"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling in Botswana. These suggestions are personal insights gathered from myself and my team at Timeless Africa Safaris. These recommendations are personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
Despite a seemingly harsh landscape, Botswana is a destination of rich cultures and exhilarating African wildlife safaris with unmatched game viewing opportunities. From the adventure of an Okavango safari, to the big African skies and quiet isolation of the Kalahari, Botswana’s breathtaking scenery and peaceful tranquillity attracts visitors seeking a unique and personal African safari experience.
Best known for the Okavango Delta, Botswana is where ultimate luxury meets true wilderness. Makgadikgadi is one of the largest saltpans on earth, a place of extreme contrast and diverse beauty. Linyanti & Savuti are unique channels with their own precious wildlife patterns, famed for the playful quirks of the resident packs of wild dogs. Chobe is where elephant is king and offers the chance to get up close to vast herds of gentle giants. Finally watch the sun set over the red dunes of Central Kalahari, the dramatic setting for the second largest big game sanctuary on earth.
1. Tour Operator Recommendation
Marco van Embden owns a great tour operator based in Cape Town South Africa, Timeless Africa Safaris with expertise in 15 African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Republic of Congo, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Timeless Africa Safaris is a family business with Marco’s eldest daughter, Casey, being involved in the business for the past twelve years. The team truly understands the YPO philosophy – many of the travel managers have fostered relationships with local and international YPO’ers through the personal and/or family trips curated for them, their friends and their Forums as well as Intl YPO chapter visits to South Africa. These YPO’ers have become ambassadors for the work that Timeless Africa Safaris does in Africa, spreading their positive – and often life-changing – experiences with future YPO travellers.
There are a lot of good people out there, doing great work in bringing travellers to Africa. The most important thing is that you come to our magnificent continent which greatly relies on foreign travellers to support the communities and the wildlife.
2. Best Time to Go to Botswana
- Peak Season: June - September
- Mid Season: April, May, October, November, December
- Rainy Season: January-March
The peak period to visit Botswana is during the dry, winter months of June to October when game viewing is at its peak. During these months, animals are increasingly concentrated around water holes as it gets drier. It is location-specific, with the Okavango Delta waterways at their fullest between May and September. January to April, the hot summer months are good for Chobe Savuti and the Kalahari, especially to witness the Zebra migration.
3. Access to Botswana
There are several access points, depending on your destination within Botswana.
- The main entry points are Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Maun Airport for the Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans and Okavango Delta regions, and Kasane Airport for Chobe National Park or the Savute and Linyanti regions. Most guests fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town directly to Maun, or Johannesburg to Kasane.
- Within Botswana, scheduled or private charter flights in fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters will get you to most of the camps and lodges. From Kasane to the Chobe Region, you will enjoy a road transfer.
- From Victoria Falls or Livingstone, a road transfer is also possible to Kasane, with an immigration stop made en route.
4. Insights on Botswana
- Elephant lovers should prioritise visiting the Chobe region to take in the world’s largest elephant population – an unforgettable experience if these gentle giants are among your favourites.
- If you feel like escaping human civilization, Botswana offers remote camps, no crowds and wide-open spaces for you to leave traffic, deadlines and the office far behind you.
- If you’re looking for a more secluded or a romantic encounter with Africa, in Botswana you can arrange private safari vehicles, private dining areas and small, intimate camps to shut out the rest of the world.
- Hone your wildlife photography skills with innumerable opportunities to capture award-worthy shots of Africa’s extraordinary bird life, the Big 5 and rare nocturnal animals.
- Meet genuine San bushmen and spend time getting to understand one of the world’s most ancient, living cultures and their unique lifestyle.
- If high adventure makes you come alive, you can canoe through the Delta in a Mokoro (local canoe) and spot the world’s deadliest mammal, the hippo, as well as crocodiles and waterbirds, alongside the many land animals that come down to drink.
