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The Top 25 Best Safari Lodges and Camps in Botswana

Matthys van Aswegen

Safari Travel Planner

Author: Matthys van Aswegen - 16 February 2023

Last Update: 10 May 2024

Botswana is consistently rated as one of the best places in Africa to go on a safari. It’s home to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park , as well as the hidden gems of the Kalahari and Linyanti. You’ll find ample opportunities to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) as well as a wide assortment of other exciting wildlife. 

Planning to go on a safari in Botswana? Get inspired with this round-up of the top 25 best safari lodges and camps in Botswana.

Mombo camp delivers authentic tented safari camping at its most luxurious in the world-renowned Okavango Delta floodplains. The camp puts a strong focus on customer experience and your every need is anticipated. Friendly and experienced guides make every game drive a trip worth remembering. 

Devotion to your satisfaction is a part of every experience at Mombo, and the deeply personalized service will leave you feeling pampered and cared for from every angle.

Highlights include:

• A photography hide
• Reliable Big Five sightings
• Scenic helicopter flights

Ideal for: Photographic safaris

Savute Safari Lodge

Nestled within Chobe National Park, Savute Safari Lodge is celebrated for its elegant accommodation and exceptional viewing of Africa’s largest elephant herds. The lodge’s strategic location offers a luxurious gateway to the wild, providing a serene backdrop for an unforgettable safari experience.

• A well-stocked library with views of watering holes
• Elevated decks for uninterrupted game viewing
• A refreshing swimming pool overlooking the Savute Channel
• Evening bonfires in a traditional boma setting

Ideal for: Birding safaris

Delightfully isolated San Camp is a must-go for anyone wanting to escape to the middle of nowhere and be immersed in the miracles of the African bush. Ensconced in the rolling golden grasslands and salt pans of the Kalahari desert, billowing white tents shaded by palm trees deliver a sense of the romantic.

This seasonal camp (November to March) is dedicated to making the most of the dry season in Makgadikgadi Pans and places a strong focus on the striking views of the salt pans and a game-loaded savannah, all of which can be scouted by horseback and quad bike (ATV).

• Delicious and innovative cuisine
• Meerkat interactions
• Bushman walks
• Tented yoga and meditation deck

Ideal for: Honeymoon safari

Tuludi Camp

Tucked away in the famous Khwai Private Concession and constructed in partnership with the local community, Tuludi camp is the ideal base if you’re looking to explore the fascinating Okavango Delta. When you’re done spotting elephants, hippos, lions, and leopards, settle into the stylish and polished camp to admire the breathtaking views of the spectacular wilderness in the shade of acacia trees.

• Private vehicle and guide with the family suite
• Mokoro safaris
• Night drives
• Excellent big game viewing

Ideal for: Family safaris

Jack’s Camp

Jack’s Camp is an iconic destination, offering a glimpse into an ancient landscape untouched by time. Set against the vastness of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, this camp is a sanctuary for those looking to step off the beaten path and into a world of exploration and wonder.

• Opulent safari tents with indoor and outdoor showers
• A plush, Persian rug-adorned mess tent for communal dining
• A refreshing pool pavilion for relaxation in the desert heat
• Private, guided walks to ancient baobab groves
• A specialist spa tent offering traditional treatments

Ideal for: Luxury safaris

Chobe Chilwero

Overlooking the sparkling Chobe river and limitless bushveld, Chobe Chilwero is a dreamy riverside retreat on the edge of the Chobe National Park. Whether you choose to explore the plains on a game drive or make your way along the waters in a boat, you can look forward to incredible wildlife encounters with lions, leopards, hippos, wild dogs, and buffalo.

Of course, no trip is complete without spotting the majestic elephants the area is famous for. A stay at Chobe Chilwero is everything you could hope for from a Botswana safari.

• Spa treatments in a treetop room
• A kids’ safari program
• Reliable elephant sightings
• Boat cruises on the Chobe river
• A tour of Victoria Falls in neighboring Zimbabwe

Ideal for: Family safari

Xugana Island Lodge

Xugana Island Lodge is a jewel within the Okavango Delta, offering an intimate setting for those wishing to connect with nature. Surrounded by water, this lodge is a haven for bird enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility in a lush, aquatic environment.

• Overwater chalets with panoramic delta views
• An elegant dining area set on a wooden deck above the water
• Sundowner cruises on the Xugana Lagoon
• A private bird hide for ornithology enthusiasts
• An open-air boma for atmospheric dining under the stars

Ideal for: Water-based safari

Situated in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, Okuti camp’s one-of-a-kind domed suites are built using wood, reeds, and canvas. Beneath the exterior of these masasas (houses of reeds) lies a lush interior with comfy furnishings. Each suite is raised on a wooden deck with rooms overlooking the tranquil Maunachira channel and Moremi’s flourishing wetlands. Expect views guaranteed to instill a sense of wonder and inner peace.

• Exploring the Delta by motorboat
• Custom safari vehicles for unparalleled game viewing
• Abundant birdlife

Ideal for: Birding safari

Sanctuary Baines’ Camp

The elegant and stylish Baines’ Camp delivers the classical safari experience with a twist of romance. Perfectly suited to couples, the camp offers a range of intimate activities from candle-lit dinners under the Milky Way to languid sunset mokoro rides on the Delta, dips in the star bath, and peaceful nights in a star bed where you can drift off counting shooting stars.

• Eco-friendly camp
• Boat cruises

Ideal for: Romantic safari

Leroo La Tau

Perched above the western bank of the Boteti River, Leroo La Tau offers a panoramic vista of the Makgadikgadi Pans. This lodge is a sanctuary during the dry season, as herds of zebra and wildebeest congregate at the river, offering an unparalleled wildlife spectacle.

• Cliff-edge chalets offering expansive views of the Boteti River
• A floodlit waterhole attracting nocturnal wildlife
• A serene infinity pool with panoramic wilderness views
• Themed cultural evenings with traditional music and dance
• An observatory deck for stargazing sessions

Ideal for: Zebra migration safari

Vumbura Plains

Somewhere between a beach house and a log cabin, each Vumbura Plains suite tucked away in the African wilderness delivers a light and airy escape from it all. The camp exudes a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere with an elevated deck that lets you take in the awe-inspiring views of the Delta’s floodplain. Guaranteed to have you soaking up the magic of the African bush with every breath.

• Walks safaris
• Hot-air balloon rides (April to September)

Ideal for: Mokoro safari

Moremi Crossing

Moremi Crossing, a pioneer in eco-friendly camping, stands on a palm island, offering a sustainable way to experience the heart of the Okavango Delta. Emphasizing conservation and community involvement, this camp invites guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the delta.

• A lounge and dining area built around ancient trees
• Spectacular sunset views from the elevated deck
• A variety of dining settings, including private bush dinners
• Nature walks led by experienced guides focusing on conservation

Ideal for: Affordable Okavango Delta safari

Xigera Safari Lodge

Be pampered at Xigera safari lodge, where comfort and style are the name of the game. Enveloped in the tranquil waters of the Okavango Delta and its riverine forests, this 5-star destination will have you relaxing in the lap of luxury. From gourmet dining to top-class spa treatments, every aspect of your stay is designed to maximize well-being and deliver an unforgettable safari experience.

• Wellness center
• Fine dining
• Photographic safaris

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Rustic meets elegant at this spellbinding destination, where you have uninterrupted views of lush mopane woodlands and flooded grasslands. Nxabega is everything you’d expect from a 5-star hotel, from its opulent comfort to personalized service. Enjoy gourmet dishes or grab a coffee from the in-house barista before you retreat to your hanging daybed to soak up the wonders of the bush.

• Catch-and-release fishing trips
• WILDchild activities for kids

Ideal for: Kid friendly safari

Nestled on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Jao Camp oozes opulence and is only accessible by air. Built on a couple of levels rising into the tree canopy, this awe-inspiring safari destination incorporates natural materials and unique construction to deliver an out-of-this-world setting.

With floor-to-ceiling glass panels, you’re guaranteed awe-inspiring views of the verdant bush, while contemporary furnishings blend with local art and carvings for a sophisticated feel.

• Seasonal star-beds for nights under the Milky Way
• A one-of-a-kind spa
• Exclusivity in a private concession

Ideal for: Luxury Okavango Delta safari

Eagle Island Lodge

Positioned in the Delta’s stunning Xaxaba Island, Eagle Island lodge delivers a safari experience quite unlike any other. Here, timeless luxury meets Africa’s unique water-based experiences, skipping the rumbling 4×4 vehicles in favor of mokoro rides and barge cruises. Expect up-close sightings of wildlife like hippos, elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, and all the big cats at this one-of-a-kind destination.

• Horseback riding
• Fish Eagle Bar on the water

Ideal for: Horseback safari

Selinda Camp

Located on the banks of the Selinda Spillway, Selinda Camp incorporates traditional African materials of wood, thatch, and canvas to blend in with its pristine surroundings. Unique and contemporary design meets the highest levels of luxury, with jaw-dropping views of the Selinda Reserve’s endless wilderness.

Keen photographers will be blown away by the resident hide’s spectacular views of wildlife and the custom-built safari vehicles that make sure you can capture those amazing shots.

• Reliable sightings of African wild dogs and lions
• One-of-a-kind architecture
• Walking safaris
• Boat cruise

Ideal for: Walking safaris

Chobe Game Lodge

Moorish architecture and mind blowing decor make a stay at Chobe Game Lodge an unforgettable experience. As one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, this remarkable feat of design delivers the ultimate in luxury stays. Outstanding views of the wildlife-packed Chobe River are coupled with excellent levels of service, fine dining, and opulent accommodations. With such an upscale experience, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting you’re in the middle of the wilderness!

• Eco-friendly electric safari boats

Ideal for: Chobe river safari

Camp Moremi

Go off-grid without leaving behind the creature comforts of the modern world. Camp Moremi delivers the classic safari experience with classy thatch and canvas safari tents, guaranteed seclusion, and opulent levels of service. Moremi Game Reserve plays host to daily game drives, sunset cruises on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, and leopard-spotting excursions.

• Privacy and hyper exclusivity
• Boating safaris
• Incredible views of the Xakanaxa Lagoon

Ideal for: Xakanaxa safari

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Tucked away in the depths of the Okavango Delta, Sandibe is ensconced in the forest canopy and tranquil waterways. The ultra-luxurious setting, unmatched levels of service, and awe-inspiring views combine to deliver a safari experience you’ll remember forever. Cool off in the plunge pool between game drives spotting wildlife like elephants and lions while the friendly staff anticipates your every need.

