, and the heat can be intense.
More about the best time to visit
Premier Parks, Reserves & Wildlife Areas
- Okavango Delta – Classic and canoe safaris
- Moremi GR – Classic and canoe safaris
- Chobe NP – Boat and classic safaris
- Central Kalahari GR – Classic dry-country safaris
- Makgadikgadi Pans NP – Classic safaris
- Nxai Pan NP – Classic safaris
- All 15 Botswana Parks & Reserves