Botswana Safari Guide

Botswana

Safari Guide

Remote natural beauty and exclusivity are the hallmarks of safaris in Botswana with its policy of low impact, high end tourism. The stringent limit on total visitors means that encounters with other people are rare while your encounter with wildlife and natural habitat will be at a maximum.

As specialists in custom safaris, we can tailor any safaris to meet your personal needs.

With the time and budget you have available, there are two principal choices to make - where and how to go. Do you want to visit the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari region or the rich and well-known Okavango / Moremi / Linyanti / Chobe region? Do you want to visit isolated safari camps, flying between camps, or do you want to travel overland?

Where to go | Maps | Google Earth Map

Sample Itineraries
The old overland safari route Maun - Kasane - This traditional adventure route runs from Maun through Moremi National Park (part of the Okavango Delta) the Savute District of Chobe National Park, through the Chobe District and finishing at Kasane or Victoria Falls.
- Letaka - Luxury 9 night Northern Explorer Safari
- Drifters 16 day Botswana Overland Safari
Okavango and Moremi National Park
- Letaka - Luxury 6 night Moremi National Park
- Uncharted Africa - Luxury Mobile Safaris on a private departure basis
Selinda / Linyanti / Savuti District
Chobe District
Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi and N'xai Pans - The Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans regions are not true desert, but semi-desert, with substantial rainfall December - March, but no permanent water and no rain the remainder of the year.

When to go

For Game:

June - November is the best season for the Okavango / Moremi / Linyanti and Chobe regions are the dry months Game is concentrated along permanent water. The seasonal floodwaters from the Angola highlands bring high water during these months
December - April is best for the Savuti District of Chobe, the Kalahari, N'xai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pans, when the rains attract animals in search of fresh grass. Indeed, this is the time to view the Southern Africa migration from the Okavango out through N'xai Pan to the Makgadigadi Pans.
Note: High flood levels in 2009 have led to the reflooding of the Savuti Chanel for the first time in decades, making Wilderness Savuti Camp a prime location even during the historic dry season.

For Price

Secret Season (Nov - Apr) prices are $325-$450 pppn + flight transfers. See the 5-Rivers Safari

Cost of travel to Botswana

Allow about $600 airfare R/T between Johannesburg and Maun, Livingstone or Victoria Falls
Premier lodges (6*) cost $1200 pppn + air transfer costs (about $200 per transfer)
Standard lodges (5*) are $600 - $900 pppn + air transfer costs
Luxury Overland safaris run up to $420 pppn
Basic overland camping - $200-250 pppn

Botswana's Premier Safari Camps - These "6*" camps provide large tents or chalets, superb cuisine and wines, personalized service, camps are architectural masterpieces.

Zarafa Camp - Selinda Reserve - arguably the most exclusive lodge in Africa. Small, intimate and luxurious.
Wilderness Premier Camps including Mombo Camp, King's Pool, Vumbura Plains and Jao Camps.
Sanctuary Lodges - Chief's Camp is a top rated luxury camp in the Mombo region. Baine's Camp is a luxurious small camp in the Okavango. Chobe Chilwero offers similar luxury overlooking the Chobe River.
Uncharted Africa - Camps and expeditions.

Luxury Lodges (5*) - superb comfort, remote locations

Kwando Lodges - Remote, superb camps with excellent personal attention. Specializes in the off-road experience.
Desert and Delta Lodges - Excellent value with long stay prices at about $600 pppn all inclusive.
Wilderness Standard Lodges - These are famous lodges located on large private concessions providing excellent guiding and comfort. Our favorites are Kwetsani, Duma Tau, Selinda and Little Vumbura Camps.

Unusual Destinations

Jacks Camp - This superb luxury camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans is
N'xai Pan Lodge - Kwando's new luxury lodge in N'xai Pan NP provides a unique opportunity to see this fabulous park.
Tau Pan Lodge - Kwando's new luxury lodge on Tau Pan in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Unique Itineraries

Uncharted Africa Luxury Camping in the Okavango
Selinda Canoe Trails

Budget Overland Safaris

Drifters 16 day Botswana Overland Safari

Affordable Safari Camps

Planet Baobab - Uncharted Africa's relaxed and exciting camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Plains offering day safaris to the Makgadikgadi and N'xai Pans.

