safari au botswana prix

Prix d’un safari au Botswana

Combien coûte un safari au Botswana : prix moyen et budget sur place

Souvent réputé pour être une destination luxueuse pour un safari, le Botswana reste un pays très préservé et sauvage. Le prix d’un safari au Botswana s’en retrouve alors justifié, compte tenu de la qualité du voyage. Comment est constitué le prix d’un safari au Botswana ? Peut-on y voyager avec un petit budget ? 

Les éléments qui influencent le prix d’un safari au Botswana

Le vol pour le botswana.

Première étape dans l’organisation de votre voyage au Botswana : la réservation du vol. Il n’existe pas de vol direct entre la France et le Botswana. 

Il faudra donc faire escale en Afrique du Sud, à Johannesburg, avant de rejoindre Gaborone, la capitale du Botswana.

Notamment du fait de l’escale, les vols pour le Botswana sont plus chers que la plupart des vols desservant les pays safaris africains par liaison directe ( Kenya , Tanzanie ou Afrique du Sud ). Les prix des vols France – Botswana varient en fonction des dates du séjour et de la compagnie aérienne choisie.

Le transport sur place

Lors d’un safari au Botswana, plusieurs solutions de transport existent sur place mais n’offrent pas du tout la même expérience aux voyageurs. Certains optent pour des transferts en avion afin d’accéder rapidement aux réserves et concessions privées particulièrement isolées (c’est d’ailleurs souvent le seul moyen d’y accéder). C’est la version la plus luxueuse.

D’autres choisissent de louer leur propre véhicule et d’emprunter les routes et chemins des parcs nationaux. Ils sont alors plus limités en termes de couverture du territoire, mais c’est un périple bien plus abordable et tout aussi proche de la nature. Il faudra trouver le juste équilibre entre votre budget et le safari dont vous rêvez. 

Les hébergements

Encore une fois, les hébergements au Botswana vont souvent de pair avec le moyen de transport que vous utilisez et vice-versa. Dans la lignée de leur politique de tourisme maîtrisé, l’offre d’hébergement au Botswana est globalement plus limitée que dans d’autres pays d’Afrique.

Mister Safari vous aide à trouver les meilleurs prix et prestataires pour organiser le safari de vos rêves

Vous pouvez être logé dans des lodges luxueux, au cœur des parcs et réserves, dont l’accès est uniquement possible en transfert par avion organisé par le lodge. A l’inverse, si vous disposez de votre propre véhicule, vous serez amené à être hébergé dans les logements aux abords ou à l’intérieur des parcs nationaux uniquement. Tout va dépendre de votre budget et des régions que vous souhaitez visiter.

La nourriture

Les supermarchés pratiquent des prix assez semblables à ceux de la France. Il y a peu de restaurants au Botswana, en dehors de ceux gérés par les lodges. Mais les prix des repas en lodge sont relativement chers, ou en tout cas en accord avec le tarif de l’hébergement lui-même. 

Les parcs et réserves

L’entrée des parcs nationaux au Botswana est payante. Selon le nombre de voyageurs et le nombre de jours de visite, la facture peut vite grimper. Les tarifs s’appliquent par tranche de 24h et les véhicules et guides sont aussi payants. 

Les tarifs sont disponibles sur internet et vous pouvez ainsi estimer le budget en fonction de votre circuit safari au Botswana. 

Les autres activités

Même si l’objet principal de votre voyage au Botswana est le safari, vous serez sûrement amené à découvrir d’autres activités. Les tarifs sont généralement moins élevés qu’en France, mais le type d’activité fait qu’il faudra malgré tout l’estimer dans votre budget global. On pense notamment à un vol en Montgolfière au-dessus du Delta de l’Okavango ou encore une excursion aux Chutes Victoria. 

Les autres dépenses

Essence, pourboires, souvenirs viennent aussi impacter votre budget et sont à prévoir. 

Quel budget global prévoir pour un voyage au Botswana ?

Les transports.

Pour un vol vers le Botswana au départ de la France, il faudra compter environ 900€/personne. Mais les prix peuvent varier en fonction de différents éléments, et notamment la période à laquelle vous partez. En période haute, les tarifs augmentent fortement. 

Sur place, cela va dépendre de l’option choisie. 

Le budget transport peut passer du simple au triple selon si vous optez pour la location de véhicule ou les transferts en avion. 

Il faut compter au minimum 100€/jour pour un 4×4 classique avec l’assurance de base. Les prix augmentent ensuite si vous choisissez un véhicule avec une tente de toit par exemple. Si vous êtes hébergé en lodges, il est fort probable qu’ils se chargent aussi de votre transport. Le prix est souvent inclus dans le logement. Pour les autres transferts par avion, les tarifs varient en fonction des liaisons. 

L’hébergement et la nourriture

Ici aussi, les tarifs sont incomparables selon le logement choisi. Comptez quelques dizaines d’euros pour une nuit en camping (même si cela reste plus cher que dans d’autres pays pour faire un safari en Afrique ) et plusieurs centaines d’euros (voire plus de 1000€) par nuit pour un hébergement en lodge. 

Dans le premier cas, vous organisez vous-même vos repas en faisant vos courses au supermarché. Dans le cas des lodges, les repas sont généralement inclus dans le prix. 

Les activités sur place

Contrairement à ce que l’on pourrait penser, le Botswana ne pratique pas des prix notablement élevés pour visiter ses parcs nationaux. Il faudra compter environ 10€/jour/personne (120 Pulas) pour visiter la majorité des parcs nationaux du Botswana. 

L’accès aux réserves privées et aux concessions est réservé aux voyageurs qui séjournent dans le lodge. Le prix inclut donc l’entrée dans la concession et les game drives. 

Un Safari au Botswana pas cher, c’est possible ?

Le Botswana pratique un tourisme sélectif. Les prix pratiqués, surtout par les hébergements, sont élevés. Il existe cependant des astuces pour réaliser un safari pas cher au Botswana :

• organisez votre circuit vous-même ;
• dormez en camping en louant un véhicule 4×4 avec tente sur le toit ;
• réalisez vos safaris en self-drive ;
• préparez vos repas et évitez de manger au restaurant ;
• limitez les activités autres que le safari. 

Pour respecter votre budget pour un safari au Botswana, il va falloir faire des choix. Mais peu importe le type de voyage que vous prévoyez, vous en prendrez plein les yeux ! 

Pour résumer : le prix moyen d’un safari au Botswana

Difficile de donner un prix moyen pour un safari au Botswana. Comme vous l’aurez compris, le Botswana est l’un des pays où il est possible d’organiser des safaris aux budgets diamétralement opposés. 

Voici donc deux exemples de voyage au Botswana. 

Pour un safari pas cher au Botswana, qui comprend :

• les vols internationaux ;
• la location d’un 4×4 avec tente sur le toit ;
• l’hébergement en campings ;
• l’entrée dans les parcs pour les game drives en autonomie ;
• les repas ;

Il faudra compter au minimum 400€/jour/personne sur la base d’un séjour de 10 jours sur place à deux. 

Pour un safari de luxe au Botswana, qui comprend :

• les vols internationaux et transferts ;
• les transferts en avion ou avec chauffeur privé ;
• l’hébergement en lodges privés ;
• les game drives guidés ;

Il faudra compter au minimum 1100€/jour/personne sur la base d’un séjour de 10 jours sur place à deux. 

Ces tarifs sont donnés à titre indicatif et peuvent nettement varier en fonction des conditions de voyage. 

Combien coûte un safari au Botswana ?

Dans le cadre d’une politique touristique maîtrisée, le Botswana est l’un des pays d’Afrique les plus chers pour réaliser un safari. Il est toutefois possible de faire un safari au Botswana avec un budget moindre. Il est difficile de donner un tarif moyen puisque beaucoup d’éléments du voyage entrent en compte dans le calcul. 

Où faire le plus beau safari ?

Le Botswana est réputé pour offrir des safaris au plus près d’une nature préservée et protégée. D’autres pays d’Afrique, comme le Kenya , la Tanzanie ou l’ Afrique du Sud organisent aussi des safaris inoubliables. 

Quand faire un safari au Botswana ?

Pour profiter au mieux de la beauté du pays en toute tranquillité, les mi-saisons d’avril à juin et en octobre et novembre sont les meilleures périodes pour un safari au Botswana. Le pays se visite aussi durant l’hiver austral. 

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How Much Does a Botswana Safari Cost?

A budget safari (there aren’t many of these) will cost at least $200 per person per day, mid-range safaris around $500 and top end upwards of $1,000. Botswana offers one of the world’s finest safari experiences. But it’s going to cost you, because Botswana is probably Africa’s most expensive safari destination.

Average Costs of a Safari in Botswana Safari Costs (Per person per day)

The costings table here gives an instant overview of how much the average Botswana safari will cost, depending on your travel style. Using this table allows you to quickly match your daily budget to the kind of Botswana safari you can afford. Two things to remember though. Safari tourism in Botswana is generally aimed at a high-end market, and budget safaris are few and far between and only offered to a limited number of destinations. Timing also plays a big role in Botswana safari costs. Going during the low season (December to April) ensures significantly lower prices.

Rates in USD $ Excluding additional costs, such as international flights, tips and personal items

Additional Costs Explained

The following list covers a few additional Botswana costs – some obvious, some less so – that you might need to add into your overall budget.

International flights

There are no direct flights from Europe or North America. Most people transit through Johannesburg (South Africa) or Nairobi (Kenya). Botswana’s main airport is outside the capital, Gaborone. For safari purposes, it’s generally better to fly into Maun.

Most nationalities pay $25 for a one-month, single-entry visa. A five-year, multiple-entry visa is available for $50.

Accommodation

Due to the government’s policy of encouraging low-volume, high-paying visitors, most safari camps are expensive, small and luxurious. Traveling in low season brings big savings. Another option for a more affordable Botswana safari is to do a self-drive tour.

Vaccinations

A yellow fever vaccination is obligatory for entry into Botswana.

Tipping is part of safari life in Botswana. In general you should pay around 10% of what a service costs. In camps and lodges it’s acceptable to leave one overall tip for the team rather than tip each person separately.

Travel Insurance

Standard travel insurance is fine for most safari activities in Botswana. If you’re considering a Victoria Falls (Vic Falls) add-on and want to try bungee jumping, check your insurance policy covers this before throwing yourself off the bungee-jump bridge…

10 factors influencing the cost of a Botswana safari

The general cost of a Botswana safari varies hugely depending on a number of factors. The most important are the time of year you’ll be traveling and the protected areas you wish to visit.

Length of stay

Park entry fees are charged on a 24-hour basis and don’t get cheaper the longer you stay in a park. Most people going on a safari in Botswana organize everything through a tour operator rather than going fully independently. Park entry fees are cheaper per day if arranged as part of an organized package.

Level of comfort of accommodation

By and large there are two kinds of accommodation in Botswana. Luxury camps and lodges, which are often very exclusive and on private wildlife concessions. Needless to say these are normally very expensive. Or, there’s bringing your own tent and camping. Other than camping there’s little genuine organized budget accommodation in the vicinity of any of the parks or reserves.

Location of the accommodation

Botswana is a vast and sparsely populated country, and almost all of the safari accommodation is in remote wilderness areas that take time and cash to reach. The Okavango Delta, one of the great natural wonders of Africa, is an especially complicated area to visit on any kind of restricted budget. Although there’s affordable accommodation in towns like Maun, you won’t easily be able to stay there and visit the nearby Okavango Delta.

The government’s low-number/high-quality tourism policy means that you simply won’t come across many big-group – and therefore cheaper – safaris available in Botswana. In fact, most safaris to Botswana are near enough tailor-made to the clients’ requirements.

When you want to go

The most popular parks in Botswana are the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. And for all of these the best, and most expensive, time to visit is from May to September. For parks such as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, March to May (when it’s a little cooler) is the best and therefore most expensive time to visit. Going outside of these periods inevitably brings costs down, but there are enough negatives (flooding, difficult access, dispersed wildlife, closed camps) to make you wonder if it’s worth the savings.

How to get around

Most people fly between camps and parks, and with vast distances and often near-impossible vehicle access, this is often the only way to get around. But of course flying costs a lot. If you have a sense of adventure and don’t mind not being able to access large areas of the Okavango Delta, then a wonderful way of getting around is to hire a jeep. Grab a map, a compass, and camping equipment, and set out on the safari road. This is by far the cheapest way of exploring Botswana. The Central Kalahari is especially good for such adventures.

Where you want to go

Where you want to go in Botswana doesn’t really change overall costs as much as it might in some neighboring countries. Much of the Okavango Delta is divided into different concessions. The more remote and exclusive the concession then the more you’re likely to pay.

Nobody should leave the Okavango Delta without first doing a mokoro (dug-out canoe) ride through the glistening waterways. It gives a whole new perspective on the Delta’s environment and wildlife. Some safari packages include these as standard, but most charge extra for it.

A very popular and worthwhile add-on to a Botswana safari is a visit to Vic Falls. It’s actually not in Botswana at all, but on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. However, access to northern Botswana is easy from there and the area around Vic Falls is packed with accommodation that’s much cheaper than that found in Botswana. This makes this extension a fairly cheap add-on.

Specialized interests

A fascinating special-interest holiday that’s fairly unique to Botswana is one themed around the culture of the San Bushmen. A safari that combines wildlife with a genuine and non-exploitive delve into San life is often highly expensive.

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Botswana Safari Tours & Vacations

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It really is a zoo out there

Ever wanted to watch migrating zebras run across the African plains or feel dwarfed as a herd of elephants passes you on the highway? On  safari in Botswana, experience the brilliance of the natural world up close as you fill up your camera roll with exotic wildlife, beautiful sunsets and the breathtaking natural landscape of Africa . With some of the world's most renowned game reserves such as Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta , Botswana has a spectacular variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and aquatic life that call it home. So grab your binoculars, keep the lens off your camera and buckle in because you're not going to want to miss a second. 

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Highlights of Botswana safari tours

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is probably what you picture when someone says 'safari in Africa'. Located near the  Okavango Delta , the park sits alongside the Chobe River and is home to what is thought to be the largest concentration of African elephants in the world. The majestic mammals often come to drink and bathe in the waters alongside other wildlife friends (and foes) including the cape buffalo, impala, hippos, lions, leopards and cheetahs. There are so many ways to spend your time here. Go on a 4x4 game drive, hop on a sunset cruise along Chobe River or simply sit back and listen to the noises of the great outdoors.

Makgadikgadi Pans

Get a first-hand glance at one of the largest salt pans in the world in what used to be Lake Makgadikgadi. The Makgadikgadi Pans are a beautiful mixture of baobab trees, salt flats and grassy plains, best explored in a 4x4. However, if the scenery alone doesn't tempt you, then hopefully you’re more swayed by its residents. Arguably the cutest animal on safari, the meerkat is native to the Ntwetwe salt pan and is often found huddling in mobs by the sand dunes. You'll also be among some of the world's largest animals such as the elephants and giraffes as well as some of its pinkest as the area is home to a flamboyance of flamingoes.

Boteti River

The Boteti River is a must for die-hard zebra lovers as over 25,000 zebras are known to migrate here from the neighboring game park. Due to the numbers and their stripey coats, it’s likely you’ll see them if you’re there in the migrating season. Since the Boteti River is the only permanent water source in the area, there’s always likely to be a number of animals perusing its shores. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re more interested in the prey or the predators, you’ll likely see them all. Find leafy-green eaters such as giraffes, springboks and oryx enjoying the lush vegetation and the toothy species, namely the lions, cheetahs and wild dogs, lurking hungrily nearby.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

While not quite as fanciful as their mythical cousins the unicorn, rhinoceros sightings are almost as rare these days due to their near-extinct status. Luckily, places like the  Khama Rhino Sanctuary  have homed and rehabilitated rhinos since 1992 and are now home to both black and white rhino residents. The sanctuary has a successful breeding program and is protected with anti-poaching patrols. The continuing goal for the KRS is to reintroduce as many rhinos as possible back into their natural wild habitats, so visiting this amazing place is definitely worth the animal sightings, not to mention supporting their mission.

When is the best time to visit Botswana?

Winter (April through August) is a good time to visit Botswana. The days are usually mild and wildlife is generally quite easy to spot. The summer can bring frequent rain, which can make it difficult to travel around some of the national parks. Wildlife also tends to disperse during the summer rains, making animals a little harder to spot.

Read more about the best time to visit Botswana

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join an Intrepid trip?

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

Do I need a visa to travel to Botswana?

Australia: No visa required

Belgium: No visa required

Canada: No visa required

Germany: No visa required

Ireland: Yes - visa required

Netherlands: No visa required

New Zealand: No visa required

South Africa: No visa required

Switzerland: No visa required

United Kingdom: No visa required

USA: No visa required

Citizens of countries not listed above, including most EU countries, should check with the relevant consulates as to whether a visa is required. For passengers requiring a visa to Botswana, application forms can be downloaded from the  Botswana Government website,  as well as instructions for applying.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever Certificate:

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for all passengers over one year of age who arrive or are transiting through Botswana, from a country or region listed by the World Health Organization as infected by yellow fever. Travelers who are unable to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival will be refused entry. There is no option for travelers without a vaccination certificate to be vaccinated on arrival. Please note this also includes transiting through an infected country or region.

Children travelling to Botswana:

Please note that if you’re traveling to Botswana with a person under the age of 18 then you need to provide a certified copy of the child’s full unabridged birth certificate in order to enter the country (the one listing the child’s details and both parents’ details. - the short birth certificate which only lists the child’s details won’t be accepted).

Additionally, if the child is traveling with only one parent, with neither biological parent, or is unaccompanied, then they must provide an affidavit of the consent of the parent(s) that are not traveling, to prove that the trip is made with both parents' consent. Please contact your nearest Botswanan Embassy if you have further questions regarding this.

Can I drink tap water in Botswana?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Botswana. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found, some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

What are the best animals to see on safari in Botswana?

Some of the top animals to see in Botswana include the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino and buffalo) as well as giraffes, antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and crocodiles.

What is ATM access like in Botswana?

You will be able to find ATMs in the big cities, airports and regional towns of Botswana. Rural areas, national parks and small villages will have limited to no ATMs, so be sure to carry other payment options before traveling out of the big cities.

Read more about Botswana

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• Botswana Safari

The ultimate guide to your next Botswana Safari

Get to know botswana.

By Antoinette Booyse

Safari Travel Planner

​On a Botswana safari, you’ll discover Southern Africa’s countless natural wonders in the utmost comfort and luxury. The country’s varied environments, from the floodplains of the Okavango Delta to the woodlands of Chobe National Park, offer ideal backdrops for remarkable Botswana safari experiences .

This remarkable country is home to intriguing landscapes, geographical wonders, and luxurious eco-friendly accommodations . An abundance of wildlife, birdlife, and world-renowned national parks and reserves all come together to make Botswana a prime safari destination for a memorable holiday in Africa.

Safaris tours in Botswana offer a variety of unique eco-friendly ways to experience the fantastic wildlife and birdlife that the country has to offer. Whether aboard a game drive vehicle, on the back of a horse, or even on a mokoro ride, a Botswana wilderness safari holiday truly has something for everyone.

