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WHERE TO GO

Botswana

The jewel in Africa's safari crown

Sitting right in the heart of southern Africa, Botswana lays claim to offering some of the most exclusive (and expensive!) safaris in the continent. Every year the flood waters that meander their way through the Okavango Delta create what must be one of the most scenically beautiful and game viewing rich experiences on the planet. Be it in a dug out canoe or from the back of a Landcruiser, a safari to Botswana ranks as one of the very best.

The best parks & regions in Botswana

Botswana boasts some of the most pristine and well preserved conservation areas in Africa and is, with good reason, often seen as the gold standard of African Safaris. The first and primary destination in any Botswana safari is to visit to the flooded waterways and open grasslands of the Okavango delta which, particularly in the dry months between April and November, teems with wildlife from throughout Southern Africa.

Paired with the water front elephant herds up in Chobe National Park or the nearby Linyanti Concessions, or contrasted with the vast and barren spaces of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Makgadikgadi salt pans, spending 10 nights or so exploring this stunning country should be on any safari fans’ list.

Do see Parks & Regions on this page for more information.

Best time to visit Botswana

As mentioned in the above, the predominant season to head to the Okavango Delta is in the months from April to November when the floodwaters filter down from Angola. In this window the weather is dry and relatively cool. 

This being said, it is worth noting that the game and parks can be rewarding througout the year with many predators remaining resident and, with prices dropping significantly, this makes Botswana one of the best safari destinations in Africa throughout the year albeit the “mokoro” dug out canoes and the water based safaris make a less prominent part of a safari experience.

Please see our When to Go section for a more detailed breakdown of the areas and months below.

Safaris to Botswana

There are plenty of different options to choose from for your safari to Botswana with, more and more, a range of different options from Ultra-luxury Safaris in helicopters and opulence to simpler, group trips that are high on guiding and low on  “frills”.

In the main between 5 and 10 nights in Botswana is about right then combining with destinations such as Victoria Falls or heading off to the isolated coastline and islands of Mozambique for some time on the beach.

With so many nuances to factor in, there is no substitute, in our experience, for having a talk through with someone but, to get you started we have also developed a Safari Finder that should allow you to get a few options initially.

Do see Best Safaris & Holidays on this page for more ideas of what is on offer.

Botswana Wildlife

The essential reason for the Okavango Delta being such a special location for game viewing is down to the location (in the central Kalahari desert) and the timing of the floodwaters arriving (right in the heart of Botswana’s dry season. This creates an oasis of water in what is a superbly dry area of Africa and so the wildlife array that are drawn to the region is second to none.

This may not be the numbers of animals moving as a herd as in Serengeti National Park or the Masai Mara, but there are still prolific numbers of elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog and many others to witness.   

Don’t miss our Botswana Wildlife Guide on this page.

Get help with a safari to Botswana

As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on +44 1525 840 149

This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.

With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.

Alternatively please feel free to send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling. 

Where to Go in Botswana

Botswana

Botswana Safari Map

Do visit our full guide to Africa Destination Guide page to take in all that Southern and East Africa has to offer.

What are the best parks & regions in Botswana for 2026/27?

Take a look at the below links for more information about the best parks and regions in Botswana for 2026/27.

The Okavango Delta

botswana

From $398 per person per night
Explore Now
The Okavango Delta

The Okavango Concessions

botswana

From $398 per person per night
Explore Now
The Okavango Delta

Chobe National Park

botswana

From $398 per person per night
Explore Now
Chobe National Park

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

botswana

From $398 per person per night
Explore Now
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Kwando, Linyanti and Selinda

botswana

From $398 per person per night
Explore Now
Elephant in Kwando, Linyanti and Selinda

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

botswana

From $398 per person per night
Explore Now
Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Don't miss our full What to Do in Africa safari guides for full details and ideas.

What are your top safari trips & itineraries to Botswana for 2026/27?