• Distinctive architecture
• WILDchild kids’ program
• An interactive kitchen

Ideal for: Luxury safari

Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp

Taking its inspiration from the plentiful water lilies of the Delta, Xaranna’s blend of chic yellows, lily pinks, and olive greens creates a calming atmosphere that will have you feeling at one with nature in no time. Unwind in comfort and soak up your time away from society while the staff takes care of your every need. Xaranna is the perfect place for couples and families looking to escape the hustle and bustle and reconnect with the miracles of the wilderness.

• Kids’ activities

Ideal for: Family safari in the Okavango Delta

Tucked away in a verdant riverine forest surrounded on all sides by open floodplains, Abu camp focuses on heart-stopping encounters with its resident population of African elephants. This ultra-luxury camp gets its name from a local bull elephant and the camp’s light grey color palette goes even further to entrench the aesthetic. If you’re looking for a completely unique getaway, Abu Camp won’t disappoint.

• Star-bed sleepouts under the African sky
• Water-based safaris
• Elephant experiences

Tubu Tree Camp, situated on the remote Hunda Island in the Okavango Delta, offers guests a unique blend of water and land-based safari experiences. With its diverse habitats, the camp is renowned for its leopard sightings and varied wildlife. Each of the eight luxurious tents provide stunning views of the floodplains. 

• Wildlife viewing hide

Ideal for: Photographic safari

King’s Pool Camp

With breathtaking views of the King’s Pool Lagoon and the wildlife-packed Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, you’ll feel like royalty at this idyllic destination. 5-star accommodations and service meet the quintessential safari experience, and spacious, elegantly decorated suites will have you unwinding in no time. Extensive use of thatch and wood blend in seamlessly with the wonders of the bush, creating an atmosphere of sublime relaxation.

• Reliable predator sightings
• Opulent suites

Chief’s Camp

Safari chic meets tranquil luxury at Chief’s Camp. Situated in the heart of the Delta’s Moremi Game Reserve, here you’ll experience the very finest of what Botswana has to offer. Enjoy incredible views of the Piajio floodplain and all the creature comforts you’d expect from a 5-star hotel. Reliable predator sightings and Big Five game viewing combine to deliver a safari experience you’ll remember forever while unmatched levels of service anticipate your every need.

• A children’s play area
• Reliable rhino sightings

Ideal for: Big cat safari

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House of Safari is Botswana locally owned DMC based in Maun, Botswana. We dedicate our experience and knowledge of our home to tailor-make breath-taking and memorable safari experiences. Our team is highly experienced about all- things Botswana. Additionally, we offer VIP meet and greet at Maun Airport which is a great touch in the clients' itinerary. Our relationships with all our suppliers put us in an ideal position to recommend the best possible adventure for every budget, from campsites to the most luxurious lodges. We plan photographic safaris, honeymoon safaris, family safaris, luxury safaris, self-drive safaris, horse-riding safaris, mobile safaris, and cultural trips.

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House of Safari is Botswana locally owned DMC based in Maun, Botswana. We dedicate our experience and knowledge of our home to tailor-make breath-taking and memorable safari experiences. Our team is highly experienced about all- things Botswana. Additionally, we offer VIP meet and greet at Maun Airport which is a great touch in the clients’ itinerary. Our relationships with all our suppliers put us in an ideal position to recommend the best possible adventure for every budget, from campsites to the most luxurious lodges. We plan photographic safaris, honeymoon safaris, family safaris, luxury safaris, self-drive safaris, horse-riding safaris, mobile safaris, and cultural trips.

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• 10 Best Luxury Safari Camps and Lodges in Botswana

Botswana's Ten Finest Luxury Safari Camps

The grandest luxury in Africa is not found in eccentric buildings claiming to be the newest marvel of contemporary architecture but in the age-old habitats that have been home to life for millennia. This is true of Botswana's lodges and safari camps more than any other country, where the desert meets oases, and the seasonal herds migrate in the wilderness's cyclical seasons.

Mombo Camp, located on a large stretch of land in the heart of the Okavango Delta known as Chief's Island, is a jewel of the swamps. The unimpeded views peering out from the trees that shelter the camp is breathtaking, with wooden decks and a fire-pit for guests to enjoy the evenings with delicious food and great company.

Kings Pool Camp

Kings Pool Camp sits at the edge of the Okavango Delta's water, its triangular thatched roofs and firelight creating a warm and cozy atmosphere under the stars. The camp's nine private units face the water, offering exquisite views of the surrounding natural beauty.

Like its peers, Abu Camp offers guests all the views and promise of close interactions with nature's most majestic beasts, only at a somewhat more intimate level. Here, guests can look at the Delta from the back of an elephant, with professional rangers guiding them every step in a quintessential experience no one should miss.

Khwai River Lodge

The Khwai River floods the Moremi Game Reserve on the Okavango Delta's southeastern periphery. The beautiful Khwai River Lodge sits on its banks, and from the viewing deck, it almost feels as though you are floating alongside the lily pads of the swamps. 

Eagle Island

This luxury safari lodge, which has existed since the 1980s but was beautifully renovated in 2015 to give it a refreshingly modern look in the same breathtaking landscape, is an old favorite of many. Mokoros, the traditional canoes of the area, is a wonderful experience to try out here and explore the many rivers and streams of this interconnected desert oasis.

Sandibe Safari Lodge

Sandibe Safari Lodge is luxurious and beautiful, with a very accommodating and friendly staff culture. Children are welcome, and additional supervision can be organized for them. The lodge's guided walking safaris await the adventurous and are a great way to experience the wilderness here, in addition to the classic open-vehicle game drives.

Chiefs Camp

Chiefs Camp, as its name alludes to, is a camp fit for a king. The camp offers all the amenities one would expect of a boutique hotel in a big city, including a spa, gym, and, of course, an amazing restaurant. It also offers the many unique experiences of the Okavango, blending luxury and adventure.

The first entry on our list not found in the Okavango Delta has undoubtedly earned its place. This spectacular lodge is located within a private conservancy on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, an area untouched by humankind. The nights are painted by dazzling displays of stars, and the arid landscape stretches for hundreds of kilometers. Dinaka certainly warrants a visit, especially for those looking for something off the beaten track.

Jack's Camp is a beautiful tented camp near the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana—one of only two nesting sites of the southern lesser flamingo. The camp has been recently renovated and offers a beautiful and comfortable place to explore the area and its wildlife.

Chobe Chilwero

Choose Chilwero Lodge, which is located in the Chobe National Park and is famous for its huge elephant herds and lush greenery. Here, guests can enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature under the huge trees on the lodge's premises or experience the adventure that is Africa on a safari or walking tour.

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Safari in Botswana

An expert guide to botswana's best safari reserves, camps and experiences.

Anthony Ham

• In this guide

Okavango Delta

Chobe national park, central kalahari game reserve, makgadikgadi pans national park.

• Need to know
• Getting around
• How it works

Of all the places I’ve been on safari in Africa, I think Botswana tops the list. There is so much to enjoy and, unlike in bigger safari destinations, in Botswana you’ll see a lot more wildlife than other travellers.

Botswana is where I went on my first self-drive safari, and, to this day, it remains my pick as the best place to drive yourself out into the wild in Africa. All but the inner reaches of the Okavango Delta are accessible in your own 4WD, and the experience of driving out into, and sleeping overnight in, lion country, or the amazing world of elephants, or miles from the nearest human being, remains my favourite way of going on safari.

At the heart of Botswana’s appeal are its signature wildlife destinations whose names – the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve – read like a roll-call of storied wildlife kingdoms. And it’s not just the wildlife. From the deep greens and blues of the Delta in flood to the yellows and reds of the Kalahari, or the blinding whites of the salt pans, there is something elemental about Botswana’s call to the wild. In the following pages I’ll explain some of my Botswana safari highlights, and how you can see them for yourself.

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Botswana's hidden gems.

Unlike Africa’s safari giants like Kenya , Tanzania , and South Africa , Botswana remains blissfully under the radar. Yet, it too faces the travel industry's irritating habit of focusing on the popular easy sellers at the expense of everywhere else. There's much more to Botswana than the Okavango Delta. In this guide I'll show you some of my favourite lesser-known Botswana safari spots.

Aerial view of the vast Okavango Delta, one of the best safari destinations in Africa

The best safaris in Botswana

Popular highlights & hidden gems.

Okavango kayaking expedition

Pretty much every Okavango tour itinerary will include a paddle on a traditional mokoro canoe. For something very different, set out on a multi-day, camp-to-camp kayaking expedition through the Delta. Paddle the gentle water spotting the planet's greatest wildlife and camp each night under the stars. Truly unique.

See elephants and more in Chobe National Park

Chobe incorporates two distinct regions: Chobe River (close to the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders), famous for its large elephant herds; and Savute (in the west), where a juxtaposition of contrasting habitats and handful of pumped water holes sustain a melting pot of species.

Chobe in general, but especially the riverfront, has one of the highest elephant densities in Africa and close-up sightings are almost guaranteed. Lions and leopards are also possible here, with giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles all commonly seen.

Game drives are the order of the day in Savute where wildlife-viewing is good year-round. Savute is known for its predators – I’ve always had luck with lion, leopard and cheetah here, and on my last trip I spent an afternoon watching a highly active den of African wild dogs. As with the rest of Chobe, elephants are everywhere in Savute.

Explore water world in the Okavango Delta

This is a world without fences and, because of the water levels, human settlements are mostly restricted to the Delta’s perimeter, leaving the rest to wildlife.

In the southern part of the Delta, including in Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai Community Concession, expect a mix of luxury tented camps and budget campsites catering mostly to those on self-drive safaris. The deeper you go into the Delta, the more the crowds thin, with entire concessions given over to the exclusive lodges and tented camps that are such a feature of a safari in Botswana. For most of the tourist season, many of these camps and lodges can only be reached by small plane. Out here, I’ve had the wildlife entirely to myself.

Taste true wilderness in the Central Kalahari

Measuring 52,000 square kilometres, I think this vast wilderness is a signature Botswana safari experience. Known for its golden grasslands, salt pans, sand dunes covered in vegetation and wide former river valleys, it’s a soulful experience that’s custom-made for a self-drive safari.

The mammal density and diversity are not quite a match for the northern parks making it less well-suited to first-time safari travellers but for the feel of a true African wilderness, CKGR is tough to beat.

Hugging the park’s northern boundary, the Hainaveld consists of a handful of compact, segregated, privately-owned reserves. The denser habitat means the landscape is less scenic than inside the park, but pumped waterholes concentrate the game in the dry season. Several of the lodges employ local Kalahari bushmen with legendary tracking skills, who will also teach you about their way of life on a guided walk.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Off the beaten path in kgalagadi transfrontier park.

