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Photo credit: Kierra Jones
On safari in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans Is Botswana the perfect safari destination? Our Bestway expert thinks so If I was asked to name the best wildlife destinations on Earth, a few spots would come to mind. One of these spots would be Botswana and its legendary Okavango Delta, which becomes the most wildlife-rich area in Africa when it floods. Leopards, wild dogs, rare birds, endangered rhinos—you’ll find them all here. In 2017, I had the opportunity to explore this wildlife wonderland through Bestway. Below are three reasons why I would recommend Botswana for anyone wanting to experience the African safari at its best. Table of ContentsWhy Botswana is an amazing safari destination1. You can see wildlife up close with no one else around. 2. You can capture the classic safari experience with intimate lodges. 3. You can have unique cultural interactions with Botswana’s most ancient inhabitants.Practical tips for your tour to Botswanaa. What is the best time of year to go on safari in Botswana? b. How many days do you need in Botswana? c. Is Botswana safe? d. What can you do in Botswana besides safaris? e. How do you plan a trip to Botswana?Why Botswana is an amazing safari destination1. You can see wildlife up close with no one else around.
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Botswana’s most popular animal, the African savanna elephant, seen in Khwai Private Reserve Of course, the highlight of Botswana is its animals. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its natural diversity, the Okavango Delta is home to more than 2,000 different species of animals and plants. Here, you can spot the Big 5—lion , leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and African buffalo—as well as many other mammals, including Africa’s largest concentration of endangered wild dogs. Okavango isn’t the only amazing animal experience. Unique small mammals like meerkats and aardwolves inhabit the Makgadikgadi salt pans, while the biggest population of elephants in the world is found in Botswana’s Chobe National Park (also located only an hours’ drive away from famous Victoria Falls!). Discover all three regions with our popular Discover Botswana Wildlife Safari with Victoria Falls.
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Admiring giraffes while on safari in Botswana game reserve But in Botswana, it’s not just about what you see—it’s how you see it. The country takes a “high value, low impact” approach to tourism, limiting the number of people who can stay in each area, and even the type of structures that can be built. As a result, parks and preserves remain almost untouched. While viewing the country’s extraordinary variety of wildlife, you can be sure that there won’t be 10 other safari vehicles fighting for a photo. Some of my favourite moments of my trip were watching a lion stroll across the path or meerkats scurry about in the first light of sunrise with no one but our group around.
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
A baby meerkat sits in the light of the sunrise at Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans
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The accommodations found in Botswana truly differentiate themselves from anywhere else I have stayed. Swimming with elephants a handful of metres away, enjoying a romantic dinner under the African stars, and observing the resident crocodile that lived in a river running right through the lodge were just some of the unforgettable experiences I had while I was there. At every stop, I could expect welcoming staff, multi-course meals worth writing home about, and unique common spaces that were lovely to lounge in between safari jaunts.
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Botswana safari lodges offer welcoming and comfortable lounge areas My absolute favourite lodge that I stayed in was Meno a Kwena, which actually gained some international fame after Prince Harry took his wife Meagan Markle there for a “blind date”! The camp is a glorious throwback to the golden age of exploration, filled with antique maps and teak furniture. However, the best part is the setting. Each luxury tent was scenically placed at the edge of a private cliff, with views of the Boteti River below. I could watch the animals come to drink as I sipped my morning coffee, and even as I showered in a luxurious outside bathroom setup! A truly one-of-a-kind experience. If you want to experience a custom safari featuring Meno a Kwena and other beautiful lodges, get in touch with us!
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
View of the Boteti River from Meno a Kwena safari lodge in Botswana
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Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Learning about the cultural traditions of the San people, Botswana’s native inhabitants The San were the first people to make Botswana their home more than 20,000 years ago. Having the opportunity to interact with them and learn about their day-to-day lives was one of my favourite cultural experiences to date. I got to walk through the arid Botswana wilderness with a small clan group, observing their traditions first-hand. I was able to witness everything from a man digging up a scorpion for group members to play with, to an animated song and dance highlighting the peoples’ fascinating use of clicks in their language. San are considered to be one of the oldest cultures on earth—it was incredible to take a step back in time and learn how our distant ancestors may have lived.
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
A member of Botswana’s San community handles a small scorpion
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Practical tips for your tour to Botswanaa. What is the best time of year to go on safari in Botswana?The best time to take a tour of Botswana is its dry season, which lasts from about May to October. Interestingly, the dry season is actually the time of year when the Okavango Delta is at its fullest! This means that thirsty animals gather from all around to take advantage of the green oasis in the middle of the desert. Temperatures are also warm and sunny in the daytime. That said, don’t discount the “green” season, when the rest of the country experiences rain. I travelled to Botswana during green season in November, and saw plenty of wildlife. The green foliage was lovely to look at, and we actually did not experience any rain at all!
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
Spotting zebras on safari in Botswana’s Chobe National Park during green season
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As many as you can manage! More practically, spending at least two to three nights in the Okavango Delta and two to three nights in Chobe National Park is a great start. If you have more time, Makgadikgadi salt pans offer otherworldly scenery and unique wildlife. Or add another safari lodge in the Okavango Delta to get a different perspective—some lodges have more water-based wildlife activities, while others have more land-based activities, so there’s quite a variety to be had here. Finally, famous Victoria Falls, straddling Zimbabwe and Zambia, is only about an hour’s drive from Chobe National Park, opening a whole new world of adventure!
Photo credit: Kierra Jones
An expert guide and driver is a key part of a safari in Botswana
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Botswana is actually one of the safest countries in Africa! I didn’t feel unsafe at any point during my tour, even as a woman travelling solo. Of course, general safety precautions such as leaving your valuables in the hotel safe and skipping on flashy jewelry are recommended wherever you visit. Back to top The main attraction in Botswana is clearly the wildlife! However, you can break up your journey with day trips on a mokoro (traditional canoe), cultural experiences with the local peoples, or adventure activities of all kinds in the nearby Victoria Falls.
Photo credit: Peter Langer
Tourists in Botswana learn about the traditions of the San people
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There are a few things to consider when planning a trip to Botswana. Do you want to have a private tour, or join a small group? Do you want to travel overland, or fly from spot to spot in a small aircraft (a safari favourite!)? For those who want to join a small group, I would highly recommend our 15-day Discover Botswana Wildlife Safari with Victoria Falls. This journey is the perfect introduction to Botswana, with added jaunts into Zimbabwe. For those who want an even more epic adventure, our Great Trans-African Safari fits the bill. This 21-day exploration takes you through the highlights of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe—three majestic Southern African destinations combined into one safari! For those who want a private or customized tour, we welcome you to get in touch, and we can create a journey according to your exact desires. Back to top
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Posted by Kierra Jones