Planning Your Safari in Botswana

If you're dreaming of a wild adventure through pristine landscapes teeming with elephants, lions, and hippos, planning your African safari in Botswana is one of the most rewarding travel decisions you can make.

I’ve been fortunate to explore a few safari regions, and Botswana stands out for its sense of remoteness, conservation efforts, and epic natural beauty. It’s not the cheapest destination, but it offers an unmatched depth of experience—especially if you’re craving a more intimate and less commercialized safari experience.

When I first started researching safaris, I quickly realized that every country offers something different. What drew me to Botswana was its low-impact tourism model, which limits crowds and preserves the wilderness. Whether you’re gliding through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro or tracking big cats in Chobe National Park, Botswana feels like the Africa you imagine when you close your eyes and dream.

Key Points

• Choose your safari region carefully—Botswana offers very different experiences in Chobe, the Okavango Delta, and the Kalahari.
• Plan early—many lodges and camps book out months in advance due to limited visitor numbers.
• Know your budget—it’s one of the more expensive safari destinations, but worth it for the exclusivity and wildlife density.

Planning Your African Safari in Botswana: Where to Start

The first step in planning your African safari in Botswana is figuring out what kind of experience you want. Are you more drawn to boat-based wildlife viewing, big predator sightings, or remote desert landscapes? Botswana has a mix of all three. I’d recommend starting by reading broadly about different types of African safaris to get a feel for the options.

Chobe National Park is famous for its elephant herds—the largest concentration in Africa. If seeing massive herds along the riverfront sounds exciting, this is a great choice. The Okavango Delta is entirely different—lush, watery, and often explored by canoe or small motorboat. Then there’s the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, where you’ll find wide open spaces, desert-adapted wildlife, and fewer tourists.

You might also want to compare Botswana with other destinations like African safari in Kruger National Park or an African safari in Tanzania just to see what sets Botswana apart.

How to Budget for Your Safari

One of the hardest parts for me was coming to terms with how much safaris really cost, especially in Botswana. If you're in the early planning stage, I'd recommend starting by familiarizing yourself with a general breakdown of how much do safaris cost. It helped me set realistic expectations early on and avoid that overwhelmed feeling when you first start seeing price tags.

Botswana is one of the most premium safari destinations in Africa, so you’ll want to go in with a strategic mindset. Most trips here range from $500 to over $2,000 per night per person. That’s not just for a bed—those prices usually include your accommodation, meals, internal charter flights, and daily game drives or excursions. It’s a bundled cost that can feel like a shock at first, but once you understand what’s included, it starts to make more sense.

What helped me was reverse-engineering my budget. I picked the regions I was most excited about—Chobe and the Okavango Delta—then looked at the range of camps and lodges in those areas. From there, I decided whether I’d prioritize comfort or duration. You can either go for a shorter, high-end trip or a longer stay with simpler accommodations.

If you’re looking for a balance between immersive experience and affordability, mobile camping safaris are a fantastic option. That’s what I chose, and I never once felt like I was missing out. You sleep in comfortable tents, eat well, and get expert guides—but without the luxury price tag. If you prefer to keep things straightforward, all-inclusive African safari vacations can also make things much easier to manage, especially if you don’t want to deal with separate bookings or transfers.

My biggest tip: don't try to see everything in one trip. It’s more cost-effective to focus your time on one or two regions and slow down, rather than rushing across multiple parks and racking up travel expenses. Also, pay attention to seasonal pricing—some shoulder season dates offer the same experience at a slightly better rate, which can really help if you’re stretching your budget.

Choosing Your Safari Style

Botswana offers a few main safari styles: fly-in lodge safaris, mobile camping safaris, and self-drive safaris. I personally chose a mobile camping safari, and it was one of the best decisions I made. It was fully guided, moved across several ecosystems, and offered an immersive experience without the high price tag of the luxury lodges.

If you’re not into the idea of roughing it, many African safari hotels in Botswana offer exceptional comfort, often in isolated locations with just a few guests at a time.

When to Go

Timing really matters when you're planning an African safari in Botswana.

The dry season—from May to October—is widely considered the best time for wildlife viewing. During this time, water sources shrink and animals naturally gather around rivers and waterholes, making it easier to spot large concentrations of wildlife. The grass and vegetation are also less dense, which means you get much better visibility on game drives.

I went in September, and I’d absolutely recommend that window if you're hoping for peak sightings without the very high temperatures of October. The days were warm but comfortable, the nights were cool, and I saw everything from lions on the hunt to herds of elephants moving through the bush. It was non-stop action.

If you're still in the early stages of planning, one strategy I recommend is to first lock in your travel dates based on the season, then use that to guide your choices of region and safari style. Some lodges even offer seasonal discounts in the early or late parts of the dry season—like May or early June—so that’s something to watch for if you're trying to stretch your budget.

Also, if you’re considering a safari elsewhere on the continent and want to compare the seasonal benefits, check out my notes on the best places to go on safari in Africa.

Getting There and Combining It With Other Destinations

Most international travelers fly into either Maun or Kasane, depending on which safari region you're starting from.

Maun is typically the gateway to the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari, while Kasane is ideal if you're heading straight into Chobe National Park. I found it really helpful to look at my itinerary in reverse—figure out the areas I wanted to visit first, then choose my arrival and departure airports accordingly. It saved me time and unnecessary travel legs.

When I planned my own trip, I combined my safari with a visit to South Africa. I flew into Cape Town first, explored for a few days, then caught a regional flight into Botswana.

If you're considering something similar, an African safari from Cape Town can be a smart way to build in a bit of cultural and city experience before heading into the wild. It gave the trip more balance and made the transition into the safari feel even more special. Strategically, it also allowed me to make use of more frequent flight routes and better pricing than flying directly into Botswana from my home country.