In the far south of Botswana, this transfrontier park spills over into South Africa. The Botswana side of the park receives far fewer visitors than the South African sections across the border.

The scenery here consists of a dense scrubland and some of the loveliest salt-pan scenery anywhere in Botswana. With a number of hills overlooking these pans, they’re spectacular places, especially at sunset, and many of the self-drive campsites take full advantage of these hilltop positions.

Kgalagadi is known for its classic Kalahari wildlife, and aside from the usual oryx (gemsbok), giraffe and wide range of antelope species, I’ve always had luck with the extravagantly horned greater kudu, lion, cheetah and even a fleeting glimpse of meerkats.

The park provides habitat for nearly 300 different bird species, and I was particularly thrilled when the elusive Kalahari scrub robin and the vivid violet-eared waxbill visited my campsite one evening.

Tsodilo Hills

Ancient history in the tsodilo hills.

Rising from the barren, sandy plains of the Kalahari in a remote corner of north-western Botswana, these four hills project a certain kind of magic. Sacred to the indigenous San people and reputed to possess mystical powers (as Laurens van der Post found in the 1950s on a visit that formed the centrepiece of his classic The Lost World of the Kalahari), the Tsodilo Hills are best known as one of the world’s finest galleries of ancient rock art. More than 4,500 artworks – mostly paintings, but engravings, too – adorn the rock walls of the range, and some date back thousands of years.

Walking trails lead past the artworks that range in subject matter from whales and penguins (despite Tsodilo Hills being more than 1000 km from the ocean) to lions and human figures. I highly recommend you visit with a local guide to greatly enhance your visit.

Unless you’re self-driving and staying at one of the campsites in the shadow of the Tsodilo Hills, there is no accommodation nearby.

Northern Tuli Game Reserve

Explore northern tuli game reserve.

In the far southeastern corner of the country and formerly divided into a number of segregated farms alongside the Limpopo River, NTGR is now one of the largest privately-owned conservation areas in southern Africa. The spectacular landscape, featuring rolling hills, basalt cliffs, ancient riverbeds and towering granite kopjes , is unlike anywhere else in Botswana. In fact, when combined with its impressive portfolio of wildlife, it remains a mystery to me why more people don’t visit this remarkable place.

Expect regular sightings of elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard and cheetah as well as less common species like eland and klipspringer, and over 350 bird species. Ground-level photographic hides, ancient archaeological ruins and a choice of horse-riding, walking or even cycling safaris complete a chocolate box-assortment of activities.

Spot the flamingoes of Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans is famous for hosting one of the largest zebra migrations in Africa. Every year, tens of thousands of zebra migrate east-west through the park, between the pans in the east and the Boteti River out west. From high on the riverbank at the latter, I’ve watched zebras swarm down to the water’s edge in a haze of raised dust, dizzying stripes and distinctive zebra barks.

I’ve also seen flamingos away on the eastern pans in flocks so vast that they seem to move as a single entity. And I’ve drawn near to habituated meerkats just outside the park, and seen brown hyenas and aardvarks close to sunset.

Okavango Panhandle

Birding in the okavango panhandle.

Although not a big game destination, the broad and meandering Okavango River in the northwest of the country is a birder’s paradise, with over 350 recorded species including several iconic Okavango specialties. It is also popular among anglers, particularly around September, when the receding flood waters concentrate huge shoals of baitfish, attracting a melee of catfish, tiger fish, bream and birds. Activities are mostly by boat or on foot.

Other wildlife is far less common, and you’d be lucky to see much more than a crocodile or hippo in the river’s waters.

Nxai Pan National Park

Zebra migration in nxai pan national park.

I’ve always loved Nxai Pan – it’s never busy, my sightings of lion, elephant and cheetah seem perfectly framed by these big horizons, and the baobabs by the salt pans here are a striking presence. With a handful of campsites (including at remote Baines’ Baobabs, a remarkable cluster of seven ancient baobabs (named after explorer and painter, Thomas Baines) and just one upmarket lodge, there’s rarely more than a couple of other vehicles at any sighting.

As well as plenty of elephant, and a good chance of seeing lion and cheetah, Nxai Pan has a couple of other wildlife highlights to draw you here. After the rains, thousands of zebra migrate here from the Chobe and Linyanti rivers after the rains forming part of Africa’s longest zebra migration. And for reasons unknown, Nxai Pan is the only place in Botswana where you can see springbok and impala in the same place.

Kwando Reserve

Linyanti, kwando and selinda reserves.

Scattered along the northern waterways of the perennial Linyanti and Kwando rivers, and the seasonal Selinda spillway, the camps in these three neighbouring private concessions operate in a similar manner to those inside the Okavango Delta.

Game-viewing is as good as in the Okavango, with predator-tracking a particular specialty of the Kwando camps. Most camps offer game or wildlife drives, mokoro boat trips, and sunset boat excursions.

What you see in these parts depends very much on the time of year you visit. In Linyanti, for example, from May to October, expect to see lots of elephants, while zebras migrate through the area, usually from February to April. At other times, wildlife can be very scarce, although the November-to-April wet season is excellent for birding in all three concessions, with migrants from Europe and North Africa here en masse.

Chitabe & Qorokwe concessions

In 25 years of African travel, I’ve never seen as much high-quality wildlife as I have in these fabulous Okavango concessions. Over two recent days, I saw leopards, nearly 30 lions, dozens of elephants, a pack of 20 wild dogs, and a cheetah mother with six sub-adult cubs.

Splash Camp

Rory Sheldon

Splash Camp is a small camp in the private Kwara Reserve. Operated by Kwando Safaris who have better responsible travel credentials than most: locally based, no greenwashing, and supporting valuable community projects.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Botswana doesn’t have many rhinos but most of them are here in this small, little-known sanctuary, in Paje, east of Central Kalahari Game Reserve. On a recent visit, I was waylaid for nearly an hour by two male black rhinos fighting for dominance right along the main track.

See the baobabs of Kubu Island

For the best of the pans, Kubu Island is a glorious ‘island’ of baobabs south of Makgadikgadi. This was the first place I ever camped in Botswana, and the magic has never left me.

Camp out in Khutse Game Reserve

The southern extension of the CKGR, Khutse gets very few visitors (except on weekends). I love its remote campsites (I once slept here, 40 km from the nearest person), its classic Kalahari scenery, and its lions, leopards and so much more.

Nata Bird Sanctuary

Out in the east of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the pans of this rarely visited community sanctuary draw up to 250,000 flamingos and other waterbirds from November or December until March or April.

Planet Baobab

A budget-friendly option with self-drive access, offering all the activities of its more expensive sister camps on the edge of the pans.

Savute Under Canvas

Easily the pick of the mobile camps in Chobe, &Beyond’s tented camp moves around the park almost weekly and captures the spirit of a mobile camp at its best.

Botswana Camping Safaris

Into Botswana & Zimbabwe

15 day small group tour, botswana safaris: need to know, everything you wish you'd known before you booked, inside tip: self-drive safaris.

Much is made of Botswana aiming for high-end, low-density safari tourism and it’s not uncommon for a luxury camp in the Delta to cost well over US$1,000 per person per night in high season. But it’s actually the mid-range, rather than budget, traveller that finds it difficult to build a reasonably priced safari in Botswana.

Much as the Botswana government prefers not to publicise the fact, it has a fantastic network of campsites around the country. Some are privately run, others are run by the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). Standard camping fees are USD $50/25 per adult/child. You can book directly through the park authorities or the private operators of the campsites, but you're better off booking through an agent. Renting a 4WD camper can seem expensive, but a two-week self-drive safari could end up costing the same for two people as one day on a fly-in, fly-out safari.

The best times for safari in Botswana

My favourite time to visit Botswana is during the dry season, June to September. During this time, most 4WD tracks are open, water levels in the Delta are ideal for mokoro trips and wildlife watching.

This period also corresponds with the high tourism season (which usually starts in June or July), so it’s also the busiest (and most expensive) time of year. During these months, it can also get extremely cold overnight and early morning throughout much of the Kalahari.

May or October can be a good compromise, although there’s a risk that the rains could linger or arrive early.

Access to the Delta may be limited, but the best months for birding are from November to March or April, when hundreds of migratory species arrive from Europe and North Africa.

Getting there & around

Although Gaborone is the capital of Botswana, the overwhelming majority of safari visitors to Botswana fly into Maun, in the country’s north-west. Maun is right alongside the Okavango Delta and not far from the Kalahari, and it has lots of safari companies, hotels, camps and restaurants and places to stock up on supplies making it the ideal gateway town.

Those heading to Chobe National Park may fly into Kasane, in the north-east. Kasane receives fewer international flights than Maun, but its proximity to Victoria Falls (84 km away by road, across the border in Zimbabwe) makes it well worth considering.

How a Botswana safari works

There are two main ways to go on safari in Botswana. One is to fly into Maun or Kasane (perhaps stay overnight, perhaps not) and then fly into one of the airstrips of the Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park. There you’ll be picked up by your accommodation, and then fly in and out of however many tented camps you’ll be staying in.

You can book all of this yourself, but most international visitors tend to book it via a tour operator.

The other option is a self-drive trip. You can fly into Maun or Kasane (or even Johannesburg) and pick up a 4WD, which will usually have a rooftop tent or other camping equipment. You’ll then drive yourself from one campsite to the next. Road and driving conditions in Botswana are significantly better than elsewhere in Southern Africa, but you’ll need to take obvious precautions such as driving during the day time and ensuring you’ve got sufficient supplies for long journeys.

Safari in the Okavango Delta

About the author.

Anthony is a renowned travel journalist and guidebook author and is one of the world's leading authorities on Africa safari, wildlife and conservation. He has been travelling to Africa for more than two decades to research Africa safari guidebooks for Lonely Planet. He is widely published in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, The Monthly, Virginia Quarterly Review (VQR), National Geographic Traveler, BBC Wildlife, Lonely Planet Traveller, Africa Geographic, The Independent, Travel Africa, among many others.

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Safaris of Character

Natural Selection offers remarkable experiences in wild, untouched places.

We are not your typical safari company. We’re about conservation first, proudly protecting Africa’s wild spaces for the future. We care about communities – the heart and soul of this wonderful continent. We connect the two with our portfolio of 24 welcoming camps and lodges across three countries.

We create safaris with character providing a variety of experiences that foster connections with both the landscapes and people of Africa. We attract the dreamers, the stargazers and the adventurers seeking an African experience with a difference.

Through tourism we – and you – support transformative community and conservation initiatives. We are driven to make a difference.