Cape to Cairo, LLC African Business and Adventure Travel 2761 Unicorn Ln. NW Washington, DC 20015 tel 800.356.4433 202.244.5954 res@capetocairo.travel

Remote natural beauty and exclusivity are the hallmarks of safaris in Botswana with its policy of low impact, high end tourism. The stringent limit on total visitors means that encounters with other people are rare while your encounter with wildlife and natural habitat will be at a maximum.

As specialists in custom safaris, we can tailor any safaris to meet your personal needs.

Where to go | Maps | Google Earth Map

The old overland safari route Maun - Kasane - This traditional adventure route runs from Maun through Moremi National Park (part of the Okavango Delta) the Savute District of Chobe National Park, through the Chobe District and finishing at Kasane or Victoria Falls.

Uncharted Africa - Luxury Mobile Safaris on a private departure basis

Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi and N'xai Pans - The Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans regions are not true desert, but semi-desert, with substantial rainfall December - March, but no permanent water and no rain the remainder of the year.

For Game:

June - November is the best season for the Okavango / Moremi / Linyanti and Chobe regions are the dry months Game is concentrated along permanent water. The seasonal floodwaters from the Angola highlands bring high water during these months

December - April is best for the Savuti District of Chobe, the Kalahari, N'xai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pans, when the rains attract animals in search of fresh grass. Indeed, this is the time to view the Southern Africa migration from the Okavango out through N'xai Pan to the Makgadigadi Pans.

Note: High flood levels in 2009 have led to the reflooding of the Savuti Chanel for the first time in decades, making Wilderness Savuti Camp a prime location even during the historic dry season.

For Price

Secret Season (Nov - Apr) prices are $325-$450 pppn + flight transfers. See the 5-Rivers Safari

Cost of travel to Botswana

Allow about $600 airfare R/T between Johannesburg and Maun, Livingstone or Victoria Falls

Premier lodges (6*) cost $1200 pppn + air transfer costs (about $200 per transfer)

Standard lodges (5*) are $600 - $900 pppn + air transfer costs

Luxury Overland safaris run up to $420 pppn

Basic overland camping - $200-250 pppn

Botswana's Premier Safari Camps - These "6*" camps provide large tents or chalets, superb cuisine and wines, personalized service, camps are architectural masterpieces.

Zarafa Camp - Selinda Reserve - arguably the most exclusive lodge in Africa. Small, intimate and luxurious.

Wilderness Premier Camps including Mombo Camp, King's Pool, Vumbura Plains and Jao Camps.

Sanctuary Lodges - Chief's Camp is a top rated luxury camp in the Mombo region. Baine's Camp is a luxurious small camp in the Okavango. Chobe Chilwero offers similar luxury overlooking the Chobe River.

Uncharted Africa - Camps and expeditions.

Luxury Lodges (5*) - superb comfort, remote locations

Kwando Lodges - Remote, superb camps with excellent personal attention. Specializes in the off-road experience.

Desert and Delta Lodges - Excellent value with long stay prices at about $600 pppn all inclusive.

Wilderness Standard Lodges - These are famous lodges located on large private concessions providing excellent guiding and comfort. Our favorites are Kwetsani, Duma Tau, Selinda and Little Vumbura Camps.

Unusual Destinations

Jacks Camp - This superb luxury camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans is

N'xai Pan Lodge - Kwando's new luxury lodge in N'xai Pan NP provides a unique opportunity to see this fabulous park.

Tau Pan Lodge - Kwando's new luxury lodge on Tau Pan in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Unique Itineraries

Uncharted Africa Luxury Camping in the Okavango

Budget Overland Safaris

Affordable Safari Camps

Planet Baobab - Uncharted Africa's relaxed and exciting camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Plains offering day safaris to the Makgadikgadi and N'xai Pans.