Botswana - Insider's Guide

Botswana is a land of pristine wilderness, offering some of the world's most exciting wildlife encounters. Its diverse ecosystems range from the lush, winding waterways of the Okavango Delta to the expansive sands of the Kalahari. While the Moremi Game Reserve marks the edge of the Delta, animals roam freely into neighboring regions, like the massive Chobe Park and the neighboring concessions.

Every Botswana safari is custom-tailored to your individual interests. We select specific camps and lodges based on your preferred activities, desired comfort level, and the wildlife species you most wish to encounter.

The 8-night safari featured on this insider’s guide serves as a sample of a well-rounded journey, curated to provide a diverse cross-section of experiences in premier wildlife areas. We suggest 3 nights at 2 different areas and 2 nights in a water-based property.

Accessibility: This journey can be tailored for those that have physical and/or neuro-diversity needs. We’ll collaborate with you to modify the itinerary as needed to turn your trip into a reality.

Solo Travelers: Botswana is an ideal destination for a solo traveler as you will join others on safari activities and meals.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN CAMPS?

Botswana’s main water source is the Okavango Delta. Off of the main delta are channels that feed the safari areas. Terrain will vary, as well as what each location offers. When and where to visit on your Botswana safari can be daunting. The right combination of water (wet) and land (dry) camps are essential. Born Free knows Botswana, and we will assist in recommending the right combination of camps and locations for your safari.

Dry Camps are located on larger islands or the drier peripheries of the delta. Their focus is on traditional land-based game viewing activities in open vehicles, and guided safaris, which are ideal for tracking big game.

Wet Camps are situated in areas that primarily focus on water-based activities, such as exploring the waterways. If you are primarily interested in big game, we do not recommend island camps or camps that only provide water-based viewing.

Mixed Camps (#1 experience) provide a combination of both water and land activities, often adapting their offerings seasonally as water levels rise and fall, providing the ideal delta experience.

WHY IS BOTSWANA SO EXPENSIVE?

Small exclusive properties: Limited guests; food and service extremely high. There are a few more modest properties but generally those areas are not as prime.

Logistics and Remoteness: Travel between areas relies on bush flights rather than roads. Many camps are located deep within pristine wilderness expanses and require light aircraft flights between areas. All commodities are flown into camps.

All-Inclusive Pricing: Most luxury Botswana safaris are all-inclusive packages that cover internal flights, accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, and daily guided activities.

Limited Season: Although some camps are open in green season, May to October is the prime travel time. This is when safari viewing is most productive and weather pleasant.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

Born Free suggests visiting Botswana and Victoria Falls between late May and early October. Keep in mind that while this window is ideal for the safari, the water volume at Victoria Falls begins to significantly decrease. Off season is not suggested for Botswana, although you can secure lower rates in May.

BORN FREE SAFARIS’ BOTSWANA PARTNERS

See accommodation lists. Properties are categorized according to their locations, guiding service, ambience. Properties can be combined; however, sticking with a single partner such as African Bush Camps or Desert & Delta, usually unlocks multi-night financial specials.

MOBILE EXPEDITION

For those seeking comfort but adventure, there are mobile and semi-permanent camps. They will all have proper toilets ensuite, camp-style hot showers, proper bedding. Nothing is left behind on guiding or food service. Many times, we mix with standard safari lodges.

RECOMMENDED AREAS

• CHOBE NATIONAL PARK is Botswana largest park. It is also the closest to Victoria Falls with easy 2-hour drive. An astonishing 120,000 elephants inhabit the area as well as massive Nile Crocodile. Chobe Riverfront can be fairly crowded, but fly-in areas operate on a more exclusive basis. These adjacent areas include Savuti and Linyanti as well as Selinda. Visitors can expect to see Cape Buffalo, large prides of lion, leopard, antelopes. For Birders, there are over 450 species that may be sighted.

• SAVUTI is located in a remote area within Botswana's Chobe Region, is renowned for its intense, high-density wildlife viewing, especially its resident lion, hyena, and elephant populations. Famous for the unpredictable Savuti Channel—which flows and dries up over decades—and the vast Savute Marsh, it offers dramatic, raw predator-prey experiences, including lions that hunt elephants. Savute Channel, which periodically flows from Linyanti, fans out into the marshlands. These ancient waters bring in the wildlife, especially the Savuti Marsh Lions.

• LINYANTI RESERVE private secluded concession that spans 485 square miles in the far north of the country. It is a great contrast to the Okavango Delta and adjacent parks. It is east of Chobe National Park. The area has two seasonal water systems: the Linyanti River and the Savute Channel. Safari activities within Linyanti include traditional mokoro trips through the wetlands. Night drives in the private concession provide a chance to spot nocturnal species. By day, there are walking safaris offering a chance to track animals on foot. The area is famous for vast herds of elephants and Cape Buffalo. Predator sightings can include lion, leopard and wild dog.

• KHWAI PRIVATE RESERVE is positioned between Chobe and Moremi Game Reserves. The riverfront is a magnet and lifeline for game. Natural Selection. The wildlife that is generally seen include Sable, impala, and kudu, as well as big cats and wild dogs. Hippos and crocodiles frequent the waterways.

• MOREMI GAME RESERVE is in northern Botswana. The area consists of flood plains, lagoons, forests, and savannahs. It is adjacent to the Okavango Delta and is in the heart of Africa’s finest game viewing region. It was declared a reserve opposed to a national park by the local BaTawana people. Sandibe and Chitabe concessions border Moremi. There is a good population of leopards, wild dog and cheetahs. Dugout canoes are used to navigate past birdlife, hippos and crocodiles on waterways like the Xakanaxa Lagoon.

• PRIVATE CONCESSIONS - Community land that is adjacent to the Okavango and Chobe. The wildlife travels freely between dedicated parks and concessions. Each offers intimate experiences with limited visitors, as well as varied activities, including walking, off-road drives, and night drives that are not allowed in the public parklands.

Is this your dream trip?

Botswana is a destination for the wildlife enthusiast. It is not for the traveler who is interested in cultural village visits. It is a premium destination and more costly than other safari areas. If you decide this is your dream safari and have a realistic budget, then the extraordinary await!

Tailor-Made Itinerary: All trips to Botswana are tailored to suit your vision. Each camp is carefully selected to give you a balance of experience and a variety of wildlife sightings. You can select your camp preferences, and we will custom design your trip. This does not cost more than selecting a set itinerary. Botswana camp activities are organized by each property.