Experience the thrill of a Botswana safari where everything is bigger and better. Discover super-sized elephants, vast landscapes, and unforgettable experiences that are truly beyond measure.
With the renowned Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park as her pinnacle wildlife destinations, Botswana emerges as one of the ultimate safari destinations in Africa. If you are after an unforgettable and memorable African safari with animals at its center, Botswana will never disappoint.
Here are a few of the must-visit parks and game reserves for an epic wildlife safari.
Okavango Delta – A Wildlife Paradise
The Okavango Delta is one of the most unique ecosystems in Africa, with its lush wetlands and abundant wildlife. The best way to experience this stunning region is by taking a mokoro ride, a traditional canoe, through the winding waterways. You’ll encounter animals on its banks – elephant, an array of indigenous antelope and buffalo – as well as in the river itself. Hippo, crocodile, and a plethora of brightly plumaged birds dot the waterways. Embark on daily game drives as well; keep an ear out for the early morning roars of lion, the rasping growl of leopard and the high-pitched squeaks of cheetah.
Chobe National Park – Big Game, Bigger Elephants
Chobe National Park is well known for its large herds of elephants, which are seen throughout the park. During the dry season, they congregate in massive mega herds along the banks of the Chobe River, young and old alike. A boat cruise is an ideal way of game-viewing with a drink in hand; you’ll also encounter the odd male elephant enjoying a splashy bath on his own. Chobe is also excellent for predator sightings, as well as buffalo, and a variety of plains game.
Linyanti Marsh & Lion-Rich Savute
These two regions form part of the larger Chobe area and are worth spending time in on their own as part of your Botswana wildlife safari. The Linyanti is situated in the far north and is abundant in game; its low visitor rate makes it ideal for an off-the-beaten-track experience. Linyanti’s birdlife is especially spectacular during the wet season (November to February) when thousands of migratory birds jostle for space on the banks of the papyrus lined Linyanti River.
The Savute borders Chobe National Park to the south-west; it is remote and untouched but has its own airstrip and is easily accessed as a fly-in destination. The area is particularly well known for its incredible zebra migrations, which are followed by predators in their droves – including lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs!
Moremi Game Reserve – A Diverse Wildlife Experience
Tucked into the heart of the Okavango Delta is Moremi Game Reserve, a wild protected area of almost 5000sq kilometers (about twice the area of Yosemite National Park). This beautiful expanse of mopane woodland, acacia forests, seasonal floodplains and scenic lagoons is the setting of some of the most amazing game viewing in Botswana. Regular and frequent sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and jackal can be enjoyed, as well as that of wild dogs, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, red lechwe and the rare sable antelope. We recommend embarking on a walking safari as well as enjoying your daily game drives.
Makgadikgadi Pans – A Mysterious Expanse
If you’re looking for a unique experience, head to the Makgadikgadi pans in central Botswana. These ancient salt flats are the remains of an enormous lake that dried up thousands of years ago. Now you can see herds of wildebeest and zebra, as well as predators like spotted hyena, lions and cheetah which congregate to drink from the shrinking puddles along the region’s historic hunter-gatherer paths.
Botswana’s wildlife adventures are unparalleled, with its diverse range of ecosystems and abundance of wildlife. From the Okavango Delta to the Savute Marsh, each region offers a unique experience that is sure to leave you in awe of the incredible wildlife that calls Botswana home. Whether you choose to take a walking safari, game drive, or mokoro ride, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience in this stunning country. Plan your Botswana safari now; one of our expert Travel Planners will gladly customize a bespoke journey for you and your family.
