A bucket list destination and a safari purists dream. Botswana. A land full of contrasts and outstanding wildlife. We find it is the perfect destination for those on their second or third safari, who are looking for the next level in terms of experience once the initial buzz of ticking off the Big 5 has passed.

A Unique Game Experience

All those iconic animals (name them for a point each*) call this land-locked nation home, but the geography of the country is what makes the game experience so unique. It can be confusing to get your head around at first. Why is a country in the middle of the continent, which contains a desert and salt pans so synonymous with water based activities? The answer lies over 1000 kms away in the highlands of Angola. It is the rains which fall there, which eventually flow down to create the ever - changing waterways of the Okavango Delta – the jewel in the crown of Botswana.

Sustainable and Experiential Travel

Botswana has lead the way in low impact sustainable tourism, purposefully managing visitor numbers and focusing on experiential travel. It is safe, politically stable, and guaranteed to wow with the game viewing. But it is the diversity of the experiences which is the big draw – and understanding the subtleties is key to getting the most out of a trip.

At the end of 2018 I was lucky enough to travel to Botswana for the first time with Wilderness Safaris, who operate a superb range of camps across the Okavanago and Linyanti areas. They are leaders in environmentally sensitive travel, and a great choice for anyone looking to travel in a responsible way.

How does a safari in Botswana work?

I went armed with many questions – was there really a need for 21 different camps, or would it feel repetitive and formulaic after a time? Being a stickler for attention to detail as well, I’ve always had something of an issue with Botswana itineraries. Not knowing what time an inter-camp flight is going to depart goes against my nature, especially when there might be an international flight to catch too. How could I be sure everything would be seamless for my clients?

I need not have worried. I truly believe that once you’ve been to Botswana you suddenly “get it”. Somehow everything just works like clockwork, and always with a warm smile to boot. It is an incredibly well-oiled logistical machine and yet flexibility is key to this. Yes, you won’t know the time of your flight transfer until the day before, but you can rest assured there is a huge team behind the scenes busily co-ordinating flight plans and schedules to make sure that everyone ends up where they should and when they should.

Tip number one - trust the process, and the talented individuals behind it.

How do we get the best safari experience?

My motto for clients planning a Botswana trip has always been “If you are fixed on the camps, be flexible on your dates. Or if you are fixed on your dates, be flexible with your camps”. With a low volume tourism model and small, intimate camps, people will book well ahead to secure a favourite spot.

Tip number two – extend that flexibility to your own plans.

What time of year to travel?

Allied to this is the need for professional help in understanding the seasonal dynamics. The flood waters arrive in the Delta around May, creating waterways and channels from barren lands. Yet this is the time when it is dry overhead, and the next 5 months or so will see blue skies and beautiful temperatures, though in the evening you will be aware it is African winter.

By September, the flood waters are starting to recede, but game viewing is at its peak as with no new rainfall occurring, animals congregate at the remaining water sources. October and November will see the daytime temperatures steadily rise, water-based activities will cease in some areas as the flood waters evaporate, but at the same time the summer rains begin to arrive and with it bring new life.

The camps themselves evolve as well – take Kwetsani  for example. Visit in July or August and you can take a mokoro straight onto the water from the front of the lodge. By December, you will struggle to imagine that the pan in front of you is ever really full of water as far as the eye can see, and yet instead of boating you will be treated to amazing game drives in the wild expanses of the concession. This is a true combination camp, where land and water-based activities ebb and flow with the waters themselves.

Camps such as Jacana, Xigera or Duma Tau make the most of their locations near permanent water channels, whilst the likes of Chitabe, Tubu Tree and King’s Pool concentrate on land based excursions in their habitat zones.

Tip number three - to really experience the diversity of wildlife properly it is essential a trip consists of a well-planned mix of camps, carefully curated around the season of travel.

"WOW" Experiences

If you still haven’t been wowed enough, how about a helicopter trip for a birds eye view of this ever changing landscape? Spotting animals moving gracefully below you, whilst leaning out of an open sided helicopter is a truly exhilarating and magical experience I will never forget. Or the opportunity to head out on a walking safari with an immensely knowledgeable ranger – really appreciating the raw beauty of the bush and all the time wondering what you will find behind the next termite mound.

Botswana. A World Class Safari.

There is a reason Botswana hits the mark when it comes to delivering world class safari, and it definitely leaves you wanting more. The mysterious nature of the waterways means even the same camp 12 months later can deliver totally different experiences. But the complexities of this intriguing country mean it is essential a trip here is crafted with care.

For Expert Advice & Peace of Mind Plans

Contact us

Call us on 01904 866 033 or email: africa@knightonreeve.co.uk to plan your own Botswana adventure.

*Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Rhino – did you get them all?