Botswana Video

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View our recommended safaris for inspiration and get ready to plan your dream safari

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Why Botswana?

• Untouched landscapes make a wilderness safari in Botswana naturally beautiful and a drawcard for many tourists and photographic safari goers alike.
• Botswana’s variety of adventurous activities makes it an excellent family safari destination .
• The large number of wildlife and birdlife on a Botswana vacation means there is plenty to see during game drives or mokoro rides. Botswana also stakes claim to Africa’s second biggest migration route , an incredible spectacle that features massive herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo that attract plenty of top predators.
• Botswana is home to the most elephants in all of Africa.
• Botswana has designed an Ecotourism Certification System . The system encourages and supports tourist enterprises’ responsible environmental, social, and cultural activities and ensures they supply excellent eco-friendly products to consumers.

Where to go in Botswana

• Chief’s Island in Botswana
• Chobe National Park and Savuti Marsh in Botswana
• Kubu Island in Botswana
• Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana
• Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana
• Okavango Delta in Botswana

The largest island in the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Island, is situated in the prestigious Mombo concession of the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. You’ll find the fascinating Big Five and many other wild animals on Chief’s Island. The predators on this island are particularly well known. High concentrations of top prey species, such as buffalo, impala, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, tsessebe, and warthog, are drawn to its expansive floodplains and variety of habitats.

As water levels rise, much of the delta’s wildlife retreat to this area, which has been raised above the water level by tectonic activity. As a result, the island is home to some of Botswana’s most diverse wildlife. Wildlife abounds on Chief’s Island, where visitors can spot it on exhilarating game drives, bush walks, and boat tours. Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceros are all found in this area, so your chances of seeing the Big five are excellent.

On Chief’s Island, visitors have a choice of comfortable, luxurious accommodation options . A few operators even have mobile camps on the island.

Mombo Concessions

On the northwestern tip of Chief’s Island lies one of Okavango’s most famous game viewing areas, the Mombo Concession. Mombo is known to BaYei locals as “the place of plenty” and is arguably the most fertile land of the Okavango.

Mombo is located just below where the Okavango River splits into three primary channels and supports a diversity of wildlife hard to find anywhere else in Africa. When the water levels of the Okavango rise during winter floods, many animals move to find dry land on the island.

In the nineties, wild dogs ruled the Mombo Concession, with the largest pack having as many as 40 dogs. Their presence inspired the book Running Wild by Dave and Helene Hamman, which played an essential role in raising awareness of these lesser-known carnivores’ behavior and vulnerable status.

Nowadays, Mombo is a great place to visit on a Botswana vacation as it is famous for its large lion population and very relaxed leopards.

Botswana’s famous Chobe National Park , which includes the Savute Channel and the natural grandeur of the Linyanti River, is a must-see wildlife attraction. Chobe National Park, which covers about 11,000 km2 (4,247 square miles), was Botswana’s first national park and has Africa’s highest concentration of wildlife. Chobe Savuti Marsh is located in Chobe National Park.

• Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park was proclaimed in 1968 and protects an area of 11,700km2 (4,517 square miles) that was mainly ravaged by big game hunters and commercial logging at the time of its formation.

The Park is located in the northeast of Botswana, falling within the convergence of two major biomes: Kalahari savanna meets broad-leaved and acacia woodland and Zambezi Teak forest. Running through these beautiful ecosystems is the illustrious Chobe River, with its yawning floodplains and surrounding riparian forest. Chobe has some of the best safari lodges in Africa , with great views of the wildlife, delicious food, and excellent service on a Botswana safari holiday.

The Chobe River rises in Angola as the Kwando (Cuando) River and then disappears into the swamplands of the Linyanti, reemerging as the Chobe River. During winter months, the banks of the Chobe attract the largest population of elephants in the world at around 60 000 – 70 000 individuals.

Add great herds of buffalo, notoriously fearless lion prides, and 468 bird species to date, and you’ve got a playground for nature-lovers that’s second to none. From November to December, herbivores migrate between the Chobe River and the Savuti Marsh in pursuit of fresh grazing grounds.

The Savuti Marsh in Botswana

The Savuti Marsh is an expanse of grasslands in the western region of Chobe National Park. In Botswana’s BaYei dialect, the word Savute means “unclear,” which is thought to be a reference to the area’s unpredictable water supply, the Savuti Channel.

During the rainy season, the Savuti plains are lush and green. While Bateleur eagles and White-backed vultures circle the skies, large herds of buffalo and zebra can be seen roaming the open plains. Small islands with Ilala and Wild date palms are grouped together, providing shady hiding places for predators during the midday sun. During the dry season, many elephants are drawn to three man-made water holes introduced to the Savuti region in 1995.

The Savuti channel has been a subject of great intrigue throughout history for its mysterious patterns of flow that experts believe to be influenced by underground tectonic forces.

The earliest mention of it can be found in European missionary explorer David Livingstone’s journal where, in 1851, he referred to Savuti (“Sontwa”) as a “dismal swamp”. The channel seems to have remained a drying wasteland for close to a century but began to flow again in 1957 when it drowned a large portion of the area’s acacia trees.

These dead trees still stand today, creating an intriguing, almost ghost-like landscape. In 1982, the channel again dried up, a process that Dereck and Beverley Joubert documented in their film Stolen River and, later, Journey to the Forgotten River.

The drought transformed a thriving wildlife area into a dramatic battleground for survival. Large lion prides became specialized elephant killers, and crocodiles sought refuge by hibernating in the Gubatsaa Hills. In 2008, the area got wetter, and the channel flooded into the marsh in 2010, with the channel beginning to dry up again in 2016.

The drying-up process is fascinating, with storks, eagles, herons, and numerous other bird species flocking around small pools to feast on trapped fish. Even leopards have been caught grabbing catfish from the muddy shallows, showing their remarkable ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Kubu Island is a dry granite rock island located in the Makgadikgadi Pan area, en route to four major parks and game reserves in Botswana. Kubu Island is the only place on a Botswana safari with prominent rocky features, breathtaking views of the salt pans in the Makgadikgadi , and solitary aesthetic beauty.

It’s beautiful in a rugged, enigmatic way, made more so by the presence of puzzling relics and ruins that litter the arid hillside. Artifacts found on the side of the lake appear to date from early Stone Age times, over 100 000 years ago, right up to recent decades.

Some researchers have suggested that the island may have been used for ancient rainmaking ceremonies, with its protruding rocks being the highest point in the area. Because human settlers could not have survived here without water, the island was most likely inhabited when a giant lake still surrounded it, or at least several wetter pans fed by other watercourses, reached by boat. Perhaps it would have been teeming with fish, crocodiles, and hippos.

The Makgadikgadi is an extraordinary Botswana region characterized by salt pans stretching as far as the eye can see, rocky granite islands, and open grasslands that spring to life in the wet season. In 1970, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park was declared, which today comprises an area of 4,900km2 (1,891 square miles).

The Makgadikgadi’s two largest pans, Ntwetwe pan and Sua pan (sometimes called Sowa pan), do not fall within the park’s boundaries but are reachable by 4×4 rental in the dry season. These are both spectacular places to explore on a Botswana safari holiday for those who seek freedom in solitude.

Plains surrounding the saltpans are dotted with ostrich, zebra, springbok, and oryx, closely pursued by dark-maned lions. On the western border of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is the Boteti (or Botletle) River, a prime drinking and bathing spot for domestic cattle and migrating zebras and elephants.

Nxai Pan National Park is another unique area to explore where, in the peak of the wet season, Botswana safari travelers spend a good deal of the night listening to the evocative roaring of lions that ambush both springbok and impala at waterholes during daylight hours.

Moremi Game Reserve , the only officially recognized wildlife reserve in the iconic Okavango Delta , is also often considered the most stunning for Botswana safari tours . The most diverse habitats and animal populations can be found in Moremi Game Reserve. This reserve spans thousands of square kilometers and encompasses a breathtaking panorama of forests, lagoons, floodplains, and islands, making up nearly a fourth of the Okavango Delta.

Lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, African wild dog, zebra, Red lechwe, and many more resident species can be viewed year-round, making for excellent game viewing on a Botswana safari holiday. The idea to create a reserve in the Okavango region came from Robert Kay (a crocodile-hunter turned conservationist) and his wife June (a writer).

Yet it was the local BaTawana people (with help from the San/BaSarwa) who spearheaded the project, most notably Mohumagadi Pulane Moremi, the wife of deceased Chief Moremi II and the BaTawana’s Queen Regent. The reserve was named after the BaTawana Royal title, “Moremi”.

Botswana’s world-famous Okavango Delta , also known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari”, could easily be the most pristine oasis in the world. The Okavango River finds its origins in the highlands of Angola, in a catchment area of about 112,000 km2/43,243 square miles. From here, it begins a winding journey of 1,900 km (1180 mi) before fanning out into an intricate system of waterways covering 22,000 km (13670 mi) of Kalahari sand, a phenomenon that astronauts in space can observe.

Although the river would have once reached the ocean, today, it is swallowed up by a thirsty basin of white Kalahari sand, creating an effect that resembles an outstretched emerald hand, or more correctly referred to by scientists as an “alluvial fan”.

With top-notch wildlife, Okavango Delta luxury lodgings , and guiding, the Okavango Delta offers some of the best safari experiences in Africa . Additionally, it provides some of the most diverse safari pursuits including walking safaris , horseback safaris , mokoro, boat, balloon, and helicopter safaris, among a wide range of other safari activities.

There are many different kinds of places to stay in the Okavango Delta. Water camps focus on the delta, its unique waterways, birds, and animals that live in the water. Land-based camps focus on the wildlife that comes to this oasis in the wilderness. Mixed camps have activities on land and water. Most visitors on a safari in Botswana choose a camp that uses both land and water or mixed-use camps.

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you tailor your itinerary to your perfect adventure., 24/7 support, personalized, popular botswana safaris, these recommended tours for botswana can be tailor-made to match your budget..

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When is the best month to travel to botswana.

• Botswana in January

January is one of Botswana’s highest rainfall months, with an average of 100mm (3,93in) falling in unpredictable and heavy downpours. As a result, January is not the most popular time to visit for a Botswana safari. It does mean that prices are a lot lower, making this prime safari destination more accessible to travelers on a lower budget. Birding safaris are excellent at this time of year; however, the water levels in the Delta are low, and the presence of water means wildlife is scattered.

Botswana’s climate is regular and consistent, with hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters. The north gets the most rain, and precipitation decreases steadily as you head south.

December and January are the wettest months, with average daily temperatures ranging between 30°C/86°F and 35°C/95°F and hot days approaching 40°C/104°F. The most extreme conditions are in the Central Kalahari, but even the nights seldom drop below 15°C/59°F.

• Botswana in February

By February, the summer rains are beginning to lessen; otherwise, conditions stay much the same as in January. Average daytime temperatures remain in the low 30°C/86°F, while the coldest nights in the Kalahari may occasionally drop below 15°C/59°F. Towering thunderclouds still form an impressive backdrop for afternoon photographs, and the atmosphere stays clear and fresh after each bout of rain.

February is prime time for visiting the Central Kalahari, Savuti, and Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans, attracting large numbers of zebra, springbok, and oryx. Predators, especially lions, are never far away. Elephants can be harder to spot in summer as they tend to disperse due to the abundant vegetation and increased surface water. Birding safaris , however, are at their best, with numerous migrant species and large flocks descending on the pans.

Road conditions are at their muddiest in February, so make sure you’re carrying recovery equipment and driving in convoy if possible. Driving on or near the pans is particularly treacherous, and doing so will almost certainly get you stuck on your safari in Botswana.

In Moremi and around the delta, certain tracks may be closed due to flooding, and others will have deep pools that you’ll need to treat with caution. Always ask other travelers about the conditions ahead during your Botswana safari tour , and look out for no-entry signs or the equivalent – logs or branches laid deliberately across the road.

• Botswana in March

The steady drop in temperature and rainfall continues throughout March, but hot days across the country can still reach the mid 30°C/86°F. In the south and center of Botswana, cold nights can drop to 10°C/50°F but tend to stay between 15°C/59°F and 20°C/68°F in the north. There are still afternoon thunderstorms every few days, which keep the atmosphere clear. March remains an excellent month for spectacular landscape photographic safaris .

March and April are considered some of the best months to visit the Kgalagadi on your Botswana safari. The Kgalagadi is worth visiting at any time of year, but as the summer rains withdraw, the landscape is at its most striking – a vast green grassland against low, red-ochre dunes. As the animals begin to congregate around pans still full, predators, especially lions, gather too, with exciting interactions virtually guaranteed.

Further north, the Central Kalahari is also green and full of life, though road conditions around the pans remain incredibly muddy. To the northeast, Nxai Pan is no exception, although it’s especially wonderful at this time of year as migrating grazers make the most of the lush grassland and abundant surface water.

In the Okavango Delta, the marula trees start dropping fruit, attracting hungry elephants, often right into camp. There are few things more marvelous than sipping on your drink, and watching the sunset, as a magnificent elephant munches happily at a marula tree nearby.

By the end of the month, the roads in Moremi have usually begun to dry, making driving a bit easier. The water in the delta is now approaching its lowest level, and mokoro trips may not be possible, but boat safaris out to the deeper channels are usually available year-round.

• Botswana in April

The April/May shoulder season is an excellent time to visit Botswana for safari. By April, rainfall has almost wholly ceased across the country, although there may still be a few scattered showers. Everywhere is still green, and most pans still hold some water, but what is available is getting scarcer, forcing both predators and prey to stay near.

Average daytime temperatures are now about 30°C/86°F and nights hover around 15°C/59°F, pleasant enough for long evenings around the campfire, while also allowing for a more comfortable sleep.

By mid-April, water levels in the iconic Okavango Delta panhandle are beginning to rise, although it takes a few months for them to filter down to Moremi. The delta feels fresh and alive, with fruit-laden trees and tall, green grass as far as the eye can see.

April is the start of the antelope breeding season, and the well-fed male impalas begin fighting it out for females. If you’re keen on fishing, then the deeper waters of the panhandle offer bream (tilapia) from April to August, but tigerfish are more likely from late August/September.

The Kgalagadi and Central Kalahari are at their best in April – a combination of cooler weather, prolific game, and lush, leafy landscapes. Game is still plentiful at Nxai Pan, and the muddy tracks are drying quickly with the rains almost gone.

By the end of the month, road conditions are much improved across the country. It’s still best to avoid crossing the Makgadikgadi Pans, however. The transit route from Lekhubu to Gweta may not be dry for at least another month.

• Botswana in May

May is the beginning of Botswana’s dry winter season, and there’s usually no rain anywhere in the country. Average daytime temperatures range from 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F, and it’s generally slightly warmer in the north and cooler in the south. Evenings in the north are below 15°C/59°F, and by the end of the month, nights in the Kalahari can fall close to freezing.

May is one of the best all-around months for visiting Botswana for safari, with good to excellent game viewing, mild, dry weather, and relatively quiet campsites and parks that get much busier later in the season.

There’s good game viewing all across Botswana, but especially in the Savuti region, where herds of zebra and buffalo congregate in large numbers. As surface water evaporates, elephants return to the Linyanti Chobe River System, the Khwai River, and northern Moremi.

In the northwest panhandle, the seasonal flood waters are beginning to filter into the rest of the delta, although it’ll take another few months before they percolate all the way to the southeast. The gently rising water attracts numerous resident water birds, while migrant species take to the skies in numbers and begin the long journey north. This is why they consider May to be a great birding safari month in Botswana.

• Botswana in June

June is another excellent month to visit Botswana for safari, although the parks get busier from around the 20th as schools in neighboring South Africa break for winter holidays. These usually run from the last week of June to mid-July, and campsites across Botswana book up quickly. Late June marks the start of the high season in Botswana, and July to October is the busiest time.

Make sure you book your campsites well in advance. June and July are Botswana’s coldest months, and night-time temperatures in the Kalahari can drop below freezing. In the north, it rarely freezes, but lows of 5°C/41°F are common, and morning game drives can be icy.

Daytime temperatures are roughly the same across the country, averaging between 20°C/68°F and 25°C/77°F. As ever, the north is warmer and hot days may still reach 30°C/86°F.

By June, the pans have usually dried, forcing the animals to find more permanent water sources. They begin to congregate in large numbers along the fringes of the Okavango Delta and on the northern waterways of the Savuti Channel and Chobe Linyanti River System. June is a great time to see African wild dogs as they begin to search for dens for their pups.

In the Kgalagadi and Central Kalahari, lions and other predators are never far from the permanent waterholes, and large herds of springbok and oryx – which can survive with limited water – can still be seen on the drying, golden plains.

• Botswana in July

July is Botswana’s coldest month, and night-time temperatures can drop below freezing in the center and south. In the north, expect lows of between 0°C/32°F and 5°C/41°F. Early morning game drives can be icy with the added wind chill. Daytimes average between 20°C/68°F and 25°C/77°F across the country, with hot days in the far north occasionally touching 30°C/86°F.

It’s also the driest month for a safari in Botswana, with practically no rain anywhere in the country. July is an excellent time to visit the Okavango Delta , Moremi, and Chobe when the wildlife congregates in greater and greater numbers along the permanent water channels.

In Moremi, the flood waters are now at their highest, and there’s plenty to eat along the myriad waterways. Their bright green fringes lie in stark contrast to the arid surrounding plains, where the thinning vegetation allows for superb game viewing tours .

Wildlife sightings in the Kgalagadi and Central Kalahari are still good, although not at their best. The permanent waterholes become the focal points for the larger predators, while the shorter grass makes it easier to spot smaller animals such as the honey badger and Cape fox. By late July, the pans are thoroughly dry, and crossing from Lekhubu to Gweta should pose no problems.

• Botswana in August

August remains extremely dry across Botswana, although by the end of the month, there may be a brief shower somewhere in the south. Temperatures are already beginning to rise, and while nights in the Kalahari can still fall below freezing, sub-zero mornings are the exception, not the norm.

Daytime temperatures also climb rapidly during August, and hot days across the country will regularly top 30°C/86°F. August is a very popular safari month in Botswana. Campsites and lodges in Botswana should be booked far in advance.

In the Okavango Delta, water levels are high, reaching as far south as Maun. Game viewing along the waterways is at its best and will remain so until the first rains fall in November. Late August marks the start of the Barbell (catfish) run in the northwest panhandle. From now to November is also the best time to catch Tigerfish, and the panhandle’s lodges and houseboat safaris are at their busiest.

Away from the delta, water is extremely scarce, and the animals gravitate to the few man-made waterholes. The Kgalagadi’s Kaa Gate and Nxai Pan’s South Camp offer oases in a dry and desolate land. Kaa Gate is known for its black-maned Kalahari lions, and no stay at South Camp is complete without a thirsty elephant trundling through the campground.

• Botswana in September

Northern Botswana stays completely dry during September, but the center and south may receive a few scattered showers. Temperatures climb rapidly throughout the month and no longer drop below 0°C/32°F, even in the Kalahari. Average lows are between 10°C/50°F and 15°C/59°F, a bit cooler in the south and warmer in the north.

