What can you find in Botswana that you can’t find elsewhere?
Undoubtedly one of Botswana’s rock-star attractions and the country’s lifeblood - the Okavango Delta offers exquisite animal sightings and is one of the few places on earth where the rain is welcomed. February and March, being the wettest months, offer fruitful sightings of wildflowers, cheetahs hunting in the lush plains and graceful sable antelopes traversing the landscape. For complete contrast, head to the Kalahari Desert, which is home to a plethora of desert-adapted species such as the brown hyenas and graceful springboks. Further north, Chobe National Park, a safari haven, boasts a huge concentrations of elephants, hippos and buffalos as well as predators. On top of that, unique adventure beckons - horseback riding across the golden Kalahari, sleeping under the stars, sundowners amongst the baobab trees and quad biking across the striking Makgadikgadi pans (during the dry season) - the list goes on. Plus, you’ll find some of Africa’s swishest camps here - ranging from romantic pavilions, complete with four-poster beds or old school safari tents decked out with Persian rugs and antique furniture.
Who is Botswana best for?
Botswana holidays are for discerning safari goers looking to be astounded by enormous concentrations of extraordinary wildlife. The diverse landscapes offer the perfect backdrops for adventure-seekers who can canter on horseback alongside game or embark on thrilling walking safaris. Honeymooners can nestle into some of the most romantic camps out there, while enjoying next-level sofa safaris and silver service. Those interested in eco-conscious safaris can get involved with important rhino conservation – learning from experts and helping to release these gentle creatures back into the wild – a truly emotional experience. The country is also perfect for families – children can spend the day learning essential bush-craft skills, meeting meerkats and sipping mocktails by the fire pit.
What are the best ways to discover Botswana?
Depending on how much time you have, sweep through the desert and delta, witnessing Botswana’s highlights. Cross the mesmerising Makgadikgadi Pans, camp out on a desert island of baobabs, meet the Zu'hoasi bushmen of the Western Kalahari, and see spectacular game in the Okavango Delta. Botswana can be easily combined with Mozambique, for the perfect antidote to a rip-roaring safari. Or perhaps consider pairing South Africa’s winelands with cosmopolitan Cape Town or why not try a trip to the thundering Victoria Falls for maximum impact.
A special experience
Looking for something a little different ?
After exploring the savannah in a 4x4, switch the vehicle for a mokoro (dugout canoe). An expert guide will paddle you quietly through the Okavango’s winding waterways as you spot game that you wouldn’t necessarily see on land. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants cooling off in the river, Nile crocodiles in the shallows and cheetahs hunting in the marshlands.
Safari with the Kalahari bushman :
Spend a day with the Kalahari bushmen - a hunter gatherer tribe whose traditional lifestyle has remained intact since the beginning of their existence. Spend half a day to four days meeting village elders, shadowing bushmen trackers and learning various hunting techniques imperative to their survival. You’ll also have the chance to join in sacred ceremonies, a special experience especially for families.