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Tucked between Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, Botswana isn’t always the first name that springs to mind when travellers dream of African safaris, but it really should be.
This landlocked nation has quietly established itself as one of the most conservation-focused safari destinations in the world. Thanks to a deliberate policy of low-impact, high-value tourism, Botswana’s wilderness remains untouched by intense tourism, its wildlife populations remain huge, and its safari experiences are remarkably intimate.
The Botswana African Safari isn’t a tick-box exercise. It’s personal, private and exclusive. It’s the sort of safari that will have you glide silently through the lily-covered channels of the Okavango Delta, sipping sundowners beside the Chobe River, and sleeping under the stars in camps where the only noise is elephants chewing nearby and the distant hu-hu-hu of a roaring lion.
If you’re a first-time safari-goer, a seasoned wildlife photographer, or someone looking for a luxury Botswana African Safari without the crowds, this guide for 2025 is your complete travel companion to planning the best trip.
Why Travel to Botswana for Your African Safari?
Few countries can match Botswana’s selective approach to safari tourism.
Unlike those more commercialised destinations like the Kruger National Park, the Botswana African Safari prioritises quality over quantity. You won’t find convoys of jeeps jostling for space here; instead, it’s just you, your guide, and the great wilderness.
The country enjoys a strong reputation for political stability (there’s very little crime as well), high professional guiding standards, and an unyielding commitment to anti-poaching. In fact, most of Botswana’s land mass is left for the wildlife, and the country’s tiny population of just under 2.5 million people live mostly in the southeastern corner of the country, close to South Africa, around the capital city, Gaborone.
These factors, along with the nation’s incredible ecological diversity, make it one of the safest and most reliable choices for safari in Africa, and you are almost guaranteed to have one of the very best and most eventful safari experiences in terms of wildlife sightings.
When on a Botswana African Safari, you can expect to see:
- Large herds of elephants in Chobe National Park
- Lions, leopards, and packs of wild dogs in Moremi
- Hippos, crocs, and dazzling birdlife in the Okavango Delta
- Meerkats and migratory zebra in the Makgadikgadi Pans
The Top 5 Safari Destinations in Botswana
Botswana is an all-around great place to have a safari, and it plays to its strengths by having a couple of safari destinations that are not just considered the best in Botswana, but the best in Africa.
Okavango Delta
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Delta is a maze of waterways, palm islands, and lagoons, which are home to extraordinary wildlife and aquatic life. Okavango Delta safaris are uniquely water-based, with activities like mokoro rides (traditional dugout canoes), boating, and even catch-and-release fishing.
Chobe National Park
Known as the elephant capital of the world, Chobe is a spectacle, particularly in the dry season. You can combine your game drives with sunset river cruises and enjoy up-close sights of hippos, buffalo, and elephants gathering at the water’s edge.
Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi sits at the intersection of land and water. When on a Botswana African Safari here, you’re just as likely to track leopards on foot as you are to photograph herds from a game vehicle. A safari in Moremi is often packaged with a trip to the Delta, to give you a whole lot more variety for your getaway.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
This semi-arid expanse flips the safari script right on its head, but in a way that you’ll thoroughly enjoy. The Kalahari covers only a tiny part of the South of Botswana, but if you have a safari here, you can expect to see desert-adapted species like oryx, brown hyena, and black-maned lions. The sense of space is quite otherworldly, as there is often neither sight nor sound of another person for kilometres around, and the nights, which are often spent out under a million stars, are nothing short of astounding.
Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
Here you will see salt pans as far as the eye can see and baobabs standing like sentinels. During the green season, the landscape draws in zebra herds and predators alike, making it a fascinating and eventful place to have a Botswana safari. You should book a stay at Jack’s Camp if you are a creature of comfort who also enjoys having a history lesson.
Is Botswana Better Than South Africa for a Safari?
It is inevitable to want to compare Botswana and South Africa, especially if you are planning a more luxurious safari. While both countries are similar in that they are known for their exceptional wildlife experiences, they tend to cater to very different expectations and travellers.
Botswana is built around and markets itself as a low-density, high-value tourist destination, which means there are fewer vehicles, fewer people, and more privacy. The game drives often feel like personal expeditions as you won’t be contending with queues and crowds at sightings, and there’s no constant engine hum from a dozen 4x4s. You’re surrounded by space, silence, and an authentic sense of wilderness. And if you’re after a luxury safari Botswana experience that’s intimate, wild, and immersive, this is where it excels. The downside is that Botswana is not as accessible as its Southern neighbour, and its safaris tend to be more expensive.
