A Botswana safari can take you from the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the elephant-rich landscapes around the Chobe River and the immense open spaces of the Kalahari.

It’s one of Africa’s outstanding wildlife destinations, with opportunities to see elephants, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, buffalo and an extraordinary variety of birdlife.

Botswana is also particularly well known for wilderness camps and luxury safari experiences in remote locations.

Choosing where to go can be difficult because the country’s safari regions offer very different landscapes and experiences.

This Botswana safari guide covers seven of the best places to consider, when to travel, what wildlife you might encounter and what to know before booking.

Why Choose a Botswana Safari?

Botswana offers much more than conventional game drives.

Depending on where you stay and the season, a Botswana safari can potentially include:

  • 4×4 game drives
  • Boat safaris
  • Mokoro trips
  • Birdwatching
  • Guided walks where offered
  • Luxury wilderness camps
  • Remote fly-in lodges
  • Photography
  • Self-drive adventures

The combination of wetlands, floodplains, woodland, savannah and semi-arid landscapes means you can experience dramatically different environments within one holiday.

Botswana is particularly famous for its elephants. UNESCO says the country supports the world’s largest elephant population, with the Okavango Delta forming an important core area for the species.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but that’s part of experiencing animals in genuinely wild environments.

1. Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is the obvious place to begin.

Located in northwestern Botswana, this enormous inland delta doesn’t flow into the sea. Instead, water from the Okavango River spreads through a complex landscape of channels, lagoons, islands, permanent wetlands and seasonally flooded grasslands before eventually disappearing into the Kalahari Basin.

It’s one of the world’s great natural environments and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

Wildlife in the Okavango Delta

The habitats support an extraordinary variety of wildlife.

Depending on location, season and luck, animals you might encounter include:

  • African elephants
  • Buffalo
  • Lions
  • Leopards
  • Cheetahs
  • African wild dogs
  • Hippos
  • Crocodiles
  • Giraffes
  • Zebras
  • Red lechwe
  • Numerous antelope species

UNESCO also records hundreds of bird species within the Delta.

The variety makes the Okavango an outstanding Botswana safari destination for travellers interested in both large mammals and birdlife.

Mokoro Trips

One of the experiences most strongly associated with the Delta is travelling by mokoro.

Traditionally a dugout canoe, the mokoro provides a very different perspective from a 4×4 game drive.

Instead of travelling across dusty tracks, you move quietly through waterways and wetlands where conditions allow.

Activities vary between camps and depend on water levels, location and season, so don’t assume every Okavango lodge offers exactly the same experience.

The official Botswana Tourism Organisation guide to the Okavango Delta is a useful resource when researching the region.

For many travellers, the Delta is the defining experience of a Botswana safari.

2. Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve protects part of the Okavango ecosystem and combines waterways, floodplains, grasslands and woodland.

The reserve was established in 1963 following an initiative by the Batawana people concerned about declining wildlife.

Today, it covers approximately 3,900 square kilometres.

Moremi includes areas such as the Moremi Tongue and Chief’s Island and is known for extremely diverse wildlife.

What Can You See in Moremi?

Potential sightings include:

  • Elephants
  • Buffalo
  • Lions
  • Leopards
  • African wild dogs
  • Giraffes
  • Zebras
  • Antelope
  • Hippos
  • Numerous bird species

Moremi is particularly appealing because wetland and dry-land habitats exist close together.

That can produce varied game viewing within a relatively concentrated area.

The reserve is also popular with experienced self-drive travellers, although conditions can be challenging and proper preparation is essential.

If you’re looking for a wildlife-focused Botswana safari, Moremi deserves a place near the top of your shortlist.

You can find more background through the official Botswana Tourism Organisation Moremi guide.

3. Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is another of Botswana’s headline safari destinations.

The Chobe River area in the north is particularly famous for elephants and provides opportunities to experience wildlife from both land and water.

Game drives allow you to explore the park from a vehicle, while boat trips on the river can provide a completely different perspective.

Chobe’s Elephants

Elephants are one of the main reasons travellers choose Chobe.

Large numbers can congregate around water, particularly during drier periods, although wildlife movements naturally vary.

Other animals that may be encountered include:

  • Buffalo
  • Lions
  • Leopards
  • Hippos
  • Crocodiles
  • Giraffes
  • Zebras
  • Antelope
  • Numerous waterbirds

A river cruise can be particularly rewarding because you’re observing an ecosystem from the water rather than simply repeating another game drive.

Kasane and Chobe

Kasane is the principal gateway for many visits to Chobe National Park.

Its location also makes it useful for travellers combining Botswana with neighbouring countries or Victoria Falls.

Chobe is therefore one of the easiest major regions to incorporate into a wider Botswana safari itinerary.

4. Linyanti, Savuti and the Kwando Region

Between the better-known Okavango and Chobe areas lies another important wildlife landscape associated with Linyanti, Kwando and Savuti.

This region contains rivers, floodplains, woodland and channels that form part of a much wider wildlife ecosystem.

It’s particularly interesting for travellers who want to combine different safari regions rather than staying exclusively around the Okavango Delta.