Browse through a few of our most-popular tailormade trips for Botswana for 2026/27...
Days7Days11

Duration

$4,000$6,500

Price Brackets (USD)

1 Three Rivers

Africa, Botswana

Visits : Chobe National Park, The Okavango Delta

This itinerary is a snippet of Victoria Falls and Botswana. Although it is only a week, you will travel to three destinations across two countries and experience highlights of a Botswana safari… More…

7 Nights

FROM $4,000pp

Okavango Delta

2 Botswana Highlights

Africa, Botswana

Visits : Chobe National Park, The Okavango Concessions, The Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls

With Botswana offering so much, it can feel quite overwhelming! But this 8 night itinerary focuses on the highlights – the best destinations and the best lodges in the country and all… More…

9 Nights

FROM $4,000pp

Okavango Delta

3 Desert and Delta

Africa, Botswana

Visits : Chobe National Park, The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, The Okavango Delta

This Delta and Desert itinerary takes you through the iconic Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, the infamous Okavango Delta and the Nxai Pan National Park. If you are looking to do Botswana… More…

11 Nights

FROM $6,500pp

Chobe National Park

4 A Focus on Botswana

Africa, Botswana, Zambia

Visits : Chobe National Park, The Okavango Concessions, The Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Zambia

Covering destinations including Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, the Khawi Community Area and Chobe National Park, this itinerary is a good way to see the highlights of Botswana in just over a… More…

9 Nights

FROM $5,500pp

African Leopard

5 A Mobile Camp Exploration

Africa, Botswana

Visits : Kwando Linyanti and Selinda, The Okavango Delta

Highlights of the Moremi Game Reserve, the Khwai Commnity Area and the Selinda Reserve. Two of the camps are explorer mobile camps offering you an authentic and intimate experience, and then finishing… More…

8 Nights

FROM $6,000pp

Okavango Delta

Don't miss our new Africa Safari Finder to find safari ideas by destination, region and type...

What are the best hotels & lodges in Botswana for 2026/27?

We highly recommend the following hotels & lodges for Botswana for 2026/27. These are all tried and tested by The Africa Specialists™ so don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over them or to check availability for you to your schedule.

NB. All prices for properties exclude applicable park fees and are guide prices.

$965$4,325

Price pp pn (USD)

Stars4Stars5

Our Rating

Kwetsani Camp

The Okavango Concessions

From $2,230 per person per night
See the camp now
Kwetsani Camp, The Okavango Concessions, Botswana

Pelo Camp

The Okavango Concessions

From $1,150 per person per night
See the camp now
Pelo Camp, The Okavango Concessions, Botswana

Tubu and Little Tubu Tree Camps

The Okavango Concessions

From $2,940 per person per night
See the camp now
Tubu and Little Tubu Tree Camps, The Okavango Concessions, Botswana

Savuti Camp

Kwando Linyanti and Selinda

From $2,040 per person per night
See the camp now
Savuti Camp, Savuti Channel, Botswana

Jacana Camp

The Okavango Concessions

From $1,475 per person per night
See the camp now
Jacana Camp, The Okavango Concessions, Botswana

Jao Camp

The Okavango Concessions

From $3,830 per person per night
See the camp now
Jao Camp, The Okavango Concessions, Botswana

Muchenje Safari Lodge

Chobe National Park

From $965 per person per night
See the lodge now
Muchenje Safari Lodge, Chobe, Botswana

Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe National Park

From $1,290 per person per night
See the lodge now
Chobe Game Lodge, Lounge Suite, Chobe, Botswana

King’s Pool

Kwando Linyanti and Selinda

From $3,100 per person per night
See the camp now
Kings Pool, Linyanti River, Botswana

DumaTau Camp

Kwando Linyanti and Selinda

From $4,325 per person per night
See the camp now
DumaTau Camp, Linyanti River, Botswana

Abu Camp

The Okavango Concessions

From $3,815 per person per night
See the camp now
Abu Camp

Do also see our full Top Five Hotels & Lodges in Africa guide to the best safari accomodation in Southern and East Africa.

What kind of wildlife highlights should you expect to find across Botswana in 2026/27?

