Breathtaking
Botswana
Why holiday in Botswana?
We love Botswana and its pristine wilderness, preserved by fewer visitors, making it the preferred choice for many safari enthusiasts. In the Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta, diverse and abundant wildlife roams freely through the rich delta floodplains.
In contrast are the drier stretches of the vast Chobe and Savuti regions. North of the Delta, the eponymous rivers of the Kwando-Linyanti area ensure an abundance of game. Further south, the remote plains of the Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans offer indescribable experiences making Botswana a very special place indeed.
Discover Botswana
Explore Botswana
There is no doubt Botswana offers some of the most unique and unspoilt game viewing areas in Africa. And with a national tourism policy focussing on ‘low-volume, high value’ you can be assured of a wilderness experience that is unmatched in exclusivity and substance.
The jewel in the crown is the Okavango Delta, who’s annual floods create a fertile and unique wildlife environment of waterways, scattered by pretty islands covered in the lushest of vegetation. At the heart of the Okavango lies the Moremi Game Reserve, a mix of savannah, woodlands and waterways that result in an impressive diversity and concentration of game.
Chobe National Park on the whole has vast arid plains, though in the north is the popular Chobe River – as it’s easy to reach, the river is busier than other areas in Botswana. For a more remote Chobe experience, head to the southerly Savuti area where inexplicable water sources draw wildlife to waterholes, resulting in some of our favourite sightings.
To the west of Chobe, near the Namibian border, the Kwando-Linyanti region offers private reserves with eponymous rivers ensuring a constant flow of water. Along with Selinda, this beautiful region is home to a host of plains game which in turn attracts predators. With very few camps dotted amongst the grasslands this is a remote and rewarding wilderness to explore.
At the southern edge of the delta, the waters dissipate into the extensive semi-arid Kalahari. This is where you will find the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and ‘The Pans’, notably the Makgadikgadi Pans and the neighbouring Nxai Pan. Summer rains transform these areas to become a magnet for birdlife and migratory herds.
The Northern Tuli Game Reserve, hidden away on the border with South Africa and Zimbabwe, may just be Botswana’s last great secret. A year-round destination, the spectacular mix of open savannah and rocky outcrops are home to large elephant herds, giving rise to it being known as the ‘Land of Giants’.
Experience Botswana
Spectacular safari. Botswana does safari like nowhere else on earth. With a dedication to conservation and protection, the wildlife numbers remain stable and impressive. Mix this with a varied range of land and water-based experiences and you have something truly special. Each camps’ location determines the experience you will have, and we will guide you to ensure the right mix of camps for a complete experience.
Natural wonders. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only inland delta in the world, and its annual flood creates a pristine watery wilderness, home to an abundance of wildlife. The shimmering salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, once a vast lake, is now an other-worldly, moonlike landscape. In the far north the Tsolido Hills are home to ancient, sacred sites with fine examples of early finger painting hidden in the granite mountains.
Unique experiences. Botswana has the usual selection of land-based game viewing activities, but it’s the water-based activities that will leave you in awe. Peacefully gliding through the channels of the delta on a traditional mokoro is an experience you won’t forget. Add to this game walks, horseback safaris or a ‘Heli-Flip’ to see the delta from a different perspective; meet meerkat colonies, go tiger fishing or sleep out under the stars.
History & Culture. Step back in time with the Zu/’hoasi bushmen as you walk in isolation from the modern world, observing survival skills fine-tuned over thousands of years. Experience the rich heritage of the San people on a spiritual journey exploring ancient rock art sites hidden far from the main tourist routes, surrounded by birdsong.
Travel Botswana Your Way
A Botswana safari is highly regarded for offering a pristine wilderness experience. Consequently, to protect them, travelling to and around these areas has fewer options than other African safari destinations. We’re here at African Pride to help plan and advise how to do this in a way that meets your wishes as effortlessly as possible.
Guided Tours
A guided tour through Botswana will really allow you to immerse yourself in this special corner of Africa. The tours can be private (perfect for a family) or with a small group and are based on fully serviced camping. A support team will set up the camp, consisting of large, walk-in ensuite tents with comfy beds, and then cook the tastiest of meals on the campfire, an African experience like no other.
Flying in Botswana
Maun is the main gateway to the Okavango Delta and has great links to key airports across Southern Africa. From here a light aircraft transfer will whisk you away to your lodge and after your stay there, onwards to your next lodge. These intercamp transfers can also be done by helicopter, a wonderful way to view the channels and wildlife below.
On the Water
Due to the delta flowing inland, the channels and lagoons offer a unique African safari experience by dugout canoe, known locally as a mokoro, where you can glide through the channels, peacefully viewing birds and animals as you go. Many lodges also offer boat trips enabling guests to explore these wonderous channels further.
Multi-Country Combinations
If the holiday of lifetime would be to combine Southern Africa’s iconic attractions, Cape Town and Table Mountain, the mighty Victoria Falls, the unbelievable Okavango Delta, before ending on an idyllic beach in the Seychelles, then no problem, the African Pride team relish and excel at making such dreams come true.
Botswana’s Accommodation
The choice is yours! On safari, options range from beautiful lodges in the most remote and scenic settings to authentic, simple tented camps. Or if something a little more adventurous is preferred, then a luxury overland camping trip should suit. Discuss with us the accommodation styles preferred and we can discuss the properties available that we know, first-hand.
When to travel to Botswana
Botswana's peak season is from May to October when conditions are dry overhead, with the floodwaters typically arriving in the Okavango Delta around July.
The Central Kalahari offers the best game viewing during the Green Season from December to March, whilst the area around the Makgadikgadi Pans brings different experiences and opportunities with each season.
The Northern Tuli Game Reserve and the Savuti regions bring excellent sightings at ay time, meaning there is always a great time to experience breathtaking Botswana.
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Botswana
Botswana is home to some of the finest wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa, with unique opportunities to explore on land and on water. The ultimate choice for many safari enthusiasts and a truly remarkable destination.
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