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Opened 10 months ago to rave reviews, it’s no surprise that North Island Okavango has scooped up another award being voted one of Conde Nast The Hot List 2024 Winner f or Best New Hotels.

This award joins last week’s award that was won for Travel + Leisure’s IT List Winner for Best New Hotels 2024. W e, together with our local partners Nakwa and the Magobagoba Youth Trust, couldn’t be prouder. Quintessentially Okavango Delta, this very private camp embodies the essence of an iconic Delta experience. With a hive of year-round safari activities interwoven in a tapestry of modern African luxury design, there’s little doubt that this award merits celebration!

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Southern Africa is a place of contrasts. Botswana, Namibia and South Africa may share several borders, but each country has its own very distinct features and dramatic charms. From Botswana’s watery landscapes and Namibia’s sun-scorched dunes and deserts to South Africa’s pristine coastline, there really is something for everyone – and we’re here to show you the best bits.

Explore with Us

For the last 30 years, Natural Selection’s founders have pioneered unique safari experiences across Southern Africa’s untouched places and spaces. From intimate encounters with the continent’s iconic wildlife to meaningful interactions with the people who live here, our safaris are characterful, captivating and adventurous.

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The Night of Your Life

Location, location, location. That’s what we had in mind when we scoured southern Africa for the best wildlife viewing areas in which to establish our camps. The result? A selection of private reserves, concessions and incredible wilderness areas across Southern Africa, where animals are abundant and safari-goers are few and far between – and we think you’ll like them.

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Nature Notes and News From Africa

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Essential Oils & Camp Education: How We’re Changing Lives Through Our Camp Tawana

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Something very exciting is happening this month; our premier lodge Tawana opens. For many months we’ve been spellbound by the extraordinary wildlife that frequents this area, so to see a...

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North Island Okavango, Travel + Leisure, March 2024

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Jack’s Camp & Tuludi, VIP International Traveller, December 2021

Tuludi & Jack’s Camp, Departures Magazine, December 2021

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Hoanib Valley Camp, CNT, Oct 2019

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• Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve is a pristine safari paradise.

A little bit about Moremi Game Reserve

Welcome to the oldest protected section of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

A 100 years after explorer David Livingstone called this land ‘country full of rivers’, the environment and wildlife in the Moremi area were under threat. It is because of the bold, local Batawana people that this area was proclaimed Moremi Game Reserve in 1963, making Moremi the oldest and first protected reserve of the Okavango Delta.

As a sign of gratitude, the reserve is named after Batawana tribe members, Chief Moremi III and his wife. Now, the Moremi Game Reserve is one of the most diverse reserves with surprises everywhere, even for the most seasoned Africa-travelers.

Going on a Moremi Safari

Are you considering or planning a trip to the Moremi Game Reserve? It will be an unforgettable journey. Before you hop on a plane, we would like to provide a bit more background information. (If only to stir the anticipation of going!)

Chances are you have plenty of questions; what is the best time to travel to the Moremi? What should I pack? No worries, get ready to discover more in the sections below. Please use our contact form below for more questions you might have.

About Moremi   Game  Reserve

A striking number of wildlife species, birdlife and a diverse landscape; combining mopane woodland, floodplains, fairytale like lagoons, papyrus rivers and acacia forests. There is no other place in Africa where so many ecosystems seamlessly coalesce.

Moremi reserve special offers

Waiting for that special offer, one that seems tailor-made for you? Many Moremi lodges offer discounted rates when staying for three nights or more. Our Moremi deals offer outstanding value for money, so we hope to see you soon in beautiful Botswana!

Getting to Moremi Game Reserve

Wherever you want to go to the Okavango Delta or Moremi Game Reserve, it all starts in Maun: a small but bustling town and the capital of the Kalahari. A range of domestic flights connections is available as well as flights from South Africa.

Watching the sunrise from the deck of one's room and listening to the call of the African Fish Eagles makes this a paradise to any wildlife photographer.

Absolute dream vacation. Took our then 12 and 14 year old daughters, who cried when we left. The people, the service, the food, the view, the safaris.... If you every get the opportunity GO!!

Our guide OD was wonderful and willingly shared his vast knowledge and insight of the animals. We were incredibly lucky to see the packs of wild dogs three days running.

Moremi safari lodges

At one of Africa’s most unique locations, you will find the most heart warming hospitality, the fluffiest towels, yummiest homemade muffins and unforgettable views from your own deck.

Let us help you find the best safari home in the Moremi Game Reserve. All lodges in the Moremi are intimate, personal and provide the ultimate atmosphere to truly recline and reconnect with nature.

• Price $$$$$

Camp Moremi

lodge style Lush green oasis

Are you seeking a classic, diverse safari experience? Camp Moremi is located in an area with vast variations in landscape, attracting abundant wildlife – big game, elegant antelopes, majestic birds; discover it all at this warm-hearted camp.

from US$ 629 per person per night

Camp Xakanaxa

lodge style Authentic Moremi

A bright, fiery sun slowly sinks into the horizon and the sky colours pink. You take a sip of your drink and slowly realise what a magnificent place this is: welcome to Camp Xakanaxa – a truly classic spot in Botwana's untouched Moremi Game Reserve.

Little Sable

lodge style Affordable chic

Little Sable Camp takes you back to the early days of going on safari in Botswana when it was all about the safari experience and not necessarily the luxury trappings of a camp. This intimate, tented retreat is located amid the grasslands of the Khwai Reserve.

from US$ 574 per person per night

Xigera Safari Lodge

lodge style Unveiling the wilderness

Experience luxurious safari living at Xigera Lodge in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve. Fusing sustainability and elegance, Xigera offers a unique escape into the heart of the Okavango. Your unforgettable adventure begins here.

from US$ 2,874 per person per night

Nokanyana Lodge

lodge style A wild day out

Nokanyana means “little river”, and this is exactly what this new lodge is all about. Being close to water means that the action -literally- takes place on your doorstep. No need to venture far away from the lodge at all!

from US$ 360 per person per night

Khwai Guest House

lodge style Simple and affordable

Khwai Guest House is not a traditional safari lodge: this charming little property really is more your home away from home whilst travelling in Botswana. Look no further when searching for an affordable stay.

from US$ 152 per person per night

Belmond Khwai Camp

lodge style Sink in endless safari luxury

At this luxury lodge, you will find a relaxed home away from home. Elevated on wooden platforms, the panoramic views from your hammock will also make you forever raise your standards for the next African safari.

from US$ 749 per person per night

Sanctuary Chief's Camp

lodge style Moremi predator capital

This Moremi lodge has an almost healing effect on its guests. Fine food and wines, a stunning spa, and excellent game viewing: it’s no wonder that Chief’s Camp is frequently rated one of the top Moremi camps.

from US$ 2,334 per person per night

Little Machaba Camp

lodge style 1950s style tented comfort

Little Machaba is built in a classic 1950s style, with luxury safari tents, en-suite bathrooms and living areas, not forgetting romantic outdoor showers. All tents are situated on decks between the large riverine trees.

from US$ 639 per person per night

lodge style Faultless flow

Okuti is modern and elegant; its design inspired by the rich Maunachira river that flows alongside the camp. Immerse yourself in a rustic safari experience - with luxury frills like a great morning coffee served on your private deck.

lodge style The perfect safari

A luxurious camp - but without overdoing it -, a staff that offers the warmest possible hospitality, and last but not least: enormous concentrations of wildlife, where viewing begins right on your own deck - this is Mombo Camp.

from US$ 2,889 per person per night

Machaba Camp

lodge style Great river camp

A stunning location, right on the Khwai river: this independently owned camp is the perfect family destination. Dense wildlife, classic safari tents, and timeless hospitality – welcome to Machaba Camp in Moremi Game Reserve.

from US$ 640 per person per night

lodge style Starry starry nights

Stay (and sleep) on your very own platform overlooking a waterhole (the only permanent water source around), visited by elephants, along with lion, leopard, eland, zebra, and more, making for some pretty magnificent game viewing.

from US$ 724 per person per night

Tuludi Camp

lodge style Opulent and refined

Fit for a fairytale, that is Tuludi Camp in Khwai Private Reserve near Moremi Game Reserve. Huge tents with an Afro-chique theme ensure the most confortable of stays you'll ever experience. Did we mention the private plunge pool already?

from US$ 1,359 per person per night

Sable Alley

lodge style Lagoon-side paradise

Located right on the banks of a lily-covered lagoon, home to hippo and a favourite drinking spot for elephant and buffalo, the big game literally comes to you at Sable Alley. However, we do recommend venturing out to further explore the area.

from US$ 934 per person per night

Khwai Leadwood

lodge style Riverside luxury

Khwai Leadwood is the newest lodge in the area. Located on a beautiful site within the community-run Khwai concession, on the banks of a lagoon flowing into the Khwai river, and offers visitors staying here several unique ways to experience Africa.

from US$ 619 per person per night

Sango Safari Camp

lodge style Africa’s true voice

Protected by trees and on the banks of the Khwai River is Sango Camp, partly owned by local inhabitants of the area. A place where you will feel at home, from the minute you are welcomed with local songs – and this camp has some notably good singers, too.

from US$ 394 per person per night

Little Mombo Camp

lodge style Place of plenty

Cheetahs, lions, wild dogs – get ready for some spectacular sightings at this predator haven. And soon after arrival, you will realise that not just the game viewing is spectacular at this little gem. Kick back, relax, and immerse yourself in some soulful Moremi living.

Khwai Tented

lodge style Yester-year romance

Have you always been curious about the Africa of past times? Where people found themselves in sync with their surroundings, and the world just seemed to be so… well, simple? Venture out to this camp, and you will experience a rustic harmony.

from US$ 600 per person per night

lodge style Intimate and sustainable

Hyena Pan Camp isn’t a place for those looking for opulence and extravagance; it is a piece of big-game Africa, where the wildlife encounters are authentic, intimate and always wild. This concession area is a meeting point for more animals than you can think of.

Saguni Lodge

lodge style Tented Lagoon safari haven

Open vehicle photographic and walking safaris, exhilarating night drives, cultural visits and mokoro (traditional dug out canoe) excursions are all waiting for you when staying at Saguni Safari Lodge. This must be the ultimate Moremi (and Okavango!) safari experience.

from US$ 479 per person per night

Straight off the small plane, straight into a jeep and within minutes we were seeing 3 different animals. WOW!

The camp works hard to minimise its environmental footprint and when staying at Khwai you feel like you are nature's guest and not intruding. The tents are spacious, clean and the beds super comfy.

The camp is beautifully appointed and maintained and the food was excellent, whether served in the dining room or outside under the shade of the huge trees.

