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9-Day Botswana Safari Tours

Botswana is many travelers’ favorite place in all of Africa. It has a special combination of wildlife and wild landscapes, and, perhaps more than most other destinations, there’s a real feeling of wilderness here. That’s partly to do with the fact that Botswana has long pursued a policy of low-impact high-quality safaris over mass tourism. There’s also incredible variety here, from the watery world of the Okavango Delta in the north to the deep-desert experience of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in the heart of the country. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a private, group or self-drive safari, there’s sure to be a brilliant 9-day itinerary that suits your needs and shows you the best the country has to offer.

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1-20 of 20 Botswana 9-day trips, itineraries, holidays, packages & vacations

5 Questions About 9-Day Botswana Safaris

 
 

5 Questions About 9-Day Botswana Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Where should I go on a 9-day Botswana safari?

“With 9 days to spend in Botswana, you really can get to see so much. Everyone will be different when it comes to what they’d like to see, but there are three main areas to explore. The first of these, and probably the one you should devote the most time to, is the Okavango Delta (which includes Moremi Game Reserve). The Delta has fantastic wildlife and is one of the best places in Africa to see animals, and to do so without the crowds. Scattered thinly across this vast wilderness area are luxury lodges and tented camps, each lying within its own exclusive corner of the Delta. By flying into the Delta from Maun or Kasane (often the only way to get there) and then flying between camps, you could visit two or even three different places over 4 or 5 days. For the remainder of your time, consider a couple of days in and around Chobe National Park (especially the Savuti region) and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. If you have time, you could even squeeze in a day to visit the Makgadikgadi Pans or Nxai Pan National Parks where you can experience the world’s biggest salt-pan network. If you’re in the Makgadikgadi Pans area, ask whether you can visit one of the habituated meerkat populations.”

1

What kind of vehicle can I expect on a 9-day Botswana safari?

“For getting around the country on your 9-day Botswana safari, expect to use a combination of small planes and 4WD vehicles. Botswana is one of the largest countries in southern Africa, so it makes sense to save some time by getting around in a plane. In the case of the Okavango Delta, you may have no choice, because planes are often the only way in (access roads are unsealed and very often lie under water). And you can really make the most of your time by flying between, for example, the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari, saving yourself a whole day’s driving. The planes you’ll use will usually be six- to 20-seater aircraft. Otherwise, you’ll get around most often in a 4WD vehicle, although it can depend on the size of your traveling party. Once you’re in each safari destination or park, you’ll go on game drives in an open-sided 4WD safari vehicle with a canvas roof and tiered seating. In the Delta, you might also go on an excursion in a mokoro (dugout canoe).”

2

What kind of accommodations can I expect on a Botswana safari?

“Botswana has accommodations to suit every need and budget. At the lower end of the price range, campsites usually have basic showers and toilets, either in a communal building or with one for each campsite. These campsites are almost never fenced, so you should always be careful when moving around. There’s nothing quite like lying in the safety of your bed and hearing lions and elephants roaming around nearby. In the mid-range and top-end price categories, there’s an excellent variety of lodges and tented camps. These range from simple options with little more than a bed, mosquito net and en suite bathroom area, to luxury options where the safari tents have wooden floors, writing desks, private terraces and maybe even a sofa and a wooden chest. The lodges and tented camps all have a restaurant or dining area, a bar and a lounge area. One variation on the tented camp is the mobile camp, which is usually a simpler setup, but with excellent service and a real sense of being in the heart of the wildlife action.”

3

How much does a 9-day trip cost in Botswana?

“There are so many variables to consider when trying to calculate how much you will pay for a 9-day Botswana safari. As a basic guide, budget camping safaris could cost as little as US$100 to US$150 per person per day, with costs rising well above US$500 per person per day for an all-inclusive, five-star luxury safari. Partly the price will be determined by the type of accommodations you choose. If you take a number of air transfers, which can be expensive, this will add considerably to the overall cost of your safari. The type of safari you choose will also be a factor. If you go on a private safari, you get the guide, driver and vehicle all to yourself, but the cost is also yours alone. As a result, private safaris are almost always pricier than group or self-drive safaris. The final major variable is the date you choose to travel. High-season prices apply from July to October. Prices outside of these months can be significantly less. ”

4

What is the best time of year for a Botswana safari?

“The best time for a 9-day Botswana tour varies across the country. The best months for visiting the north (especially the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park) are from July to October. At this time you can expect fine weather and good trail conditions, and wildlife will be easier to find in the watery expanses of the Delta and closer to waterholes in Chobe. This corresponds with the high season so you’ll need to book your safari months in advance to visit at this time. (June can be slightly cheaper and quieter.) Farther south in the Kalahari (which includes the Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Khutse Game Reserve), the best months to visit are generally from December to March or May. Unlike in Botswana’s north, the drier regions are less likely to be affected by rain during these months, and desert conditions are ideal. It can be bitterly cold overnight (and on early morning game drives) from June through to October.”

5

Botswana Reviews

4.8/5 381 Reviews
Expert
Heather Richardson  –  
South Africa ZA

Heather is a British travel / conservation journalist, and has written for publications and broadcasters such as the BBC, Departures, the Telegraph and the Sunday Times.

Delta safaris and silence on the salt flats
5/5

The only thing to fault about Botswana as a safari destination is the price – it’s expensive. That’s part of the country’s high cost, low volume tourism strategy that favours small camps with high price points to keep reserves and...

Full Review

Expert
Brian Jackman  –  
United Kingdom UK

Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa.

A dream of water in a thirsty land
5/5

In a troubled world there is nowhere safer than this most politically stable of African countries. The people are welcoming. English is widely spoken and when it comes to wildlife viewing Botswana is sensational. That’s because its policy...

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Jess van Zeil  –  
Australia AU
Reviewed: Oct 13, 2024
Exceptional experience! Incredible guide and tour
5/5

We loved our trip to Chobe! Everything was seamless from the booking process, to the pickup and drop off. Our guide Opi was incredible, he has been working in Chobe for 18 years and his knowledge was phenomenal. We had incredible sightings,...

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Anja Luecking  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Oct 12, 2024
Vast wilderness and wildlife
4/5

I went on a mobile safari to Savuti and Khwai (which I especially loved because of the scenery next to the river) and one day in Moremi. I was a solo female traveler and felt well protected and looked after by the crew of my tour...

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Arlene Tyler  –  
New Zealand NZ
Reviewed: Oct 6, 2024
An upclose look at awesome wildlife and scenery
5/5

We loved our 3 day safari to Chobe. Our guide, Max was so informative and made so much effort to give us the best possible experience. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, water buffalo and we were fortunate enough to even see a...

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Gloria Tostado  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Sep 20, 2024
A Land That Takes You Back in Time
5/5

Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa yet offers an array of opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat. It is mostly flat, with scruffy brush and occasional trees that often times have that windblown appearance. ...

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