By the end of September, the days are hot everywhere, averaging over 30°C/86°F and approaching 40°C/104°F in Maun and Kasane. September is another busy month for safari tours in Botswana , and the popular northern camps should be booked well in advance.

September and October are particularly impressive along the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers. Thousands of animals rely on these waters for survival, especially elephants, which can drink up to 200 liters of water daily. After a long, hot day foraging for food, hundreds of elephants gather along the river, often running the last few meters, trumpeting wildly in their excitement and thirst.

Moremi is also excellent in September, although the days are getting hot now. The dry, thin vegetation makes for excellent wildlife viewing and the cooler mornings and evenings are best for predator spotting as they come to the channels to drink.

By September, the Okavango’s Barbell (catfish) run is in full swing, and it’s also prime time for Tigerfish in the northwest panhandle. The Kalahari and pans are almost at their driest in September, but the full October heat has yet to arrive. Wildlife viewing across the central and southern parks can be hit and miss, but the endless golden grasslands have their own beauty.

Lurking in the grass are the Kalahari’s black-maned lions, stalking the large herds of springbok, oryx, and Red hartebeest that still roam the plains. While many visitors to Botswana focus on the north, the south and central parks still have a lot to offer and can be much quieter and easier to book at this time of year.

• Botswana in October

October is Botswana’s hottest month, and temperatures can exceed 40°C/104°F in the country’s north. The south is a bit cooler, but not by much. Nights in the south average between 15°C/59°F and 20°C/68°F, and in the far north are often much warmer. In the south and center, the rains usually come earlier, with the first afternoon thunderstorms bringing some relief.

In the north, it rarely rains until the end of the month, and the rainy season doesn’t start properly until mid-November. Despite the heat, October is a popular Botswana safari month, especially along the Chobe River, which is famous for its herds of thirsty elephants.

In Moremi, the delta waters begin to drop, opening up the flood plains and providing much-needed vegetation for the grazers. The drying pools also trap fish, which draw vultures and other scavengers in for a feast. Away from the delta, the vegetation is denuded and sparse – not at its most beautiful, but great for spotting predators. To the northwest, the panhandle’s Barbell (catfish) run is still going strong, and September and October are the best months to catch Tigerfish.

By October, Botswana’s seen no rain for six months, and the cloudless skies turn a pale, dusty blue – exactly the color of Botswana’s flag! Be prepared for heat, dust, bumpy roads, excellent wildlife sighting tours , and long, warm evenings under the stars. It can be an excellent time to be on the pans, especially Baines’ Baobabs and Lekhubu Island.

There may be no animals around, and the midday heat can be intense, but the incredible dusty sunsets are worth it as the light fades to pastel pinks and purples over the baobabs.

• Botswana in November

November is the spring shoulder season for Botswana safaris, a time of soaring thunderclouds, returning migrant birds, and fields of newborn calves once the rains arrive. It’s still scorching, with daily highs of 35°C/95°F to 40°C/104°F across the country, and it can get even hotter in the north, where nights are humid and often well over 20°C/68°F. The start of the rainy season is always hard to predict, but good years can see early November rainfall in the south and central Kalahari, while Moremi and Chobe usually have to wait until later.

November is all about when the rains will begin, and when they do arrive, it’s with a literal bang. Before the first thunderstorms, conditions are much the same as in October, with increasingly desperate animals drawn to whatever permanent water sources they can find.

Waters in the delta continue to recede, opening up the flood plains and providing essential, fresh grazing. The Chobe and Linyanti river banks are now crowded with game, and large numbers of elephants congregate on the waterways.

Once the rains do come, the relief is palpable. The dust clears from the skies, the pans fill, and the antelope birthing season begins. If there have been early rains, this is an excellent time to visit Botswana’s Central Kalahari, where enormous herds of oryx and springbok attempt to protect their newborns from prowling cheetahs and lions.

Road conditions are still reasonable at this early stage of the wet season, and you can still drive confidently without worrying too much about getting stuck.

• Botswana in December

December and January are Botswana’s wettest months, with afternoon thunderstorms a regular feature across the country. The rains are cooling, but daytime temperatures remain high, averaging in the low 30°C/86 °F , but with hot days of up to 40°C/104 °F or more. Nights tend to be humid and warm, often not dropping below 20°C/68°F.

The clear atmosphere and thunderclouds make for excellent photographic safaris , and you can expect a spectacular thunderstorm every few days.

December is the start of the summer ‘ green season ’ when the vegetation recovers and grazing land is plentiful. New-born calves frolic on the Kalahari plains and are often targeted by the ever-present predators. As the pans slowly fill, more and more animals are drawn to the central parks, and both the Central Kalahari and Nxai Pans National Parks have abundant wildlife.

The Savuti region is also packed with game, although the elephants along the Chobe River are beginning to disperse as more water and vegetation becomes available inland.

As the rains intensify, the roads around the pans deteriorate. Thick mud can make some tracks impassable, and it’s a good idea to travel in a convoy. The roads through and around Moremi also get worse as the rains continue. Large holes in the roads fill with water, and the going can be very slow as you navigate the deep pools and fallen tree trunks.

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Free safari planning advice from destination experts

Faqs about botswana.

• Safari/bucket showers are common in mobile or tented camps where there is no permanent plumbing. They are an effective yet environmentally friendly way to shower where water is at a premium and provide plenty of hot water to wash comfortably.
• Generally, there is an en-suite private shower stall within your tent with a “rainfall” style shower head at which you can control the water flow. Outside the tent, there is a large waterproof bag or bucket which is filled with about 10 to 15 litres (5 US gallons) of hot water before being raised with a pully/rope system to either connect to the shower pipe or fill a cistern.
• The water is delivered at the ideal temperature so it is best to use it as soon as it arrives. Staff typically fill the showers at a pre-arranged time of day, or you simply need to give them a few minutes notice so they can get it ready.
• If you’re travelling to Botswana , you will need vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, polio as well as medications for travellers diarrhea.
• Malaria prophylaxis is recommended when you're travelling to the northern part of Botswana. Other immunizations may be necessary depending upon the circumstances of the trip and the medical history of the traveller.
• Insect repellents are recommended, in conjunction with other measures to prevent mosquito bites.
• All travellers should visit either a travel clinic or their personal physician four to eight weeks before departure. Malaria - Prophylaxis with Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) or doxycycline is recommended for the northern part of the country.
• January to March is the best time to witness the Makgadikgadi zebra migration as well as the wildebeest.
• Botswana official currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP).  Other countries using the same Botswana currency include Zimbabwe.
• Botswana Banks accepts the following foreign currencies: US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euro and South African Rands in cash.
• Credit and debit cards, including International Visa and MasterCard, are accepted at most lodges. However, Express and Diners Club are not accepted by the banks of Botswana or by the camps.

Our Recommended Activities in Botswana

• Bird Watching in Botswana
• Boat Cruise in Chobe, Botswana
• Flight Over the Flamingos in Botswana
• Flight Over the Okavango Delta
• Horseback Riding in Botswana
• Mokoro Safari in Botswana
• Museum at Jack’s Camp in Botswana
• Quad Biking in Botswana
• Rock Paintings of Gubatsaa Hills
• The Historic Baobabs in Botswana
• Walk with Bushmen in Botswana
• Walking with Meerkats in Botswana

Botswana stands as a dream destination for birdwatching safaris, boasting an astounding array of bird life that thrives across its diverse ecosystems, which include savannas, wetlands, woodlands, and deserts. From majestic raptors and elegant waterbirds to vibrant songbirds, Botswana’s nearly 600 bird species make it a must-visit for avid birdwatchers.

When to Go Birding in Botswana?

The best time for birdwatching in Botswana is during the spring and summer months, from October to March. This period sees a remarkable influx of avian species, with bird diversity increasing significantly. By December, the bird population swells to an impressive 20% more than in the winter months, offering a unique opportunity to observe a wide array of birds in their natural habitat.

Where to go birdwatching in Botswana

Home to Botswana’s longest bird list of 450 species, Chobe National Park features diverse habitats like floodplains, riverine woodland, and broadleaved woodland.

Notable species include:

• African FinFoot
• White-backed Night Heron
• Narina Trogon

Accessible via the village of Kasane, the park requires a 4×4 for navigation.

Makgadikgadi Pans

Known for its large flamingo colonies, especially in high-rainfall years.

These Makgadikgadi Pans offer sights of:

• White Pelicans
• Secretary Birds
• Various raptors

The area requires a 4×4 vehicle, and visitors must be prepared with essentials like water.

This Ramsar site offers a mix of habitats, from flooded grasslands to riverine forests.

Notable birds include:

• Wattled Cranes
• Slaty Egrets
• Pel’s Fishing Owls

The delta is best accessed by light aircraft or from Maun for the western delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

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10 Birds to Spot on a Safari in Botswana

African fish eagle.

Known for its majestic appearance and fishing skills, often found near large bodies of water.

Lilac-Breasted Roller

A brightly colored bird known for its acrobatic flight, commonly seen in open woodlands and savannas.

Kori Bustard

One of the heaviest flying birds, known for its distinctive courtship display.

Secretary Bird

Recognizable for its hunting skills and long legs, typically found in savannas and grasslands.

Saddle-Billed Stork

Notable for its colorful bill and tall stature, often seen in wetlands hunting fish and other aquatic prey.

African Jacana

Known as “lily-trotter,” distinguished by its long toes, allowing it to walk on floating vegetation

Pel’s Fishing Owl

A large, nocturnal owl, elusive and sought after by birdwatchers, usually found near water bodies.

African Skimmer

Unique for its lower mandible used to skim for fish, often seen in synchronized group flights.

Carmine Bee-Eater

Recognizable by its carmine plumage and long tail feathers, typically found nesting in riverbank colonies.

Greater Painted-Snipe

Known for its cryptic plumage and sexual role reversal, commonly found in wetlands.

Going on a Birdwatching Safari in Botswana

With binoculars and a camera in hand, birdwatching in Botswana promises to be an unforgettable birding experience. Whether exploring by safari, river cruise, or bush walk, the variety of bird species ensures a rewarding adventure. Each bird, admired for both beauty and behavior, plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

For those eager to witness these magnificent birds, speaking to a safari expert at Discover Africa about a tailor-made, luxury safari is a great starting point. Discover Africa can help you craft the perfect itinerary to explore Botswana’s rich bird life in comfort and style.

Botswana’s birdwatching opportunities are a testament to the country’s commitment to conservation and the preservation of natural habitats. As a birdwatcher’s paradise, it offers an unparalleled experience to observe and appreciate some of the most fascinating avian species in the world.

The best way to enjoy all that a Botswana safari holiday offers is on a boat cruise on the Chobe River. The town of Kasane, which borders the Chobe National Park, is the starting point for all Chobe boat trips. Regular morning and afternoon departures are available. In the renowned Chobe National Park , you can get up close and personal with a wide range of wildlife. Enormous herds of animals frequently travel to the river and the islands to feast on the luscious new grass.

On a Chobe Boat cruise, you’ll have frequent hippos and crocodile encounters, as they love to bask in the sun next to the water. Botswana safari goers can also see buffalo, Puku and lechwe antelopes, giraffes, and other plains game. You might even be fortunate enough to glimpse a lion or a leopard. Given that the Chobe National Park itself is home to over 460 different bird species, a cruise on the Chobe is also very popular for birding safaris .

Boat cruises can be organized by one of the many riverside safari operators. There are also houseboats and boats fitted with the latest photographic equipment operated by Pangolin Safaris. The Chobe waterfront is the most commercial part of Chobe National Park, close to the town of Kasane. There are several large hotels and lodges along the river, although Chobe Game Lodge is the only lodge along the river that falls within the park’s boundaries. The public campsite along the Chobe river is called Ihaha .

Greater and lesser flamingos go from East Africa’s Great Rift Valley to engage in one of Africa’s most incredible avian feasts. From a helicopter flight over the flamingos, these stunning birds look like pink clouds in a silver sky. Helicopter flights over the flamingos are run by Helicopter Horizons and can be organized through San Camp , Jack’s Camp , and other Botswana safari accommodation options in the area.

Another place to view the flamingos on a safari in Botswana is from Nata Bird Sanctuary (northeast of Sua Pan), 10km/6,2mi from the town of Nata. There is a basic campsite near the entrance to the park, and the sanctuary is open to day visitors who can gaze at the flamingos from an elevated wooden hide during wet months.

The sanctuary is run by a community trust and is home to 165 bird species recorded in the area, including pelicans, spoonbills, ostriches, and myriad ducks and small waders.

A great spectacle each year in Chobe (and all across Botswana) happens during the onset of the first rains; the rain triggers reproductive winged termites to leave their colonies in pursuit of wet earth to begin new mounds.

As they exit in their thousands, they attract birds of every plume and feather, including large raptors and vultures that congregate around mounds to snatch these sausage-bodied insects from the air. Even leopards partake in the feast, taking advantage of the rich protein source.

There is no better way to grasp the region’s remoteness than by flying over the iconic Okavango Delta in a light aircraft/helicopter. From the air, the wetland landscape is woven together with great intricacy. Serpentine channels cut through emerald carpets of marsh, spilling into lagoons with pods of hippos.

Winding streams twist and loop, diverging into lazy pools and vast plains scattered with islands. Palm trees hug the islands’ outer banks, encircling white-sandy grazing grounds speckled with impala, zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo.

Animal tracks criss-cross through dry wooded areas and continue through shallow waters where black and orange silt marble the sand.

It’s common to see lechwe splashing over swampy ground and large herds of elephants. Sometimes giraffes gallop awkwardly across savanna plains with their characteristic slow-motion gait or families of zebra frolic in patches of sand.

A flight from Maun is mandatory to reach most Okavango Delta luxury camps and lodges , but many travelers also book additional scenic flights. Most flights leave from Maun (the small tourist town known as the “gateway to the Okavango”).

After taking off, there is an expanse of mopane veld littered with homesteads and cattle before the plane reaches the buffalo fence, and finally, the Okavango Delta in its full splendor.

Once the plane crosses the buffalo fence, there is more chance of spotting wild animals, and slowly but surely, the landscape transforms into a watery wonderland. Winter is the best time for a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

Breathe in the aromas of the bush and feel the breeze in your hair during a horseback riding adventure in Botswana. Horseback safaris in Botswana are one of the best ways to get close to the bush without being on foot. The freedom of riding a horse across the plains is exhilarating.

While the more adventurous can enjoy several days on a horseback safari, those strapped for time can take a quick, half-day ride in the vicinity of the camp or lodge. Because horses aren’t seen as a threat by wildlife, antelope and even animals like lions and elephants get much closer than they would during a Botswana safari on foot .

Horseback safaris in Botswana are entirely safe. They take place in a completely controlled environment, and the guides are knowledgeable and well-informed about the area. There are significant differences between horse riding as a morning or afternoon activity and a multi-day ride where travelers spend nights in fly-camps or simply under the stars beside a campfire.

The multi-day horseback safari requires riding skills and, more importantly, the physical stamina to ride for six to eight hours daily. Guests must be very comfortable on horseback and be able to handle their horses.

The shorter half-day riding requires less skill, which happens at a slower pace. The horses or ponies are carefully paired with each rider, and novices are well looked after. If you’re after the perfect horseback safari, booking the right accommodation in Botswana is crucial. Different lodges operate in vastly different areas.

The most intimate way to explore the Okavango’s meandering channels and hidden lagoons is on a guided mokoro safari trip. Mokoro trips are available at many water-based camps and lodges in the Okavango and Maun for self-drivers. The thought of slinking through the wild territory of hippos and crocodiles may seem a little daunting, but it helps to keep in mind that the men who guide these safaris have spent a lifetime navigating these waters and know what they’re doing.

Mokoro guides commonly choose shallow areas where there is less chance of encountering hippos and always have a scout polling ahead to keep a good lookout.

A mokoro safari in Botswana gives you the best chance to catch a glimpse of the rare and secretive Sitatunga antelope. Sitatunga love quiet backwaters with floating papyrus islands and usually feed while partially submerged in water.

They are expertly adapted for swamp life with splayed, elongated hooves that enable them to tread soft marshlands with ease. When a mokoro approaches, these shy ungulates will commonly swim away, with only their nuzzles sticking out of the water.

Other fascinating creatures to look out for on a Mokoro safari are:

• Colorful Painted Reed frogs
• Tiny Long Reed frogs
• Malachite and Pied kingfishers
• Pygmy geese
• African and lesser jacanas
• Day and night water lilies

Jack’s Camp is one of Southern Africa’s most storied and recognizable camps. The camp was established by explorer Jack Bousfield in the 1960s and is situated in a spectacular location on the edge of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans, looking over shimmering expanses of sun-scorched earth.

Jack Bousfield was a bushwhacking crocodile hunter who arrived in Botswana from his Tanzanian homeland in the 1960s. He was overtaken by the Makgadikgadi region’s romance and set up a small camp. He died in 1992 in an airplane crash, and Jack’s son Ralph and his then-partner built the glamorous Jack’s Camp in his father’s memory.

The newly renovated Jack’s Camp honors the place’s longstanding and beloved 1940s camping aesthetic. Seven twin and two double guest tents are significantly larger than they used to be.

The famous interiors are still present, but now there are also cabinets from the Natural History Museum, elaborate textiles from around the world, and cooling systems for the beds. Showers are available indoors and outdoors in ensuite bathrooms, as well as a personal plunge pool on each veranda.

The renowned Natural History Museum, a library, an old pool table, and a fully stocked bar are all located in the new, larger mess tent. The renowned nomadic Persian tea has expanded, and the store has been restored and replenished with fresh goods.

A Botswana quad-biking adventure should be on the bucket list of all daring adrenalin seekers for their Safari in Botswana. Revving through the isolated moon-like vistas of the Makgadikgadi gives travelers the luxury of disconnecting with time and space. On a multi-day Quad biking trip, quad bikers can sprawl out beneath the stars in the evening, blissfully cocooned in comfy bedrolls. These extended trips can include stopovers at Kubu Island (during the winter season) and Chapman’s baobab.

Many safari lodges in the area offer quad biking, including more budget-friendly places like the wonderfully quirky Planet Baobab.

Visitors can take a journey to Gubatsa Hills for a game drive to see several historic San rock paintings during their safari holiday in Botswana. Gubatsa Hills stands out from its surroundings as a steep outlier in an otherwise level environment. Bushmen rock art in the small hills surrounding Savuti was first discovered in March 1968 by Tim Liversedge, a warden of Chobe National Park . The latest of the paintings is thought to have been done around 1810.

Although the paintings are all of a similar style and outlined in red-ochre (similar to the nearest rock paintings found at Tsodilo Hills), they seem to have been done by different groups of people.

Through the years, small groups of San bushmen would have moved in and out of the area following migrating game and adding their contributions to the adorned rock faces.

Some of the animals depicted in the paintings are:

Today, Botswana Safari guests can get out and scramble up the rocky hills to view the artworks on the Southeast cliffs overlooking the Savuti channel. Guests can also marvel at the historic baobabs and look out for the rare klipspringer antelope.

There are several extraordinarily monumental historic baobabs in the Makgadikgadi area, but the ones most worth visiting are Chapman’s and Green’s baobabs in Ntwetwe Pan and Baines Baobabs in Nxai Pans National Park. Green’s baobab can be found at Gutsha Pan on the Gweta–Orapa track, 27km south of Gweta village.