Moremi Video

The best way of getting an idea what the Moremi Game Reserve is about is by seeing some incredible footage from the area. View this video of Camp Moremi to experience one of the lodges and wildlfe in the game reserve.

Be careful, after watching this video you can be sure that you want to travel to Botswana. Today.

It is truly the Land of Plenty. It is hard to drive for more than a few minutes without coming across zebra, giraffe, impala or other game.

Quite a number of animals are passing through the camp – imagine you are in the swimming pool and a group of elephants is passing by only a few meters from you without any “protection” in between!

We loved Moremi, mainly because it was the least developed and crowded of all the parks we visited.

Send your enquiry

We hope you have found all information needed to decide that Moremi Game Reserve is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. Still have questions? Or maybe you would like some more specific information about one of the topics on this page? Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon!

• Maun, Botswana
• [email protected]

Botswana Safaris

Botswana safari guide – where & when to go, and what to see.

Botswana safaris are truly special. The country doesn’t see as many tourists as most other countries in Southern and East Africa, but this in no way diminishes the quality of the game viewing and safari experience Botswana has to offer – and in many ways, it’s a bonus. Rural Botswana is an inhospitable place for humans, but a country that manages to support an incredible diversity and density of animals. Botswana wildlife is hands down some of the best anywhere in the world.

Botswana is a large, wild country (approximately the size of France) with a decent – but very limited – road network where only the major roads are tarmacked. This makes Botswana a safari destination for the intrepid. If you’re planning on doing an independent, self-drive safari in Botswana a high-clearance 4WD vehicle and spirit of self-reliance are essential to get the most out of your visits to the national parks. The country is easily accessed from South Africa, with the capital Gabaronne just a few hours’ drive from Johannesburg.

Self-drive safaris are a big thing in Botswana and are popular with overland tours and independent travellers alike. You’ll need a rugged 4WD to access all areas, and be confident that you’re totally self-sufficient if camping on your own in the bush. If this safari-style doesn’t appeal then browse our guide to  safari companies in Botswana to speak to a professional.

Geographically Botswana is covered in scrub brush and savannah grasslands, with the occasional impressive geographic feature such as the Okavango Delta and adjoining Chobe National Park, huge salt pans, and the brutally picturesque Kalahari Desert. The country is landlocked and lies at a fairly consistent average elevation of 1,000m. The windswept and sand-based Kalahari Desert covers over 80% of the country in the south, west, and centre. To the north lies 15,000 km sq of the Okavango Delta, fed by the Okavango River and forming the northern border with Namibia .  To the east lie the great salt and clay desert of the Makgadikgadi Pans and occasional deciduous forests towards the Zimbabwe border.

One of the most impressive African rivers for wildlife, Okavango River supplies year-round water to much of northern Botswana, and ends in the inland Okavango Delta, support a vast array of Southern African mammal species. These include the big five , wild dogs , hippos , hyenas , honey badgers , and a broad range of gazelles and hoofed mammals.

Each year Botswana is home to one of Africa’s largest annual migrations , featuring huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and other wild animals as they move from their winter ranges in the Makgadikgadi plains to the summer feeding grounds of the Nxai Pan region. Not as large in scale as the East African ‘ great migration ‘, but there are also far fewer tourists around to take away from the experience. This lack of tourists, the sheer scale of the wilderness and the abundance of game in Botswana’s national parks come together to make Botswana a safari destination that’s hard to better, wherever you visit in Africa.

Useful resources

Book a Botswana safari

Botswana wildlife

Botswana Tourist Board

Bostwana guidebooks

Botswana safari highlights

Okavango delta botswana, fly-in safari.

Safaris don’t come much better or more luxurious than an all-inclusive fly-in safari deep in the Okavango Delta . Take a four-seater flight over the wetlands, wildlife spotting as you’re flown to an exclusive, out-of-the-way lodge for a few days of game drives, safari walks , and boat trips .

Big five spotting

Go big game spotting at Chobe National Park – perhaps Botswana’s most famous national park . Boat safaris are a big draw here, with a waterfront teeming with wildlife… but you’ll have to be very lucky to see all big five from a boat – game drives in a 4X4 jeep are more the order of the day.

Leopard spotting in Moremi

The east side of the Okavango Delta Moremi Game Reserve is regarded as one of the top African leopard hangouts. On the fringes of the delta where water collects in small lagoons and fills grassy floodplains, antelope (and all sorts of other wildlife) are plentiful. Perfect leopard country.

Mokoro safaris on the water

The Okavango Delta offers ample opportunities to get out on to the water for some top-class wildlife viewing. Traditional wooden mokoros are a fun and eco-friendly way to head out on a canoe safari , though propeller boats are on offer too, and can easily be combined with superb walking safaris .

Best time to safari in Botswana

May to August is the best time to organize a safari in Botswana, as during this winter season the days are cool and sunny, and the lack of water drives the wildlife to congregate around permanent water sources. At this time getting around the country is fairly straightforward, with dust rather than water being the main obstacle. During winter months wildlife spotting is easy – simply find a river or watering hole and dig in to wait for the action. Bear in mind is that July and August is school holiday time, meaning more tourists than usual, higher prices for safari accommodation and tours, and busier national parks.

October to April is summer season in Botswana but brings with it severe heat and the rains – occasionally in extreme amounts. Getting around the country by road during summer can be disrupted by flooding, as many of the secondary roads are not tarmacked. Wildlife is also more dispersed and harder to spot, hidden by lush vegetation. An exception to this is in parts of the Okavango Delta where there’s so much flooding that many islands form, trapping wildlife which can be viewed from a boat – though vegetation still causes a problem.

Flights To Botswana

Search, track and book flights to Botswana, from anywhere in the world.

Botswana Accommodation

Find safari accommodation in Botswana – from budget campsites to luxury lodges.

Botswana Car Hire

Considering a self-drive safari? Research and book car hire in Botswana.

Activities in Botswana

Search and book things to do in Botswana – tours, excursions and activities.

National parks in Botswana

All national parks in Botswana are run by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), based in Gaborone, who enforce a strict no driving after dark rule in the parks. ( See this great article on driving in Botswana .)

Whilst not actually a national park or reserve, Botswana is renowned worldwide for the Okavango Delta region in the north of the country, providing water and supporting an incredible array of African wildlife.

Top Botswana national park picks

• Moremi Game Reserve

The only part of the Okavango Delta that’s officially a national park, Moremi covers almost one-third of the delta, and is packed with wildlife. There’s no public transport so you’ll have to get yourself there, but the trade-off is fewer tourists to share the plethora of wildlife with.

• Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park was Botswana’s first national park at an impressive 11,000 km sq. There’s easy access for spectacular game viewing from a boat on the Chobe river and the network of dirt and gravel roads. The Savuti area in south west Chobe is recognised as having one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

Makagadikgadi Nzai Pan National Park

Feel the unfettered freedom of driving through the never-ending parched-white salt pans, or plan your trip for the when the rains come and bird life and herd animals abound, including one of Africa’s largest migrations .

Central Kalahari National Park

One of Africa’s largest protected area at a whopping 52,000 km sq. Braving the tough conditions of Central Kalahari National Park in your own 4WD may reward you with viewings of hyena packs and prides of lions in the unforgiving desert.

All national parks in Botswana

Use the map to locate all national parks in Botswana. Click the icons for more info.

Get Directions

• Central Kalahari Game Reserve
• Makgadikgadu National Park
• Nxai Pan National Park
• Okavango Delta

Botswana safari resources

Botswana safari companies.

Though Botswana has a relatively low number of inbound tourists each year, a very high proportion of these come for the wildlife. Around the capital Gabarone and also Maun – the de-facto capital of the Okavango Delta – there are numerous safari tour companies to suit all budgets. Check out our reviews of safari tour companies in Botswana .

Botswana safari lodges

Botswana has a focus on low-impact, high-end safaris, and the accommodation on offer reflects this. Luxury safari lodges are the primary accommodation in Botswana, though there are also mid-range accommodation in the tourist enclaves of Maun and Gabarone. If you have your own tent most safari lodges have an area where you can pitch up for the night, along with decent washing and BBQ facilities as standard. Search and book safari lodges in Botswana , or find all accommodation in Botswana below.

Search all Botswana accommodation

Read safari guides to all countries

Botswana safaris , Namibia safaris , Rwanda safaris , South Africa safaris , Tanzania safaris , Uganda safaris , Zimbabwe safaris

Do you have any experience of planning or going on safari in Botswana?

We’d love to hear any feedback or tips you may have – please get in touch , or add to the comments below.

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Kenya safaris
• Namibia safaris
• South Africa safaris
• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

Most read articles

• All about the ‘big five’ animals
• Collective nouns for animals
• Safari movies to watch before you go
• The world’s fastest land animals
• Apex predators
• 10 Fascinating African tribes
• The biggest animals in the world
• 17 Epic hybrid animals
• The world’s ugliest animals
• Why are flamingos pink?

Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Etosha National Park, Namibia
• Kruger National Park, South Africa
• Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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Botswana Houseboat Safari

A unique river-based safari experience.

Providing a unique river-based experience, a Botswana houseboat safari is ideal for discerning safari travellers and those in search of a more intimate and unusual approach to a safari. Usually a chef, guide and housekeeper ensure guests want for nothing, and the focus in on a personalised stay. Guests aboard a Botswana Houseboat can look forward to plenty of rest and relaxation . The houseboats have a comfortable bar and lounge area as well as sun decks, complete with plunge pool and loungers. Meals are prepared by the boat’s chef and served outside whenever possible.

The Botswana Houseboats are custom built to suit the needs of all the clients and their specific requirements on safari. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, keen photographer, avid birder or are just someone in need of some general rest and relaxation there is a space on board for everyone and the houseboat staff will endeavour to meet your every wish and desire during your time with us. There are at least three staff members aboard at all times (depending on the houseboat) and guests can expect a personalised itinerary. The motor boats are available for game viewing, birding or fishing trips, photographic safaris and a personal guide will accompany you on all trips.

A Botswana Houseboat Safari is perfect for small groups of friends or families to take over the whole boat for a private safari experience. Alongside the houseboat are smaller boats. Most of the houseboats conduct all their safari activities with these smaller boats. This is excellent for wildlife and sunset photography and also avoids the high-season crowds. Travellers on their first trip to the Botswana may however want to combine a houseboat with a stay at a lodge offering game drives. This way, travellers are assured of a comprehensive safari experience and get both a water and land based safari experience. Great examples on the Chobe River are the  Chobe Princess  , Zambezi Queen or the Pangolin Voyager.

