last edited Aug 19, 2020
Safaris in Botswana
Safaris in Botswana
Vast and sparsely populated, the country offers visitors nearly half of its territory as protected or natural areas, including national parks, private and public reserves, and a variety of other sites. Beyond the "grassy" or "wooded" savannah, you’ll also find vast desert expanses like the Kalahari and the lesser-known Makgadikgadi, but above all, a unique site: the Okavango Delta with its marshes. This combination represents the country’s main tourist attraction, with abundant and easily visible wildlife during safaris.
Best time to visit
Duration
Choosing parks
The northern part of the country is home to the majority of sites and naturally attracts the most visitors. Fairly clustered together, they generally allow for a loop itinerary, often starting from the towns of Maun or Kasane, and frequently including a visit to the nearby Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe) or even a short detour into Namibia and the parks of the Caprivi Strip. Chobe, Moremi, the Okavango, and sometimes Makgadikgadi are the most popular destinations for visitors.
Parks and reserves
The national parks and reserves are managed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).
Northern region
- Central Kalahari Reserve: This is the second-largest reserve in the world. Located in the Kalahari, it is home to a vast number of animal species (lions, giraffes, buffalo, etc.). It is also the traditional habitat of the San people. In its southern part, the small Khutse Park is adjacent to it.
- Chobe National Park: This vast park is a must-visit on any trip to Botswana. Here, you’ll encounter all of Africa’s wildlife (including over 50,000 elephants!) in stunning landscapes.
- Okavango Delta: The world’s largest inland delta and a unique marshy landscape that can be explored by small boats or plane. It is home to a wide variety of animals, including many bird species. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary: North of the town of Serowe, a reserve created for the protection of rhinoceroses.
- Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans National Park: A vast salt desert in northern Botswana with breathtaking landscapes and, in some areas, herds of zebras or flamingos.
- Moremi Reserve: This park, located in the eastern part of the Okavango, borders Chobe. It is rich in wildlife (lions, elephants, buffalo, birds, etc.) and can be explored by 4x4, on foot, or by small boats.
- Nata Bird Sanctuary: A reserve "specializing" in birds, located in the northeast of the country.
- Tuli Reserve: This private reserve is home to many elephants (and other mammals), as well as birds.
Southern region
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: One of the three parks located in the Kalahari, straddling South Africa and Botswana. It is home to various predators, gazelles, and many bird species.
- Manyelanong Reserve: A small reserve on the South African border, south of Gaborone.
- Mokolodi Nature Reserve: On the outskirts of Gaborone, this small reserve is home to many African species (rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, birds, reptiles, etc.).
Organized or self-drive?
For a safari in Botswana, you can either use a provider or go "self-drive" (a vehicle is mandatory), though the latter option can end up being more expensive and restrictive than a guided tour. It all depends on the duration, budget, and preferences of each traveler, not to mention that guides know the wildlife and environment better than tourists. Additionally, with a provider, you’re guaranteed accommodation in the parks, which is far from certain when traveling independently, as demand can outstrip supply in certain areas during peak season. In short, if you choose to go on your own, it’s best to plan and book well in advance.
Through a provider
Case by case
Or, more precisely, using a different provider each time you want to visit a park. Unless you’re only visiting one site or the safari locations are hundreds of kilometers apart, this approach makes no financial sense. As always, it’s better to bundle everything with a single provider to get a better overall rate.
Several days for several parks
This is the obvious solution if you want to visit multiple parks. The itinerary and provider can be booked either before departure from home or once on-site with a local provider. Pros and cons...
- Before departure:
- Local provider:
On your own
Types of safaris
By car, jeep, or minibus
By boat/canoe
One of Botswana’s unique safari features is the opportunity to discover wildlife and landscapes by water, notably aboard mokoros, the traditional dugout canoes of the Okavango region. You can try this "water safari" option in the Okavango Delta, as well as on the Chobe River, where small cruises are organized on this river that runs through the park of the same name, or in Moremi.
Other types
In some (mostly private) sites, you can also take night drives, "walking safaris," or even horseback safaris. For those with a larger budget, aerial exploration is also possible in small aircraft.