In the days of early European explorers, a small pan beside this baobab was filled with perennial water, giving the old tree special significance as a beacon of hope that signaled a spot to replenish supplies after a long trek through the saltpans.

The intrepid Green brothers were among the many early traders, hunters, and explorers to carve their names here, leaving “Green’s Expedition 1858–1859” scrawled into the tree’s bark and giving the tree its name. Perhaps the most intriguing mark on this baobab is the date 1771, which is even before Livingstone’s time and possibly left by an early Portuguese explorer.

The tree is now one of Botswana’s National Monuments. Baobab trees can live for thousands of years, and this one certainly bears the battle scars to prove it, gunshot wounds included.

Located in the south of Nxai Pans National Park are the seven baobabs known as Baines Baobabs or the Sleeping sisters. This stunted cluster of Africa’s most iconic tree was immortalized by the paintings of Thomas Baines, a British landscape artist commissioned by the Royal Geographic Society. Baines camped beneath these trees in 1862 en route to the memorable Victoria Falls .

The pans at Baines Baobabs are dry and bare for much of the year, as are the branches of the baobabs themselves, but during the wet season, the pans are covered in sheets of water, and green canopies emerge from the tree’s branches.

Baines Baobabs overlook Kaudia Camp Pan on the South side of the Nxai Pan South camp. Three allocated camping areas with basic toilet and shower facilities require visitors to bring their own water.

You can gain a unique grasp of the culture and in-depth knowledge and awareness that these native people have of the earth by taking a walk across the Kalahari terrain with a local San Bushman. The San bushmen of the Kalahari have long been a subject of great intrigue and fascination, admired by anthropologists, scientists, storytellers, and everyday travelers alike.

Sadly, very few bushmen live the same ancient nomadic lifestyle that their ancestors did. Still, some aspects of these traditions have been kept alive through their employment at various safari lodges. While staying at these Botswana safari lodges , travelers can enjoy educational bush walks, where San elders pass on their skills and knowledge.

As the oldest living inhabitants of Africa, the secret of the San’s survival was their total dependence on the natural provisions of the land. To the untrained eye, however, the barren shrubs and grasslands surrounding the Makgadikgadi pans seem anything other than a plentiful pantry of resources to survive on.

This common assumption makes walking with the San a fascinating experience, a time to delve deeply into some of humanity’s most cunning tricks of survival. The walk is a tactile exploration involving tasting various foods, including berries and fire-roasted beetles, and demonstrations in fire-making, dancing, hunting, and medicine-making.

Several camps in the Makgadikgadi region offer a bushman walking activity on a Botswana safari, including Meno a Kwena, Jack’s Camp , and San Camp .

The Makgadikgadi Pans offer guests the incredible chance to spend a morning with a local meerkat colony. The meerkats respond to the non-threatening presence of people by simply carrying on with their daily activities, which consist mainly of rummaging the veld for scorpions and other tasty bites to eat.

The habituation of these lively little desert mammals depends very much on the dedication of a full-time ‘Meerkat man’ who follows the family group daily and helps locate them for visitors in Botswana.

Guests are driven to the den area in the early morning, just before the meerkats have left their burrows. As the sun rises, they cautiously peep out of little holes in a humble sandy mound and, deeming it safe to come out, scuttle to the highest points to scout for predators and food.

Sometimes these lookouts happen to be the shoulders and heads of guests! Eventually, the whole colony, babies included, are joyfully chirping and tussling away while guests sit or crouch among them. It’s a truly unique and intimate African experience with one of the most sociable and resourceful desert-adapted creatures on earth.

See Botswana in Your Comfort

• A Budget Botswana Safari
• A Luxury Botswana Safari
• An Affordable Botswana Safari

Budget holiday tour options for Botswana include self-driving or overland safari tours. These are two exciting and adventurous ways to travel through the country and give visitors the chance to be exposed to the country on a more intimate level than fly-in Botswana safaris, which are also far more expensive.

Self-drive safaris in Botswana involve a fair amount of preparation with regards to route planning, taking into consideration the time of year and whether rainfall might have affected accessibility of some areas.

There are few self-catering options within the national parks and the Delta. If you plan to stay at a lodge in an area such as Savuti or Moremi, a reservation will come at a fully inclusive price.

Camping keeps costs down and is ideal for traveling on a budget through Botswana. The public campsites are located within the national parks and are unfenced, quiet, equipped with the basics, and they come in at a reasonable price. Costs for a self-drive holiday in Botswana would include fuel, park and vehicle fees, food and beverages, and any activities that might be of interest, for example, a boat cruise of Chobe River.

Overland safari tours are perhaps the most affordable way to get as much out of a Botswana safari as possible without having to shoulder any of the pressure of handling the route, the vehicle, the fees and payments, activities, food shopping, or meal planning.

These pre-planned holidays have a tried and trusted route in place and are led by a professional guide who knows the country well. An overland tour would include visiting all of Botswana’s prime destinations over about two weeks.

The price you pay for the tour includes all transport within the country, three meals a day (unless otherwise specified), park fees, accommodation at campsites and lodges (depending on itinerary), and all standard activities.

The overland trucks are equipped with tents and stretchers, fold-up camping chairs, and a fully equipped kitchen with gas stoves, providing everything you need to be sorted for accommodation.

With extensive protected areas and landscapes designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, the ecosystem in Botswana is pristine, and luxury safaris in Botswana prevail throughout the region. Total extravagance has been achieved in several globally acclaimed private tented camps and luxury safari villas in Botswana , which provide no holds barred treatment for their guests to showcase this one-of-a-kind countryside to the planet’s custodians.

Flying between Chobe River, Savuti, Moremi Game Reserve, the Kalahari, and the Okavango Delta luxuriously eliminates the time spent driving along dusty roads in challenging conditions, whisking travelers off to each Botswana luxury safari destination in no time at all.

The Private Concessions of the Okavango Delta provide the most luxurious holiday tours in Botswana where safari activities are exclusive and personalized, and the accommodation and lodge services are elite.

Advice for achieving an affordable Botswana safari would be to plan ahead and book accommodation in Botswana in the best wildlife areas at the best time of year so that you can get the most out of your budget Botswana safari experience. It helps to research the lodges in the country to compare prices and find affordable safari options in hotspot areas like the iconic Okavango Delta , Chobe River, Savuti, and Moremi Game Reserve.

Classic Botswana safari camps without “all the frills” are often the best choices for feeling a genuine connection with the natural surroundings, indulging the senses, and creating a multi-dimensional experience.

If you can forgo luxuries such as air conditioning, electricity, and king-size beds with percale cotton, the reward in terms of value will be far greater.

It is vital to book your Botswana accommodation a year in advance to ensure the availability of lodges during the best season for game viewing. On the other hand, the peak season for some might not be others’ idea of fun.

The popular time to travel will result in a high density of tourists, vehicle traffic, and high prices, which could detract from the experience if you’re out to seek solitude and exclusivity.

For some, the “off-season” is the best time to go, as the prices of safari lodges are reduced by about a third, the parks are much quieter, and there is more freedom to roam.

Holiday Styles and Options in Botswana

• Active Adventure Holiday in Botswana
• Big Five Safari in Botswana
• Birding Safari in Botswana
• Malaria Free Safari in Botswana
• Photographic Safari in Botswana
• Romantic Holiday in Botswana
• The Zebra Migration in Botswana
• Walking Safari in Botswana
• Wild Camping in Botswana

The most adventurous experience you can have on a Botswana holiday is to do it by road. There are good road networks to cater to self-drivers, car rental in Botswana is available in the form of well-equipped 4×4 vehicles, and border crossings are mostly efficient.

Campsites in Botswana are basic and designed to keep the element of the wild present, so sleeping in a tent while a lion, hyena, elephant, or hippo walks by at night is a likely possibility.

The best adventurous self-drive itineraries in Botswana include Moremi and Savuti, where wildlife is abundant, and public campsites have ablution blocks with running water.

There is no electricity for refrigeration or charging, and there are no cooking facilities, so it is essential to pack a gas cooker or use a fireplace. It is vital to bring firewood from outside the park as it’s forbidden to gather wood inside the park.

Pack light, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunblock, binoculars, and a camera, and always have a map of game drive routes. Fuel is unavailable in the parks, so make sure to refuel before entering or bring extra fuel in jerry cans.

Botswana is one of the world’s prime wildlife viewing destinations . While the Big Five needs no formal introduction, it is fitting to add that Botswana is one of the best countries to go on a Big five safari to see these magnificent animals in one trip.

Quick Guide to Spotting the Big Five on a Botswana safari tour :

• Chobe National Park is best for the highest concentration of elephants.
• The Savuti region is best for lion spotting.
• Northern Okavango is the best place to see the large Cape buffalo.
• Moremi Game Reserve will offer excellent views of rhinos.
• Mashatu Game Reserve plays host to the elusive leopard.

Even though Botswana doesn’t have endemic bird species, it is regarded as a premier birding destination because of its protection of a number of threatened and endangered species. Coupled with an excellent seasonal variation in birding, Botswana is a good choice for bird lovers.

The summer months from October to February tend to be the best months for viewing migrant species, while the dry winter months see many birds flock to the waterholes.

The call of the Woodland kingfisher is one of the most noteworthy calls in Botswana’s northern region and heralds the summer birding season. Wattled cranes, storks, herons and egrets are also indications that the flood season in the Okavango is not far off.

The Okavango Delta in particular is the greatest stronghold in Africa for Wattled cranes, as well as Slaty Egrets. Other notorious species include the Pel’s fishing owl, the African skimmer and the White-backed night heron.

Botswana also has the most renowned Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo breeding sites in southern Africa.

Although Botswana’s malaria risk is lower than some other African countries, there is still a certain risk associated with travel through the bush. Therefore, you should practice precautions before traveling to Botswana for a safari.

The most important thing to note is that anti-malaria medication is a must. You should consult your doctor before leaving for your Botswana Safari tour .

Further precautions such as long-sleeved shirts and jeans in the evenings will reduce your chances of mosquito bites. Pack some mosquito repellent for applying to your hands, face, and neck. It’ll help keep the mosquitoes at bay.

The colder dry winter months have less mosquito activity. May through to October is best. Additionally, areas with fewer people have less risk of transmission, even if there is water. Kalahari, Okavango, and Moremi concessions and the Makgadikgadi Pans are low-risk areas.

Photographic safaris are very popular in Botswana due to the wildlife density and the relaxed attitude animals have around vehicles and boats. The best way to get the most out of photography on safari is to book the experience with a specialized photographic tour operator.

These companies have game-viewing vehicles equipped with camera mounts, swiveling seats, and equipment that will enhance a photographer’s experience. Boat cruises on the Chobe River often bring guests close to elephants, hippos, buffalo, and highly sought-after bird species, such as the African skimmer.

A photographic safari operator will have a trained guide who knows how to manage a sighting for the best photographic results. Photography can take time and patience, so it’s best to hire a private guide and book with a group aiming for the same experience on their Botswana safari holiday.

It’s easy to enjoy a romantic safari in Botswana, given the surrounding environment and romantic views. Some of the best couples activities on a safari in Botswana include mokoro cruises (two to a mokoro), horse riding, private bush dinners, and couples’ spa treatments.

Highlights on a romantic Botswana holiday

The great thing about traveling as a couple is there are very few limitations. Most lodges in Botswana are designed to sleep two people in a room. Accommodation is geared towards couples sharing a bedroom and bathroom facilities. At the same time, verandahs and lounges are made up with two chairs, two bathrobes, two sets of towels, etc.

Travel Tips for a romantic holiday in Botswana

Traveling as a couple through Botswana can be a bonding and challenging experience for those who choose to self-drive. There is room for a pilot and co-pilot, a navigator and a music maestro, a relief driver for long distances, and two people to set up camp, cook, and clean.

Traveling as a couple in Botswana can be romantic, but it can also be remote. It’s essential to ensure that each person is informed about the destination with regards to navigation, emergency details, knowledge of the animals, and possible risks so that if one person falls ill, the other can take control.

Botswana’s zebra journey between Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans in search of fresh grazing is the second largest zebra migration in the world. Scattered herds of Botswana’s national animal can be seen throughout the Makgadikgadi palm belt and near the salt pans, where the mineral content of grasses is highest.

The nomadic habits of the Burchell’s Zebra in Botswana weren’t adequately understood until tracking devices were used by the conservation group Elephants Without Borders in 2012 . The scientists were amazed to discover that some zebras were trekking from as far away as the floodplains of Chobe near the Namibia–Botswana border, arriving in the Makgadikgadi area via Savute.

This migration is a round trip of 500km(310mi), the longest of all recorded large mammal migrations in Africa. The most popular and well-known location for viewing this beautiful spectacle is Meno a Kwena camp situated along the Boteti River on the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park .

Walking safaris in Botswana are geared towards adventurous travelers looking to supplement their safari experience by immersing themselves in nature. If you consider yourself adventurous and want to appreciate some of Botswana’s most pristine places on foot, then consider a walking holiday in this beautiful Southern African nation.

Botswana is mostly flat, which means the walking need not be very taxing, but an adventurous mind is key to making the most of the experience.

Walking safaris in Botswana means it’s possible to meet some of the larger wildlife in their natural habitat and see Botswana through a different lens. Walking is led by an experienced guide and done slowly and securely to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

There are three campsites within Chobe National Park , all unfenced and overlooking beautiful wild areas while still having basic ablution facilities (flush toilets and warm showers).

Ihaha (GPS: S 17 50.484?; E 24 52.748) is on the Chobe Riverfront and has ten spacious campsites. The large trees and expansive views over the river is what makes Ihaha a firm favorite for Botswana regulars.

In dry season there is a good chance you will have large herds of elephant and buffalo coming down to drink close to your camp.

Savuti (GPS: S 18 34.014, E 24 03.905) is a campsite suited to hardy campers, with thick sand and limited shade. There are 14 campsites and the best sites are under the shady trees along the Savuti channel (you can request one of these when you make your booking). The barricaded ablution blocks are to ward off thirsty elephants trying to access water during dry season.

Savuti is known as one of the noisier choices of camp (both human and animal noise) but it’s also one of the most exciting, with a good chance of lions, elephants and hyenas wandering into camp at night.

Campers must be on guard against these dangers, especially with small children. It’s important to stay in your campsite after dark and drive rather than walk to the bathroom. There is also a small tuckshop with a limited selection of snacks.

Linyanti (GPS: S 18 16.228, E 23 56.163) is Chobe’s most peaceful and tranquil campsite with only five demarcated camping areas. The most popular sites are numbers one and two which have uninterrupted views over the Linyanti River.

Linyanti has a limited road network for the public but the scenic meandering riverfront drive is one of the most beautiful stretches in the park.

Who is Travelling to Botswana with you?

• Botswana Honeymoon Safari
• Family Safari in Botswana
• Solo Holiday in Botswana

What better way to celebrate love than on a Botswana honeymoon safari? Just the two of you in the African bush with a private candlelit dinner on your veranda and wildlife passing by. The country is home to some of the most diverse and pristine wilderness areas in Africa, with an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty that will leave you in awe.

The combination of luxury and adventure makes for an unforgettable honeymoon experience . The tranquility and serenity of being in the middle of the wilderness with your loved one is an experience that will stay with you forever.

When to go on a honeymoon Safari in Botswana

The most popular time to visit Botswana for a honeymoon would be during the dry season, from about May to October. Days are warmer with clear skies.

With less rain, the vegetation is not as lush, and it’s easier to spot wildlife. The animals tend to concentrate around the water sources, and this tends to become an action-packed area. However, with the popular season, the number of visitors to Botswana increases, camps can be full, and some sections of the park can feel a little crowded.

Traveling during the wet season during a honeymoon in Botswana is a great time to travel if you don’t mind a rain shower or two. The parks are quieter and lodges offer great prices and value-adds.

Showers occur mainly in the afternoon and will have little impact on your Botswana safari vacation. The bush is lush and green. With water comes new life, and you’ll see plenty of newborns. This would also be the time for migrating birds to visit.

Where to travel on a honeymoon in Botswana

The most popular route traveled in Botswana during a safari would include visiting the Chobe National Park , the Okavango Delta, and the Kalahari. The Chobe National Park is known for its large herds of elephants and cruising along the Chobe River while spotting hippos and crocodiles.

The famous Victoria Falls is also only a short two-hour drive from the Chobe National Park and is a great day visit should you be staying a little longer. The sparkling waterways of the Okavango Delta are a must-see when on a Botswana honeymoon safari. The channels create mazes and paths through the wet bush, forming small islands.

These channels are great for exploring in a mokoro, and the islands are ideal for bush walks. The destination often forgotten is the Kalahari. Magical red sand is the home to many desert-adapted animals, including the Black-maned lions.

Accommodation on a honeymoon safari in Botswana

Botswana has you spoiled for choice when choosing your accommodation for your Botswana honeymoon safari and features the option of luxury tents with white linen and mosquito nets draping the beds.

Some even have an outdoor bath to enjoy after an early morning activity and watch the wildlife pass by as you unwind. There’s also an option to sleep under the African skies. Just wheel your bed out onto your deck and fall asleep with the night sounds of the African bush and the stars shining overhead.

Which activities to include on a honeymoon safari in Botswana

Just as you’re spoiled for choice by the different accommodation options in Botswana, you’ll also have a variety of activities to choose from while honeymooning In Botswana. Game drives, either early morning or afternoon, would be available in most areas throughout Botswana. You drive out as the sun rises, catching the wildlife as they start their day.

Some of the more unique ways of exploring Botswana would be cruising the Chobe River or exploring the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a mokoro. Cruise the Chobe river on your Botswana honeymoon as the cool breeze offers relief from the hot African Sun. Here you get to indulge in each other’s peaceful company as you watch elephants enjoy the refreshing waters and crocodiles lurking around.

There is just something romantic about flying. Why not take to the sky on your Botswana safari honeymoon? Not only can you view the beautiful landscapes below as you board your scheduled flight between camps, but you can also spoil your loved one with a romantic early morning hot air balloon safari.

Wake up before the sun rises as you’re transported to the launch site. Here you get to see the beautiful colorful balloon fill up with hot air as you sip your coffee before jumping aboard. With the sun rising over the landscapes and the wildlife stretching as their day begins, this promises a fantastic start to your day.

Experience one of our Botswana family safaris to create lifelong memories. The variety of Botswana’s wildlife is incredible, from the elephant and zebra herds of Chobe National Park to the thriving Okavango Delta and the big cats of the Kalahari. And it’s not just the wildlife that makes Botswana perfect for family safaris .

There are family-friendly Botswana lodges and private guides for personalized safaris. Botswana has plenty of age-appropriate kids activities, with kids menus and babysitters.

Highlights on a Family Safari in Botswana

In the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans, children will benefit from the demonstrative Bushman walks, which focus on animal tracking, spoor identification, insects, fire-making, traditional uses of plants, and making arrowheads out of stones. 

Chobe River is ideal for Botswana family safaris because boat cruises are a safe and comfortable way to get close to animals like elephants, hippos, and crocodiles.

