Botswana Travel Guide

The Safari Defined

Texas-sized Botswana forms the wedge-shaped heart of southern Africa, resting like a pocketed jewel amidst South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

It's peaceful, prosperous, and splendidly beautiful. Over thirty percent of Botswana's territory -- more than any other nation on earth -- has been set apart as protected parkland, guarded against poaching by a military that fortunately has little else to do. And it's here where you'll find nothing less than the planet's most superb safari opportunities.

The government encourages high-cost but low-impact tourism, avoiding the commercialization of places like Kenya and Tanzania, where vanloads of package tourists converge on animals and battle for the best view.

This is the closest you'll find to the Africa you imagined as a child -- wild and untouched.

Botswana is a beautiful place just teeming with wildlife and birds.

While in Botswana I saw the big five animals and watched a cheetah stalk and chase its prey. Lions were just lying by the road and took no notice of us as we shot numerous photos. We watched elephants cross the river in the morning and return in the evening. I think we saw all of the animals at one time or another. We were there for 14 days but our accommodations were tents that were moved from location to location. Camping gave us the opportunity to get into areas unfrequented by other tourists. There were 8 in our group and we had 3 vehicles that were wide open so we could get the best shots of the animals.
Our vehicles went off in different directions each day but if an unusual siting occurred our guide used a radio to tell the other guides.

We didn't see other tourists since we were not staying in lodges. We were all by ourselves. Our food was wonderful and I still marvel at how they were able to cook such delicious meals. The weather was perfect. Cold in the morning and evening but very warm during the day so we came back into camp after lunch to shower and such and went back out at 3pm. We had very primative camps but that made it fun. I highly recommend Botswana. It is an amazing place and the people were very friendly.

Breathtaking Okavango, like a painting!

The aerial view of Okavango Delta was unexpectedly breathtaking. The patterns made by the islands, waterways, vegetations were like a constantly changing large canvas of painting by nature. It was a sheer joy watching giraffes, herds of elephants and buffaloes wading in the water.

I had 2 nights of bush camping, coming and going by the local canoes called mokoros. During the bush walks, we had to keep a safe distance from animals, so we could not get as close to them as in a vehicle. A pangolin visited our camp site at night.

We didn't feel very safe in a camp site in Maun. We were told to keep all our belongings in the truck, just had only the necessities in our tents. We were told that tents were slashed and stuff stolen in the middle of the night previously.

The river safari was a special experience, to watch herds of elephants, crocodiles, hippos and buffaloes by the river bank from the water. The land safari was less impressive though.

Botswana offers an extensive variety of game and bird species. The country’s habitat is however not very diverse. The bush experience is however maintained with rustic camping sites and well integrated lodges, etc.

A Spectacular, personal and close nature experience that touches the soul!

This was a first visit to Botswanna and lasted a glorious 18 days! Much thought into which season resulted in August being chosen as the least risky in terms of mud and making ones way over tough roads - the result was excellent with no travelling hassles. The Savuti River came down from Angola for the first time in years and this supplemented the experience in the Chobe!

We travelled in two 4 x 4 vehicles and it is excellent to be in a team of at least two for mutual support because you are generally miles and miles from any form of support. Research well and go self contained and ready for any eventuality.

Wildlife including birds are plentiful and the experience is from the barren dessert ot the Okovango Delta with all the water species. No game fences exist and on crossing the border from South Africa we encountered a Cheetha on the tar road and outside an nature reserve area! Elephant are everywhere! The campsites are not fenced and nature surrounds you at all times. We had elephant, jackal, hyena and even kudu wandering through our campsites at various locations that really brought the SAFARI TO YOU!

A flight over the Okavango is a must - withjout that it is impossible to appreciate the vastness of the delta and to really acomprehend the splendour! Boat trips on the swamps and rivers are a must to really get close to the water environment and the birds.

The spectacular Kubu Island is a must see! The majestic Baobabs that tare clsutered on a small island surrounded by a dry pan is so unreal and otherworldy that it really takes your breath away!

As a final statement - take more time and spend more time per venue than you think necessary! Travelling takes time on the dirt roads and you need time at each stop to enjoy the splendid sights! DO NOT RUSH!

My impression is the delta is hit or miss. It will either be the most amazing safari in africa or a real disappointment. It all depends on the wildlife that is on the islands you visit for your nature walks.

A Magical Location for a Wild Bush Safari

We stayed in a couple of "posh tent" lodges in the middle of the park. It was very exciting because we flew in on a light aircraft and were picked up by a 4x4 to take us to the lodge. Both lodges we stayed in were fantastic and very atmospheric - we got woken up at 3am one night by an elephant eating the tree outside out tent!

The guides were all very professional and had great knowledge of the area and the wildlife. We liked the concept of setting up a table in a clearing and stopping for tea and cakes for the morning and a cocktail for sunset.

Due to the time of the year the big animals were a little patchy - we could go for 30-60 mins and only see antelope - we did see everything we wanted to see with the exception of a leopard (notoriously shy).

We loved it and are currently saving up to go again!

In my review of Chobe National Park you will see why I rate Botswana so highly as a Safari destination. Overall, the people are remarkably friendly and proud of their country, its history and leaders. Even through areas of extreme poverty, there was a consistent expression of pride. The scenic beauty, isolation, and unspoiled expanses of land are worth the trip.

Lots of animals - both on land, in water and in the air. Botswana is a beautiful country.

The highlight for wildlife in southern Africa

Botswana has an amazing amount of wildlife. From the Okovango Delta to the Chobe River, and the savannahs in between, I have never been so astounded! There were so many amazing experiences on the trip - from being charged by an elephant to seeing lions on my birthday, it really was a trip of a lifetime, we even had a juvenile leopard come into our camp one night! The country is safe, the people are friendly, and the weather was perfect - cool nights and warm days. Bring your camera because you can't take a bad photo there! I loved the trip and can't wait to get back over!