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Wildlife Holidays in Botswana

Botswana Safari Holidays

Botswana Safari Holidays

Botswana Safari Highlights

Thanks to the country’s stable government and progressive social policies, Botswana is now one of Southern Africa’s hottest safari destinations. Here are four great places to visit in Botswana for animal lovers.

FAQs on Botswana Safari

Why book a Botswana Safari with Exodus?

We have been carefully curating our trips for 45 years and our safari holidays are designed to bring you closer to the African wildlife, with more time spent in game reserves and national parks. The main focus is to steer you to the best vantage points on game drives with expert guides and rangers who will teach you about the varied habitats and wildlife as they share their invaluable wealth of knowledge. Throughout our trips, we also arrange exceptional accommodation where you can immerse yourself in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness and meet with like-minded travellers.

Which month is best for a safari in Botswana?

Between the months of June and August are good times to plan a safari to Botswana. During these months the temperatures are cooler, so game drives are more enjoyable and there are fewer mosquitos around. In July you can usually expect floods in the Okavango Delta, which makes game viewing even more exciting as hippos, elephants and warthogs make their way down to the banks of the rivers. However, towards the end of November, zebras begin the Nxai Pan Migration south in search of rich grasses. You can also see zebras and wildebeest heading from the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

Is Botswana a good place to go on safari?

Undoubtedly Africa is the best continent for safaris and playing host to some of the most magnificent animals, Botswana is often considered the ultimate safari destination. Known for its huge herds of buffalo and elephants, Chobe National Park is the place to go for game drives. The Okavango Delta is also a front runner in the safari stakes with its population of crocodiles, white rhinos and hippos that can be found in the river swamps. Alternatively, head to Moremi Game Reserve or the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for more unique wildlife encounters.

When should I book a safari?

Before you go ahead and book your trip to Botswana, make sure you do your research beforehand or speak to one of our experts to find out more about the best times to travel and when to book. We advise that you book your holiday well in advance so that you have plenty of time to apply for your visa and arrange any necessary vaccinations. If you plan to travel during the peak season, it’s recommended that you book your trip 10 to 12 months in advance. Make sure your passport has the required length of validity and if not, apply for a new one as soon as possible.

What animals will I see in Botswana?

The wildlife in Botswana is as diverse as it is abundant and you’ll have the opportunity to see the Big Five, consisting of the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and black rhino, as well as many more species. The country also plays host to some of the continent’s greatest concentrations of giraffe, hippo and wildebeest, and has the largest herds of elephants in the world. Throughout the dry season in Botswana, there are approximately 200,000 large mammals found in the Okavango Delta. Boasting a varied ecosystem made up of salt pans, rivers, marshes and savannah, it provides the ideal habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.

How many days do you need for a Botswana safari?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but however long you spend in Botswana, you’ll likely feel it isn’t enough as the wildlife experiences here are endless. A week on safari would allow you plenty of time to explore some of the larger game reserves and national parks but 14 days would let you delve even deeper. Depending on how many locations you wish to visit, two or three nights is a reasonable length of time to spend at each area. 14 days would give you the best opportunity to see most of Botswana’s wildlife as well as enjoying immersive cultural experiences.

How many national parks are there in Botswana?

As well as six game reserves and other smaller parks, there are four national parks in Botswana, which include Chobe, Makgadikgadi, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (also known as Gemsbok) and Nxai Pan. Other notable wildlife parks to visit are Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Chobe National Park is the oldest in Botswana and one of the most ecologically diverse in Africa, showcasing large concentrations of big game. Makgadikgadi National Park is a quieter option and although it doesn’t have as many sightings of the Big Five, its stunning scenery is well worth exploring.

This was an experience of a lifetime! I cannot recommend this trip enough. If you want to go wild camping in the African bush where you can completely disconnect from every day life and get back in touch with nature, then don’t hesitate to book this trip. You will be surrounded by wild animals, bird sounds and highly experienced staff.

lizette Lizzie Zambezi Canoe Safari

Having done a safari in lodges in Kenya 20+years ago, we wanted to experience the adventure of a safari under canvas, getting up close to the wildlife of Botswana. Oh boy! We were not disappointed. This was the most thrilling holiday we’ve ever been on; absolutely sensational. Our leader, Brian, and his team were brilliant, making sure everything ran smoothly and we got the most out of each day. Wild camping is an experience like no other. It’s very down-to-earth, can be very hot and dusty, but is a lot more comfortable than you might think. Our party were all 50+years old but adapted to the camping easily. There are lots of early starts, but who cares when you see so much wonderful wildlife. This is an adventure not to be missed.

Neil Phillips Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

Just returned from this trip. It was a brilliant 2 weeks. So varied and enjoyable. The hotels are a great standard with exceptional food choice and a pool at every one.
Everyday is something different, lots of opportunities to spot wildlife, learn about the culture and see beautiful scenery.
Sri lanka is a wonderful country, you won’t regret booking this holiday.

sophie cave Discover Sri Lanka
Wildlife Holidays in Botswana