What do thousands of pink flamingos, the largest elephant population in Africa, and mokoro safaris all have in common?
You can find them all in Botswana.
This landlocked Southern African country is home to beautiful landscapes, the Big 5, sprawling national parks, and some of the biggest mammal migrations on the continent.
Botswana is a must-visit for travelers searching for an incredible African safari, with breathtaking landscapes, and unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
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Best Time to Travel to Botswana
If you want to get your wildlife fix in Botswana, you need to become one with your calendar.
Depending on when you book your flights, you’ll have wildly different safari experiences which could make or break your trip.
Dry Season: May to September
Are you dreaming about a classic African safari?
You know, the one where you drive out into the dry plains, past lazy lions, and sip on G&T’s as the sun sets?
Then, you’ll want to book your Botswana trip during the dry season. The lack of rain between May and September makes one of the best times to visit Botswana.
You’ll have a much easier time spotting the Big 5. The thirsty animals congregate around the watering holes and the 15,000 km of the Okavango Delta floods, making it prime time for a mokoro safari.
Wet Season: November to April
The wet season (also known as the Emerald season) in Botswana is a fantastic time of year for avid birders and travellers who want a steady stream of adorable baby animals and once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences.
From November to April, you can catch a glimpse of thousands of pink flamingos at the Makgadikgadi Pans. These birds travel from Walvis Bay Lagoon in Namibia, crossing half of the continent for the breeding season.
While the rains and lush green vegetation will make spotting animals in Botswana’s national parks difficult, you might witness an impala or zebra giving birth!
Further north in Chobe’s Linyanti region, you can watch the zebra migration after the summer rains. With 25,000 animals on the move, it’s the longest recorded large mammal migration in Africa and an incredible sight to behold.
Top Botswana Travel Destinations
The Okavango Delta
By far, the most impressive Botswana attraction (in terms of sheer wow-factor) is the Okavango Delta. Inside the waterways, you’ll find Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s richest eco-systems and a geographical marvel.
Not only can you see the Delta from space, but it’s one of the few Delta’s in the world that don’t flow into a large body of water.
The lush marshlands of the Okavango attract huge numbers of wildlife, affording you a unique safari experience you won’t get anywhere else – seeing the Big 5 from a mokoro!
Spend a night camping on the banks of the Delta, walk past herds of elephant and giraffes, or see everything from above with a scenic flight over northern Botswana.
Chobe National Park
Botswana charms wildlife lovers with its lack of fences. Throughout the Chobe region, animals roam freely across ancient corridors between Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
You can visit the national park on a day trip from Kasane or stay inside for an unforgettable luxury safari experience onboard the Zambezi Queen houseboat.
If you have time in your Botswana itinerary, you can use Chobe as a launching point to visit Victoria Falls. It’s just a hop ‘n skip over the border to visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Kgalagadi is a safari destination for the adventurous. Straddling the South Africa and Botswana borders, the massive 3.6 million hectares park is home to the famous Kalahari black-maned lion.
Located in the southern part of the Kalahari desert, you’ll drive past red dunes, dried-up riverbeds, and curious meerkats.
Off the beaten tourist track, a safari in the Kgalagadi means you won’t have to compete with dozens of other vehicles for sightings. It’s an ideal spot for true wildlife enthusiasts who want to watch predators in their natural element.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a 4,300-hectare reserve in Botswana. Established in 1992 to help save the country’s rhino population, it’s critically endangered residents are protected by the Botswana Defence Force.
The best way to experience the sanctuary? With a game drive or a walking safari.
If you opt to go on foot, your guide will track a rhino, and you’ll get to watch these incredible creatures from afar.
Besides rhinos, you might catch a glimpse of wild dogs (another engaged animal), leopard, cheetah, elephant, and aardvark.
Botswana Travel Tips
Malaria: During Botswana’s rainy season, you’re more at risk of contracting malaria. Before you arrive, consult with your doctor and stock up on antimalarials. When you land, limit your risk by covering up as much skin as possible between dawn and dusk to avoid getting bitten.
Vet Fences: If you opt to take a road trip around Botswana, you’ll notice vet control fences and foot-and-mouth-stations. When you get to one, you are required to disinfect your shoes and car wheels. Some vet checks might involve a full inspection and confiscation of items like fresh red meat and citrus.
Language In Botswana: English is the official language of Botswana (a remnant of British colonial rule) as well as Setswana. Besides those, there are also 20 other languages spoken in the country.
Camping: Many of Botswana’s campsites are unfenced. This means you need to be careful about leaving food out. The wild animals are free to wander into your camp at any time and eat whatever you have left unsecured.
Travel Visa Requirements for Botswana
All travelers to Botswana need:
- A valid passport with two blank pages that is valid for at least six months.
- Proof of a return ticket or onward travel documents.
- Certified unabridged birth certificate for all minors.
- A letter of consent from the other parent should the minor be travelling with only one parent.
Travelers from SADC countries, the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries do not need a visa to enter Botswana.
Other nationalities should check with the Botswana consulate for up-to-date visa requirements.
Driving Tips for Botswana
Drive on the Left: In Botswana, motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road and pass on the right.
Don’t Drive at Night: Cattle like goats and cows sleep on the roads as well as other wildlife like warthog and elephants. Plan out your route to ensure you arrive at your next destination during daylight hours to avoid an accident.
Driving in the Summer: If you’re planning a self-drive Botswana trip, double-check the roads are accessible. In the summer months, the heavy rains flood water crossings, and the mud can make some roads impassable.
Speed Limits: The average speed limit on the highway is 120kph and 60kph in urban areas. Speeding violations are taken very seriously in Botswana and fines are payable on the spot with wireless speed points.
Safari Options for Botswana
The most common way to go on safari in Botswana is with a mobile camp safari. The staff drive ahead to set everything up before you arrive, while your professional guide drives you around the national parks in an open safari vehicle.
One of the advantages of mobile camp safaris is accessibility. You can reach remote parts of Botswana that permanent lodges don’t have access to due to the seasonal flooding.
Here are the different ways you can go on safari in Botswana no matter your budget:
Guided Safaris: With tracking skills, laser-focused eyesight, and a wealth of knowledge, you can’t go wrong with a guided safari in Botswana. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and let your guide track down the country’s wildlife. Guided safaris usually include tents, meals, safari showers, and a team of experienced professionals to make sure your trip runs smoothly.
Organized Safari Tours: For a hassle-free trip, book a Botswana tour. You don’t need to worry about hiring a car, navigating unfamiliar roads, or what to do if an elephant is on the road. Join an organized tour with a group of other wildlife lovers (which is more budget-friendly), or book a private guided safari and tailor it to your tastes.
Fly-in Safaris: If you’re short on time, the best way to see as much of Botswana as possible is with fly-in safaris. You can book bush flights from the major airports which land right by your luxury lodge. It shaves hours off your traveling time with most flights taking 30 to 85 minutes. Take to the skies in a Cessna Carven, Cessna C210 or the Kodiak Quest and see Botswana from a different perspective. It’s the ultimate high-end luxury way to experience the Gem of Africa.
Self-Drive Safaris: Like its neighbors Namibia and South Africa, Botswana is a road trip destination. Hire a 4×4 to get the most out of the trip and tackle hard-to-reach national parks like Nxai Pan. One thing to keep in mind is that the roads inside the national parks aren’t in great condition and seasonal flooding also affects routes. If you’re not a confident 4×4 driver and navigator, a self-drive safari in Botswana could end up more stressful than adventurous.
