Destinations

Botswana

Desert and Delta

Diverse, pristine scenery, year-round game viewing along with top-notch guides and an incredible safari experience; Botswana is often touted as the ‘crème de la crème’ of the safari world. Ranging from the Kalahari Desert sands to the Okavango Delta’s ever-changing flood levels, it offers a unique experience as animals adapt as waters ebb and flow.

HIGHLIGHTS IN BOTSWANA

Our ‘not to be missed’ recommendations for your holiday

Okavango Delta

Covering 15,000 square km of water channels, islands and lagoons, the Okavango Delta is one of the most incredible wilderness sanctuaries in Africa. Each year, floodwaters from its northwestern neighbor Angola (more than 1,000km away) flows into the Delta and form this incredible wetland paradise within a desert; a truly unique and pristine ecosystem.

The dynamic flood levels attract a great variety of flora and fauna; providing excellent game viewing year round. The Delta is home to large numbers of wildlife; from predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog to amazing birdlife such as the rare wattled crane to ungulates seen infrequently like sitatunga. Mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions offer an authentic, unobtrusive way to experience this wondrous wetland.

Experience the highlights of a remarkable water wilderness.

Greater Kalahari

As the largest and most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second largest wildlife reserve in the world, this park encompasses over 52,000 square km. The vast open moonscape of its saltpans, Makgadikgadi and Nxai, are otherworldly: while its seasonal grasslands host an impressive seasonal zebra migration.

With the rains – between November and April – the desert really comes to life, with high numbers of plains game followed closely by their predators, producing some of the best summer wildlife viewing in Botswana. The Central Kalahari has a high diversity of flora and fauna, and is a vast flat expanse of scrub-covered fossil dunes between ancient river valleys.

The Greater Kalahari: the largest and most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa and the second largest wildlife reserve in the world.

Water-based safaris

Powerboats, canoe and mokoro – Botswana’s local dugout canoe – are thrilling ways to explore outside of the vehicle. Safari from a different perspective, gliding over the water, quietly observing game both on the shore and in the lake or river is at the same time as peaceful as it is exciting.

Zipping along Okavango Delta’s permanent waterways, with papyrus whizzing by, or paddling a canoe in along the Zambezi river as elephants cross in front of you, and finally, sitting calmly and quietly in a mokoro sneaking up on the delicate Painted Reed frog make a some time on the water a highlight of a trip.

A different perspective: gliding over the Okavango’s permanent waterways

More things to do and see

Intimate, authentic lodging

Botswana offers a wide variety of small, highly personalised accommodation. Camps are primarily tented experiences, ranging from the rustic to the opulent. Most are small, intimate camps, which are far removed from local villages, and only accessible via light aircraft flights.

Learn about Botswana's San culture

The local culture of a country humanizes the experience, and adds a depth and personality that touches the soul. In Botswana, start fire with the San, or Bushman, and dig for scorpions. Meet a San and learn about this ancient people’s fascinating culture.

Combine with East/Southern Africa

A safari in Botswana is easy to combine with the famous Victoria Falls, other regions of Southern Africa, or even East Africa – using the flight between Nairobi (Kenya) and Livingstone (Zambia).

Walking Safaris

Step out of your vehicle and onto African soil – a walk will give you a completely different feel for your surroundings. This is arguably the best way to truly immerse you in the African bush.

Walking safaris are guided by experienced walking guides and usually together with an armed ranger. Although animals are usually spotted, the goal is not to get as close as possible to the wildlife but rather to observe their undisturbed behavior and experience the bush up close and personal.

WHERE TO GO IN BOTSWANA

A selection of unforgettable places to visit

Where to stay in Botswana

Some of our preferred safari camps & lodges

Little Vumbura

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Situated on a beautiful island in a private concession in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. Surrounded by water and lying close to large rivers, water-based activities are just as popular as those on land, both offering spectacular, diverse wildlife sightings.

Little Vumbura is a beautiful, luxurious camp with 6 tents shaded by the canopy of an ancient forest. Each well-appointed tent offers en-suite facilities and a lounge deck with incredible vistas – perfect for sitting back and relaxing. Cool off in the plunge pool or enjoy a book in the beautiful reading area overlooking the floodplains, and finally a star deck leads off over the water from the dining area. Coupled with a southern Delta camp makes for an extremely well rounded safari experience.

