exclusive safaris in botswana
Botswana is famous for being one of the most wonderful safari destinations!
Chobe National Park, in northern Botswana, has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa… and is best known for its spectacular elephant population.
The Okavango Delta has the most pristine ecosystem one can possibly imagine… and there is nothing that can compare to the blissful feeling of drifting in a mokoro (dug out canoe) along the waterways of the Delta!
Botswana is most famous for it being one of the most wonderful safari destinations in Africa. The Chobe National Park is teeming with Elephants. The Okavango Delta has the most pristine ecosystem one can possibly imagine.
You’ll find that a Botswana safari experience is an unashamedly upmarket one. Operating according to a ‘high-cost, low impact’ strategy has paid off: not only is Botswana markedly free from crowds and over-development, but the safari experience extends to more than just the wildlife…
Safaris in Botswana tend to be small, exclusive affairs. One generally flies directly into some of Africa’s finest lodges, situated in outstanding, wild and secluded locations. Imagine candle-lit silver service dinners, private viewing platforms and a butler service, all surrounded by hundreds – no, thousands – of square miles of trackless wilderness…
It’s all possible on a Botswana safari!
okavango delta
The Okavango Delta is a large inland swamp, formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough in the central part of the Kalahari. All the water reaching the Delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired, and does not flow into any sea or ocean.
The Okavango is produced by seasonal flooding. The Okavango River drains the summer (January – February) rainfall from the Angola highlands and the surge flows 1,200 kilometres in approximately one month. The waters then spread over the 250 km by 150 km area of the delta over the next four months (March – June). The flood peaks between June and August, during Botswana’s dry winter months, when the delta swells to three times its permanent size, attracting animals from kilometres around and creating one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife.
This statistical significance helped the Okavango Delta secure a position as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
There is nothing that can compare to the blissful feeling of drifting in a mokoro (dug out canoe) along the waterways of the Delta. The silence is all consuming and the pristine beauty is breathtaking. One is emerged with nature in the most magical way.
chobe national park
Covering approximately 11,700 square kilometers, Chobe is home to an astounding diversity of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.
One of the park’s highlights is its vast elephant population, which is one of the largest in Africa. Witness these majestic creatures up close as they gather around the Chobe River for a refreshing drink and playful water activities!
Chobe’s game drives are an incredible way to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, from lush floodplains to dense woodlands, all teeming with a variety of animals such as lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and countless bird species. Sunset boat cruises along the Chobe River offer a unique perspective, allowing you to witness the spectacle of Africa’s wildlife against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunset.
kalahari
The Kalahari Desert is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. It is the home of the San Bushmen where they used to roam free, hunting and gathering. Thus it is a place of mystery and history.
Although dry and called a desert, the Kalahari has a beautiful fauna and flora. The landscape is breathtaking and the wildlife includes brown hyenas, lions, meerkats, giraffes, warthogs, jackals, eland, gemsbok, springbok, hartebeest, steenbok, kudu, and duiker, as well as many species of reptiles and birds.
In addition to the spectacular wildlife, several of the lodges offer the opportunity to meet with and learn from the San Bushmen.
makgadikgadi pans
Between the Central Kalahari and the magical Okavango Delta swamps lie the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats on Earth. By day, whirlwinds skirt across a seemingly endless desert, invoking a feeling of true isolation. By night, the emptiness and silence of the pans give rise to something incredibly magical and hard to come by in today’s world – true solitude and a sense of vast wilderness.
Being out in the pans at night, you will be enveloped by a sky dotted by trillions of stars… an unforgettable experience!
Very little wildlife inhabits the pans during the harsh dry season. But when the annual rains arrive, the pans are covered with water and the fresh grasslands around its fringes become a refuge for birds and animals. It then becomes the setting for one of Botswana’s great wildlife spectacles: the annual Zebra migration.
The wet season also brings migratory birds such as ducks, geese and Great White Pelicans, and the pans are home to the only breeding population of Greater Flamingos in Southern Africa.
when to go…
Botswana has distinct seasons, and each offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and other activities. Here’s a general guideline for the best times to visit Botswana:
May to August: These months are considered prime safari season with cooler temperatures and excellent wildlife viewing.
September to October: The end of the dry season is still a fantastic time for safaris. Water sources are drying up, and animals are concentrated around them.
November to December: This is the start of the green season, with occasional rain showers. Wildlife is still abundant, and prices are lower.
January to March: This period experiences the most rainfall, and some lodges may be closed. However, it’s an excellent time for birding and the lush landscapes can be beautiful.
April: The end of the green season, leading to lower prices and the possibility of seeing baby animals.
Remember that Botswana has a variety of ecosystems, and the best time to visit may vary depending on the specific region within the country.