For 2026/27, we expect you’ll be able to find the following wildlife in the Botswana bearing in mind the quality of guiding, budgets, time of year and duration of stay all affect your chances of finding or seeing any of the following outstanding animals that dwell in Botswana…

Please visit our full Africa Wildlife page for a full guide to Botswana’s wildlife in and where to go to find it!

When is the best time to visit Botswana in 2026/27?

In theory, it’s feasible to go to Botswana almost any time of year depending on preferences and wildlife/safari viewing plans, but if you want to avoid peak season or aim to get the timing “just right” then use the following guide to the whole of Botswana or call us any time to check feasibility, costs or best options for a Botswana visit…

January fair

Visiting Botswana in January 2026/27

January in Botswana is right in the heart of the main rains and the Botswanan summer months so expect plenty of rainfall and high temperatures reaching 40 degrees at times. With this influx of localised rain comes plenty of grassed and, accordingly, new born. 

Activities & Events

Some of the drier areas of the country become verdant such as the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi salt pans which give a different view of the country.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Heart of the wet season so very few travellers
  • + The zebra “migration” herds are in the salt pans
  • + Low season rates
  •   Heavy rainfall can make travel tricky

Top Tips for January 2026/27

  • + If you can avoid the rains it can be a rewarding time

February fair

Visiting Botswana in February 2026/27

Continuing on from January, February is still right in the main rains for Botswana and, as such, is generally avoided by most. This being said, with lush grasses in the Kalahari and the zebra herds in the salt pans, this can still be a good time for game viewing.

Activities & Events

Plenty of animal in the Kalahari and the zebra herds in the salt pans make for a different side to a Botswana safari.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Very good game in the salt pans
  • + Low season rates throughout
  •   The humidity can be stifling in the month
  •   There are low game numbers in the Okavango

Top Tips for February 2026/27

  • + A good pick for those on a budget

March mixed

Visiting Botswana  in March 2026/27

March brings a slight respite from the main rains with rainfall dropping off towards the end of the month. This is still seen as a low season month with water levels in the Okavango being at their lowest but there is still game for those that are happy to look.

Activities & Events

The Makgadikgadi salt pans still offer a unique and wild experience.

Cheat Sheet

  • + The weather is starting to change towards the end of the month
  • + The parks and camps are still at low occupancy
  • + The zebra herds start to move northwards to the Chobe
  •   Game can be hard to locate

Top Tips for March 2026/27

  • + Still a good time to visit for those on a budget

April mixed

Visiting Botswana in April 2026/27

Traditionally the first month of the year when the flood waters start to filter into the “panhandle” of the delta and, by the end of the month, to some of the more northern concessions around the Okavango delta. With the weather drying up and low season rates still to be found, April is a good month to consider.

Activities & Events

As the localised rainwaters start to dry out, game viewing tends to focus back onto the delta and the slow gathering of animals around the fringes.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Dry and relatively clear weather
  • + Floodwaters start to arrive in the north of the delta
  •   Temperatures start to cool again
  •   Central and lower delta camps are still dry

Top Tips for April 2026/27

  • + The back end of the month can be very good value

May mixed

Visiting Botswana in May 2026/27

May is the start of the main season in Botswana with dry days and cool evenings as the country moves into the winter season. Many of the camps now call this the main season so prices start to jump upwards but there are still bargains to be found.

Activities & Events

The Okavango delta starts to take centre stage once more with the flood waters filtering down from the north and creating what is one of nature’s most picturesque scenes.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Clear, dry weather
  • + Game numbers around the delta are very good
  • + Chobe and Linyanti are now getting very good
  •   Prices take a charp increase

Top Tips for May 2026/27

  • + Opting for earlier in the month can give better availability

June great

Visiting Botswana in June 2026/27

The first of the “main” season months, June is now dry across the country requiring the necessary “pilgrimage” of animals to the waters of the Okavango in bigger and bigger numbers. This is one of Africa’s most spectacular sights with predators and prey numbers at their height.