Wildlife Around Linyanti

The wider area can support animals including:

  • Elephants
  • Lions
  • Leopards
  • African wild dogs
  • Buffalo
  • Zebras
  • Antelope

Wildlife distribution changes according to water, vegetation and seasonal conditions.

Savuti is especially famous for its changing water story.

The Savuti Channel has historically gone through periods of flowing and drying, transforming the surrounding habitat over time.

That unpredictability is part of what makes this region fascinating.

For travellers seeking remote wilderness and predator viewing, this part of a Botswana safari can be particularly appealing.

5. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Botswana isn’t only about wetlands.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve reveals a completely different side of the country.

Here, vast skies, open grasslands, scrub and salt-pan landscapes replace the waterways of the Okavango.

The scale can be difficult to appreciate until you’re actually there.

Wildlife in the Central Kalahari

Animals you may encounter include:

  • Lions
  • Cheetahs
  • Springbok
  • Gemsbok
  • Wildebeest
  • Brown hyenas
  • Jackals

Wildlife experiences vary significantly according to rainfall and season.

The greener period can transform parts of the landscape and attract grazing animals, while drier conditions produce a very different experience.

The Central Kalahari is particularly appealing if you value landscapes, solitude and a feeling of remoteness as much as ticking animals off a checklist.

Including the Kalahari alongside the Okavango can make a Botswana safari feel like two completely different holidays.

6. Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan

For another dramatic change of scenery, consider the Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan region.

The Makgadikgadi landscape is characterised by enormous salt pans and open horizons.

At certain times of year, rainfall transforms parts of this apparently harsh environment.

Wildlife movements respond accordingly.

Why Visit the Pans?

The attraction isn’t simply about seeing the greatest possible number of large animals in one afternoon.

It’s the combination of scale, landscape, wildlife and seasonal transformation.

Depending on timing and location, the wider region can offer opportunities to see:

  • Zebras
  • Wildebeest
  • Springbok
  • Elephants
  • Lions
  • Cheetahs
  • Brown hyenas
  • Birdlife

The zebra movements associated with the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan ecosystem can be a particular highlight.

A Botswana safari that includes the pans gives you a striking contrast with the lush waterways of the Delta.

7. Tuli Block

The Tuli Block lies in eastern Botswana near the borders with South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Its landscapes include rocky outcrops, river systems, woodland and distinctive baobab trees.

This is quite different from the image many people have of Botswana as purely an Okavango destination.

Wildlife in the wider region can include elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes and numerous antelope species.

Mashatu Game Reserve

Mashatu is one of the best-known private reserves in the Tuli area.

Activities can extend beyond conventional vehicle safaris depending on the operator and itinerary.

The region can make particular sense for travellers entering Botswana from South Africa or wanting to add a different landscape to a longer itinerary.

For a repeat visitor, the Tuli Block can broaden the experience of a Botswana safari considerably.

What About Tsodilo Hills?

The original version of this article grouped Tsodilo Hills with Tuli as though both were conventional wildlife safari destinations.

That’s misleading.

Tsodilo is particularly important for its cultural and archaeological significance.

The site contains one of the world’s major concentrations of rock art and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

UNESCO recognises thousands of rock paintings within the area, reflecting human occupation and cultural traditions stretching back over an immense period.

You can read more through the official UNESCO Tsodilo World Heritage listing.

Tsodilo can be a fascinating addition to a Botswana safari, particularly if you want your itinerary to include cultural history alongside wildlife.

But it shouldn’t be presented simply as another game reserve.

Luxury Safaris in Botswana

Botswana has developed an international reputation for high-end safari experiences.

Some remote camps are reached by light aircraft and provide accommodation deep within wilderness areas.

Luxury can include:

  • Small camps
  • Private or semi-private game drives
  • High-quality dining
  • Scenic locations
  • Experienced guides
  • Boat or mokoro activities where available
  • Wildlife viewing close to camp
  • Fly-in transfers

But don’t assume “luxury” automatically means a better wildlife experience.

Location, season, guiding and the ecosystem surrounding the camp matter enormously.

When comparing Botswana safari lodges, look beyond the bedroom photographs and infinity pools.

Find out what activities are actually offered and which habitats you’ll be exploring.

Do You Need a Luxury Safari?

No.

Although Botswana is strongly associated with premium safari tourism, there are other ways to experience the country.

Self-drive camping is possible in certain areas for properly equipped and experienced travellers.

There are also accommodation options around gateways such as Maun and Kasane that can be combined with organised activities.

A Botswana safari doesn’t have to mean spending every night in an ultra-luxury lodge.

Your preferred level of comfort, experience, transport and budget should determine the itinerary.

When Is the Best Time for a Botswana Safari?

There isn’t one perfect month for everybody.

The best time depends on which region you’re visiting and what you want to experience.

Dry Season

The drier months are popular for wildlife viewing because animals can become concentrated around available water sources and vegetation becomes less dense in many areas.

Days can be pleasant, while nights and early mornings may become surprisingly cold.

Green Season

Rain changes the landscape dramatically.

