Botswana Holidays

About Botswana

Botswana is often thought to be one of Africa’s best-kept secrets, offering amazing areas to explore like the Okavango Delta, the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve, all of which house a significant number of game and wildlife. Botswana has purposely aimed for and achieved a policy of high-income, low-volume tourism and as a result, it is now home to some of the world’s finest safari camps and lodges, making all Botswana safaris a truly unforgettable experience. 

There is an array of amazing activities for visitors to enjoy during their holiday in Botswana, including the chance to walk with elephants, spot prides of lions, ride a quad bike on the Makgadikgadi salt pans and even embark on a Chobe River cruise. Lovers of nature and wildlife will thoroughly enjoy a visit to Chobe National Park during their trip to Botswana, as this vast 11,700 km² national park is home to over 100,000 elephants; giving you a great chance to see a herd of these spectacular animals in their natural habitat. 

As well as elephants, numerous other wild animals freely roam the park, with regular sightings of Botswana’s precious lions, leopards, zebras and antelopes. This national park is located in the North-East of Botswana, bordering both Zimbabwe and Namibia as well as the Chobe River, where you can enjoy incredible boat safaris and majestic sunset cruises. Those looking to see Botswana’s most fascinating wildlife up close should also consider visiting the Moremi Game Reserve, which provides superb conditions for game viewing throughout the year, due to the many permanent sources of water which help to attract animals to the area. 

In keeping with Botswana’s tourism approach, the density of lodges in the reserve is low, giving you a private and highly personal game viewing experience, which offers the chance to get up close and personal to some of the biggest animals in the reserve. Moremi Game Reserve is also renowned for being one of only two places in the country populated by wild rhinos; you can also spot elephants, buffalos, lions and leopards in the bush.

This magnificent African country is home to the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans, which cover an area of 6,200 miles and were previously occupied by an enormous lake. It is actually thought that the ancient lake (known as Lake Makgadikgadi) formerly covered an area larger than Switzerland. During the dry season, the area is uninhabitable for most life forms, but these conditions also provide opportunities to experience a multitude of unique activities, which include sleeping out in the salt pans and quad biking trips to Kubu Island.      

The Makgadikgadi is equally as spectacular to visit during the rainy season, especially when lush green grass re-emerges and the pans refill with water, replicating their appearance from nearly 3 million years ago. At this time of the year, wildebeest and zebra return back to the area and flamingos can also be found here. 

As well as being a destination filled with forests, deserts and wetlands, Botswana is also home to Africa’s third-largest river, the Okavango, which creates the Okavango Delta; the largest inland delta in the world. Here, a warren of lagoons, streams, channels and islands provide one of the finest game-viewing regions in the world and is also a great spot for birdlife.

One of the most exciting ways to explore the Delta is by mokoro, a type of dugout canoe, which offers both a magical and near-mystical journey, especially at sunrise or sunset. One of the more astonishing elements of the Delta is that it eventually disappears into the vast drylands of the Kalahari Desert, where the original bushmen still live.

Interesting things to do in Botswana

A mokoro boat cruise in Botswana is every bit as romantic as a gondola ride down the canals of Venice. On one of these cruises, you will climb into a two-person canoe, piloted by a local guide, which will take you down the tranquil waters of Botswana. You can then sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at the most picturesque times of day, enjoying one of Botswana’s signature experiences on the majestic waters of the Chobe River.

If you’re looking for an exciting, hands-on Botswana safari experience, why not embark on a guided bush walk? Spot some of Africa’s most stunning wildlife, guided by knowledgeable bushmen who know the best places to find the animals by tracking them; along the way, you will learn about the uses of various plants and bushman culture.

Don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime to walk alongside elephants at Stanley’s Camp. This private wildlife concession has just eight rooms for visitors, enhancing the true safari experience. Watch as a range of big game animals march past, take a mokoro cruise down the river or simply sit beside the campfire and while away a pleasant evening chatting with other guests.

For more information, why not speak to one of our experts on +44 (0) 20 7843 3500 or email info@africatravel.co.uk

Seasons

• Dry season – April to October
• Green season – November to March
• To experience the Okavango Delta in full flood travel from June onwards
• Game-viewing in the Kalahari is best in December
• The mass zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi Pans occurs during the first few months of the year

In The Know

• Capital – Gaborone
• Currency – Botswana Pula
• Point of Entry – Gaborone, Maun, Kasane
• Airlines – Air Botswana via Johannesburg, SA Airlink via Johannesburg, 
• Flying Time – 1 hour 40 minutes from Johannesburg
• Time Zone – GMT +2
• Visa not required
• Medical Requirements – Malaria prophylaxis recommended

Insider Tips

• If you want to stay at the famous Mombo Camp try to book at least 9 months in advance
• Excess luggage can normally be stored in Maun if you advise us in advance
• In Chobe National Park avoid the day-tripping crowds by staying at Muchenje Safari Lodge
• If on a budget consider travelling in the green season (Jan-March) when prices are slashed
• Make sure a mokoro excursion is part of your trip – it is the ultimate experience in Botswana