A Botswana Houseboat Safari is perfect for small groups of friends or families

The Chobe Princess Houseboat

Drifting along the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers puts the  Chobe Princess in prime position for dramatic game viewing. Small motor boats are piloted by expert local guides, providing an excellent platform for truly amazing animal and bird photography. Wildlife concentrations are exceptional on the Chobe River during the dry winter months and guests enjoy close up sightings of elephants , hippos and buffalo.

Bird watching is impressive all year round but especially during the summer months – nearly 500 species have been recorded in the region. Guests aboard a Chobe Houseboat also enjoy fishing excursions as well as visits to local fishing villages to gain an insight into life on the river.

The Zambezi Queen

Moored on the Chobe River, its decks looking out over floodplains teeming with wildlife, the Zambezi Queen offers one-of-a-kind luxury at the heart of elephant country. Offering boutique hotel sophistication, this modern, smooth-lined house boat has just 14 suites and is ideal for a honeymoon or special occasion.

Inside the Zambezi Queen, crisp linen and minimalist, African-chic décor stand out. There are luxuries such as a swimming pool and library plus internet facilities. Fine dining is enjoyed in a convivial, elegant dining room and the night skies are often magnificent, best viewed from the top-deck bar.

The Pangolin Voyager

The Pangolin Voyager has five delightful en-suite cabins configured as either doubles or twins fitted with the finest linens. The Voyager can sleep a maximum of eight guests, plus a guide or pilot, making it the perfect size for small groups to take over the whole boat for a private Botswana Houseboat Safari.

Alongside the houseboat we have we have an eight-seater photo boat whose chairs can be fitted with specialist camera mounts as well as another boat for general game viewing and visits to the local communities and landmarks. You can do whatever takes your fancy throughout the day and in between you will be well taken care of by our two chefs as they conjure up delicious meals and snacks from the galley.

Hands-on Expertise

• We’re based in Africa
• Consultants Travel in Africa
• Knowledgeable team
• Expect great customer service

Accredited & Bonded

• SATSA – Bonded Membership (2061)
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• Fully Independent & Owner Run
• Travel Support from Start to Finish

Communication was excellent – I asked A LOT of questions and did a ton of research myself and Walter was extremely patient with me and very responsive. he was straight forward and extremely professional. Tour itself was excellent – an incredible experience and one never to be forgotten. Everything was spot on.

Our mom grew up in Central and South Africa so we had visited the continent many times. My sister and I wanted to take our teens and husbands to Africa to experience the magic. We had a limited budget but big and specific expectations and by some miracle Walter was able to manage both.

Our 28-day itinerary took us to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. A magnificent and unforgettable adventure. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently from the flights, transfers, rides, connections, etc. Absolutely wonderful! Can’t thank them enough!

Excellent service and they supplied good suggestions for our holiday they also organised all internal flights and arranged check in for us so we had no worries while on holiday. We have had a most memorable holiday staying at wonderful places thanks to Sabrina and Safari Online. Would recommend Safari Online to organise your holiday.

Safari Online understood our needs and was able to present us with sensible options to choose from. It was evident that this tour operator has knowledgable and experienced agents who can arrange a seemless tour. We were provided with a professional online itinary which was comprehensive and easy to use, knew exactely what to expect, and encountered no stumble blocks along the way.

Safari Online have been nothing but professional and incredible from the time we made our first enquiry to the last day of our stunning holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for Walter. We are now starting to plan our next family Safari for 2019. Guess who we will be booking with??? Safari Online we hope you are ready!!!!!

From the very first contact we’re very happy about the respond time and quality of information from safari-online.com. Based on the received first tailor-made quote, which is a weblink with all the details about the flights, photos of the lodges etc. we knew that this is “our” partner for this trip. Our expectations were excelled!!!

We have been to Africa for 24 of the last 27 years so know a bit about what is involved. Walter has arranged the details for the last couple of years, and has done a superb job. He is always quick to respond and comes up with answers immediately……..no evasive tactics, always head-on!

Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver.  We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Would highly recommend. Safari online asked questions when booking and were efficient and knew exactly what we were looking for in terms of accommodation and animals were wanted to see. Gave advice on a few little extras with no pressure, which we did and am very grateful which make trip even more exciting. Would definitely recommend booking with them.

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THE BAOBAB TREEHOUSE

Sleep beneath the stars, enveloped by the calls of nature and the magic of the wilderness.

• The Baobab Treehouse

A WORLD OF YOUR OWN

Xigera Safari Lodge has reimagined the magic of an African safari, and that innovation continues far beyond the lodge.

For a truly immersive discovery of the Okavango Delta, discover our remarkable Baobab Treehouse, situated one kilometre away from the lodge, with a guide stationed close by. Here, amid the seclusion of this sculptural treehouse you will experience Africa at its most raw, and most remarkable.

A STRIKING STRUCTURE

Amid a stand of indigenous Croton trees, the striking steel structure – built in the evocative shape of a baobab tree – ascends nearly 10 metres above the floodplain, offering panoramic views from each of its three levels.

The structure’s design was inspired by an iconic painting of a solitary baobab tree by Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, one of South Africa's master landscape artists. Inside the tree’s ‘trunk’, a winding staircase climbs nearly four metres above ground, delivering guests to the spacious bathroom on the first level.

A THOUGHTFUL SPACE

The bedroom is located on the second level, beautifully appointed with carved timber furniture by celebrated designers such as John Vogel, Chuma Maweni, and Adam Birch. Both the bedroom and bathroom spaces have canvas walls that can open up entirely to the outside environment, or be zipped closed to allow for privacy and protection from the elements. Sounds from the surrounding birdlife, animals, and insects drift through the tree-like branches and screened windows into the tented structure.

TAILOR-MADE TO YOUR WISHES

Ascend to the top of the ‘baobab’ and the drama truly unfolds, with an open-air deck for lounging, reading and watching wildlife pass undisturbed below. A serene, hidden – and entirely safe – eyrie from which to witness the magic of the Okavango Delta at dusk or ­– if you choose to spend the night in the open-air king-size bed – to marvel at the jet-black sky punctured by the stars of the southern sky.

The Baobab Treehouse Experience is tailor-made for each and every guest. Arrive after lunch for sundowners and a picnic-style dinner on the deck, or depart Xigera Safari Lodge after dinner for an unforgettable night’s sleep in the tree house of your dreams. 

Plan your trip

INTIMATE, WILD & FREE

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Okavango Delta’s natural rhythms.

Cameras and Photography Explained

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• 2023 News/Views
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• Equipment for Safari
• The “Portable” Safari Kit
• How Expensive is Africa?
• Day 1: Meet and Greet
• Day 2: Around Tree Lodge
• Day 3: Wild!
• Day 4: First Full Safari Day
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• Day 6: At the Speed of Africa
• Day 7: Ele in the Channel
• Day 8: All Quiet on All Fronts
• Day 9: Big Cats
• Day 10: Kill, kill, kill
• Day 11: The Ele That Walked to the Leopard
• Day 12: Cats All Day
• Day 13: The Long Haul
• Day 14: Herd Behavior
• Day 15: Human Herd Behavior
• Some of the Rest
• Day 0: Lecture and Shoot
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• Day 6: The Tsitsikamma
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• Timeout: Some Useful Information
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• 1. We Start Again
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Free Safari in Botswana Webinar

Find out what happens when 36 (!) Z8 and Z9 cameras (and a couple of D500's) descend upon Botswana

Thom Hogan (byThom) and Mark Comon (of the Creative Photo Academy, shown above photographing something other than the lion next to him) will host a free webinar session on June 6th at 5pm PST that details their experience teaching together in Africa this past April. Thom spent over a month photographing in the Kalahari as well as the Okavango regions, and Mark joined him for the Okavango portion of the trip. We experienced it all: dogs, cats, migrations, and pretty much all of the Big Five and the Little Five (though we won't be sharing photos or locations of any endangered species). Thom even had an African Wild Cat show up at his tent (yes, it looks like a house cat, but it certainly doesn't behave like one).

Both safari instructors will show you images, talk about lessons learned/relearned, and discuss the basics of technique while photographing on safari. As usual, Thom and Mark will also answer pretty much any and all questions you might have about the Nikon gear they used or Botswana safaris in general.

This event requires preregistration. You can join us by clicking here and filling out the required information. Video of the event is available to those registered usually within a day of the event, but be aware that the recorded video is at a lower video resolution than the event itself.

Don't miss out. This planetary alignment of Thom and Mark only occurs occasionally. 

For those wanting to keep informed about future byThom workshops, we now have a newsletter that is sent whenever there is new information regarding that.

More From Forbes

Father’s day gift guide 2024: the best private island vacations for dad.

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Velaa Private Island in the Maldives, nestled within the constellation of islands that form the ... [+] Noonu Atoll.

No gift will stand out more this Father’s Day than the gift of a lifetime: a luxury vacation to a private island. These remote island vacations don’t sacrifice the elevated style and exceptional service that comes with luxury travel — they only exclude the throngs of tourists and commercial trappings of the most popular island destinations.

When scouring the globe for truly unique travel opportunities, these are the best private island vacations for Dad this Father’s Day.

North Island Okavango, Botswana - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

One of only four private tents within Botswana's North Island Okavango safari camp.

The captivating contemporary African design of North Island Okavango in Botswana blends style and comfort in four luxury safari tents, set against breathtaking views of a lagoon. Each tent includes a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, air conditioning and a fireplace. Wellness activities, desert tours, cycling, and flying safaris are just a few of the unique experiences on the menu at North Island Okavango. The 7-day Walk of Wisdom allows guests to spend time with the San people, the Indigenous bush scientists and nature masters of the Kalahari. A minimum of 25 percent of the amount paid for each safari goes directly to the support of the San people and wildlife conservation. All-inclusive rates start at $1,395 per night.

Cayo Levantado Resort, Dominican Republic - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

Beachfront villa at Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic on the coast of Samana. The ... [+] resort website states they are the only luxury private island resort in the Dominican Republic.

Previously honored as the best resort in the Caribbean by TripAdvisor, the Cayo Levantado Resort is an all-inclusive property that occupies an entire island off the coast of Samana, on the Dominican’s northern shores. When he isn’t working out in the indoor or outdoor fitness areas, dad can enjoy spa treatments, outdoor meditation in a tropical garden, or simply take a walk by the beach. The six on-site dining options include Manaya, an international steakhouse with select cuts from Spain, the U.S., Australia and Japan. Cayo Levantado Resort earned the distinguished Four Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide for 2024, highlighting the excellent hospitality and experience the resort offers. Rates start at $665 per night.

Guana Island, British Virgin Islands - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

Sea view from a Guana Island cottage in the British Virgin Islands.

