Botswana has it all. Excellent wildlife, wonderful people, and the ability to get away from hectic life.
After safaris at various locations in Botswana, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, I put Botswana at the top of the list for multiple reasons. The concessions are better-managed, the variety of animals is better, the lodges are generally more consistently nice, and even the government employees are nicer. The Botswana government and concession owners are also more committed to protecting the wildlife in Botswana than other countries in Africa. It's an amazing place that is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
CA
Email Jennifer Baird | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I have now been to several spots in South Africa and Botswana. I can highly recommend Botswana - particularily the Okavango, Chobe River, Moremi and Makgadikgadi Pans. Each area has its own beauty - even at the end of dry season. The wildlife is rich. Camping wild is thrilling. The people are lovely. And if you are a meat eater - Botswana has the best beef in Africa!
You feel very well, nice people, very safe and amazed of such wild animal richness and beauty of Okavango Delta, Moremi, Savuti and Chobe. Tourism is quite well under control, so no crowded places which could make this experience more dangerous and less natural. I returned with 3000 photos of great memories of this nice and peaceful country. I hope disputes with bushmen could be resolved nicely for both sides. There are an old tribe and they have the right to live peacefully in its country. Such things also have a very positive side for respectful tourism which could be nicely used to benefit such community. I appreciate hunting has been finally banned in order to keep safe such great natural richness, which should not be for thirsty killers and 'macho men' feeling superior to others because of a huge prey. Nice country I hope to visit again soon.
Email Hennie Lacock | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
You'll have to search far to experience African Wildlife and the African Bush better than in Botswana. It has endless scenic beauty wherever you go, the wildlife is absolutely amazing and the bird life will not let you down either.
Best time to visit Botswana
Botswana is a beautiful country. If it's wildlife spotting you're after, try the Chobe National Park - it's the country's second-largest national park. Summer lasts between November and March so I would recommend going outside of those months as it can get extremely hot. Have a look here for more advice on the best time to visit - http://www.safaribookings.com/botswana/best-time
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Botswana has a very stable government and wildlife abundance that rivals east African countries. The Okavango Delta is just the beginning!
Deep in the Heart of the Chobi Reserve
I had to good fortune to spend two weeks in the Chobe National Park & the adjacent game reserve, and have never seen so many elephants in my life. It is a beautiful park, and is teeming with wildlife. It was also a nice respite to not have as many tsetse flies following you around. The local guides we were with were elephant experts, and had even names certain ones based on the tracks they left, and could tell elaborate stories of how they spent their days based on their comings and going. The weather was very mild for Africa standards, and the abundance of water at the time made for some great game viewing. I highly recommend this area, especially for people who don't have a lot of experience on safari, as this would be a great entry level safari. You're definitely going to see lots of wildlife.
Botswana is a very friendly place. The government is stable and doesn't tolerate corruption. There are many locals who have small safari services and some larger safari companies, too. There are good choices and the prices are fair. The country has so much to offer - the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, the salt pans of Nxai Pan National Park, the bushveld of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. I'd go back to Botswana in a heartbeat! But if you go in their summer, be prepared for blistering heat!
Central Kalahari is so spacious and dry that animals are spread widely. The other parks however have more density of all kind of animals, also as a result of more water.