Vegetation becomes greener, birdlife can be excellent and many animals give birth during wetter periods.

There may also be fewer visitors and different pricing at some properties.

However, rain can affect roads and activities.

The Okavango Flood

One of the unusual features of the Okavango Delta is that its major flood pulse arrives during Botswana’s dry season.

Water originating much farther north travels gradually into the Delta, creating seasonal flooding even when local rainfall is limited.

This means the best timing for your Botswana safari depends on more than simply choosing between “wet” and “dry”.

Research the particular regions and camps you’re considering.

How Long Do You Need for a Botswana Safari?

For a first trip, around a week can provide a useful introduction, while ten days or longer gives you more opportunity to combine contrasting regions.

For example:

7 days: Okavango Delta + Moremi or Chobe

10 days: Okavango/Moremi + Chobe + another region

14 days: A broader itinerary incorporating wetlands, Chobe and the Kalahari or pans

Remember that moving between remote camps can take time.

Light-aircraft transfers may form part of the experience, but changing accommodation every night or two can make an expensive holiday feel rushed.

A good Botswana safari itinerary usually prioritises quality of time in each ecosystem over collecting the greatest possible number of lodge names.

Maun or Kasane: Where Should You Start?

Maun is the major gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi area.

Many fly-in safari itineraries begin or connect there.

Kasane is particularly convenient for Chobe National Park.

It can also work well when combining Botswana with Victoria Falls or destinations elsewhere in southern Africa.

Which gateway makes sense depends on your itinerary.

For an Okavango-focused Botswana safari, Maun will often be the natural starting point.

For Chobe, Kasane is usually more convenient.

What Wildlife Can You See in Botswana?

Botswana supports an exceptional range of wildlife.

Depending on where you travel, you may have opportunities to see:

  • African elephants
  • Lions
  • Leopards
  • Cheetahs
  • African wild dogs
  • Buffalo
  • Giraffes
  • Zebras
  • Hippos
  • Crocodiles
  • Wildebeest
  • Red lechwe
  • Springbok
  • Gemsbok
  • Numerous other antelope
  • Hundreds of bird species

Never book a safari on the assumption that a particular wild animal is guaranteed.

Animals move freely, weather changes and sightings vary from day to day.

The unpredictability is one of the things that makes a Botswana safari genuinely exciting.

Botswana Safari for Families

Botswana can work for families, but you need to choose accommodation and activities carefully.

Some safari camps have minimum age requirements for particular activities.

Long game drives may also be difficult for very young children.

Before booking, check:

  • Minimum guest ages
  • Family accommodation
  • Private vehicle options
  • Walking-safari age limits
  • Mokoro or boating restrictions
  • Transfer arrangements
  • Malaria advice
  • Medical access

Don’t assume every luxury safari lodge automatically caters for children.

A family Botswana safari should be designed around the ages and interests of the children rather than simply copying an adult itinerary.

What to Pack for Botswana

Your exact packing list depends on season and itinerary.

Useful safari items can include:

  • Lightweight neutral-coloured clothing
  • Warm layers for early mornings
  • Comfortable closed footwear
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Binoculars
  • Camera equipment
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Necessary medication
  • Travel documents

If you’re travelling by light aircraft between camps, luggage restrictions can be considerably different from your international airline allowance.

Check limits before packing.

Our international travel packing list can help with the rest of your preparation.

Health and Travel Preparation

Safari holidays can involve remote areas where medical facilities aren’t immediately accessible.

Arrange appropriate travel insurance and make sure it covers the activities included in your itinerary.

UK travellers should also check current health guidance and destination-specific entry information before departure.

The official GOV.UK Botswana travel advice provides current information covering entry requirements, safety and other practical considerations.

Health advice can change, so check again shortly before travelling rather than relying solely on information you read when originally booking.

Is a Botswana Safari Worth It?

For wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and travellers attracted to remote landscapes, Botswana can be extraordinary.

The greatest strength is variety.

The Okavango provides wetlands and waterways.

Moremi combines aquatic and dry-land environments.

Chobe is strongly associated with elephants and river-based wildlife viewing.

The Kalahari and Makgadikgadi introduce enormous open landscapes and completely different ecosystems.

A Botswana safari can therefore be much more than a succession of similar game drives.

Choosing two or three contrasting regions can make the journey considerably more memorable.

Botswana Safari: Final Thoughts

Botswana deserves its reputation as one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations.

For a first Botswana safari, the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park are obvious places to investigate.

Travellers with more time can add the Linyanti and Savuti region, Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan, or the Tuli Block.

And if you want to add cultural history to the trip, Tsodilo Hills offers something completely different from wildlife viewing.

Don’t choose your itinerary purely according to a list of animals.

Think about landscapes, activities, season, travel time between camps and how much time you actually want to spend in each place.

The best Botswana safari is one that combines the wildlife you hope to encounter with the kind of wilderness experience you want.

Before booking, check current official travel advice, compare your transport options and make sure your insurance covers your planned activities.

When you’re ready to start planning your Botswana safari, you can find flights, search for hotels and compare car hire through TravelHype.