Activities & Events

The waters of the Okavango Delta are now almost half way down the delta and, as such, it is now possible to “mokoro” and boat in the delta.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Dry and warm days with cool nights and mornings
  • + Superb game viewing across the country
  • + At least 50% of the properties in the delta can offer water activities
  •   Prices in Botswana are now up at their highest

Top Tips for June 2026/27

  • + A loverly time to come as still fewer tourists

July best

Visiting Botswana in July 2026/27

July is now right in the main flood season in the Okavango and, with northern hemmisphere summer holidays, along with August, July is as busy as Botswana gets. With game all over the place, this is also as good as it gets which is the pay off!

Activities & Events

With full floodwaters across the delta, it is possible to walk, mokoro, boat and drive. What a treat!

Cheat Sheet

  • + Dry and warm days with cool nights and mornings
  • + Superb game viewing everywhere in the country
  • + A true paradise amongst the Kalahari sands
  •   Prices in Botswana are sometimes to be seen to be believed!

Top Tips for July 2026/27

  • + Look to combine a few areas of the country for the best experience

August amazing

Visiting Botswana in August 2026/27

With long dry days and increasingly warm evenings, August is still one of the best months to visit Botswana for a safari. The flood waters are now reaching the lower areas of the Okavango Delta and, as such, most of the camps are now able to offer water activities as well as driving.

Activities & Events

August tends to be one of the busiest months for families. With the bush dying back in the sustained heat, game viewing can be much easier in the month.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Temperatures are warm and skies clear
  • + The game viewing gets better and better
  •   Many of the camps are in “super” high season prices
  •   August is as busy as it gets for visitor numbers

Top Tips for August 2026/27

  • + You will need to book up to a year or more in advance for some camps

September great

Visiting Botswana in September 2026/27

September sees the floodwaters of the Okavango start to recede with water levels starting to fall off and some properties struggling to offer mokoro activities. The weather is still very comfortable with the temperatures start to increase by the end of the month.

Activities & Events

Heading to the Okavango is in stark contrast to some of the drier areas of the country such as the Kalahari or the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Dry and gradually increasing temperatures
  • + Abundant and easier to see game viewing 
  • + Fewer visitor numbers
  •   The floods are starting to recede

Top Tips for September 2026/27

  • + Early September can be a great time to travel

October still good

Visiting Botswana in October 2026/27

October brings to an end the long dry season in Botswana with the majority of the flood waters now reaching the southern river systems and temperatures building in time for the main rains to arrive. Parks such as Chobe feature vast elephant herds as they seek the solace of the river in the heat of the day.

Activities & Events

The southern delta and the Chobe watefront are the main places to aim for.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Dry and hot days
  • + Vast elephant herds aroudn the Chobe river front
  •   The waters recede in the Okavango delta
  •   The heat of the midday sun can be too much for some

Top Tips for October 2026/27

  • + Look to travel in the front end of the month

November fair

Visiting Botswana in November 2026/27

As the main rains start to arrive, November is a month of change in Botswana where the country reverts back to being a green and lush place once again. The temperatures are still in the high 30s so this period isn’t for everyone but there is still very good game and lower rates.

Activities & Events

This is a great time for photographers as the migratory birds start to arrive and the rainclouds provide an atmospheric backdrop.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Visitor numbers drop off
  • + Beautiful scenery as the grasses return
  • + Prices drop once more
  •   Temperatures during the day can reach the low 40s

Top Tips for November 2026/27

  • + Can be a good value time to travel

December fair

Visiting Botswana in December 2026/27

December in Botswana can be a bit of a mixed bag. This is now into the main rains and the summer heat, with daily temperatures up around the middle 30s, combines with spectacular thunderstorms. As with November, this can make for some superb photography. 

Activities & Events

Game viewing becomes much more localised with areas such as the Gomoti plains coming into their own.

Cheat Sheet

  • + Plenty of game as it disperses once more
  • + Really good birding in particular
  •   Temperatures start to jump up

Top Tips for December 2026/27

  • + A good time for those on a budget

Do visit our Best Time to Visit Africa page for a full guide

What to do in Botswana in 2026/27

Do visit our What to Do speciality guide pages for Botswana for 2026/27. These have all been put together by The Africa Specialists™ for you but don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over the options and ideas seen or to check availability for you to your schedule.

