Botswana

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WHY

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Botswana stands out as one of Africa's premier safari destinations, offering an extraordinary blend of pristine wilderness, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural experiences. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first African adventure, Botswana's unique landscapes and conservation-focused tourism make it an ideal destination.

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Wildlife Viewing

Botswana is particularly famous for its large elephant herds, additionally, you can expect to see lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, and many other species in their natural habitat.

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‍Moremi Game Reserve

Situated in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is often described as one of the most beautiful and game-rich areas in Africa. It offers a mix of wetlands, floodplains, and forests, providing a perfect environment for diverse wildlife. Moremi is one of the best places to see predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs. 

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Conservation and Responsible Tourism

Botswana is a global leader in conservation, with a strong commitment to sustainable tourism. The country follows a low-impact, high-value tourism model, which limits the number of visitors to its parks and reserves, preserving the wilderness for future generations. 

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Cultural Richness

The San people, also known as Bushmen, are among the oldest cultures in the world. Visitors can learn about their traditional way of life, survival skills, and deep connection with the land. Engaging with local communities adds a meaningful dimension to your safari, providing insight into the human history that has shaped Botswana’s natural environment.

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Exclusive and Luxurious Lodging

Botswana’s lodges and camps are known for their exclusivity and luxury. Whether staying in an elegant tented camp in the Okavango Delta, a riverside lodge in Chobe, or a remote camp in the Kalahari, you can expect top-notch service, gourmet cuisine, and exceptional guiding. 

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‍Adventure Activities

Botswana offers a variety of activities beyond traditional game drives. You can take part in guided walking safaris, boat safaris, and even hot air ballooning over the Okavango Delta. The country’s diverse landscapes also lend themselves to exciting explorations, from tracking rhinos on foot to quad biking across the Makgadikgadi Pans.

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Accessibility and Safety

Botswana is known for its political stability and safety, making it a reliable choice for travelers. The country has good infrastructure, with regular flights connecting major hubs like Johannesburg to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, and Kasane, near Chobe National Park.

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WHEN

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Dry Season (May to October)

The dry season is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, especially in places like the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. Animals congregate around water sources, making them easier to spot. The weather is cooler and less humid, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). This is also the peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and more crowded lodges and campsites.

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Wet Season (November to April)

The wet season is perfect for bird watchers, as migratory birds arrive, and the landscape is lush and green. There are fewer tourists during this time, which can lead to more personalized experiences and lower prices. Temperatures can rise significantly, sometimes exceeding 35°C (95°F), and there are occasional thunderstorms. However, the rain usually falls in short, intense bursts.

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Shoulder Months (April and November)

These months can be a good compromise, offering a balance between fewer tourists, moderate weather, and good wildlife viewing opportunities.

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WHERE

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Chobe National Park

This is an integral part of the Botswana safari experience. Chobe National Park takes its name from the Chobe River which forms the northern boundary of the park and a river safari - or cruise - is one of the best options to explore the area.

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Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland river delta located in northern Botswana. It's known for its sprawling grassy plains, which flood seasonally, becoming a lush animal habitat. The Moremi Game Reserve occupies the east and central areas of the region. Here, dugout canoes are used to navigate past hippos, elephants and crocodiles. On dry land, game drives allow you to explore the pristine wilderness and experience Africa’s wildlife, including lions, leopards, giraffes and rhinos.

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Linyanti, Selinda & Kwando

The vast open plains of northern Botswana teem with predators, elephants and buffalos and with very few lodges in the large private concessions of Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando – the result is an extremely private safari experience. The area is fed by the Kwando and Linyanti Rivers, which converge into the Selinda Spillway.

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Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savanna in Southern Africa extending for 900,000 square kilometers (350,000 square miles), covering much of Botswana, parts of Namibia and regions of South Africa. Activities in the Kalahari Desert includes game drives, Kalahari Desert walking safaris, cultural tours and much more.

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Tsodilo Hills

The Tsodilo Hills has a special significance to the Bushmen who have been living there for thousands of years. The Tsodilo Hills consist of four large pieces of rock, rising unexpectedly from the dry expanse of desert. The Bushmen referred to the bigger rock as the 'male', the smaller one was known as the 'female', and the smallest one was the 'child'. There is a small Bushmen habitat nearby as well as a village inhabited by the Hambukushu people. The thousands of rock paintings can be found by following different trails leading to over 350 sites.

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Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

With an area of 3 900 sq. km, Makgadikgadi is situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world. Among the many things to do in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park are safari rides, game drives, bird watching, a tour of the Gweta, and bush walks. Wildlife includes eland, lions, zebras, cheetah, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, bushbuck, giraffe, steenbok, elephants and many more.

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast wildlife preserve in the Kalahari Desert region of Botswana and South Africa, bordering Namibia to the west. It’s characterized by red dunes and dry rivers. Wildlife includes migrating herds of wildebeest and springbok, plus predators like raptors and black-maned Kalahari lions. Various lodges and wilderness camps offer game-viewing drives and guided walks with park rangers.

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Tuli Block

Known as “the land of the giants”, the 12 000 hectare Tuli Block is a narrow fringe of land at Botswana's eastern border. Tuli Block is set in a landscape of enormous trees on the banks of the Limpopo River, beautiful riverine forests of lime-green fever trees, and rocky landscapes carved from ancient granite and basalt rocks over millions of years. A variety of activities offer an all-rounded experience including fantastic game viewing opportunities, spectacular bird watching, and the famous leopards of Tuli.