Spacious tents and in the front row of the river’s edge
Tastefully-decorated interior
Enjoy a mokoro ride over the Okavango's waterways

Machaba Camp

Khwai, Botswana

Leading an injection of owner-operated camps into Botswana’s safari scene, Machaba opened in 2013. Located on the Khwai concession, it takes advantage of a riverfront location and close proximity to Moremi Game Reserve to the east. This camp deserves note for carving out a rather private niche in a concession which has quite a few camps and some self-drive. This is due in large part to its talented and savvy guiding team, who know just where to go to take advantage of the many assets of this diverse landscape and the camp’s location.

One can expect to have a very rewarding safari by foot, mokoro or vehicle here – with sightings of all major species. The 10 tents, while termed ‘classic’ by most, are hardly that. Spacious, tastefully-decorated and in the front row of the river’s edge, there is very nearly no reason to leave on game drive!

The main area at sundown
Your bedroom view across the pans
The tasteful interior of the tea tent
Enjoy a sundowner on the pans
The camp's stylish tea tent
Learn more about the local bushmen
Meerkats!

San Camp

Kalahari, Botswana

Situated on the edge of the vast and stark Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the remnants of an extinct lake that once covered most of Botswana. San Camp consists of 6 elegant white tents that dot the shore of the enormous sparkling saltpan providing spectacular views. This camp exudes sophistication.

Combine with another camp in the Okavango Delta for a truly diverse Botswana safari experience. Offering guests the chance to explore and understand the Kalahari like no other place. Expert guiding, incredibly friendly habituated meerkats, unique desert species, old-world safari styling and superb cuisine all come together to create an experience that is completely different to any other.

Refresh in the swimming pool
Beautiful, tranquil guest room interior

Kanana

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Situated on the Xudum River in the southwest part of the Okavango Delta. This area boasts a magnificent variety of birds, plant and reptile species.
Wildlife is in abundance with frequent predator sightings such as lion, leopard and wilddog all making Kanana their hunting grounds.

This child-friendly camp consists of 7 spacious twin and double-bedded safari tents, each en-suite bathroom has a large walk-in shower. affording privacy whilst remaining within a comfortable distance from the main camp area. Families are accommodated in a two-bedroomed tent, sharing an en-suite bathroom with the addition of an outdoor shower – ideal for families.

Activities include early morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles. The private Kanana Concession allows guided walking safaris, exploring the crystal-clear waterways by Mokoro (dug-out canoe) and night drives in addition to game drives and motor boating.

Linyanti Expeditions

Linyanti, Botswana

Situated on the southern banks of the Linyanti River in northern Botswana, this wonderful ‘expedition style’ seasonal camp consists of only 6 tents. Each stretch canvas tent houses a gazebo-style extension, where beds can be moved to at night to allow a ‘sleep-out; experience.

A one-of-a-kind adventure awaits you from the comfort of your private deck. Be surrounded by the wonders of the wilderness as you tuck up beneath a blanket of twinkling stars.

Seven spacious en-suite tents
Year round wildlife destination
The sleep out deck allows you to spend a night under the stars
Refresh in the camp's beautiful pool

Dinaka

Central Kalahari, Botswana

Dinaka, meaning ‘horns’, is an exclusive private reserve located on the northern part of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The desert landscape is home to the Kalahari lion, springbok, Oryx and brown hyena.

The camp’s seven spacious twin and double-bedded safari tents are raised up on wooden decks giving the perfect vantage point over a permanent water hole. Each tent offers an en-suite bathroom and an indoor and outdoor shower, hot and cold running water and flush toilet. For families this child-friendly camp provides a two-bedroom tent; sharing a spacious en-suite bathroom.

Activities include morning and afternoon game drives (often continuing into the evening) in open safari vehicles. Birding is particularly spectacular as the reserve hosts over 200 different bird species. The reserve offers an educational walk with the local San Bushmen in addition to day and night game drives.

The main area of the camp
Guest tent interior

Selinda Explorers

Linyanti, Botswana

Follow in the footsteps of explorers Livingstone and Selous, both of whom wandered through the Selinda Spillway in which this camp is situated. This expedition-style camp caters for only 8 guests, and offers an intimate experience.

The area is a known wildlife hotspot and is home to huge herds of elephant and buffalo. Wildlife viewing activities are mainly focused on guided walks, canoe trips and open vehicle game drives.

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