Wishlist
Botswana, Vic Falls, & Cape Town
Botswana is a land of pristine wilderness and home to some of the finest wildlife experiences in the world. The ecosystems vary from the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the deserts of the Kalahari. The Moremi Game Reserve borders on the Okavango, but wildlife moves freely across the surrounding areas like Chobe. Think of the Okavango Delta, Moremi, and surrounding concessions as one massive, unfenced wilderness system. While Moremi is in
the Delta, other parks like Chobe are connected, making Botswana's northern wildlife areas a unified ecological zone, not isolated reserves.
When and where to visit on your Botswana safari can be daunting. The right combination of water and land 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 walking safaris, which are ideal for tracking big game.
- Mixed Camps 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.
- Wet Camps are situated in areas that are primarily focused 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.
Greater Kruger versus Botswana
We are often asked what the difference between a safari in Botswana and Greater Kruger’s private game reserves. They are both excellent wildlife destinations. The same species can be found in both areas. Botswana is remote, relatively untouched, and uncrowded but with the highest standards of comfort. Greater Kruger area is perfect for the traveler who wants a 2- to 3-day safari. If time and resources will not allow your trip to include Botswana, Greater Kruger would not disappoint.
For a prime Botswana and Victoria Falls trip, aim for late May to mid-October. Just keep in mind that by September and October, the water flow at the Falls starts to thin out significantly.
Is this your dream trip?
When going to Southern Africa for safari, Cape Town really should be included on the agenda. The city easily links to flights to Botswana as well as international flights. It is geologically one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
The emphasis on this trip is the Botswana Safari. Botswana is for those who want an intimate, authentic experience in the bush with high comfort levels. Transportation between camps is short with very scenic flights, so there are no long drive times. Botswana is a more expensive safari destination than the Greater Kruger private reserves and East Africa. This safari is a remote high-end trip. If you are looking for a value trip and Victoria Falls is a must, then a safari in the Chobe region would be a better choice due to the price point.
Tailor-Made Itinerary: Travel in the style that meets your comfort level, to the places that interest you the most, at a pace that you'll enjoy. Your research has led you to Born Free Safaris. Now let our Specialists tailor your journey the way you want to experience it.
Highlights
- Private Touring in Cape Town
- Cape Town, Table Mountain
- Cape Point, Penguin Beach
- Historic Wine Country
- Victoria Falls & Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi
- Walking tour of the Zimbabwe & Zambia side
- BOTSWANA - CHOICE OF PRIME GAME VIEWING AREAS
- OKAVANGO DELTA - a phenomenal wildlife region. Within its waterways are island camps, bordering reserves, and private unfenced concessions where all of the "Big Five" can be found. Hippos and crocodiles cool themselves while herds of elephant and buffalo graze in the floodplains.
- CHOBE NATIONAL PARK - the largest area and closest to Victoria Falls, generally this area is fairly crowded with travelers and not that rich in predators. To really see the best of Chobe, it is imperative to fly further into the park and base your safari in the Savute region.
- SAVUTI (or SAVUTE) REGION OF CHOBE – located on the south end of Chobe, this area is extremely game-rich, especially for predator sightings. Large prides of lion hunt on the grasslands, and leopard and wild dog can be seen as well. The Savuti Channel waterways do ebb and flow. In 2019, the high waters dramatically transformed the area into a paradise for large herds of elephant and buffalo.
- MOREMI GAME RESERVE – located within the Okavango Delta, this is one of the most reliable game viewing areas in Botswana. On game drives, travel into open grasslands and onto the lion and wild dog territories. Elephant gather on the riverbanks and leopards can be seen in the branches of the trees. Boating can be done on the many waterways.
- KALAHARI, MAKGADIKGADI PANS & NXAI PAN PARK– an awe-inspiring area made up of open grassland punctuated by wooded valleys and moonscape salt pans. There are game drives and walks with the San Bushmen. Wildlife is seasonal.
- PRIVATE CONCESSIONS - Linyanti, Khwai, and Kwando are private concessions. In most cases they are adjacent to the reserves and national parks where the wildlife does run freely through all areas. The concessions are exclusive leased areas that limit visitors, as well as offering varied activities other than game drives, including nature walks, off-road drives and night drives.
- The Khwai Concession located on the northeastern edge of the Okavango Delta, between Moremi Game Reserve to the south and Chobe National Park (including Savuti) to the north.
