Botswana Safaris

Sample Botswana Safaris

Desert & Okavango Explorer

Okavango & Victoria Falls Explorer

Mashatu Safari

Ultimate Luxury Botswana Holiday

Victoria Falls, Chobe & Okavango Safari

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Botswana Honeymoons

Victoria Falls & Botswana Fly-In-Honeymoon

Victoria Falls & Botswana Honeymoon

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See more Honeymoons in Botswana

Botswana Family Holidays

Livingstone and Chobe Family Safari

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See more Family Holidays in Botswana

Overview of Botswana

Imagine flying on a light aircraft into the heart of one of the world's last remaining great wilderness areas, hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest civilization. A land where the staggering abundance of wildlife still roam free, unfenced and untouched by modern civilization. This is Botswana!

It is in Botswana's Chobe National Park while floating on a boat down the Chobe River that you will find the largest concentrations of elephants on the continent of Africa. Spend hours watching these magnificent creatures bathing and playing in the muddy waters or crossing the rivers using their trunks as snorkels.

It is in Botswana too that you will experience the exquisite beauty of one of the world's largest inland Deltas – the Okavango Delta. This lush wilderness of papyrus swamps and shallow reed beds make it a world class destination for safari and it is also famous for being THE place for witnessing lion and buffalo interactions. Gliding through the channels in a mokoro (dug out canoe) gives a unique perspective and it's a great way to observe wildlife in the silence of an African dawn.

Between the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River lie the Linyanti and Savute marshes which boast staggering concentrations of animals. Famous for its big game the region is home to enormous herds of elephant and buffalo, prides of lion up to 30 strong, leopard and even the elusive African Wild Dog. Enjoy both day and night game drives and in some areas guided walks as you take in the fantastic display of wildlife on offer in this unique destination.

Forming almost two thirds of Botswana is the vast landscape of the Kalahari. This unique semi desert ecosystem of open plains, saltpans, and ancient riverbeds is surprisingly rich with wildlife including the chance to see springbok, kudu, wild dog and the famous black-mane Kalahari lions. The unimaginable vastness of this desert is mirrored in the infinite star-filled skies, making the Kalahari a place to contemplate existence and marvel at nature. Similar tranquil scenery is found in the uninhabited Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans where the great grasslands give way to shimmering saltpans and endless shimmering horizons.

In the South of Botswana in what is know as the Tuli Block lies the Mashatu Game Reserve. Known as the land of giants, its landscape is dotted with magnificent baobab trees and towering rock formations. Its huge population of elephants and abundant wildlife can be viewed from variety activities ranging from 4x4 safaris, Horseback Safaris, Guided Walking Safaris and the newly introduced Mountain Biking Safaris.

Botswana's contrasting landscapes offer a breathtaking visual experience and a stunning photographic journey. The country's tourism policy is one of 'low impact, high revenue'. This means that in most parts of the country mass tourism in not a feature, allowing for a truly intimate experience in luxury camps. Whether you are a seasoned traveller, it is your honeymoon or family holiday Botswana can offer you one of the most exciting and memorable journeys of your life!

When to travel

Botswana is very much a year round destination with a largely sub-tropical 'desert' climate experiencing a lot of strong sunlight. The rainy season or 'green season' runs from November to March with January being the wettest month. The rain comes typically in large isolated thunderstorms that only last for a couple of hours. Bird watching is exceptional in the summer months when the summer migrants have returned in particular, if lucky, you may have sightings of Pel's fishing owl, African skimmers and wattled cranes.

In the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans the wilderness undergoes a transformation as countless water birds are drawn to the shallow pools. Enormous flocks of flamingos and other water birds, including pelicans, gather on the newly formed lakes, signalling the beginning of the dramatic zebra and wildebeest migration into the area. Elephants and gemsbok also migrate to water rich area. This is the calving and foaling season for the wildebeest, zebra and other ungulates.

In the central Kalahari too the green season can bring magnificent sightings of large herds of springbok and gemsbok. Together with giraffe, ostrich and ungulates such as the blue wildebeest, hartebeest and eland, these animals attract the predators such as lion, cheetah and the odd leopard. These months offer exceptional value for money with most camps offering discounted rates during this time. There are, however, areas which may be impassable during the wet months so please seek advice from us about the best places to visit.

Although the game viewing in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Linyanti / Savute is good all year round, it is exceptional in the dry winter season which runs from June – October. In the Okavango the floods reach their peak in May and then gradually subside over the course of the winter months. During this time large numbers of mammals migrate to the permanent waters of these regions and provide one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. In the Chobe the river becomes the main water source for the park's inhabitants. Herds of up to 700 buffalo and great swaying families of elephants are a common sight. In the dry months the Linyanti is magnificent for game viewing with great herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra gathering near the river joining up with giraffe and a various antelope, which reside in the nearby forests. During these months too, the vegetation has died back allowing for better viewing.

Contact one of the experts at Mahlatini about your specific interests and we will advise you on the best time of year to travel to the region which suits you best.

How to travel

Most visitors will start their safari in Maun, Botswana which is accessible by air and road from Johannesburg, Livingstone/Victoria Falls and from Namibia via Windhoek and the Caprivi Strip. There are a number of different ways to travel around Botswana, the style of safari you choose is generally dictated by your budget.

If you want to travel in luxury, a fly-in safari is the way to go. This luxury safari can include any combinations of the parks that you desire. The most comprehensive of trips explore three contrasting regions, the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and Savute and the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans. In many cases guests like the idea of a twin centre holiday and include a trip to Victoria Falls in Zambia or a beach holiday in South Africa, Mozambique or Mauritius. What you choose is dependent on season, how much time you have on your hands and of course budget. The Chobe National Park can be combined with other parks in Botswana in a fly in safari but it can also act as a destination in itself. It is usually combined with a trip to Victoria Falls which is only an hour and a half away via road. These two destinations can be accessed by road and in many cases people fly into and out of Livingstone Airport in Zambia but include a safari in the Chobe as an addition to their trip.

Another popular way to travel Botswana is in a mobile safari. Mobile safaris are reminiscent of expeditions undertaken by the early explorers. Lead by a professional guides and accompanied by a small convoy of staff, these are generally small group trips where camps are moved from location to location and set up in advance of your arrival. A typical mobile safari itinerary may vary between 6 and 10 nights in length, visiting various different areas within the National Parks and Reserves, spending 2 to 3 nights at any one location. The flexibility of a mobile safari allows travellers access to remote wilderness areas within Botswana's national parks and reserves, far beyond the reaches of a morning game drive out of a lodge yet with all the comforts and amenities of a more permanent tented camp. There are varying standards of mobile safaris available from basic, participation safaris to luxurious safaris where you barely light a finger. In addition to daily game drives you may also experience walking trails, boat trips, night drives and other unique activities. Tailor-made private trips for families or friends can also be arranged.

Contact one of the specialists at Mahlatini who can advise you on how best to put your holiday to Botswana together.

Quick Facts

Flights:

Flights from Europe to Maun usually go via Johannesburg and are in and around 11 hours. Main airlines include South African Airways and British Airways. You can also enter the country having access from Livingstone Airport in Zambia.

Vaccinations:

Malaria prophylactics are essential. Yellow Fever injection is required if arriving from an infected area. Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & B and Typhoid are recommended.

When to travel:

Botswana is a year round destination with each season having its own advantages and highlights. See our safari calendar.

Visas:

Most Europeans and Americans do not require a visa to enter Botswana. Please seek our advice on the latest information for your nationality.