5. Marco’s Activities Recommendations
- Helicopter or quad bike to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and sleep out under the African Night Skies
- Glide along the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a glass-bottomed canoe (mokoro)
- Learn about bush life from the San Bushmen people
- Incredible walking safaris and horseback safaris
- Meet the curios meerkats of the Kalahari
7. Trip Inspiration
5-night Botswana Splendour in the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve
Discover the unparalleled beauty of Botswana with a 5-night adventure that combines the lush landscapes of the Okavango Delta and the rich wildlife of the Moremi Game Reserve. Begin your journey with two nights at the luxurious Camp Okavango, where you’ll explore pristine lagoons and waterways by mokoro canoe and on guided bush walks, all while enjoying all-inclusive amenities. Then, immerse yourself in the heart of Moremi Game Reserve at Camp Moremi for three nights of thrilling game drives and scenic boat trips. Witness majestic elephants, stealthy leopards, and vibrant birdlife in their natural habitat, all from the comfort of your exquisite accommodations. Indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience that seamlessly blends adventure, relaxation, and luxury in one of the most spectacular settings on Earth.
An Incredible 8-night Family Safari
Set off on an unforgettable 8-night family safari in Botswana, where the vast wilderness and diverse ecosystems promise an adventure like no other. Begin your journey along the Boteti River in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, exploring its prolific wildlife and engaging with local cultures. Next, move on to the Moremi Game Reserve for thrilling game drives and boat excursions in search of Africa's iconic animals. Experience the heart of the Okavango Delta at Camp Okavango, where mokoro excursions and bush walks reveal the intricacies of this unique habitat. Finally, complete your safari on the Chobe River Front, with its abundant wildlife and luxurious accommodations at Chobe Game Lodge. Throughout your trip, intimate lodges ensure personalized service and unforgettable experiences, making this the perfect family adventure in one of Africa's premier safari destinations. For an even richer experience, consider extending your stay with a visit to nearby Victoria Falls, accessible from Zambia or Zimbabwe, where additional family-friendly lodges await.
9-nights in Brilliant Botswana
Immerse yourself in a spectacular 9-night Botswana safari that takes you deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve. Begin your adventure at the enchanting Wilderness Seba Camp, where the edge of a tranquil lagoon teems with honking hippos and prolific wildlife. Glide through the pristine waters of the Okavango by mokoro or boat at the serene Wilderness Pelo Camp, spotting vibrant birdlife and majestic elephants. Culminate your journey at the luxurious Xigera Safari Lodge, where bespoke experiences and handcrafted elegance redefine safari living. With thrilling game drives, serene boat excursions, and intimate encounters with Africa's iconic wildlife, this safari promises an unforgettable exploration of Botswana's untouched wilderness.
6. Marco’s Top Accommodation Recommendations
8. Destinations Botswana Pairs Well With
- Kenya via Livingstone and Nairobi
- Mauritius via Johannesburg
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Victoria Falls Zimbabwe and Zambia
- Zambia South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Park
9. Botswana Regions
Central Kalahari
Set in the vast Kalahari Desert, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the world’s second-largest game reserve. It offers one of Africa’s most remote, wild safari experiences, with striking landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Chobe National Park
Famous for its large elephant herds, Chobe Riverfront teems with wildlife during the dry season. Expect lush floodplains, dense woodlands, and over 460 bird species, from fish eagles to carmine bee-eaters.
Linyanti, Savuti & Selinda
These remote corners of Chobe offer an exclusive safari experience. Known for high predator density and Big 5 sightings, the region’s wetlands, grasslands, and forests are alive with birdlife and game.
Makgadikgadi Pans
Once a massive prehistoric lake, these vast salt pans are arid for much of the year—except during the wet season, when rains transform the landscape into a haven for zebra, wildebeest, flamingos, and predators.
Okavango Delta
The world’s largest inland delta, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a wildlife paradise. Glide through water channels in a mokoro, spot rare animals and birds, and explore the Delta’s islands and lagoons for an unforgettable safari.
