Botswana
The Ultimate Bespoke Safaris by Beyond Africa Safaris
Botswana: The Last True Wilderness on Earth
Botswana is not a destination; it is an Eden. This is safari in its purest, most undiluted form. It is a land of paradox: a vast, thirsting desert—the Kalahari—that miraculously hosts the world's most magnificent wetland, the Okavango Delta.
This is a nation that consciously chose quality over quantity. Decades ago, Botswana established a "High-Cost, Low-Impact" tourism model. The result? No crowds. No lines of vehicles. Just you, the pristine ecosystem, and an abundance of wildlife that defies belief.
But Botswana is complex. It is a world governed by the ebb and flow of floodwaters. A lodge that is perfect in July may be dry in October. A region famous for elephants may not have the predators you seek.
This is where Beyond Africa Safaris defines the difference.
We are not just booking agents; we are logistical masters. We understand the pulse of the Delta. We have exclusive access to the private concessions where the great predators roam. We choreograph the seamless light-aircraft logistics that turn travel into a "safari from the sky."
This is not a trip. It is your personal invitation to the last true wilderness on Earth.
Tailored Botswana: Your Journey, Your Way
For Honeymooners
Unrivaled seclusion. We select camps with private plunge pools, "star-beds" for sleeping under the Milky Way, and private dinners on floating decks in the Delta.
For Families
Botswana is wild, but specific camps (like the Young Explorers specialist camps) offer dedicated family tents and guides who teach children to track spoor, fish, and identify birds.
For Photographers
We arrange private vehicles with specialist photographic guides, camera mounts, and bean bags. We know which camps have "hides" positioned at waterholes for eye-level shots.
Your Practical Toolkit: Logistics, Packing & Fees
1. The Light Aircraft Network
The Taxi of the Bush: You do not drive between camps in Botswana; you fly. These flights are part of the adventure.
Luggage Restrictions: This is critical. You are strictly limited to 20kg (44lbs) in SOFT-SIDED bags only. No wheels, no hard frames. If you bring a hard suitcase, it will stay in Maun.
2. Park Fees & Conservation Levies
Botswana is expensive by design. A portion of your high nightly rate goes directly into conservation and anti-poaching units. When you travel here, you are directly funding the survival of these species.
3. Combining Destinations
Victoria Falls: It is a seamless addition. A 20-minute flight or a 90-minute road transfer from Kasane (Chobe) gets you to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia). It is the perfect start or end to a Botswana itinerary.
Where to Go: The Ecosystems of Eden
Botswana is not one place. It is a series of interconnected, pristine ecosystems. We build your itinerary by combining these distinct regions.
1. The Okavango Delta: The Heart of the Safari
The river that never finds the sea. This 15,000 sq km fan of water is the primary reason to visit.
The Experience: We divide this into Permanent Water Camps (focus on boating/mokoro and birds) and Seasonal/Land Camps (focus on big cats and buffalo/elephant herds).
Our Favorite Spot: Chief's Island (Moremi Game Reserve) for the "Big 5" and the Jao Concession for water purity and architectural marvels.
2. The Linyanti, Kwando & Selinda: The Predator Kings
Located north of the Delta, these private concessions are legendary for their density of predators.
The Experience: This is raw, unfiltered action. It is the best place to see massive herds of elephants in the dry season and holds the highest success rate for finding African Wild Dogs.
Our Touch: We book you into camps that offer night drives here, allowing you to follow the nocturnal hunters.
3. Chobe National Park: The Elephant Empire
Famous for having the highest density of elephants in the world (over 120,000).
The Experience: A sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River is non-negotiable. You will see elephants swimming, hippos yawning, and crocodiles basking, all from the water.
Our Advice: Chobe can be busy. We often recommend staying in a lodge just outside the park or on a luxury houseboat (The Chobe Princess or Zambezi Queen) for a more private experience.
4. The Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan: The Desert Contrast
The perfect complement to the Delta's water. A landscape of nothingness that is startlingly beautiful.
The Experience: In the dry season, it's about quad biking on the salt pans, sleeping under the stars, and interacting with the San Bushmen. In the Green Season, it hosts the Zebra Migration—the second largest in Africa.
Must-Do: Spending a morning with a habituated clan of meerkats.
Tailored Botswana: Your Journey, Your Way
For Honeymooners
Unrivaled seclusion. We select camps with private plunge pools, "star-beds" for sleeping under the Milky Way, and private dinners on floating decks in the Delta.
For Families
Botswana is wild, but specific camps (like the Young Explorers specialist camps) offer dedicated family tents and guides who teach children to track spoor, fish, and identify birds.
For Photographers
We arrange private vehicles with specialist photographic guides, camera mounts, and bean bags. We know which camps have "hides" positioned at waterholes for eye-level shots.
Your Practical Toolkit: Logistics, Packing & Fees
1. The Light Aircraft Network
The Taxi of the Bush: You do not drive between camps in Botswana; you fly. These flights are part of the adventure.
Luggage Restrictions: This is critical. You are strictly limited to 20kg (44lbs) in SOFT-SIDED bags only. No wheels, no hard frames. If you bring a hard suitcase, it will stay in Maun.
2. Park Fees & Conservation Levies
Botswana is expensive by design. A portion of your high nightly rate goes directly into conservation and anti-poaching units. When you travel here, you are directly funding the survival of these species.
3. Combining Destinations
Victoria Falls: It is a seamless addition. A 20-minute flight or a 90-minute road transfer from Kasane (Chobe) gets you to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia). It is the perfect start or end to a Botswana itinerary.
Best Time to Go: Best: Good:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Botswana Highlights: The Non-Negotiable Experiences
The Okavango Delta
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the jewel of the Kalahari. Seeing this vast, emerald oasis from the air, and then exploring its islands on the ground, is the ultimate safari privilege.
The Mokoro Safari
Gliding silently through the reed channels in a traditional dugout canoe. No engine, no noise—just you, your poler, and the tiny details of the Delta, from painted reed frogs to elephants drinking at the water's edge.
The Predator Capital
Botswana is arguably the best place on the planet to see the endangered African Wild Dog (Painted Wolf), along with massive prides of lions (including the buffalo-hunting lions of Duba Plains) and elusive leopards.
The Land of Giants
Chobe National Park is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. Witnessing herds of hundreds swimming across the Chobe River at sunset is a sight that will stay with you forever.
The Kalahari Salt Pans
The stark, lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans offers a stunning contrast to the Delta. Ride quad bikes across the white crust, sleep under the stars, and walk with habituated meerkats.
Safari from the Sky
In Botswana, the journey is the safari. Transfers between camps are done by light aircraft. These low-level flights offer breathtaking views of the landscape and wildlife herds below.
Botswana In A Flash!
What Other Ideas Can I Add To My Botswana Itinerary?
Below are our recommended destinations to add to your Botswana Safari
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