Accommodating only 35 guests at a time, Guana Island is a private island resort on 850 acres of lush wild beauty in the British Virgin Islands — perfect for dads who appreciate biodiversity, hiking trails through dense flowering vegetation, pickleball and endless water sports. The organic orchard supplies produce and herbs for the resort restaurant and spa treatments. Each of the 15 sea-view rooms and four villas has sweeping views of the Caribbean and the Atlantic, and are individually designed absent of televisions and phones. To ensure complete unplugging, there is no public bar, marina or any commercial facility on the island. The all-inclusive rates start at $995 per night.

1 Dead And 26 Hurt In Overnight Shooting In Akron Ohio

Trump falsely claims he didn’t back ‘lock her up’ chants targeting clinton while warning of ‘breaking point’ if he’s jailed, suicide squad kill the justice league ends its weekly updates, como parrot cay, turks and caicos - father’s day gift guide 2024.

Beach House at Como Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos

Set on its own private island, COMO Parrot Cay spans a mile-long beach and 1,000 acres of unspoiled foot-in-the-sand luxury. The teak and white-cotton accented accommodations span the rooms, suites, homes and villas. The cutely named “Love Pumpkin” villa is one of the most popular villas and homes on COMO Parrot Cay for the expansive main villa and guest house, and the lounge swings on the second floor. The luxury treatment pavilions in the COMO Shambhala Retreat overlook the North Caicos Channel. There’s also a jacuzzi garden, pilates studio and yoga pavilion with daily holistic wellness therapies on hand. The COMO Shambhala cuisine features nutrition-optimized options with healthful, pure ingredients. For dads who appreciate sustainable travel, farm tours and eco-activities abound at Parrot Cay. Rates start at $1,299 per night.

Velaa Private Island, Maldives - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

Inside the Velaa Private Island Nirolhu Private Residence

Contemporary luxury marries Maldivian culture to create an exclusive hideaway in the Maldives at the Velaa Private Island Maldives for jet-setting dads this Father’s Day. At the Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, dad can tee up on the seven-hole golf course, designed by Master’s golfer José Maria Olazábal, with one-on-one instruction from PGA professionals aided by the latest swing analysis technology. The Velaa Kids Club for children 4-12 is a playground where kids enjoy activities like Maldivian baseball, Koraa (an island treat hunt), and coral painting. The Velaa Kids Club also boasts the most extensive kids’ water park in the Maldives. Inside the Wellbeing Village , guests enjoy extensive wellness treatments, including holistic ayurveda treatments, mindfulness practice, and tailored nutrition with personalized menus and fitness classes for every level. Rates start at $3,150 per night.

Coco Plum Island Resort, Belize - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

The adults-only Coco Plum Island Resort, located 9 miles off the southern coast of Belize, features ... [+] an all-inclusive snorkel package starting at $3,579 per night for a four-night stay, May 30 - December 18.

With only 18 beachside bungalows and one over-water villa, Coco Plum Island resort is the adults-only private island vacation Dad has been waiting for. Opt-in for mainland jungle experiences like cave-tubing and zip-lining expeditions. All-inclusive snorkel packages start at $3,579 per night for a four-night low-season stay from May 30 - December 18.

Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

Beachfront room at Pine Cay in the Turks and Caicos.

Pine Cay rests on a secluded private island, just a quick boat ride from Providenciales, on the edge of the world’s third-largest barrier reef. The 13 beachfront suites have all-inclusive rates and a treasure trove of experiences. The resort Aquarium is home to turtles and cranes, and a deep-sea fishing expedition gives you up-close views the eclectic marine life. Occasionally, guests can view the illuminating glow worms from a pontoon boat — a must for kids. Stargazing is spectacular during the evenings, while daytime adventures on dry land include cycling, hiking, tennis and yoga. Rates start at $1,800 per night.

Manta Island Resort, Belize - Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024

Manta Island Resort is located in Glover’s Reef Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site and protected ... [+] marine reserve.

Just a two-hour flight from most U.S. cities, Manta Island Resort is located in Glover’s Reef Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site and protected marine reserve. Adventurous dads will appreciate the intimacy of only 11 oceanfront bungalows and three 2-bedroom family-style villas. The deep-sea fishing is a draw for dads who enjoy fishing adventures; the wahoo, tuna and blue marlin are nearly always in residence. Kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and complimentary water sports equipment make this an ideal family adventure destination. The all-inclusive packages start at $4,075 per night.

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Africa Safari Trip: A Comprehensive Guide To Crafting Unforgettable Memories

H ave you witnessed a lion’s roar echo across the savanna or watched a herd of elephants lumber by? An Africa safari trip is an otherworldly experience, but where do you even begin? This guide will equip you with all the essentials to plan your unforgettable adventure . Even though it can seem overwhelming at times, if you’re equipped with the right guidance and information, the procedure is rather easy.

To help you plan the perfect safari tour in Africa, in addition to answering the majority of your frequently asked questions, we’re put together some of the greatest tips and useful suggestions.

Choosing the Location of Your African Safari Trip

An Africa safari trip promises an enchanted world of discovery, where each expedition and place holds the potential to reveal a captivating tale. Every area of this enormous continent, from the lush deltas of the south to the brilliant savannahs of the east, offers a different fabric of fauna and culture. This is more than just a journey—it’s an exploration of the core of nature, where opportunity abounds at every turn.

African safaris are unique among travel experiences because of the authentic, natural spectacle of the wild. These excursions aim to fully immerse you in the world of animals, not just observe them. Planning your destination is among the most crucial aspects of preparation for any holiday, including this one. Africa is vast, so it’d be helpful to start with a “where to go on an Africa safari trip” Google search if you have no idea what to do.

To select the ideal safari destination, you must consider the things you wish to see. Are there any specific animals or cultural events you would like to see? Kenya and Tanzania from July to October are your best choices if you’ve always wanted to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. Visit either Botswana or South Africa to see a huge herd of African elephants throughout the year.

In East Africa and the majority of Southern African nations, the “Big Five” are also widely distributed. Travel to Uganda, Rwanda or the Congo for gorilla trekking; these countries are all in Central Africa. If you want to see chimpanzees on your Africa safari tour, Uganda is the ideal place to do it.

Top 5 Choice Destinations for Your Africa Safari Trip

Here are our top five African wildlife safari destinations to help you plan your trip.

Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve

At the Maasai Mara Reserves, the Big Five roam free, and boundless plains extend into the horizon on a wildlife safari. Traveling off-road and appreciating the lack of fences and lodging at any of the Mara conservation areas allows you to experience the breathtaking sight of countless wildebeests roaring across the East African savanna around the Great Migration.

From open safari vehicles, watch as lions hunt their prey with unparalleled subtlety. Elephants socialize within their close-knit groups, and elegant giraffes peruse acacia trees with grace. A fascinating insight into the Maasai people’s dynamic local culture, which is entwined with the land, its profusion of wildlife, and the natural beauties of the wildness itself, is provided by Maasai Mara.

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is home to a large environment that is brimming with life. See the boundless plains packed with antelopes, zebras, and wildebeests as they migrate in a never-ending dance of survival throughout your Africa safari trip. It’s what you anticipate seeing on game drives following your viewing of National Geographic or PBS programs. You might be amazed watching the big cats lounging in the shade following a good hunt, or you might experience the exhilaration of seeing a cheetah racing across the landscape in a flurry of speed.

There are other methods to observe wildlife, such as taking a hot-air balloon flight across the savanna for breath-inspiring, all-encompassing views of this iconic African terrain. Seasonality is essential when thinking about visiting the Serengeti; never schedule an unplanned online vacation.

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park

You can feel the African wilderness in Zambia, not just see it. In contrast to safaris that are limited to metal enclosures, South Luangwa encourages you to stroll among the animals rather than drive by them. Imagine your heart racing as you make your way through verdant riverine forests full of leopards hiding in their disguises, only to be astounded by vast herds of buffalo crossing wide-open savannas.

As you approach elephants bathing, listen to the Luangwa River’s rushing waters, which will lead you to the echoes of night safaris. You can unwind in the unexpected comfort of fly tents or treehouse retreats when the stars adorn the sky.

South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park

You can journey across acacia woodlands and tour places with sun-filled savannas along the rushing waters of the Sabi River in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park. Hear the echoes of prehistoric existence and see the exhilarating dance of adventures amidst the rare species. Renowned for its almost assured Big Five meetings, you get to experience the exhilarating thrill of seeing elephants trumpeting by a waterhole or lions relaxing in golden light—you don’t have to imagine it.

There is more to Kruger’s artistry than the Big Five. Higher populations of predators and a more varied array of species can be found in the superb private game reserves found in the Greater Kruger National Park. Wander along the river where crocodiles and hippos sunbathe before becoming lost in the rainbow of more than 500 different bird species.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta

Emerald islands emerge from the reflecting waters of the spreading waterways of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A mokoro is a native dugout canoe in which you may sail softly and intimately while spotting sleeping hippos afar and thirsty elephants sipping at the riverbanks .

Search among the trees for one of the greatest spots to see leopards or take in the aerial views of storks, eagles, and pelicans.

In such a distant location, the Okavango Delta boasts one of the largest concentrations of upscale safari resorts in Southern Africa, providing you with exclusive access to convenience and uncrowded rivers for a singular embrace of unspoiled wildlife.

Tips For An Outstanding African Safari Adventure

The foundation of a great African safari is effective communication. It makes sure you get the best possible experience out of your trip by bridging the gap between what you expect and the actual conditions of the environment. There are three communication techniques to help you receive the experience you want by interacting with an Africa safari trip guide or travel advisor .

Clearly state your demands and desires. Tell us about your ideal speed, cultural attractions, the wildlife you hope to see, and any unique interests you may have, such as birdwatching or photography. This enables your guide to customize your safari adventures based on your interests and budget. Mention any possible restrictions. Any physical restrictions or sensitivity should be disclosed to your guide to guarantee a fun and safe trip.

Pose inquiries. Never be afraid to ask questions about anything that piques your curiosity, be it local customs or the behavior of animals. Your guide holds a wealth of information that is just waiting to be discovered.

African safaris are an ode to the diversity and grandeur of nature. Every excursion offers a chance for a profound and intimate connection with nature. However, in a world full of breathtaking locations, the real art of travel is in how you take in each one. Each destination has a spirit of its own, and you can make transforming vacation experiences with the correct itinerary in addition to ones that are simply memorable.

Whether you’re traveling to the wild African savannahs or the charming countryside of Tuscany, creating a one-of-a-kind, dreamlike trip requires careful planning and vital information. It all comes down to creating a seamless, stress-free, and uniquely personalized tapestry of memories.

