Botswana Safari

Not all camps in Botswana accept young children, but an increasing number now have family rooms and more flexible child policies. As the safari experience in Botswana is exceptionally wild and camps are largely unfenced, we would always recommend that you stay at a camp that is used to hosting families. Game drives are the staple of a safari Botswana and younger children may struggle with the length of these; therefore, camps with more activities for kids are also recommended.

Away from the Okavango Delta, there are great options in the Kalahari Desert and Magkadigkadi Pans, where fewer big animals and more activities make for a very different experience.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in nature, but the chances are that on a week-long safari in the Okavango Delta you will see four of the Big Five. Elephants, buffaloes and lions are spotted by all but the unluckiest in the Okavango Delta. Leopards are elusive across Africa, but with a bit of luck and patience, there is a good chance of spotting one in the delta.

It used to be that your chances of seeing a rhino in Botswana were nonexistent. However, thanks to a successful reintroduction program, sightings have started to become more common over the past few years. In spite of this, the secrecy surrounding rhinos’ numbers and locations means that it is almost impossible to make any predictions. All we can say is that your chances of seeing a rhino now are far better than a decade ago.

A mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe that is propelled by poling, in a similar way to an English punt. Due to this, they are limited to the shallower parts of the Okavango Delta, but they are an excellent way to explore thanks to their shallow draft and lack of a noisy motor. Many camps offer mokoro trips, although this is usually dependent on water levels.

Most camps in the Okavango Delta can only be accessed by air, meaning you will fly in on a light aircraft or even helicopter. However, there are some options in the southern part of the delta that can be accessed by road from Maun – these are good options for those who have a fear of small planes. Similarly, there are also mobile safaris available that combine walking, boats and 4×4 vehicles.

Elsewhere in Botswana, such as Chobe National Park or the Kalahari, camps can typically be accessed by air or land. However, the size of Botswana means that flying is almost always recommended.

The floodwaters from Angola start to return in May and remain fairly full to July/August. However, the course of the flood can be affected by shifting tectonic plates, meaning that flood levels vary across the delta from year to year.

Cotton layers such as T-shirts, a light fleece, shorts and a pair of long trousers are the key items. The temperature can vary quite a bit from the early morning game drive to the heat of the day. Sun screen, a hat and a swimming costume are the other necessities. It is best to avoid bright colours for a safari. Footwear should include a pair of sandals or flip flops and some walking shoes (trainers would usually be fine).

Bear in mind that you will be navigating through the waterways between islands, some of which are actually floating themselves. The vegetation is characterised by tall papyrus plants, which can obscure your view, so it is unwise to expect to see all of the Big Five whilst staying at a water-based lodge.

The birdlife is magnificent and as you glide along in a mokoro canoe, your guide will be able to point out some of the smaller amphibious creatures that make the delta their home. Most lodges in the delta will offer a guided walk on the islands, and you can expect to see everything from antelope and warthog through to lions and elephants.

At lodges that offer game drives, the chances of seeing wildlife are often better. However, these are more commonly located on the fringes of the delta. For the perfect delta experience, we always recommend combing a water-focussed camp with a land-focussed one.