For a family with older children, game drives in Moremi and Chobe can be exciting due to the plentiful animal encounters that are sure to be unforgettable.

Travel Tips on a Family Safari in Botswana

It is best to travel to Botswana as a family when the children are a bit older so that they can get the most out of the experience. Children must be older than eight to go on a game drive, while walking safaris require children to be at least 12 years old.

Wildlife is abundant in Botswana, but terrain can be challenging, and sometimes you might endure a long, bumpy ride to get the results, which children might not tolerate well.

Families traveling from abroad should seek out lodges that cater specifically to children, feature family-sized tents, special babysitting services, and kid-friendly bush walks and activities.

Botswana can be a refreshing, eye-opening, relaxing, and a somewhat spiritual experience for solo travelers; although most activities happen in a group, you’re never really alone. The Okavango Delta has several tiny camps , which would create the peaceful and intimate experience a solo safari traveler might prefer, especially if it is water-based and offers the serene activity of a mokoro excursion.

Alternatively, solo safari travelers in Botswana looking to join a group would benefit significantly from an overland safari tour, which covers most of Botswana’s prime destinations.

Highlights of a solo safari in Botswana

Traveling solo in Botswana allows the opportunity to meet new people and create lasting relationships with like-minded individuals, particularly on longer-lasting tours or itineraries in Botswana , such as an overland trip, when a group stays together throughout the experience.

It’s incredibly rewarding to explore a destination as untamed as Botswana on a journey of discovery, contemplation, peace-seeking, or renewal if the purpose of your solo trip is indeed to enjoy it alone.

Travel Tips for a solo safari in Botswana

Guests traveling alone (but not necessarily looking to be alone) will be at home in the Okavango Delta, Moremi, or Chobe National Park, where safari lodges offer between three and 15 bedrooms and cater to guests traveling as a single or a group. Meal times and activities are shared and occur at set times, so the experience is enjoyed as a group.

What You Need To Know

• Why Go to Botswana?
• Highlights of Botswana
• Botswana vs South Africa
• Botswana vs Namibia
• Wildlife in Botswana
• The Elephants of Botswana
• The Marsh Lion Pride of Botswana
• Botswana Travel Advice
• Visa Requirements for Botswana
• Travelling to Botswana
• Public Transport in Botswana
• Cash and Payments in Botswana
• Is Botswana safe?
• At Your Lodge in Botswana
• Botswana Food and Tipping Practices
• The Cultures of Botswana
• Shopping and Markets in Botswana
• Languages in Botswana
• Packing List for Botswana
• Vaccinations for Botswana
• Medical Emergencies in Botswana
• The Healthcare System in Botswana
• Travel Insurance for Botswana
• A Botswana Safari Cost
• The People and Culture of the Okavango

Botswana’s primary attraction is its vast wilderness. From the endless palm-covered islands of the Okavango Delta , to the moonscape saltpans of the Makgadikgadi region, it’s the perfect destination for anyone seeking pristine, unfenced surroundings.

Botswana’s commitment to safeguarding its wildlife heritage is unparalleled in Africa. The country covers a total area of 581,730 sq km, and approximately 40% of this land falls within a wildlife-protected area.

These areas are a sanctuary for the world’s largest concentration of elephant, and a stronghold for other endangered large mammals such as the black rhinoceros, African wild dog, cheetah and lion.

For avian enthusiasts , there exists no better place in the world to view the Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane, and seeing the illusive Pels Fishing Owl for the first time has been known to bring bird-watchers to tears!

In 2014, Botswana consolidated its position as a conservation leader by banning commercial hunting, paving the way for former hunting areas to be transformed into photographic safari destinations .

The government’s decision to opt for a high-quality, low-impact tourism model means that safari-goers can generally avoid congested game drives, especially when staying in one of the many privately operated concessions, which commonly have their visitor density limited to around one guest per 50 sq km. These concessions, licensed out to top safari companies, boast some of the most luxurious yet eco-conscious lodges and camps in Africa .

In order to lease the land, lodge owners must show commitment to uplifting local communities by providing jobs for people in close proximity to concession boundaries. Today wildlife and tourism employs around 45% of adults in Botswana, making it the country’s’ second largest income earner after diamonds.

Travellers can feel secure in the knowledge that Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable and peaceful nations, with the continent’s longest continuous multi-party democracy and a steady economy.

Botswana is a safari destination that boasts outstanding wildlife density and variety, and it is wild and organic without fences and developed tourist facilities. In this sense, it attracts adventurous travellers who are passionate about nature and wildlife experiences and who are not nervous in the presence of wild animals.

Keen photographers would benefit greatly from a Botswana holiday at different times of the year, as varying locations offer unique and interesting natural scenery, not to mention superb wildlife activity to capture.

The terrain in Botswana is rough with plenty of dust, thick sand, and seasonal flooding, so exploring the country by road – which includes long morning game drives in areas like Savuti – means packing an adventurous spirit and tolerance for the natural elements.

On the other hand, Botswana has some impeccable luxury lodge options , with exclusive airstrips, seamless service, world-class food, and supreme comfort, which bring extreme comfort to visitors willing to pay.

Botswana is easily sewn into an itinerary including Victoria Falls and the Kruger National Park , Zimbabwe’s Hwange and Mana Pools, Zambia’s South Luangwa, and Namibia’s Caprivi Strip; so travellers planning a southern Africa trip should consider including a safari in Botswana.

People who return for a Botswana holiday repeatedly give many reasons for their visits, and high on the list is the warmth and peace-loving nature of the local Setswana-speaking people, the incredible diversity of wildlife, exclusivity, and the large variety of safari activities on offer.

For a small country dominated by the dusty Kalahari Desert, a Botswana safari tour is truly unique in its available variety of activities. Activities in Botswana differ between seasons when landscapes alter dramatically, determined mainly by the natural flooding of rivers and annual rainfall.

The Chobe River in Botswana is a popular hot spot for tourist activities. Botswana safari operators offer fishing trips, specialized photographic safari boat cruises, game drives, and beautiful riverside camping. Chobe Game Lodge , the only lodge inside the Chobe Game Reserve, now boasts several electric and solar-powered safari boats, adding a new element of interest for the modern, eco-conscious traveler.

Savuti, to the west of the Chobe region, is famous for its mysterious and fascinating channel. It has a history of drying up unpredictably, influenced primarily by a series of shifting fault lines that lie deep below the earth’s surface, a continuance of the Great Rift Valley.

The Makgadikgadi saltpans also offer a wide range of exciting activities that keep guests returning again and again. In dry season adventurous travelers can quad bike across the pans and sleep out under the Milky Way, which the Kalahari Bushmen call ‘the backbone of the sky’.

In the green season, Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration unfolds alongside the Boteti River and is a magnificent spectacle, especially when viewed in dusty twilight hues.

The pristine, wild locations of Botswana’s camps and lodges make for an exhilarating Botswana safari, a perfect choice for those who treasure wild places. Safari-lovers speak of feeling a profound sense of freedom in Botswana’s wilderness that deepens with regular visits.

South Africa and Botswana are neighboring countries offering superb wildlife sightings, top-class camps, and lodges. Still, there are several differences to remember when choosing one safari destination over the other.

A safari in South Africa lacks the rugged remoteness of a Botswana safari. Still, private concessions like those in South Africa’s Sabi Sands are a reliable option for those eager to see a maximum amount of wildlife in a short time.

Unlike Botswana, South Africa’s game reserves are all fenced. This fencing limits the natural migration of animals within the ecosystem but results in a higher concentration of game, especially big cats.

Botswana’s game viewing, while excellent, can be unpredictable at times, as animals migrate according to the seasons. South Africa has several private concessions that offer a very exclusive, intimate safari experience on par with Botswana’s. Still, these areas are much smaller, so guests do not get exposed to the same variety of habitats as on a Botswana safari.

South African campsites like those in the Kruger National Park tend to be crowded, especially during school holidays. South African game reserves are mostly accessible by car, and few require a 4×4 vehicle. In contrast, a 4×4 is absolutely necessary to negotiate the thick Kalahari sand tracks in many of Botswana’s wild areas.

Botswana, with its simpler infrastructure and small remote towns, has a charming ‘real African’ feel, while the plentiful shops in South Africa, even within the Kruger National Park, make stocking up on supplies very convenient.

A South African safari is generally the cheaper route, with more choices regarding mid-range accommodation options. On the other hand, Botswana only offers two options – camp or stay in a luxury lodge, and most luxury Botswana lodges are only reachable by light aircraft, so it’s essential to pack light.

Booking for a camping safari in Botswana must be done at least a year in advance as campsites are limited. In contrast, you’re far more likely to get away with last-minute bookings in South Africa, although booking ahead is always the wiser option.

Namibia is Botswana’s western neighbor, and the two countries share a large portion of the Kalahari Desert . Namibia doesn’t have Botswana’s water supply, making the latter far superior in terms of wildlife density.

The only slight exception is a narrow stretch of land that protrudes from Namibia’s northeast corner, known as the Caprivi Strip.

Being mainly desert, a safari in Namibia is not the right choice for those wanting to see the Big Five on their first safari experience.

Yet, it does offer the chance to see some unusual desert-adapted creatures like oryx, brown hyena, black rhino, and the famed desert elephants and desert lions.

Both countries are equally rugged and remote, with a low population density and a rich cultural heritage. Still, when it comes to spectacular landscapes, the immensity of Namibia’s panoramic views is hard to beat.

The wilds of Northern Botswana safeguard the largest elephant population in the world. Colossal breeding herds and large solitary bulls traverse the landscapes of Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. Kobe’s broad-leaved woodlands and riparian forests are home to the endemic Chobe bushbuck and other lesser-known antelope species like Puku, Sable, and Roan.

Chobe also boasts the highest bird species diversity in Botswana (468 species), including birds found nowhere else in the country like the Schalow’s and Purple-crested turacos, Trumpeter and Crowned hornbills, and the Crested guinea fowl.

Savute , in the western Chobe region, is notorious for its large lion prides, historically numbering up to 30-odd individuals. The unpredictability of Savuti’s water supply has been known to set the scene for dramatic feats of survival, including hibernating crocodiles and bold lions preying on adult elephants. Savuti’s vast savanna plains are perfect for enjoying sightings of Burchell’s zebra, Tsessebe, giraffe, and impala.

Red lechwe splashing through the swamplands, hippopotamuses treading confidently out of the water at midday, and lions swimming across water channels are just a few of the spectacular wildlife sightings awaiting visitors to the Okavango Delta .

The Okavango comes into its own during winter when rainwater from the highlands of Angola fans out over temporary floodplains that teem with wildlife.

You could get lucky and spot a semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope lurking in the papyrus – or a Pel’s Fishing Owl. These beautiful owls replace their daylight rivals, fish eagles, on perches overlooking deep lagoons where they fish for large bream.

The Okavango Delta is also the best place to see the near-endemic Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, and special waterbirds such as the Lesser Jacana, White-backed Night Heron, and African skimmer.

The cracked and dry Makgadikgadi Salt Pans may not look like the environment that would attract a large wildlife population, but appearances can be deceiving.

Come summertime, these desolate arid expanses sprout juicy patches of grass, attracting springbok, wildebeest, and zebra, followed closely by lion and cheetah.

Along the Boteti River, you can watch Southern Africa’s largest zebra migration and, come nighttime, shine a spotlight on the secret lives of playful bat-eared foxes and shy brown hyenas.

A far cry from the photographic safari-enthusiasts that visit Chobe National Par k now, the park was once the haunt of large-scale ivory hunters. It’s hard to imagine that by the second half of the 19th-century ivory hunting was so rife that elephant deaths in Botswana lead to elephants almost being extinct in the Chobe area.

Today, “thlou” (the local Setswana term for elephant) are safe in Chobe National Park and during dry season make up the largest density of elephant population in the world (60 000 – 70 000) a number that has continued to rise in recent years due to poaching pressure in Botswana’s neighboring counties.

In essence, Botswana has become a safehouse for an increasing number of Southern Africa’s refugee elephants who no longer feel protected traversing through the borders of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia.

Despite this, research by Elephants without Borders has shown that the elephants of northern Botswana still have the largest home ranges (24,828km2) recorded for African elephants and herds continue to move between western Zimbabwe, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia, southeast Angola and southwest Zambia.

However, Botswana’s elephant range has grown by 53% in the past 20 years and scientists worry about how this will affect the safety and livelihoods of local people living on the outskirts of wildlife and national park areas.

Initiatives like the Elephant and Bee Project that are building beehive fences to naturally repel elephants from raiding local farmer’s crops, are invaluable in protecting both humans and elephants.

As the largest terrestrial animal on earth, elephants eat up to 300kg of food a day and play a fundamental role in shaping their environment. The large herds of Chobe have put enormous pressure on the riverine forests lining the banks of the river, and it is common to see fallen tree trunks and battered broken branches tossed about the ground.

This would be devastating if it weren’t for the arrival of the summer rains when the elephants disperse, allowing the land much-needed time to recover. Elephant’s destructive habits have equally positive effects and are responsible for creating hideaways for smaller creatures and helping browsers, like kudu and bushbuck, to reach nutritious leaves.

Predators like lions and leopards often choose to hide their cubs in the safety of fallen logs, and elephant’s well-worn paths through the bush are used by many species. During drought, elephant’s dig for water in dry pans, helping to form waterholes that other animals can drink from.

While Chobe’s waterfront is the place to see large family herds, Savute is known as the domain of the large elephant bull. These lonely tusked giants float over the horizon or swagger around the dusty peripheries of small waterholes, drinking and moving off again. Chobe really is a “Land of Giants’ ‘, an ultimate destination for elephant-lovers.

Throughout Africa, elephants are not thought of as lion prey, with only three exceptions; the pride manages to separate a small calf from its mother (a rare occurrence), an elephant is very sick and weak, or the lion belongs to Savuti’s notorious Marsh Pride.

This fearless pride of lions, which once numbered 30 +, killed 74 elephants during a three year period (1993 – 1996), a phenomenon recorded by filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert.

The Joubert’s film, Ultimate Enemies (National Geographic) tells the story, as well as the more recent Planet Earth Series: Great Plains (BBC). This outrageously risqué behavior on the part of the lions happens mainly between August and November, peaking in October.

According to scientist Richard John Powder, the lions may be reverting to a role they once had during the Pleistocene era as hunters of megaherbivores.

The behavior could also be rooted in Savuti’s long history of drought periods where near-starved elephants were easy to bring down, helping the lions hone their elephant-killing tactics.

The introduction of artificial waterholes could have also played a role by encouraging elephants to become permanent residents (rather than migrating to other regions), and so readily available to feed unusually large lion prides. Today, the lion prides of Chobe are more fragmented and lions prey on elephant less frequently, but the legacy remains.

It’s good to know that Botswana’s Wildlife Reserves and National Parks are not fenced, so it’s possible that wandering wildlife and domestic animals will wander onto the main roads and in and around towns.

Important Botswana travel advice is that public bathrooms on a Botswana safari are mostly basic and might lack items such as toilet paper and hand soap. If you’re traveling through the country by road and exploring the parks on a self-drive basis, it’s wise to pack bathroom essentials.

It’s not permitted to leave your vehicle inside the parks unless you’re at a designated stretch point or picnic spot. It’s important to note that even those areas aren’t protected from roaming wildlife, so you should remain vigilant when walking around campsites, stretch points, and ablution blocks.

When entering a national park as an independent traveler (i.e., without a guide), some advice would be to have adequate cash to pay park fees. These include entrance fees per person and vehicle fees per day. In addition, you’ll need a printed voucher indicating that accommodation/campsite has been booked in your name.

Part of the beauty of Botswana’s wild areas is that they remain that way and have not been tampered with. Lodges and camps in Botswana are environmentally friendly and have a low impact on the surroundings. Some are so lightweight that they can pack up and close during seasonal floods in the Delta and reopen in April until October.

Campsites in the parks are remote and can be the best part of a day’s drive away from a town. Packing camping essentials such as fuel, water, food, ice, and firewood must be considered before embarking on your journey.

There are only a handful of countries whose residents require tourist visas to enter Botswana (you can find this list here). At the same time, every traveler must ensure that they hold valid, permanent passports with at least three blank pages remaining.

Most tourists in Botswana come from the United States, second-most is the United Kingdom, and third is Germany. Visitors from these countries do not need visas for 90 days, after which they can get an extension from immigration. Emergency or temporary passports aren’t accepted without an accompanying visa.

Those traveling with minors (children under 18) must provide a certified copy of the minor’s unabridged birth certificate and their valid, permanent passport to gain access to Botswana. If the minor travels without one or both of their parents, an affidavit from absent parent/s consenting to their child’s travel is required.

The easiest and fastest way to travel to Botswana for safari is a connecting flight from Johannesburg International Airport (O.R Tambo) in South Africa. However, connecting flights from Cape Town and Windhoek (Namibia) are also available. Currently, there are no international carriers that fly directly to Maun Airport.

Transport on a Botswana safari is relatively efficient. Getting to your lodge or destination is as easy as jumping on an air shuttle service or a safari vehicle. It’s really up to you, based on your requirements, time, and budget. Fly or be driven. Each option comes at a cost, private air charters being the most expensive, while guided road transfers are more affordable. It’s also worth noting that some more remote camps and lodges are only accessible via aircraft or boat.

The best way to get to Botswana is to fly to Maun or Kasane. These two towns have international airports in northern Botswana, close to popular national parks and main roads. These airports facilitate the arrivals and departures of domestic flights to airstrips in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Central Kalahari. Self-driving travelers can easily access Botswana through the border posts from neighboring countries. Time allowances must be made for the time spent on the road.

Maun Airport

Maun International Airport is the central hub for all flights entering Botswana as a safari destination. The airport is located within the town itself.

Gaborone Airport

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is located just 10km/6mi north of Gaborone, offering daily one-hour flights from Johannesburg and three weekly two-hour flights from Harare.

Kasane Airport

Kasane International Airport is located around four kilometers / two and a half miles south of the town of Kasane and lies just a short distance from the Chobe National Park.

Paved highways connect Botswana’s major towns. Most are in good condition, but some sections are badly potholed. You’ll need to keep an eye out for these, as well as for both wild and domesticated animals. Stray cattle and donkeys are common near villages. Donkeys can be particularly dangerous. They tend to stand in the middle of the road, refusing to move and forcing cars to stop and drive around them.

Botswana’s traffic police are active on the highways and often set up radar speed traps after villages and vet fences. Don’t be tempted to accelerate back to highway speeds until you see the appropriate signage.

Away from the highways, road conditions deteriorate rapidly. There’s not much in the way of secondary roads, and you can go from tarmac to thick sand in a few hundred meters. Especially sandy sections include the access roads around Mabuasehube Game Reserve and the Kgalagadi, the Xade Gate road into the Central Kalahari, the main entrance road into Nxai Pan National Park, the road north of Maun to Moremi, and pretty much everything from the Savuti region to the Chobe River.

An unusual route, and perhaps the sandiest of all, is the north-south track between Khutse Game Reserve and the Central Kalahari. It’s about 230km/142mi of deep sand from Khutse to Xade Gate and shouldn’t be attempted lightly.