Where to go on safari in Botswana

Each area in Botswana has a different vibe, and honestly, part of the fun is figuring out which one suits you best. Here’s what I’ve learned from my time on the ground.

1. Okavango Delta

This is the crown jewel, and for good reason. It’s surreal. I remember my first mokoro ride—gliding past papyrus reeds while elephants moved through the water in the distance. During flood season (June to August), you get this magical mix of boat rides, walking safaris, and just being totally immersed in the landscape. And the wildlife? Constant. You can go hours without seeing another vehicle.

2. Chobe National Park

Chobe blew me away with its elephant numbers—I've never seen anything like it. The river cruises at sunset were probably one of my favorite parts of the trip. You’re floating past hippos and crocodiles while herds of elephants come down to drink. It’s also an easy add-on if you're starting from an African safari from Cape Town.

3. Moremi Game Reserve

If you’re looking for a mix of water and land safaris, Moremi is perfect. I saw lions lounging under trees here and had one of the best leopard sightings of my life. It’s often paired with Okavango Delta trips and gives you that nice variety of terrain and wildlife.

4. Linyanti and Savuti

These areas feel more off-the-grid, and I loved that. It’s quieter, with a bit more adventure baked in. I had some incredible wild dog sightings here, plus lions and huge herds of buffalo. It’s a solid alternative to the most dangerous safaris in Africa if you want remoteness without risking safety.

5. Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan National Park

This part of the country is so different—it’s all salt pans and open skies. When I visited during the green season, the zebra migration was in full swing, and it felt like I was watching a nature documentary in real life. It’s also great if you want a change of scenery and a little solitude.

6. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

I’ll be honest, this one surprised me the most. The Kalahari is dry, raw, and incredibly wild. But the wildlife sightings were amazing—especially the big black-maned lions. It’s not as lush as other areas, but it gave me a whole different perspective on African landscapes.

7. Khwai Community Concession

Khwai sits right between Moremi and Chobe, and it ended up being one of my favorite stops. Since it’s a community-run area, there’s more flexibility—like night drives and off-road tracking, which you can’t do in national parks. The guides here were some of the best I’ve ever had.

8. Tuli Block

If you’re the type who likes to avoid the crowds and go somewhere totally different, look at Tuli Block. It’s on the eastern edge of Botswana, near the Limpopo River, and has this totally unique mix of rocky landscapes and river forests. It felt more intimate and less traveled, which I really appreciated.

Wildlife You’ll See

Botswana is known for elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and hippos—and honestly, it delivers some of the most awe-inspiring wildlife moments I’ve ever experienced.

You’ve got a solid chance of seeing the entire Big Five here, though rhinos are less commonly spotted and usually confined to private reserves or specific areas like the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. What really struck me was how many different species you can encounter in a single game drive—everything from rare antelope like sable and roan to wild dogs and massive crocodiles along the riverbanks.

One thing I found helpful during my planning phase was reviewing an African safari animals list. It helped me understand what animals I could reasonably expect to see in different regions and seasons, and it gave me a clearer sense of what excited me most. That, in turn, helped shape my itinerary.

For example, I knew I wanted a good chance of seeing wild dogs, so I chose lodges near areas where they’re often sighted. It’s worth getting familiar with the full range of species—not just the iconic ones—so you can make the most of each game drive and really appreciate the richness of the ecosystem.

Safety and Conservation

One of the things that gave me peace of mind while planning my safari was learning that Botswana is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Africa for visitors.

As a solo traveler, that really mattered to me. There’s a strong sense of stability here—politically and socially—and the tourism industry is well-regulated. Every guide I spoke to was trained, certified, and incredibly professional, which added another layer of comfort during my trip. If safety is a top concern for you, I’d suggest reading more about the safest country in Africa to visit.

Another big reason I chose Botswana over other destinations was its reputation for low-impact tourism. Unlike some places where you’re jostling with dozens of vehicles around a lion sighting, Botswana takes a completely different approach—fewer camps, fewer guests, and a much deeper connection to the landscape. That makes for a much more peaceful and personal experience. I never felt rushed or overwhelmed, and the wildlife encounters were more natural and unforced.

That said, this model also means Botswana isn’t a budget destination. There’s a clear trade-off between exclusivity and cost. But if you’re looking for a place where your presence supports conservation and you’re not just part of a tourist conveyor belt, I’d say it’s well worth it.

I talk more about that balance in my broader guides on African safari countries, especially if you’re still deciding which destination fits your travel goals and values.

Other Safari Destinations to Compare

If you’re still in the research phase like I was, it’s incredibly helpful to compare Botswana with other safari destinations to figure out what kind of experience really suits you. I spent weeks digging into options and making side-by-side comparisons.

For instance, an African safari in Kenya is great if you’re after iconic scenery like the Masai Mara and large-scale wildlife migrations. A African safari in Uganda offers the unique opportunity to track gorillas in the wild—something you won’t find in Botswana. And if you want dramatic desert landscapes combined with big game, an African safari in Namibia might be a better fit. I also looked closely at an African safari in South Africa because it tends to be more budget-friendly and accessible for first-time safari-goers.

What helped me make my final decision was not just the wildlife, but the overall feel and structure of the experience—how remote I wanted to be, how many other tourists I was comfortable encountering, and what kind of accommodations I was drawn to. If you’re interested in quieter, less commercialized options, you could also look into an African safari in Malawi, African safari in Mozambique, or even more remote possibilities like an African safari in Gabon or the African safari in Republic of Congo.

Each of these destinations has something unique to offer, and exploring those differences gave me much more clarity when it came time to commit to Botswana.