People Also Ask

How far should my Africa safari trip be scheduled? It’s advisable to make reservations eight to twelve months in advance of when you wish to go or depart for your selected African safari location. Enough time guarantees availability and your place at the top of the line for the most desirable experiences that Africa presents. It is always better to schedule your safari trip earlier than undergo a last-minute rush.

When is the ideal time to go on an Africa safari trip? The dry season, which runs from June to October, is the ideal time to go on a safari. Since it’s a warmer period of the year, there’s a greater chance that you’ll spot creatures looking for water. You can also witness the famous Masai Mara migration during these months.

Air's Moon Safari is an era-defining French album worth celebrating, 25 years on

There's no telling how many special moments have been soundtracked by Moon Safari, the acclaimed 1998 debut album from French duo Air.

An era-defining record of pristine, space-age lounge music delivered with cinematic atmosphere and a distinctively French je ne se quios , Moon Safari was a universal critical and commercial success upon release.

The lush easy-listening music was perfectly suited to post-club comedowns, hip cafes, and make-out sessions: smooth and dreamy enough to be played in the background, but singular and masterfully crafted enough to reward close listening.

It proved highly influential, too. But the wave of mellow, down tempo imitators and 'chill out' CD compilations it spawned struggled to surpass Air's chic, exquisitely woozy beauty.

'It was not meant to be played live'

Jean-Benoît Dunckel, one half of Air alongside Nicolas Godin, never expected Moon Safari's enduring success.

"We never imagined this album could work that way worldwide," he tells Karen Leng on Double J Lunch. 

"It took time, it took decades, [but] the success is not by us, the audience made [it]."

This year, the duo has been playing Moon Safari in full around the world on their first tour in seven years, including Australia.

"It was not made to be played live," says Dunckel. 

"We had to adapt it for the live [setting]. That is what the people want to get — this special feeling they heard the first time… to live again these feelings."

Having played two nights at the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid Live , Air will live-stream their show at London's Royal Albert Hall this weekend.

"It's a beautiful venue," says Dunckel, who is keen to preserve a pristine performance of the album online for future access.

"It's really important to do that because… people can also discover the band live. Some people appreciate the live versions more than the recorded versions."

Performing as a trio, alongside drummer Louis Delorme, Air play inside an oblong box adorned with dazzling lights and visuals, which morph from swathes of minimalist colour to the perspective of a spaceship enjoying interstellar travel.

"We play in a box of light. It looks a bit like the studio on the cover of 10 000 Hz Legend," says Dunckel, referencing the band's second studio album — a weirder, wilder reaction to Moon Safari.

"It could be a home, it could be our world, our head, our architectural concept. It helps for people to enter into a world… people like [that] intimacy."

Dunckel says people often ask: "Are you not bored to play these songs you play for 20 years now?"

"Sometimes I struggle — because you have to concentrate, and you have to play. But I'm never bored. It's always a pleasure."

Moon Safari is a product of its era, but it's also aged beautifully.

It's an evocative listening experience, from the moment lengthy opener 'La femme d'argent' ushers you in with the sounds of water and slinky bassline, through to the weightless pop and robot-voiced melodies of 'Kelly Watch The Stars' and 'New Star in the Sky'.

In 1998, its retro-futuristic arrangements already sounded timeless. 25 years later, its ability to transport your mind and imagination elsewhere hasn't dated one iota.

"It could be a journey, a love story," remarks Dunckel. "That's why we're really attached to it. I think the audience is searching for that, too.

"It helps human relationships in every way," adds Dunckel. Over the years, Air fans have shared "so many stories" of what the album means to them.

"Most of the time it's for love. It's always, 'I met my girlfriend or wife this time'."

Back in 1998, Dunckel told triple j that while hiking in Iceland, his guide revealed Moon Safari was his love-making soundtrack.

There's "probably" plenty of babies in the world with some of the album's DNA in them since, Dunckel estimates of a new generation discovering Air for the first time.

"As we are getting old now, it's becoming that people say, 'oh yeah, my parents were listening to Moon Safari when we were travelling in a car; this family time'."

Sexy Boy, the surprising queer anthem

For many, debut single 'Sexy Boy' was their first introduction to Air. A seductive slice of synth-pop that brought vocoder back to the pop charts and sung in both French and English.

It's a seemingly simple song but Dunckel notes there's "a lot of tolerance and freedom" embedded in it.

"Sexy Boy, first of all, is a strange title because it breaks a certain taboo. The taboo is that heterosexual boys can check out other boys," he explains.

"Also, it became a gay slogan in a way. A gay anthem."

The song took on a new meaning in late 90s Paris when the electronic music scene's wider acceptance of the LGTBQI+ community led to more club and techno nights dedicated to queer punters and DJs emerging.

"There was a lot of gay parties," says Dunckel. "Homosexuality is everywhere in the world, and it's always existed, always there. So, it was important to liberate this movement."

Originally, the song's titular phrase was inspired by Parisian fashion culture.

"People are checking each other out all the time… In Paris, when a couple is meeting another couple, the girl is not going to check out the boy. She's going to check out the other girl: analyse what she wears, how she behaves, what is the fashion or type of the boyfriend.

"Sexy Boy is speaking about that. The fact a man wants to be a pretty man and he is checking [out] other boys."

A popular soundtrack choice, featured in teen rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You and noughties TV drama Queer As Folk, 'Sexy Boy' is also a testament to youth.

The French verses are "celebrating that golden age of being young," Dunckel explains.

"When you're young you don't realise you're at the top of your life. You have a lot of power, actually… because you're beautiful. Your skin, hair, you feel great, you have a lot of energy."

The makings of a classic

Despite its iconic status, Moon Safari was actually the last roll of the dice for Dunckel and Godin.

Raised in the conservative suburb of Versailles, the pair began making music together after meeting at school. But after having their demo tapes rejected by every record label they approached, they quit music and instead focused on their studies.

Each had established careers — Godin in architecture, Dunckel in mathematics — when an opportunity presented itself in a close friend landing a role with Virgin Records imprint Source.

They landed a deal with the label but ditching their jobs for a full-time career in music to support their burgeoning families was a gamble.

"We were 26 years old. We were not sure we come be musicians for the rest of our life," remembers Dunckel. "I was already working [as] a physics teacher… I had a baby."

Thankfully, their risk was rewarded when their debut album became a breakout international hit. Air was swiftly lumped alongside a fresh wave of Parisian artists reinventing the electronic music scene in the late 90s.

Dubbed French touch, the movement included Cassius, St. Germain, Étienne de Crécy, and Daft Punk, who recorded their breakout 1997 album Homework down the street from where Air made Moon Safari.

"There was a kind of energy circulating all over Paris," recalls Dunckel. "Paris is kind of small; all the media, artists and business part of it [were] working all together."

The worlds of music, fashion, contemporary art, cinema — "everything was mixed," Dunckel says.

"At this time, new generations of young people coming from the suburbs are even inside Paris and mixing all these rich, futuristic concepts together with new machines, samplers, computer programs to make music."

A fond farewell to youth

Despite being poster boys for the future of French music, Moon Safari was an evocative, nostalgia-drenched ode to Dunckel and Godin's past.

"In a way it was the end of my youth… That's why the songs [on Moon Safari], there are a lot of regrets and it's a goodbye to our youth and the innocence of it.

"It's full of vibrations from teenage times."

Although labelled an electronic act, Air's music wasn't rooted in beats and house music. Instead, they armed themselves with analogue Moog and Korg synthesizers, vintage drum machines, vocoders and the trusty Rhodes piano.

The resulting compositions bore the esprit of Serge Gainsbourg, electronic pioneers like Jean-Michel Jarre, and the 1970s film and TV soundtracks of Dunckel's childhood.

There's a fondness for the psychedelic grandeur of Pink Floyd and ELO. But also, Burt Bacharach arrangements, particularly in the wistful French horn topline of ''Ce matin là' (This morning) and the easy-going 'You Make It Easy' and 'All I Need', both featuring the lyrics and vocals of Godin's then-neighbour, Beth Hirsch.

From its lush, otherworldly sounds right down to its title, Moon Safari gives rise to cosmic ideas and conducive to escapism. That spirit is central to Air's entire ethos.

"I think music exists in paradise and you can feel this [album] is in a strange interface between our world and something else."

Such ephemeral expressions might be surprising coming from a former physics teacher, but Dunckel says "both sides of your brain help" when it comes to making emotive art.

"There is a mathematic aspect of music, that analyses and helps you perform and conceive music. But there is something else happening, your heart is talking.

"As a musician you're organising the vibrations of your heart and the feelings into music… vibrations travelling into space and air."

"When I do a song, it's all about 'what do I feel?'" Dunckel concludes.

"For me, good means it affects me. No good means I don't feel anything… if it affects me, it's going to affect others, too. They're going to feel the feelings I do, too."

Air live-stream their performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 1 June. Details here .

Hear Karen Leng hosting  Lunch on Double J from midday Monday to Thursday.

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GPT-4 is better than humans at financial forecasting, new study shows

• OpenAI's GPT-4 is better than humans at analyzing financial statements and making forecasts, according to a new study.
• "Even without any narrative or industry-specific information, the LLM outperforms financial analysts in its ability to predict earnings changes," the study found.
• Trading strategies based on GPT-4 also delivered more profitable results than the stock market.

OpenAI's GPT-4 proved to be a better financial analyst than humans, according to a new study.

The findings could upend the financial services industry that, like other business sectors, is racing to adopt generative AI technologies.

According to the study conducted by the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, the large language model did a better job of analyzing financial statements and making predictions based on those statements.

"Even without any narrative or industry-specific information, the LLM outperforms financial analysts in its ability to predict earnings changes," the study said. "The LLM exhibits a relative advantage over human analysts in situations when the analysts tend to struggle."

The study utilized "chain-of-thought" prompts that directed GPT-4 to identify trends in financial statements and calculate different financial ratios. From there, the large language model analyzed the information and predicted future earnings results.

"When we use the chain of thought prompt to emulate human reasoning, we find that GPT achieves an accuracy of 60%, which is remarkably higher than that achieved by the analysts," the study said. The human analysts were closer to the low 50% range with regard to prediction accuracy.

The large language models' ability to recognize financial patterns and business concepts with incomplete information suggests that the technology should play a key role in financial decision-making going forward, according to the study's authors.

Finally, the study found that applying GPT-4's financial acumen to trading strategies produced more profitable trading, with higher share ratios and alpha that ultimately beat the stock market.

"We find that the long-short strategy based on GPT forecasts outperforms the market and generates significant alphas and Sharpe ratios," the study said. 

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