Botswana is well equipped for self-drivers , but there are long distances between parks, lodges, campsites, and towns, so traveling by road can be time-consuming. Fortunately, much of northern Botswana is land dedicated to conservation. Even when driving outside the national parks, wildlife roams free, so the opportunities to see animals en route between locations are abundant.

Fly-in safari goers will save plenty of time as they use Botswana’s many scheduled flights and air transfers, but this method of travel is more expensive. Road transfers from the major towns offer a more affordable way to get from A to B and, although more time-consuming, allow more time for game spotting.

The currency in Botswana is Pula, a Tswana word meaning “rain”. Pula is used throughout the country and is the accepted form of payment in restaurants, shops, hotels, or lodges. Most places in Maun, Kasane, Francistown, Gaborone, and other major towns accept international bank cards.

ATMs are located in the towns mentioned above, and you can withdraw cash before heading into the parks and reserves, where there are unlikely to be card facilities. Foreign currency is often accepted as a tip or gratuity to helpful staff and safari guides, but not as payment for something in commercial facilities. The current exchange rate is 1 BP = 0,10 USD.

Botswana is considered one of the safest countries in Africa to travel in. Tourism is welcomed and valued by the locals in general, as it brings opportunities and income. There is no reason for you to feel unsafe anywhere in Botswana, as there have been very few reported incidents of petty theft or other opportunistic crimes.

It’s always a good idea for you to know where your valuable items are stored while traveling and not to neglect common sense when safeguarding your possessions. The most likely place an incident would occur would be near a town and not in the national parks, so the areas to remain vigilant would be at petrol stations or parking lots where opportunists might linger.

Visitors to Botswana should never forget that they are traveling to a country that cherishes its natural surroundings and pays enormous attention to conservation and the environment’s health. Botswana’s land is primarily dedicated to wildlife and sustaining a small population of people, so environmental impact is low.

It’s essential to respect the effort gone to protect the wild areas and to maintain a sustainable tourism infrastructure. Remember that waste disposal, water, electricity usage, and sewage systems are likely sensitive. A good rule when staying in lodges is to conserve water, e.g. short showers, and reusing towels and sheets.

A great idea when visiting Botswana for safari is to learn a few words or greeting terms in the local language, Setswana. To be able to greet your guide, cashier, or driver in their local language is an effortless way to show interest and appreciation for Botswana’s culture and customs.

Safari lodges and camps in Botswana serve an array of internationally recognized food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dietary requirements can be catered for with ease when given prior notice. Beef and chicken are popular meats eaten locally and served in many ways in restaurants and the dining rooms at lodges, so travelers can expect to enjoy foods they know when being catered for in the country.

Local dishes include beef seswaa, bogobe (pap), and morogo, which are eaten throughout Botswana and surrounding countries. Beef seswaa is slow-cooked beef (usually filet), which is then shredded and cooked as a pot stew with an onion and pepper gravy.

Bogobe is ground cornmeal boiled with water and salt until it becomes a porridge-like consistency. It’s served as the starch with meat and veg. Bogobe is often accompanied by a tomato and onion relish or cooked spinach in a dish known as morogo.

Meat is also traditionally grilled on open coals, as are large, white mielies (corn on the cob), which are farmed on a small, subsistence level.

These are often seen on the roadside, where vendors are set up with grills serving the passing local public. The local beer is a St. Louis, and it goes down a treat!

Tipping practice in Botswana can be compared to anywhere else in Africa. A general guideline for tipping servers at restaurants is to add 10% of your bill as a gratuity if you feel you’ve received a good standard of service. As always, this amount is at the client’s discretion.

When tipping your Botswana safari guide, a standardized approach is to tip an amount of 10% of the daily rate per person per day and pay it directly to your guide at the end of the stay.

It’s encouraged to show gratitude after an excellent safari experience by tipping well in either Pula, or the guest’s home currency.

Housekeeping and kitchen staff, backup guides, mokoro pollers, and boat drivers, are also eligible for tips, and there is often a deposit box for staff tips. Individual tips should be paid to the individuals themselves.

Travelers greeting local Batswana will notice that the spoken “dumela rra/mma” (man/woman) is accompanied by a handshake with the right hand while the left-hand moves to grasp your right forearm gently. This greeting is commonly shared between locals, and tourists are welcome to participate in the tradition.

Many people from Botswana (and indeed southern Africa) belong to a religion called Zionism, which is based on a fusion of African traditions and the Christian faith. Members of the ZCC (Zion Christian Church), by religious guidance, do not eat pork, drink alcohol, or consume drugs, while some solely consume the white meat of chicken and fish, eradicating red meat from their diets altogether.

Zionists can be recognized by some items of clothing, which on days of worship consist mostly of yellow and green. At the same time, most members often wear a lapel or badge of green cloth adorned with a metal badge indicating which branch of the church they belong to. Men also wear hats to show their religious affiliation.

Another thing to note is that it’s not in alignment with the Botswana custom to wash other peoples’ undergarments, and guests at lodges will notice that laundry service is provided for all clothing items, excluding personal underwear.

Every major town in Botswana has at least one shopping centre or mall, which includes major supermarkets, liquor stores, clothing, furniture, homeware, and electronic shops, in addition to local banks and ATMs. In terms of gift stores and curio shops, some safari lodges stock their own locally made woven baskets, jewellery, wooden carvings and bowls, and these items are usually sourced from communities in the area.

A number of safari operators and lodges offer village visits as an opportunity to meet local people, learn about their culture, and understand their way of life, and these are often opportunities for travellers to purchase some locally crafted items. Be warned, these local markets are expensive and it is likely that similar items can be sourced in gift shops in Maun or Kasane at a cheaper price.

The national language of Botswana is Setswana, spoken by the Tswana people in the region. English is recognized as a second official language and is spoken widely throughout the country.

People in remote and rural areas that tourists do not frequently visit are not likely to speak English well, so some basic Setswana will go a long way in communicating here.

There are also about 20 unofficial dialects spoken by people belonging to less dominant tribal groups, such as Hambukushu, Seyei, Herero, and Kalanga, while only about five of the original 13 Bushman dialects remain, known collectively as SeSarwa.

“Pula” is a word that is revered in Botswana. Not only does it appear on the national coat of arms, but it embraces other meanings too. In its literal sense, it means ‘let there be rain’ – in a primarily semi-arid country, rainfall is precious and considered a blessed event.

The local currency is Pula, and it’s also the country’s motto and rallying cry (in this context it means ‘shield’) and is shouted out by crowds at football matches whenever the national team, ‘The Zebras’, scores a goal.

A holiday in Botswana means being exposed to the elements daily, as game drives, bush walks, mokoro cruises, horseback safaris , and other outdoor activities take guests into the wild. No matter the time of year, it is important to pack lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, closed shoes, sunblock, and other sun protection.

During summer, when it rains and is very warm, it’s essential to take precautions against mosquitoes, whether that means being on prescribed malaria prophylaxis or merely using mosquito repellent every day.

During the rainy season, it’s also advised to bring waterproof gear, such as a raincoat, poncho, or water-resistant jacket. A water-resistant bag for camera gear and other equipment will be handy in the rain. Still, most safari lodges utilize game vehicles with canvas roofs and drop-down sides to protect guests against unexpected rainfall. Most lodges also provide waterproof ponchos.

In winter, temperatures can drop to under 10°C/50°F, making morning game drives quite chilly. Packing a warm jacket, scarf, and beanie is highly recommended. In places like the Kalahari, desert temperatures are extreme, and in winter it can get icy, so travelers should ensure they’re well prepared for the cold.

Suggested items to pack in general include:

• Basic medical aid, such as:
• Antihistamine
• Pain killers
• Any prescribed medication you may require

Outdoor gadgets that come in handy include:

• A head torch or handheld torch
• A power bank or solar charger for mobile phones and camera batteries

There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entering Botswana. Still, it’s essential to consider the surrounding countries that might require vaccinations if travelers will be crossing borders during their stay, e.g. Victoria Falls holiday.

Zambia requires vaccination against Yellow Fever. Regarding hepatitis and tetanus, vaccinations aren’t needed, but travelers are encouraged to consult their doctors for advice in these areas.

The same applies to malaria prophylaxis. It’s not essential, but it’s advised that visitors get an opinion from their doctors. It’s suggested that travelers spending time in high-risk areas (towns and areas with a high human density) consult their doctors for a prescription of Coartem to treat malaria.

Botswana has some remote and far-away places. Many of these places are likely to be where tourists are headed because they contain some of the country’s best wildlife and most pristine natural areas. There are a couple of highly rated emergency response teams equipped for both land and air rescue in Botswana.

If travelers are on a guided safari tour in Botswana , they will have their local guide to rely on, who will have first aid qualifications and a medical response protocol to follow in an emergency.

Safari lodges and camps are equipped with satellite telephones, Wi-Fi, or an accessible mobile phone network to contact the necessary medical facilities in an emergency.

If travelers have opted for the self-drive route, it’s advisable to have purchased a SIM card for one of Botswana’s mobile networks or to use international roaming in order to make calls domestically.

In an emergency, Medical Rescue International (MRI) is one of the country’s leading ground and aerial ambulance response services and is available all day, every day and can be contacted on the following numbers: 992 (toll-free from any local network) or +267 3901601 (international).

Patients can request to be flown to Milpark Trauma Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. If the patient, or anyone else in the party, cannot speak, the MRI responders will transfer the patient to the hospital appropriate for their medical condition. Milpark Trauma Hospital is the region’s best and most frequently used hospital.

The public sector dominates the healthcare system in Botswana – operating most of the care facilities. However, there is a considerable gap between public and private medical provisions, and you’re advised to purchase private health insurance for the trip to Botswana.

As in much of Africa, the public healthcare system mainly serves a lower-income bracket, while ex-pats and those who can afford it use the private healthcare system.

It’s always recommended that visitors use travel insurance and medical aid services supplied by their providers at home, which will ensure that they can benefit from treatment in the private healthcare facilities in Botswana. Citizens of Botswana pay a very small fee for healthcare in public hospitals and mobile clinics, as the healthcare they receive is mainly subsidized.

Private healthcare providers are geared towards catering to tourism and provide a good service. Medical Rescue International and Okavango Air Rescue are recommended medical services for tourists in Botswana.

Comprehensive insurance is encouraged for anyone traveling through Botswana or other African countries. It’s no secret that these adventures of a lifetime come with their associated risks, i.e. wild animals, challenging terrain and road conditions, and poor public health services.

Taking out travel and medical insurance covering specific area-related medical emergencies, or unexpected incidents, is the safest and most recommended way to go.

Before embarking on a Botswana tour , you should ensure you have comprehensive medical cover for specific activities you might like to partake in while on holiday. For example, bush walking, game viewing, horseback riding , bungee jumping, etc.

You should be covered for any incidents relating to wild animals and have authorization for a medical evacuation to take the necessary measures in an emergency in a remote area. Taking out insurance to protect cash, camera equipment, and baggage is also advisable and should fall under comprehensive cover.

It is recommended that, before departure, travelers have a copy of their medical and travel insurance policies and an emergency phone number to call, so that this information is available when fellow travelers, guides, lodge staff, or emergency personnel might need it.

You should also take out travel insurance to cover yourself in case of an unexpected change in holiday itinerary or an unforeseen cancellation. Ensure that you have access to money via credit card or an electronic funds transfer, as it’s likely that payment for medical treatment will have to be paid upfront and then claimed back from the insurance company later.

Botswana is an expensive safari holiday destination compared to the neighboring safari country, South Africa. Lodges and camps charge high prices, and additional activities, private guides, exclusive use of lodges, or game vehicles come at a fair price too.

Domestic flights and national park fees add to costs. That being said, the value of the experience is superior given the pristine wilderness that Botswana possesses and the level of expertise with which staff runs the lodge operations.

A great holiday in Botswana would last about a week to ten days, giving travelers enough time to see at least two of the country’s best natural areas, perhaps the Okavango Delta, Savuti Marsh, and Chobe River.

Booking to visit during peak season would also ensure the best wildlife experience and the most comfortable weather conditions. However, this would also up the price of the visit. A week-long holiday visiting the three destinations mentioned here (during peak season) could cost about US$8000 per person.

Another highlight of Botswana is its people. Botswana is a mesh of many different tribes with unique origins and beliefs. The dominant group is Tswana (79%) whose language Setswana (or Tswana) is the spoken by 90 % of Batswana.

The Tswana have a deeply entrenched system of chieftainship and a rich cultural heritage rooted in deep traditional values, reflected in proverbs such as “we are people because of other people”.

The first inhabitants of Botswana were the Basarwa (3%) (Often know as San Bushmen). The traditional Basarwa lifestyle of hunter-gathering has sadly diminished over the years with the historic homelands of the Basarwa replaced by National Parks and towns.

Basarwa people, who can further be divided into several groups with distinct ‘click’ languages, are no longer able to live the traditional nomadic life of their ancestors. Walking with bushmen is a fascinating activity that attracts visitors over and again to regions like the Central Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

The baYei are another very interesting tribal group who arrived in the Okavango region from the Barostse floodlands of the Zambezi and lived in harmony with the Basarwa (known as Bukakhwe in the area). The baYei introduced the ‘mokoro’ dugout canoe, still used widely today as a way of transport and for fishing along the delta channels from village to village.

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Prix d’un safari au Botswana

Mis à jour le 24 juillet 2023

Le Botswana a fait le choix du tourisme sélectif. Service haut de gamme, limitation du nombre de voyageurs, cette exclusivité influe bien évidemment sur le prix du voyage. Dans cet article, nous décryptons pour vous le prix d’un safari au Botswana, détaillons les différentes dépenses à prévoir et voyons si le pays à la portée des petits budgets.

Safari au Botswana : prix des dépenses à prévoir

Prix des billets d’avion.

Vos billets d’avion seront l’une des principales dépenses pour votre safari au Botswana .

Sachez qu’à l’heure actuelle, il n’existe pas de vol direct reliant la France au Botswana. Du fait des escales obligatoires, le prix des billets d’avion est donc important. Un stop à Johannesburg, en Afrique du Sud, est à prévoir. Depuis la grande ville sud-africaine, vous pourrez embarquer à bord d’un avion à destination de Gaborone , la capitale du Botswana.

Autre option proposée par Air Botswana, prendre un vol pour Maun . Depuis cette ville, vous pourrez rapidement rejoindre la réserve de Moremi ainsi que le Delta de l’Okavango.

Comptez entre 900€ et 1300€ un vol reliant Paris au Botswana. Cette fourchette est large mais le prix des billets est en constante fluctuation, il dépendra de votre aéroport de destination, de votre compagnie aérienne et de vos dates de voyage.

Transports au Botswana

Le pays étant très vaste, plusieurs solutions de transport s’offrent à vous lors de votre voyage.

Pour découvrir une grande partie du territoire du Botswana et accéder aux concessions privées, particulièrement isolées, les transferts en avion sont à prévoir. C’est une option rapide, offrant un magnifique paysage aérien mais c’est aussi une solution onéreuse. Elle est donc adaptée aux safaris luxueux.

Beaucoup de voyageurs préfèrent opter pour la location d’un SUV ou d’un 4×4 lors d’un safari au Botswana. Ce mode de déplacement est parfaitement adapté à un circuit dans les parcs nationaux. C’est également l’option la plus abordable. Le pays étant vaste, ce choix vous limitera cependant quant à la couverture du territoire.

Les hébergements

Là-aussi, les prix dépendront de vos choix en matière d’hébergement et de confort.

Le prix d’une nuit dans un camp ou un lodge au Botswana varie mais coûte généralement de plusieurs centaines d’euros. La pension complète ainsi que les safaris en compagnie de rangers sont compris. Le budget peut également grimper jusqu’à plus de 1000€ dans les établissements les plus luxueux.

Pour ceux qui feraient le choix d’un voyage à un budget plus raisonnable, une nuit en camping ne coûte en moyenne que 10€. Un safari au Botswana à petit prix est donc possible ! Vous aurez la possibilité de dormir au sol ou de louer un 4×4 équipé d’une tente sur le toit. Comptez environ 140€ par jour pour la location d’un tel véhicule. Les activités et la nourriture seront des dépenses à ajouter.

Safari au Botswana : prix des parcs nationaux

Les frais de conservation des parcs nationaux du Botswana s’inscrivent dans la même gamme de prix que celle des grandes réserves d’Afrique Australe. Comptez en moyenne 120 Pulas, soit 10€ par jour et par personne pour les entrées. Seule exception, le Parc National de Chobe dont le tarif est de 120€ par jour. Mais ne vous arrêtez pas à son prix, Chobe est une merveille et comprend une grande diversité d’animaux sauvages. C’est un parc à ne surtout pas manquer lors de votre voyage au Botswana.

Concernant les concessions privées, sachez qu’elles sont exclusivement réservées aux voyageurs qui y séjournent.

Incontournable de tout safari au Botswana, une excursion en mokoro sur le delta de l’Okavango . Le mokoro est une pirogue traditionnelle, moyen de transport ancestral des peuples du delta. Au fil de l’eau, vous observerez discrètement de nombreux oiseaux et animaux sauvages. Comptez environ 150€ par personne pour une excursion d’une journée. Il est également possible d’y rester plusieurs jours et de dormir sur place.

Un survol du delta de l’Okavango en petit avion ou encore en montgolfière peuvent également être organisés pour vous. Ces activités ont cependant un certain prix (plusieurs centaines d’euros).

Enfin, de nombreux voyageurs ajoutent une extension à leur voyage au Botswana. Il est en effet facile d’ajouter une dernière étape à votre circuit pour visiter les plus beaux sites d’Afrique Australe. Nous vous recommandons particulièrement les célèbres Chutes Victoria, impressionnantes de puissance. Si vous vous rendez au Nord Est du Botswana, sachez que la ville de Kasane est à seulement 1 heure en voiture du Parc National des Chutes Victoria, au Zimbabwe. Comptez 30€ pour un visa Zimbabwe et 30 € l’entrée aux Chutes Victoria.

Quel est le prix d’un safari au Botswana ?

Le prix moyen d’un safari au Botswana est de 4.000€ par personne pour un voyage de 10 jours. Pour un séjour de luxe, avec transferts en avion et nuits en lodges privés, le prix tourne autour de 10.000€. Il ne s’agit bien sûr que d’une estimation. Ce prix est susceptible de diminuer ou d’augmenter en fonction de la gamme de service que vous choisirez. Pour obtenir un devis ainsi qu’un circuit safari adapté à votre budget, contactez notre équipe dès maintenant .

Vous constaterez qu’un safari au Botswana a un prix plus élevé que dans les autres pays d’Afrique Australe. Un voyage en Namibie ou en Afrique du Sud coûte en effet moins cher qu’un circuit au Botswana. Ce prix est expliqué par plusieurs facteurs :

• l’exclusivité des safaris au Botswana : le nombre de visiteurs est en effet restreint.
• le service haut de gamme : les concessions privées ont fait le choix du tourisme sélectif (camps et lodges grand luxe, équipes au petit soin et safaris de qualité).
• le développement touristique raisonné : des normes ont été mises en place par le gouvernement afin de limiter l’impact du tourisme sur la biodiversité. Les infrastructures touristiques sont restreintes et doivent être construites dans le plus grand respect de l’environnement (matériaux naturels, énergie propre, camp démontable…). Elles sont donc plus chers à entretenir.
• les déplacements coûteux : afin de ne pas perturber les animaux sauvages, aucune route n’a été construite dans certaines zones du pays. Cela implique donc des déplacements aériens, plus onéreux.