South Africa, on the other hand, is generally a lot easier to access. It has stronger infrastructure, more budget-friendly options, and a broader tourism mix. The Kruger National Park and its surrounding private concession reserves are excellent for Big Five sightings, but the experience can at times feel too curated or the safari is shared, especially in the high season. For families, first-timers, or those wanting to self-drive, South Africa may edge ahead on convenience and variety.
But if you value exclusivity, untouched ecosystems, and a conservation-first mindset, Botswana is out there in a class of its own. It’s not necessarily better for everyone, but for those who want something truly authentic, quiet, and world-class, Botswana often ends up becoming the benchmark to which all future safaris are compared.
Botswana has it all when it comes to the safari experience. Some of the most popular types of safaris in Botswana include:
- Water Safaris – Delta-based, featuring mokoros and motorboats
- Walking Safaris – Guided treks with armed rangers in private concessions
- Game Drives – Day and night, in open 4×4 vehicles with expert trackers
- Fly-In Safaris – Access remote areas via scenic bush flights
- Horseback Safaris – For experienced riders, especially in the Delta
Which Month is Best for an African Safari in Botswana?
Timing your Botswana African safari is one of the most important parts of your planning process. The experience you’ll end up having can vary greatly depending on when you travel, from the price you pay to the wildlife you’ll encounter.
Botswana’s safari calendar is typically divided into two main seasons: the Dry Season (May to October) and the Green Season (November to March).
The Dry Season runs from May to October and is widely regarded as the best time for game viewing. As water becomes scarce, wildlife congregates around permanent water sources, making sightings frequent and often spectacular. The predators are more active, the vegetation is sparse, and the days are crisp and clear, ideal for catching sight of even the most elusive of animals. It’s also the time of year when the risk of contracting malaria is at its lowest. That said, this popularity comes at a price; Botswana safari costs are highest during these months, and availability at the best camps is limited unless you book well in advance.
The Green Season, from November to March, brings with it intense afternoon thunderstorms that cool the heat and create dramatic backdrops for photography, and which puts the leaves back on the trees and shrubs. This is calving season, so you can expect to see baby antelope and their wary mothers, which in turn draws predators. It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with migratory species arriving in abundance. Rates at Botswana safari lodges drop significantly, making it the best time to visit Botswana safari circuits if you’re after luxury for less.
For a more in-depth look, this is what to expect from each month in Botswana:
January to March sees incredible birdlife, lush scenery, and high water levels, and though rainfall is common, it rarely disrupts activities. The overall safari prices remain low.
April to May bring cooler, drier weather. The elephants begin to move toward water-rich areas, and prices begin to climb.
June to August is prime time for a safari. The conditions are dry, the temperatures cool, and the sought-after predator sightings are at their peak. As this is the best time of the year for a safari, you can expect higher prices.
September to October is intense. It’s hot, dry, and wildlife crowds around shrinking waterholes, phenomenal for game viewing, though also the most expensive time.
November to December marks the beginning of the rains. With them come newborn animals, fresh green foliage, and more attractive lodge rates.
How to Book a Botswana Safari (Without Regret)
There are a few common traps that you might fall into if you rush into your Botswana African Safari booking. This is how to book a Botswana safari that leaves you smiling, not stressed.
- Direct Booking – Although it is often cheaper, it comes with more legwork. If you plan to do a direct booking, only use trusted, well-reviewed lodges.
- Tour Operators – Best for itineraries and local know-how, travelling with a tour operator is your best option. Make sure that you ask for transparency in their Botswana safari costs, so that you know what you are paying for.
- Travel Agents – Working with a travel agent is ideal if you’re short on time or combining Botswana with other countries.
To help you stay on the safe side when booking a Botswana African safari, you should treat vague itineraries, lack of fees, and “too good to be true” discounts as red flags. And always make sure that you read reviews and ask as many questions as you can before making a booking.
Botswana is Africa’s Most Underrated Safari Destination
When the rest of the world is chasing headlines, Botswana stays quietly exceptional because it is protected, preserved, and profound. From its unique wetlands to its whispering deserts, this land offers something rare: the space to feel small again.
Looking to trade the ordinary for the extraordinary? Contact us now to start planning your Botswana African Safari, the ultimate way to see Africa in 2025.