Oops. We're sorry. We don't have yet have any What to Do guides for Botswana that match this filter. Please call us on USA +1-917-336-2937 so we can help further.

Please visit our What to Do in Africa for our full guides

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We help plan your trip from start to finish
We make sure to include all your interests
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We have over 40 years of destination know how
We all spend time in our destinations annually
Local contacts give us unique insight
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We have full ATOL bonding for your financial peace of mind
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The final decision was made in the 1980s when much of the Okavango Delta and the Chobe waterfronts were becoming overrun with self-driving tourists who were paying meagre park fees but leaving a high impact on the land they were visiting. The decision was made by the then government to increase the park fees tenfold…a move that has established Botswana as the most pristine but also the most expensive safari destination in Africa!
Where to go on safari in Botswana?

The Okavango Delta
Famous the world over for being one of the most pristine but also unusual safari destinations in Africa, the reasons for coming to what is, essentially, a floodplain, are multitudinous but, in the main, most will head here between the months of April and October, as the famous floodwaters run through the delta and provide a rally call for many of the animals throughout the southern parts of Africa. Read More…

Chobe National Park and waterfront
Arguably the next most known region of Botswana is along the Chobe River and down into Chobe National Park. This region, to the north east of the country, is famed for the vast herds of elephant that emerge from the cathedral mopane forests and come down to the waters edge to bath and drink during the day and in the evenings. Many operators to Botswana would argue that a trip to this region must be done to experience the country as a whole. We would probably argue that this area is still one of the busiest in the country and, as such, a visit to the less populated Linyanti River or Savuti Spillway would be a preferable option. Read More…

The Linyanti River and Savuti Spillway
As mentioned above, formed through the overflow from the floodwaters of the Okavango, these rivers eventually make their way through to the Chobe River but, until the Chobe area, these are predominantly concession areas and, as such, provide a much more private and exclusive experience. Read More…

The Makgadikgadi, Tau and Nxai Salt Pans
Formed through the drying of the waters that used to run all the way down from the Angolan Highlands, these salt pans created a seasonal migration of zebra that head into the pans when the rains of the southern hemisphere summer arrives between December and March. For the rest of the year they provide one of the more bizarre locations for safari and wildlife viewing. Read More…

Central Kalahari Game Reserve
At an approximate size of 53,000 square kilometres the Central Kalahari (or CKGR) is one of the largest game reserves in the world and creates a natural sand barrier from west to east across the centre of Botswana. Often described as a destination for seasoned safari-hands rather than first timers to safari, this is an area of subtle differences in topography and, in the main, open wide spaces. The game viewing here can be sporadic but if you are aiming for a sense of African space and seclusion then a visit here can be very rewarding. Read More…
Does Botswana have any beaches? This is a question we are often asked as a relaxing beach stay is often combined with the relative activity of a safari holiday. Unfortunately as a land locked country, there are now beaches to visit in Botswana itself but, with access through Johannesburg the excellent beaches of Southern Mozambique are certainly possible or, for those on more of a time and budget restriction, it is also possible to head up to Zambia and visit the Victoria Falls for a few nights where there are plenty of great properties to choose from where relaxation is the name of the game!

Botswana

At a glance.... Botswana Size: 581,730 km² Location: Southern Africa Recommended time: 7+ nights combining a safari and Victoria Falls or Mozambique Time to visit: All year but January to March is the rainy season Safari Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, horse riding, hot air balloon rides, mokoro, helicopter safaris Topography: Floodplains, riparian forest, desert Further reading... › Luxury African Safari › Africa Honeymoon › Best time to visit Africa Configure blockConfigure layout Why Book With Us? We can help: Fully tailormade itineraries Guaranteed best price or price match Personal knowledge of everywhere we sell Personal service, 24/7 We're ATOL bonded It's FREE! Call us direct on:UK: +44 1525 840 149US: +1-917-336-2937