Conseils pour un safari au Botswana à petit prix

Le Botswana a fait le choix du tourisme haut de gamme pour limiter le nombre de voyageurs et l’impact sur ses écosystèmes. Il est cependant possible de faire un safari au Botswana à petit prix. Voici quelques astuces pour un voyage à petit budget :

• concentrez vos safaris dans les parcs nationaux 
• dormez en camping, au sol ou en louant un véhicule 4×4 avec tente sur le toit
• optez pour les safaris en self-drive
• faites vos courses au supermarché
• voyagez à plusieurs afin de diviser les frais de véhicule et d’essence

Vous souhaitez organiser un safari au Botswana ? Contactez nos agents de voyage et obtenez un devis gratuit en cliquant ici .

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Foire aux questions

La saison sèche, entre mai et octobre est la meilleure période pour observer les animaux sauvages au Botswana. Les mois de septembre et octobre sont particulièrement recommandés.

Pour un séjour de moins de 90 jours, un visa n’est pas obligatoire pour les ressortissants français. Votre passeport doit être valable au moins 6 mois après votre date d’entrée sur le territoire. Plus d’infos sur le site France Diplomatie .

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Combien coûte un safari au Botswana ?

Tout savoir sur le prix d’un safari au botswana.

Un safari au Botswana combien ça coûte ? Voilà une bonne question ! Le Botswana est réputé pour être une destination de safari chère. Il est donc légitime de se demander quel est le budget d’un safari au Botswana et s’il est possible de partir en safari pas cher au Botswana. Le prix d’un safari au Botswana est de 4000 € minimum. Vous trouverez ci-dessous des réponses sur le budget à prévoir, sur les raisons pour lesquelles un safari au Botswana coûte cher et sur les moyens de trouver un safari au meilleur prix. Mais sachez déjà que chez Safaris à la Carte nous ne proposons pas de safari pas cher si cela doit se faire au détriment de la qualité.

Makgadikgadi et Nxai Pans  

Central Kalahari  

Okavango - Moremi  

Linyanti et Kwando  

Chobe et Savute  

Rwanda  

Ethiopie  

Kenya  

Zambie  

Tanzanie  

Botswana  

Inde  

Norvège  

Finlande  

Equateur  

Mozambique  

Antarctique  

Ouganda  

Congo  

Quel est le budget minimum pour un safari au Botswana ?

Pour un safari de 6 nuits en lodges dans les parcs du Nord du Botswana il faut compter un budget minimum de 4000 à 4500 €. Et si vous voulez faire un safari au Botswana dans des concessions privées, le budget s’envolera tout de suite vers un minimum de 7000 ou 8000 € par personne. Au Botswana, la différence de tarif entre la basse saison, de décembre à mai, et la haute saison est très importante. Les lodges peuvent afficher des prix variant du simple au triple selon la période, notamment en catégorie luxe.

Botswana : le prix de l’exceptionnel

Devant les budgets d’un safari au Botswana, on ne peut que constater : le Botswana est une destination chère. Mais pourquoi un tel niveau de prix ? Il y a de nombreuses raisons qui expliquent le prix d’un safari au Botswana. Cela correspond tout d’abord à une stratégie claire du gouvernement : un développement qualitatif, avec un nombre restreint de visiteurs, pour avoir un impact le plus faible possible sur l’environnement. (lire la suite)

Comment partir moins cher en safari au Botswana ?

Il existe quelques solutions pour partir en safari au Botswana à moindre coût : - choisir des hébergements situés dans ou à proximité des parcs nationaux : ils seront toujours moins chers que les camps situés dans des concessions privées, - partir en basse saison, soit de décembre à mai, lorsque les prix sont au plus bas, - commencer votre voyage par une étape de 2 ou 3 nuits aux Chutes Victoria, beaucoup moins chères que les camps de safari au Botswana,

- favoriser les étapes les moins cotées. Ainsi une journée dans les pans de Nxai et Makgadikgadi ou à Chobe coûtera toujours moins cher qu’une journée dans le Delta de l’Okavango, - opter pour un départ à dates fixes en petit groupe avec des transferts par la route . Les transferts par la route coûtent moins cher que les transferts en avion, à condition de partager le véhicule à plusieurs. Ce n’est donc une bonne solution que pour des départs en groupe, - combiner un safari au Botswana avec un safari à Hwange, au Zimbabwe, - le camping est une excellente option qui permet de faire baisser le prix d’un safari au Botswana.

Le Botswana en camping pour un safari pas cher

Le meilleur moyen de partir en safari pas cher au Botswana est d’opter pour un safari itinérant en bivouac . Comme l’hébergement représente une part importante du budget d’un safari au Botswana, l’économie grâce aux nuits en camping est importante. Et en départ regroupé, les frais du véhicule et du guide sont partagés. On peut ainsi partir en safari au Botswana pour 1 semaine avec un budget de 3000 € et comme les vols internationaux pour le Botswana sont chers, l’économie est encore plus sensible sur des voyages longs.

Un safari en Zambie est-il moins cher qu’un safari au Botswana ?

Un safari en Zambie offre une expérience comparable à un safari au Botswana au niveau de l’observation des animaux et de la qualité des hébergements. Mais un safari en Zambie est-il moins cher qu’un safari au Botswana ? Oui en haute saison, car les variations périodiques de prix des hébergements en Zambie sont moins importantes. En basse saison, le budget pour la Zambie est sensiblement le même que pour un voyage au Botswana.

Quelle destination si je n’ai pas le budget pour un safari au Botswana ?

Pour un safari en Afrique Australe moins cher qu’au Botswana, il faut regarder du côté de la Zambie ou du Zimbabwe . Ces deux pays proposent des formules très proches du Botswana, avec des transferts en avion et des safaris de qualité. Mais comme ils sont un peu moins connus, on arrive à trouver des formules à meilleur coût, surtout en haute saison. La Namibie est également moins onéreuse car on peut se déplacer par la route. Et bien sûr, les safaris en Tanzanie et au Kenya sont moins chers qu’au Botswana.

Navigation Rapide

• Parc national de Chobe et Savute
• le Nord : Kwando et Linyanti
• Delta de l’Okavango et Moremi
• Makgadikgadi et Nxai pans
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• Top 10 du Botswana
• L’avis des voyageurs : Botswana

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Safaris bivouacs

Le safari itinérant en bivouac est avant tout une manière différente d’aborder un voyage animalier, au plus près de la nature et riche en contacts ...

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Safari individuel - 8 nuits - à partir de 6734 €

Parcourez en un voyage les incontournables du Botswana et les Chutes Victoria. Ce circuit privilégie la découverte du Delta de l’Okavango, un des écosystèmes les plus riches et les plus impressionnants du Botswana. De Chobe au Delta, selon les lodges, alliez des safaris en véhicule 4x4 dans des régions particulièrement riches en prédateurs, et des activités aquatiques pour finir le voyage en beauté. Une sélection de superbes hôtels et lodges vous attend, jouissant tous d’une situation idéale pour l’observation de la faune et de la flore.

Chutes Victoria

Un circuit ou un safari en Afrique Australe comprend souvent un séjour aux Chutes Victoria. Sur le fleuve Zambèze, frontière naturelle entre la Zambie ...

Combiner un safari au Botswana avec un autre pays

Un safari au Botswana est facile à combiner avec de nombreuses autres destinations grâce à sa situation centrale en Afrique Australe. Bien sûr, le ...

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Safaris in Botswana are conducted where Desert and Delta survive as seemingly impossible neighbors in one of the most incredible wilderness areas in the world. African Sky offers safari packages focused on exploring only the country and its safari destinations. Alternatively, we offer packages that combine the safari highlights in Botswana with Victoria Falls, Cape Town, Kruger Park , and other destinations in South Africa, Namibia , and Mozambique.

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21 Day Spirit of Southern Africa

Mpumalanga Highlands | Sabi Sand | Cape Town | Winelands | Swakopmund | Sossusvlei | Windhoek | Okavango Delta | Victoria Falls

The longest and most comprehensive of our African safari packages, this luxurious three-week expedition includes everything from the desolate shores of the Namib coastline to the lush, verdant wilderness of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

18 Day Three Countries and Cape Town

Sabi Sand | Mpumalanga Highlands | Victoria Falls | Chobe | Okavango Delta | Cape Town | Winelands

One of our most comprehensive and luxurious safari offerings, this exclusive eighteen-day adventure visits Cape Town, the Winelands region, Sabi Sand, Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls. Awe-inspiring attractions and unforgettable safari experiences are all on the menu.

18 Day Ultimate African Honeymoon

Cape Town | Garden Route | Sabi Sand | Mpumalanga Highlands | Livingstone | Chobe

Almost three weeks in duration, this lengthy, luxury honeymoon adventure blends South Africa’s top destinations – Cape Town, the Garden Route, and Sabi Sand – with a visit to Victoria Falls and a wild safari in Botswana’s Chobe National Park.

16 Day Best of Kruger and Botswana

Sabi Sand | Kruger National Park | Victoria Falls | Chobe | Okavango Delta

This exclusive honeymoon safari – just over two weeks in length – couples the finest lodges in the Sabi Sand, Chobe National Park, and Okavango Delta with a plush sojourn in Livingstone to gaze upon the Victoria Falls - the ultimate luxury African honeymoon.

15 Day Best of Southern Africa

Okavango Delta | Linyanti | Victoria Falls | Johannesburg | Sabi Sand

This safari-focused extravaganza enjoys excellent game viewing in the Okavango Delta, Linyanti safari area, and the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a few unforgettable nights a stone’s throw from the magical Victoria Falls in Zambia.

15 Day Luxury Exotic Island and Safari Honeymoon

Livingstone | Chobe | Johannesburg | Quirimbas

Here is the trifecta of African honeymoon experiences – the romance of Victoria Falls and a thrilling safari in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, capped off with just under a week of unwinding on the pristine tropical shores of a private island off the coast of Mozambique.

12 Day Botswana Buzz

Chobe | Okavango Delta

Opt to explore Botswana on the Botswana Buzz Safari for a fine combination of unadulterated adventure and great value for money. Guests will enjoy everything from game drives in the Chobe National Park to the remarkable lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

12 Day Botswana's Finest and Falls

Makgadikgadi | Okavango Delta | Linyanti | Victoria Falls | REC

This exclusive safari couples some of Botswana’s most unique lodges with unique adventures, like quad-biking across the lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans and mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta. To cap it off, you’ll enjoy two nights near Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.

12 Day Three Country Safari

Sabi Sand | Pretoria | Victoria Falls | Chobe | Okavango Delta

The Three Country Safari includes four striking wilderness areas across Southern Africa, including Sabi Sand in South Africa, Matetsi in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Zimbabwe leg also includes a visit to Victoria Falls.

10 Day Safari Sunset Honeymoon

Sabi Sand | Livingstone | Chobe

The Safari Sunset Honeymoon offers couples ten adventure-filled days, including safari experiences in South Africa’s Sabi Sand and Botswana’s Chobe National Park. In between, you’ll enjoy an awe-inspiring visit to the world wonder of Victoria Falls.

10 Day Vic Falls and Botswana

Livingstone | Chobe | Okavango Delta

The Victoria Falls and Botswana Honeymoon is a ten-day honeymoon characterized by wild romance and sumptuous surroundings. Relish dramatic views of Victoria Falls, followed by a dreamy dalliance with Botswana’s most fascinating wilderness areas – the Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.

9 Day Botswana's Finest Lodges

Chobe | Linyanti | Okavango Delta

On this nine-day celebration of wilderness and wildlife, experience the cream of Botswana’s safari areas and lodges. You’ll start in the elephant-rich Chobe National Park before moving on to the unique Linyanti safari area and, finally, the awe-inspiring water world of the Okavango Delta.

9 Day Highlights of Botswana

Chobe | Savute | Okavango Delta

This luxury safari explores three prime Botswana safari areas – Chobe National Park, the Savute Channel, and the Okavango Delta. Before your safari in Chobe, you’ll enjoy a short visit to Victoria Falls for an enhanced travel experience.

7 Day Okavango and Linyanti

Okavango Delta | Linyanti

This six-night, seven-day African safari package includes two of Botswana’s most unique safari areas. First, you’ll enjoy the wild and wet Okavango Delta before moving on to the lesser-known Linyanti safari area in the north-western corner of the Chobe National Park.

7 Day Okavango with Chobe and Vic Falls

Okavango Delta | Chobe | Victoria Falls

Savor six nights and seven days on safari in Botswana’s two most famous wilderness areas: Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. The four- to five-star luxury accommodations offer fantastic game-viewing experiences, from sunset cruises to game drives.

5 Day Chobe and Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls | Chobe

This safari package visits two of Southern Africa’s most exciting highlights, conveniently only around two hours from one another – the Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park. You’ll enjoy premium game viewing in elephant country along with a thrilling tour of the Falls.

4 Day Chobe Safari

The Chobe safari is a three-night, four-day safari to one of Botswana’s top wilderness areas – the Chobe National Park. The fly-in safari includes exciting game-viewing activities like traditional open-air 4x4 game drives and sunset cruises on the majestic Chobe River.

4 Day Linyanti Safari

Enjoy three nights and four days in one of Botswana’s most underrated safari areas. The Linyanti Game Reserve offers incredible game viewing and sumptuous accommodations encompassed by the wilderness.

4 Day Okavango Delta Safari

Okavango Delta

This luxury fly-in safari to the Okavango Delta in Botswana offers the ideal minimum duration to explore this awe-inspiring wilderness area. Safaris are conducted via modified 4x4 vehicle, traditional mokoro canoe, and on foot in the company of an experienced ranger.

4 Day Savute Safari

Experience one of Botswana’s most fascinating wilderness areas on a three-night, four-day fly-in safari adventure. You’ll enjoy luxury five-star accommodation that overlooks the remarkable Savute Channel, which ran dry for nearly 20 years.

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Voyage au Botswana

Accueil > Afrique > Voyage au Botswana   Voyager au Botswana Frontalier avec l’Afrique du Sud, la Namibie, la Zambie et le Zimbabwe, le Botswana possède de nombreux atouts pour réaliser un voyage hors du commun. Le pays s’étend sur  […]

Accueil > Afrique > Voyage au Botswana

Voyager au Botswana

Frontalier avec l’Afrique du Sud, la Namibie, la Zambie et le Zimbabwe, le Botswana possède de nombreux atouts pour réaliser un voyage hors du commun. Le pays s’étend sur  une superficie de plus de  600.000 km2. Le Botswana est une destination unique pour les safaris .

Biodiversité et vie sauvage lors d’un voyage au Botswana

Leaders en matière d’engagement pour la protection des espèces sauvages , les parcs nationaux  du Botswana représentent 18% de sa superficie. Le fonds mondial pour la nature œuvre en faveur  des éléphants et les rhinocéros  en ralentissant la perte d’habitat et en renforçant la lutte contre le braconnage. Par conséquent, le Botswana est le pays d’Afrique où le taux de braconnage est le plus faible. Le pays est à ce titre considéré comme un modèle.

Composé d’un delta et de zones désertiques, le Botswana est un pays où l’on peut trouver presque tous les animaux sauvages. Par ailleurs, le pays accueille de très nombreuses espèces d’oiseaux (350 espèces recensés). Le Botswana possède aussi l’une des rares grandes populations de chiens sauvages africains, les lycaons,qui sont  en voie de disparition. Le pays possède non seulement la plus grande concentration d’éléphants d’Afrique au monde mais aussi un sanctuaire de rhinocéros de renommée internationale.

Un voyage au Botswana est une expérience qui change la vie. Voir les animaux interagir dans leur habitat naturel nous rend humbles et nous apprend avant tout que nous ne sommes pas la seule espèce de la planète. Le Botswana est un rêve pour tous les amateur de vie sauvage et offre des expériences authentiques incomparables en matière de safaris. Si vous êtes à la recherche d’une nature brute, de faune et de grands espaces, alors vous devez visiter le Botswana.

Coucher de soleil sur la rivière Chobe au Botswana

Quand partir en voyage au Botswana ?

Le Botswana est situé au centre de l’Afrique australe et a principalement un climat subtropical. Il existe des différences importantes entre les températures diurnes et nocturnes et pratiquement aucune précipitation. Dans le Delta de l’Okavango , les températures sont plus modérées en raison de l’abondance d’eau. Le Botswana est une bonne destination voyage toute l’année avec néanmoins une préférence pour la saison sèche. La meilleure période pour voyager au Botswana sera donc comprise entre avril et novembre (sauf dans des cas particuliers si vous avez un intérêt ciblé).

La saison sèche au Botswana

La saison sèche s’étend de mai à novembre : ​​l’observation de la faune est y par conséquent au top. En mai, les températures sont généralement de 10° à 28°. En juin, juillet et août, les safaris du matin peuvent être froids (environ 6°), mais la température se réchauffe à + -25 en journée. Septembre et octobre marquent quand à euxl e début du printemps. Les températures montent en moyenne jusqu’à 34°. La migration des guêpiers du Carmine du Sud (des oiseaux de couleur rouge) est un spectacle à découvrir à cette période de l’année.

La saison verte au Botswana

La saison “verte” s’étend de novembre à avril, c’est aussi la saison des naissances. Rien de tel que de voir une lionne avec ses petits ou d’autres jeunes animaux. En novembre et décembre, le climat est généralement plus frais qu’en octobre, entre 20° et 33°. Les régions désertiques peuvent avoir des journées très chaudes. Janvier et février sont les mois d’été, avec des pluies occasionnelles l’après-midi. Les températures sont d’environ 32° en journée. En mars et avril, les eaux du delta commencent à monter et de grands troupeaux d’éléphants et de buffles rejoignent l’Okavango à l’approche de l’hiver. Le temps est beau et clair et il y a peu de nuages, mais les nuits sont plus fraîches et les journées à environ 30°.

Lion à Chobe au Botswana

Pourquoi partir en voyage au Botswana ?

En premier lieu, il faut savoir que le Botswana présente différents aspects. Si le désert du Kalahari compose la majeure partie de son territoire, le pays à bien d’autres atouts. Du fait de sa diversité , le Botswana est une balade entre sable, terre et eaux. C’est aussi indéniablement une destination safari de qualité.

Le Delta de l’Okavango, un must de tout voyage au Botswana

L’Okavango débouche dans le désert du Kalahari? Il forme ainsi l’un des seuls deltas au monde qui ne se jette pas directement dans la mer. Dans le delta, partez en mokoro (barque traditionnelle à fond plat) et découvrez ce joyau du Kalahari. Vous pourrez par conséquent naviguer sur les eaux en silence afin d’approcher la faune au plus près. Votre poller (celui qui conduit l’embarcation) saura vous faire découvrir une nature brute. Vous pourrez, du fait de ce voyage en terre sauvage, profiter de nuits bercées par le son de la faune australe.

