Silhouettes of two adult elephants and one baby elephant

Botswana

Best time to visit: July to October (dry season)
Destinations→Botswana

Botswana is a vast, whispering wilderness where the Okavango Delta floods the Kalahari in a miracle of nature, creating a floating archipelago teeming with life. From the sun-drenched plains of the Chobe River, home to the world’s largest elephant population, to the quiet, star-filled nights of the Central Kalahari, this land of contrasts offers an untouched, authentic African experience. It is a country defined by its "high value, low volume" tourism philosophy, ensuring that every encounter with wildlife is intimate, exclusive, and deeply respectful of the environment. Whether you are navigating the delta in a traditional mokoro, tracking the Big Five in the Moremi Game Reserve, or witnessing the thunder of the Chobe herd at sunset, Botswana invites you to step into a world where the wild is not just observed, but felt.

“Here, silence is a luxury of its own, so profound it reveals the wild's true rhythm; where opulence is not found in gilded halls, but in the absolute, unbroken freedom of sharing the wilderness with nature.”

Highlights

  • ◆The Okavango Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest inland delta, offering unique water-based safaris.
  • ◆Chobe National Park: Renowned for its massive elephant herds and spectacular riverfront game viewing.
  • ◆Moremi Game Reserve: The premier game viewing area within the Delta, home to the Big Five.
  • ◆Kalahari Desert: Vast, red dunes and unique desert-adapted wildlife like the meerkat and bat-eared fox.
  • ◆Luxury Eco-Lodges: World-class, solar-powered lodges that blend seamlessly into the landscape.
  • ◆Cultural Encounters: Opportunities to learn about the traditions of the San people and local Botswana communities.
  • ◆Birding Paradise: Over 460 bird species, including rare migratory birds in the wet season.

Perfect For

Wildlife photographyLuxury safarisHoneymoonsFamiliesAdventureMulti-generational family holidaysAdventure travellersFirst-time visitors to Africa

Botswana Experiences

Sable Alley thatched dining area with outdoor loungers and couches
safari
Sable Alley: 3 Nights Luxury Safari in Khwai Private Reserve
3 nights · Khwai Private Reserve
From R44,743 pp
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Tuludi lodge sitting beneath trees at night with lights
safari
Tuludi: 3 Nights Luxury Safari in the Okavango Delta
3 nights · Okavango Delta
From R53,094 pp
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Pool and loungers overlooking African plain after dusk
safari
Kavango Zambezi Safari: 6 Nights Premium Adventure
6 nights · Victoria Falls, Chobe River, Impalila Island
From R42,156 pp
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Aerial view of Camp Okavango and Okavango Delta
safari
Camp Okavango: 3 Nights Premium Okavango Delta Experience
3 nights · Okavango Delta, Nxaragha Island
From R87,147 pp
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Zebra buffalo and buck roaming grassland in front of Xigera Safari Lodge
safari
Xigera Safari Lodge: 4 Nights at a Luxury Safari & Eco-Lodge
4 nights · Okavango Delta
From R87,095 pp
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Combine With

Pair Botswana with these destinations for an even more unforgettable journey.

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia)MozambiqueMauritiusSeychellesNamibia

Practical Information

CurrencyBotswana Pula (BWP)
LanguageEnglish (official), Setswana (national)
Flight TimeApprox. 2 hours from Johannesburg (JNB) to Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK)
Time ZoneCentral Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2
Visa RequirementsMost nationalities (including SADC, EU, US, UK) do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Check specific requirements based on your passport.
Getting AroundDomestic light aircraft transfers are common for lodge access; 4x4 vehicles and boats for safaris; limited road travel for remote areas.
HealthYellow fever vaccination required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most safari regions, especially the Delta. Consult a travel clinic 6 weeks prior.
Electricity230V, 50Hz. Type G (three-pin rectangular) plugs, same as the UK.
TippingExpected and appreciated: ~10-15% in lodges/restaurants; guides and trackers often receive $10–$20 USD per guest per day.
Ideal Stay7–10 days to experience the Delta, Chobe, and Kalahari, or 4–5 days for a focused Delta and Chobe itinerary.

Plan Your Unique Journey

Every Ocean & Safari itinerary is thoughtfully designed around your individual travel style. From exclusive villas and luxury lodges to private guides, yacht charters and seamless air travel, our specialists create journeys that are as unique as the destinations themselves.

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