VISIT BOTSWANA

Botswana is one of the most unique countries in the world. While about 80 percent is semi-desert, it is also home to the planet’s largest inland delta. It has the highest elephant density of any region and is known for exceptional safaris.

It is easily reached once you are in Southern Africa with short-haul flights into the small towns of Maun or Kasane. From there, most travellers fly in light aircraft to their lodges if they have the budget or are driven along dirt roads – a great way of seeing more. Unlike South Africa, the costs are in US dollars. It is less ‘developed’ than South Africa and the pace is slow and relaxing. October is the hottest and driest month, with temperatures often reaching 40°C and above. Game-drive vehicles have roofs to provide shade.

BOTSWANA SAFARIS

In addition to my main safari itinerary, here are some other options:

Chobe – Savuti – Moremi – Okavango Delta

Duration: 9 Days

A jam-packed itinerary if you want to see as much as possible but have limited time.

Days 1 – 2: We will fly into Kasane International Airport (probably from South Africa) and be collected for our drive to our lodge. There are plenty of budget-friendly options in the vibrant town itself and more luxurious lodges closer to Chobe National Park. Game drives, sundowner cruises and boating on the Chobe River are all on the agenda!

Days 3 – 4: It is back to Kasane for our short light aircraft flight to Savuti Airstrip. This area provides a classic safari – on game drives we will look out for lions, wild dogs and even cheetahs if we are lucky. Low flights give you a fantastic understanding of this diverse landscape.

Days 5 – 6: Another flight will take you into Moremi, one of Botswana’s most popular conservation areas. Keep your eyes peeled for leopard on our game drives. If you’re interested in birds, you can start ticking off over 550 species!

Days 7 – 8: A short hop takes us deep into the Okavango Delta. As you fly, look out for characteristic oxbow lakes and sparkling lagoons full of antelope and elephant. If the water levels are safe, we will head out with expert ‘polers’ on a mokoro expedition.

Day 9: Wave goodbye to blissful Botswana as we fly back to Maun and then onto South Africa for our return flight home. We will likely stay overnight in Johannesburg, giving us time to repack, buy a few souvenirs and catch up with the folks at home.

Makgadikgadi – Okavango Delta – Chobe

Duration: 9 Days

A more relaxed journey that still hits all of Botswana’s hotspots with road transfers to see more.

Days 1 – 3: After touching down in Maun from South Africa at around midday, we will be driven to Makgadikgadi, a huge salt pan bordered by the Boteti River. Here we can unwind and spend our days on game drives, seeing famous baobab trees and possibly walking in the bush with San tribespeople to learn about their traditional way of life.

Days 4 – 6: We drive back to Maun and then head into Moremi, a game reserve in the Okavango Delta. After the stark beauty of the semi-desert, the delta will be lush and green. Depending on the time of year, we might be able to head out in boats and dugout canoes.

Days 7 – 8: A small aircraft will whisk us to Kasane, from where we will spend a few days along the Chobe River. In addition to exciting game drives, a highlight is watching elephant families swim across the river as well as hearing the iconic cry of the African fish eagle.

Day 9: We return to Kasane International Airport for our return flights home.

Selinda + Duba Plains

Duration: 9 Days

These are two highly regarded private reserves that are more off the beaten track than more well-known areas of Botswana.

Days 1 – 4: As usual, we fly out north from Maun to land in Selinda, a private reserve near Chobe National Park. The Selinda channel comes and goes, attracting wildlife when it is flowing. A private reserve means fewer vehicles and more exclusive sightings, ideal if you are a keen photographer or birder. Kayaking is sometimes possible in the right conditions.

Days 5 – 8: From Selinda, it is down to Duba Plains, a private reserve in the Okavango Delta. This combination gives you very top-notch accommodation with superb cuisine and wines. In contrast to the more classic ‘bush’ of Selinda, Duba Plains offers a more verdant landscape with similarly high levels of animals.

Day 9: After being pampered and spoilt in luxurious surroundings, we retrace our steps back to Maun and thereafter to South Africa in preparation for our flight home.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT

OKAVANGO DELTA

A vast wetland that is home to almost all species (except rhino) and the highlight of any Botswana safari. The water levels ebb and flow: when they are high enough, being poled on a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) is a fun way to see game especially elephant and hippo.

Moremi Game Reserve is a protected part of the Okavango that can be reached by car from Maun. This is one the best places in Botswana to see leopard.

CHOBE

Named after the Chobe River, Chobe National Park is also a hub for nature lovers and photographers who flock here to see Nile crocodiles and large elephant families.

The Linyanti and Savuti areas are known for strong prides of lion and packs of wild dog. Herds of around a thousand buffalo have been known to mass on the floodplain.

NXAI AND MAKGADIKGADI PANS

Totally different to the Okavango and Chobe and only two hours’ drive from Maun, these pans are home to semi-desert creatures, incredible stars and huge trees called baobabs.

They are wonderful for spotting animals such as meerkats, oryx and bat-eared foxes. A fun activity is to take a guided quad-bike (ATV) ride across the totally flat sand. The guides will teach you how to pronounce them correctly!