En Mokoro dans le delta de l’Okavango

La faune du delta de l’Okavango inclut de nombreuses espèces dont l’éléphant, l’hippopotame, le crocodile du Nil, de nombreuses antilopes (koudous, antilopes sable) et, également de leurs prédateurs. On peut parfois y observer des hyènes et des lions. Le lycaon est par ailleurs une espèce menacée qui est bien représentée dans la région du delta. Le delta de l’Okavango est classé UNESCO.

La réserve de Moremi se situe à l’est du delta de l’Okavango et est un havre de paix pour la faune africaine . Il s’agit d’une zone protégée qui s’étend sur quelques 5000km2. Composée de forets de mopanes et d’acacias ainsi que de lagons, Moremi possède l’une des plus fortes concentrations d’animaux d’Afrique. L’observation de la faune y est donc excellente et les safaris riches en rencontres. Des espèces rares comme le guépard, le rhinocéros blanc ou le rhinocéros noir cohabitent dans la réserve et peuvent être observées. Par ailleurs, Moremi possède plus de 500 espèces d’oiseaux ainsi que plus de 1000 espèces de plantes. Cet écosystème est l’un des plus riches d’Afrique australe. Moremi couvre approximativement 40% du delta de l”Okavango.

Léopard à Moremi

Le Parc Chobe

Chobe (qui, par ailleurs, inclut Savuti) est le parc du Botswana qui présente la plus forte biodiversité. Des pistes de sables de la dépression de Savuti à la rivière Chobe, vous pourrez voir deux types de paysages complètement différents. D’une part un paysage aride et d’autre part un paysage verdoyant au bord de la rivière Chobe. Le parc est réputé pour sa forte concentration d’animaux sauvages. Eléphants, girafes, hippotragues, rhinocéros, koudous, hippopotames, crocodiles, hyènes, lions et léopards seront au rendez-vous ainsi qu’une myriade d’oiseaux ! La rivière Chobe serpente à travers des terres de sable, des plaines inondables, des forêts de mopanes. Le parc doit son nom à cette rivière qui forme une frontières naturelle avec le nord du Kalahari.

En croisière sur la rivière Chobe

Makgadikgadi Pans

Ces reliques d’anciens lacs dans le Kalahari offrent de vastes espaces salins. En saison verte, il est possible d’y observer de nombreux oiseaux migrateurs. En saison sèche les pans s’étendent à l’infini. Ils rappellent à ce titre étrangement les regs sahariens. Situé au sud-ouest de l’Okavango, le parc national de Makgadikgadi est entouré par le désert du Kalahari . Sur le plan de la faune, le springbok et l’oryx sont bien adaptés à l’environnement aride des pans, et on peut donc par conséquent souvent en apercevoir.

Dans les pans du Botswana

Chutes Victoria

Les chutes Victoria se situent à la fois au Zimbabwe et en Zambie. Néanmoins il était logique d’en parler sur cette page car les Chutes Victoria sont une extension très prisée en fin de voyage au Botswana. Cette étape vous permettra de découvrir l’un des plus hauts rideau d’eau au monde afin de terminer en beauté un voyage inoubliable !

Les Chutes Victoria

Informations Voyage Botswana

Visa : Néant Passeport : Valable 6 mois après la date de retour Langue : Anglais, Tswana Santé Pas de vaccination obligatoire. Comme partout, nous vous recommandons d’être à jour des vaccinations universelles (diphtérie, tétanos, hépatites A et B, rage). Traitement antipaludéen. Argent Le Pula, Usd Cartes bancaires acceptées dans les grands centres seulement. Distributeurs dans les villes principales. Dépenses courantes : en Pula.

Localisation du Botswana en Afrique australe

Le Botswana: localisation

Nous vous souhaitons un bon voyage au Botswana ! En savoir plus sur le Botswana

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Suivez-nous , nos voyages pour cette destination.

Voyage Le Cap Namibie Botswana Chutes Victoria Camping

Durée : 24 jours. Safari version "Mixte". Découvrez la faune et les magnifiques paysages de cette région d'Afrique australe issue du plus vieux désert au monde. Un classique indémodable !

Voyage Namibie Botswana et Chutes Victoria Camping

Durée : 23 jours. L'une de nos plus belles transafricaines. Ce voyage safari vous permettra, depuis les Chutes Victoria de découvrir la Namibie et le Botswana. Participez à une belle aventure en Afrique australe !

Voyage Zimbabwe Botswana Parc Kruger Camping

Durée : 19 jours. Ce circuit est véritablement le "couteau suisse" du safari ! Un itinéraire à la découverte des immanquables de l'Afrique australe réunis en un seul voyage. A présent ce safari est devenu …

Voyage Botswana et Chutes Victoria Camping

Durée : 17 jours. Une belle découverte aventure nature entre désert, bush et faune. De l'Afrique du Sud aux Chutes Victoria via le Delta de l'Okavango, Moremi, Savuti et le Parc Chobe. Pour les aventuriers...

Voyage Namibie, Botswana et Chutes Victoria Silver

Durée : 18 jours. Un voyage sans participation et en petits groupes à la découverte des paysages namibiens: Désert du Naukluft, Dunes de Sossusvleï, Swakopmund...

Voyage Botswana et Zimbabwe Silver

Durée : 17 jours. Voyage à la découverte des Chutes Victoria, des parcs nationaux du Zimbabwe, du Botswana et de la région centrale de Kavango Zambèze (Kaza).

Voyage Botswana, Okavango et Chutes Victoria Silver

Durée : 13 jours. Un voyage à la découverte de la faune omniprésente des parcs nationaux du Botswana avec en fin de circuit une découverte des Chutes Victoria. L'essentiel du Botswana, voyage sans participation.

Voyage du Cap aux Chutes Victoria, Namibie et Botswana Confort

Durée : 24 jours. Du Cap aux Chutes Victoria. Explorez l'Afrique du Sud, la Namibie, le Botswana et Victoria Falls via le désert du Namib, Etosha, le delta de l'Ovavango et Chobe.

Voyage Namibie Botswana Chutes Victoria Confort

Durée : 23 jours. Voyage safari à la découverte de la Namibie, du Botswana et des Chutes Victoria : une pertinente mosaïque de cette région hors du commun.

Voyage Parc Kruger Zimbabwe Botswana Confort

Durée : 19 jours. Un voyage à la découverte des points d'intérêt majeurs de l'Afrique australe. Nord Kruger, Matopos, Hwange, Chutes Victoria et Delta de l'Okavango sont au programme de ce circuit safari complet.

Voyage Botswana, Okavango et Chutes Victoria Confort

Durée : 17 jours. Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Delta de l'Okavango, Moremi, Makgadikgadi Pans, Chobe et Chutes Victoria en un seul voyage, notre best-seller depuis toujours.

Voyages et safaris en petits groupes, circuits aventure nature, conception de voyages sur-mesure.

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• Botswana, Zimbabwe BW 503
• Safari nature
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Du Delta de l’Okavango aux Chutes Victoria

• Un safari exceptionnel en pension complète et limité à 8 participants
• Les principales réserves du nord du Botswana : Moremi, Savuti, Chobe
• Trois excursions au fil de l’eau sur le delta de l’Okavango et la rivière Chobe
• Les camps de brousse "confortables" au plus près de la nature !

• Namibie, Botswana, Zimbabwe NA 602

Du Namib aux Chutes Victoria

• Une Namibie contrastée : aridité du Namib et luxuriance du Zambèze
• les nombreux safaris, les croisières sur les rivières Okavango et Chobe
• De belles marches dans les dunes, les massifs du Naukluft et Spitzkoppe
• Voyage en pension complète limité à 8 participants, entrées des parcs et sites inclus

• Namibie, Botswana, Zimbabwe NA 505

Splendeurs d’Afrique Australe

• Un voyage complet, des fascinantes dunes du Namib aux Chutes Victoria
• Des safaris dans plusieurs sanctuaires de la vie sauvage : Etosha, Moremi, Chobe
• Une excursion inoubliable en mokoros (pirogues) dans le delta de l’Okavango
• Un voyage tout compris avec 8 pers maxi : pension complète, entrées de parcs

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• Prix d'un voyage au Botswana

Tous nos conseils pour planifier votre budget lors de votre voyage au Botswana.

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Découvrez le fascinant delta de l'Okavango. Emerveillez-vous devant les immenses troupeaux d'éléphants et la faune exceptionnelle du parc national de Chobe. Découvrez les gigantesques marais salants de Makgadikgadi et laissez-vous envoûter par l'atmosphère unique de l'Afrique. Découvrez les coûts de vos prochaines vacances au Botswana grâce à nos estimations.

• 1 . En bref
• 2 . Budgets vols Botswana
• 3 . Coût d’un hôtel au Botswana
• 4 . Prix des activités en Californie
• 5 . Tarifs transports Botswana
• 6 . Coût de la vie au Botswana

Quel est le prix d'un voyage au Botswana ?

Le prix d'un voyage au Botswana est d'environ 1 092 euros par personne, sans compter les frais de vols. Pour ce prix, vous passerez la nuit dans des hôtels 4* confortables, vous mangerez dans des restaurants internationaux et vous pourrez même louer votre propre voiture. De plus, avec un coût de voyage de 156 euros par personne et par jour, vous aurez la possibilité de participer à certaines des activités les plus populaires.

Les voyageurs disposant d'un budget plus modeste peuvent également passer leurs vacances au Botswana avec un budget d'environ 50 euros par jour de voyage. En effet, en s'enregistrant dans des hôtels 3*, en mangeant des repas locaux et en utilisant les transports publics, vous profiterez d'un séjour peu onéreux. De plus, vous pouvez participer à diverses activités gratuites.

Néanmoins, il est également possible de faire des voyages plus exclusifs au Botswana. À partir de 288 euros minimum par personne et par jour de voyage , vous pourrez profiter chaque jour de somptueux menus à trois services et de nuits dans des lodges de première classe. En outre, vous pouvez louer votre propre véhicule tout-terrain et profiter de tours privés ainsi que de safaris de plusieurs jours pour découvrir de près ce pays fascinant.

Tous les prix et coûts indiqués ont été vérifiés sur place par nos experts de voyage et sont basés sur un voyage effectué en 2023. Les coûts sont calculés par personne et par jour de voyage. Le coût total d'un voyage au Botswana peut être inférieur s'il y a plus de voyageurs.

Nos 4 conseils d'expert

Quel est le prix d'un vol pour le botswana .

Le prix d'un billet d'avion pour le Botswana est d'environ 800 euros par personne. Le prix comprend un bagage en soute et un bagage à main. Il n'y a malheureusement pas de vols directs de la France vers le Botswana. Néanmoins, vous pourrez trouver des vols avec escale pour Gaborone .

En règle générale, il faut savoir que les vols pendant les vacances scolaires, à Pâques ou à Noël sont généralement plus chers que le reste de l'année. De même, les réservations de dernière minute entraînent souvent des coûts plus élevés. Les personnes disposant d'un budget limité doivent donc planifier à long terme et voyager durant la basse saison.

Les tarifs aériens indiqués proviennent d'un site de réservation et concernent des voyages de 1 à 2 semaines avec une date de départ au maximum un an à l'avance.

Combien coûte un hôtel au Botswana ?

Les coûts d'hébergement au Botswana commencent à partir de 40 - 50 euros par personne dans des hôtels 3* ou 4* dans des villes comme Kasane, Maun ou Gaborone. Les prix peuvent toutefois varier considérablement en fonction de la région. Alors que les hébergements dans les grandes villes sont nettement moins chers, les prix augmentent à mesure que l'on s'éloigne des grandes villes. C'est notamment le cas pour les nuitées dans le delta de l'Okavango ou à Moremi.

En général, les hébergements dans les parcs nationaux et les nombreuses réserves animalières du Botswana sont plutôt onéreux . Un hébergement simple coûte déjà à partir d'environ 100 euros par personne et par nuit. En revanche, un lodge de luxe facture facilement plusieurs centaines d'euros par personne pour une nuit, la nourriture, les boissons et les safaris privés. En général, les prix en haute saison sont jusqu'à 50 % plus élevés qu'en basse saison.

Veuillez noter que les coûts indiqués sont des prix moyens pour des nuitées en chambre simple ou double pour une personne. Tous les prix proviennent d'une plateforme de réservation et concernent des hébergements bien notés (au moins 8/10).

Quel est le prix des activités au Botswana ?

Le prix d'un safari au Botswana s'élève à environ 46 euros par personne pour un voyage de trois heures à travers le magnifique parc national de Chobe . Une excursion d'une journée entière coûte en revanche 150 euros ou plus par personne. Les safaris sont sans aucun doute l'une des activités les plus populaires en Afrique.

Alternativement, les diverses excursions en bateau valent la peine, comme le safari fluvial d'une journée à travers le pittoresque delta de l'Okavango dans le traditionnel Moroko . Pour cette excursion très prisée, comptez environ 160 euros par personne. Pour environ 58 euros, les croisières sur le fleuve Cuando sont nettement moins chères.

Pour réduire les coûts, il est préférable de participer à des visites en petit groupe plutôt que des visites guidées privées. En outre, vous trouverez à Gaborone divers musées et temples qui peuvent être visités gratuitement. Néanmoins, la plupart des activités sur place sont payantes et il est recommandé d'explorer le pays avec un guide.

Nos circuits et itinéraires les plus populaires

Vous avez besoin d'inspiration pour votre voyage au Botswana ? Vous trouverez ici les activités et les circuits les plus populaires proposés par nos experts de voyage sur place.

16 jours de camping au Botswana

à partir de

p.P. (hors vols)

Fly-in safari au Botswana : Les incontournables

2 semaines au Botswana et Chutes Victoria

Circuit Namibie-Botswana-Zimbabwe de 13 jours

Safari au Botswana en famille de 12 jours

Safari au Botswana en 4x4 : 14 jours

Safari Zimbabwe Botswana de 9 jours

Safari photo au Botswana de 2 jours

Combien coûtent les moyens de transport au botswana .

Le prix de location d'une voiture au Botswana est d'environ 55 euros pour un véhicule standard et 160 euros pour un véhicule à quatre roues motrices . Comme l'état des routes peut être mauvais, notamment dans les parcs nationaux, il est recommandé de louer un véhicule à quatre roues motrices. Au prix de la location s'ajoute alors le prix de l'essence d'environ 0,86 euro par litre.

Dans les grandes villes du Botswana, vous pourrez utiliser les transports publics bien qu'ils ne soient pas toujours fiables. Un aller simple ne coûte généralement pas plus de 0,47 euro par personne. En revanche, les taxis sont plus chers dans les villes. Par exemple, une course à Gaborone coûte 2,34 euros par kilomètre.

Alors que de nombreux touristes au Botswana réservent des safaris en avion, vous pouvez faire de belles économies en vous joignant à un groupe de safari guidé et en voyageant par voie terrestre.

Combien coûte la nourriture au Botswana ?

Le prix d'un plat dans un restaurant international à Maun, Kasane ou Gaborone varie entre 10 et 20 euros par personne . Un menu à plusieurs services coûte en revanche entre 25 et 50 euros.

Notez que le coût des repas dans les parcs nationaux est déjà inclus dans le prix de l'hébergement choisi, car les camps et les lodges sont plutôt isolés. Néanmoins, il n'est pas rare que vous ayez le choix entre la cuisine locale et internationale.

Pour découvrir le Botswana sur le plan gastronomique, il est conseillé de goûter pendant votre séjour aux plats traditionnels à base de viande de bœuf, de chèvre, d'agneau et de poulet. Ceux-ci sont préparés avec des oignons et du poivre, puis grillés sur un feu ouvert. En outre, ne manquez pas les snacks locaux comme le magwenya (beignets frits), le matemekwane (raviolis épicés) ou encore les vers mopane grillés.

Les autres articles du guide Botswana

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Les 12 plus belles attractions du Botswana en 2024

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Votre âme de voyageur aime prendre le temps de la découverte : balades quotidiennes pour visiter les sites et aller à la rencontre des cultures et des populations.

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꧁ La tribu Terres Oubliées ꧂

Safari botswana prix

Le Botswana est une destination de safari très populaire située en Afrique australe. Il est réputé pour ses paysages variés et ses nombreuses espèces d’animaux sauvages. Mais avant de planifier votre voyage, vous vous demandez peut-être combien coûte un safari en Botswana et ce que vous pouvez vous attendre à découvrir.

Image safari de Pixabay.com

Les différents types de safari en Botswana et leurs prix

Il existe de nombreux types de safari en Botswana, qui sont proposés à des prix variés . Vous pouvez choisir entre une excursion d’une journée, un safari en camping et un safari en lodge luxueux. Les safaris d’une journée sont généralement les plus abordables, et peuvent coûter entre 200 et 500 $ par personne. Les safaris en camping sont plus chers, et peuvent coûter entre 500 et 1000 $ par personne. Les safaris en lodge sont les plus chers, et peuvent coûter entre 1000 et 3000 $ par personne.

Que vous offre un safari en Botswana ?

Un safari en Botswana est une expérience unique et inoubliable. Vous aurez l’occasion de vous promener dans des paysages variés, de découvrir de nombreuses espèces d’animaux sauvages et de visiter des villages traditionnels. Vous pourrez également profiter de la faune et de la flore uniques de la région, et admirer des points de vue spectaculaires. En outre, vous pourrez profiter des activités telles que la randonnée, la baignade et le safari photo.

Les avantages d’un safari en Botswana

Le Botswana offre une expérience de safari unique en son genre. Il est réputé pour sa faune abondante et ses paysages variés. Il est également l’un des rares pays à offrir la possibilité de voyager en toute sécurité et dans le respect de la nature. Les safaris en Botswana sont également une excellente façon de découvrir la culture et les traditions de la région. Enfin, le Botswana est une destination très prisée des amoureux de la faune et de la flore.

• Quel est le prix d’un safari en Botswana ? Le prix d’un safari en Botswana varie en fonction du type de safari. Les safaris d’une journée sont généralement les plus abordables et peuvent coûter entre 200 et 500 $ par personne. Les safaris en camping sont plus chers et peuvent coûter entre 500 et 1000 $ par personne. Les safaris en lodge sont les plus chers et peuvent coûter entre 1000 et 3000 $ par personne.
• Qu’est-ce qu’on peut faire lors d’un safari en Botswana ? Vous aurez l’occasion de vous promener dans des paysages variés, de découvrir de nombreuses espèces d’animaux sauvages et de visiter des villages traditionnels. Vous pourrez également profiter de la faune et de la flore uniques de la région, et admirer des points de vue spectaculaires. En outre, vous pourrez profiter des activités telles que la randonnée, la baignade et le safari photo.

Vous savez désormais ce qu’il faut savoir sur les safaris en Botswana et leurs prix. Si vous êtes prêt à vivre cette aventure unique, n’attendez plus et réservez votre safari dès aujourd’hui !

Le Botswana est une destination de safari très populaire et réputée pour ses paysages variés et ses nombreuses espèces d’animaux sauvages. Il existe de nombreux types de safari disponibles, qui sont proposés à des prix variés. Un safari en Botswana offre une expérience unique et inoubliable, et est une excellente façon de découvrir la culture et les traditions de la région. Alors, n’attendez plus et profitez de votre safari en Botswana !

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