Destination Guide

Botswana

An inland delta in the desert, the world's largest elephant population, and a conservation model that has set the standard for the continent.

Best months
Jun – Oct
Climate now
Cool dry · Wet summer
Currency
BWP / USD
Languages
EN · Setswana
Visa (SA)
Not required
Flight time
3h from JNB
Time zone
SAST

Why visit Botswana

Why Botswana is the safari benchmark.

The Okavango Delta

The world’s largest inland delta — 15,000 km² of channels, islands and floodplains, traversed by mokoro (dug-out canoe) and small aircraft.

130,000 elephants

More elephants than any other country on earth. Chobe National Park’s riverfront sees breeding herds drink at sunset.

Low-volume conservation

Botswana’s high-cost low-volume policy means private concessions with 5-10 guests per camp. Wilderness without the crowds.

The Makgadikgadi Pans

Two vast salt pans — the remnants of an ancient super-lake. Walk with meerkats, ride quad-bikes across the cracked white surface, sleep under the stars.

Mobile safaris

Pitch camp in a different unfenced wilderness each night. The classic Botswana experience — and our specialty.

Stable, safe, well-organised

Africa’s longest-running multi-party democracy. English widely spoken. Easy from Jo’burg, easy from SADC, easy for first-time safari travellers.

When to go

Botswana’s dry season is one of Africa’s most reliable safari windows.

Jan
34° · wet
Feb
33° · wet
Mar
31° · ok
Apr
28° · good
May
25° · prime
Jun
23° · prime
Jul
22° · peak
Aug
25° · peak
Sep
30° · peak
Oct
35° · prime
Nov
33° · wet starts
Dec
33° · wet
Prime — ideal for all activities
Good — shoulder season, fewer crowds
Do not recommend — weather or seasonal limits
Prime · May – Oct

Dry season concentrates wildlife around water. Delta floods peak Jul–Sep. October is hot but the very best for predator action.

Good · Mar – Apr · Nov

Green season at its lushest. Dramatic skies, low rates, fewer guests. Bird life at its peak — over 500 species in residence.

Do not recommend · Dec – Feb

Wet season makes some camps inaccessible and the lush bush hides wildlife. Heat is intense. We’d suggest waiting.

What Botswana is known for

The signature experiences this country is famous for.

O
Okavango Delta

15,000 km² UNESCO site — explored by mokoro, light aircraft and on foot.

C
Chobe elephants

World’s largest concentration — Chobe riverfront at sunset is unforgettable.

K
Kalahari Desert

Red sand, ancient riverbeds, San bushmen tracking experiences.

M
Makgadikgadi Pans

Vast salt flats, habituated meerkats, baobabs older than Christianity.

S
Mobile camping

Roving fully-serviced camps in private concessions. The classic Botswana way.

L
Linyanti & Selinda

Quiet northern reserves — wild dogs, lions, hippo-filled lagoons.

T
Tuli Block

The ‘Land of Giants’ — eastern Botswana’s elephant and baobab country.

H
Horseback safari

Macatoo and Limpopo Horse Safaris — gallop alongside zebra and giraffe.

How to travel Botswana

Two signature ways we travel Botswana.

Fly-in Safari

Fly it

Light aircraft between remote camps in the Delta, Linyanti and Chobe. The classic Botswana experience — fully bespoke.

Plan fly-in →

Mobile Camping

Camp it

A fully-equipped mobile camp that moves with you between unfenced wilderness areas. Small groups, full crew, no fences.

Plan mobile safari →

Bespoke

Combine it

Botswana pairs beautifully with Victoria Falls, Cape Town or the Namibian desert. We design multi-country itineraries.

Design my trip →

Did you know?

A few things about Botswana most visitors don’t expect.

01
Diamonds paid for everything you’ll see.

Botswana went from one of Africa’s poorest nations at independence (1966) to upper-middle-income status — funded by responsible diamond revenue and reinvested in conservation.

02
The Delta is the size of Belgium.

And it’s not really a delta — the Okavango never reaches the sea. It empties into the Kalahari and evaporates, sustaining a world of life on the way.

03
Mokoros were originally hollowed-out logs.

Today most are fibreglass for conservation reasons, but the poling technique used by your guide (a ‘poler’) goes back centuries.

Photo gallery

Botswana through our travellers’ lenses.

Imagining your own Botswana?

Botswana is too special for off-the-shelf.

Every camp, every transfer, every concession decision matters. Tell us your dates, budget and what kind of safari you imagine — we'll build something extraordinary.

Browse all tours Plan a bespoke trip