The Okavango Delta’s swirling waterways, dazzling salt pans in the Kalahari, elephant herds lining the riverbanks in Chobe National Park… On a tailor-made safari vacation to Botswana with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Botswana specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.
Weave along reed-lined waterways in a traditional mokoro canoe for close views of malachite kingfishers, carmine bee-eaters and African fish eagles. Scour the bush for sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah on game drives through private concessions. Go quad-biking and watch meerkats in the arid Makgadikgadi Pans. Join expert guides on bush walks through Moremi Game Reserve, scanning the trees for rare Pel’s fishing owls. Intimate camps set in remote wilderness. Riverine forests echoing with baboon calls. The snorts of hippo bathing in nearby lagoons… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.
Suggested tours for Botswana
See big cats and elephant herds on game drives and boat trips, spot vividly plumed birds while exploring reed-lined waterways by mokoro (canoe), and learn desert survival skills from San guides. Our suggested itineraries are a great starting point as you begin to plan your Botswana safari.
Suggested activities for Botswana
Cruise along the Chobe River to see elephant herds lining the banks, explore the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro canoe, and spot wildlife on foot with expert guides. Whatever your interests, our specialists will suggest experiences designed to enhance your trip to Botswana.
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Try a mokoro trip from Kanana Camp Try a mokoro trip from Kanana Camp
Nxabega ConcessionTry a mokoro trip from Kanana Camp
From Kanana Camp enjoy activities such as guided game drives, walks and fishing trips. You can even view the waterways from a glass-bottomed mokoro (a type of canoe).
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Visit the Sibuya tribe from Chobe Elephant Camp Visit the Sibuya tribe from Chobe Elephant Camp
Chobe National ParkVisit the Sibuya tribe from Chobe Elephant Camp
Explore this wildlife haven both on guided game drives, by boat and even on foot — although this activity is dependent on the availability of guides and the length of the grass. You can even visit the local Sibuya tribe.
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Enjoy game drives from Camp Okuti Enjoy game drives from Camp Okuti
Moremi Wildlife ReserveEnjoy game drives from Camp Okuti
From Camp Okuti enjoy activities such as game drives and walks with expert trackers.
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More choice for your safari
- Inspiration across all our African destinations
- Trip suggestions based on your interests
- Advice on where to safari, when
- Meet our team of safari experts
Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Botswana, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your vacation in Botswana
The official languages of Botswana are Setswana and English, but there are about 26 other languages spoken across the country. English is widely spoken in lodges and towns, but a little Setswana will be much appreciated if you wanted to learn a few basic words before you travel.
For the latest travel advice for Botswana, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the State Department website.
You’re unlikely to dine in any restaurants during your trip to Botswana as food and drink is included at camps and lodges. You’ll find most serve a mix of international fare and local dishes, usually with a few options to choose from. If you have any special dietary requirements, your specialist can let the camp know so they can cater for you.
The currency of Botswana is the Botswana pula (P), but US dollars are preferred at camps and lodges, including for tips.
In addition to game drives, you might take boat and mokoro trips along reed-lined channels and join walking safaris led by some of the continent’s most accomplished and passionate guides. At some camps you could also go fishing, take a scenic helicopter flight, and enjoy breakfast or dinner in a remote location in the bush. Safari activities in Botswana vary depending on how wet or dry the landscape is at your camp, so we’ll suggest stays where the experiences best suit your interests. You can read more about experiencing a Botswana safari in our guide.
The Okavango Delta, in northwest Botswana, is the world’s largest inland delta and the country’s premier wildlife area. You can hop between several private concessions and reserves within the Okavango Delta for a varied experience. The vast, arid Kalahari Desert has a completely different landscape and wildlife species that have adapted to the harsh environment, where temperatures can vary from 113°F in the day to 5°F at night. You could also visit Chobe National Park to spot elephant along the Chobe River. Our specialists have visited the best places to go in Botswana to help you decide where’s right for your trip.
There’s a focus on high-quality, low-impact safaris in Botswana, so there are just a handful of remote camps in each area and few host more than 16 guests. Most camps have large, luxurious tented accommodations with private decks and en suite bathrooms, often with a communal pool. Some offer solid-structure lodgings, while others give you a chance to go fly camping, setting up simple, temporary camps between walking safaris. Our specialists visit each camp themselves to hand-pick the best of the best for our collection.
Botswana’s particularly known for its large elephant population of around 130,000. You’re also likely to see lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, and various antelope species, a wide range of birdlife, from bee-eaters to fish eagles, and, occasionally, wild dog. In the Kalahari, you might encounter black-maned lion, eland, brown hyena, and bat-eared foxes, although meerkats tend to be elusive. Wherever you go, we’ll pair you with expert guides who can help to identify species you may never have heard of and open your eyes to smaller wildlife you might otherwise overlook.
It takes around 20 hours to fly from New York to Maun, Botswana. Because there are no direct flights to Botswana from the US, you’ll need to fly via Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa.
Botswana’s time zone is UTC+2.
Botswana’s wildlife hotspots are often so remote you can only reach them by light aircraft, which is an experience in itself as you soar over swirls of water dotted with animals. Some wildlife areas are connected by road, so we can arrange a private driver for you. Once you’re there, you’ll explore on game drives in 4x4s, by motorboat or mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), or on foot. Our specialists have tried and tested routes across Botswana so know the best ways of getting around and can plan all the logistics of your trip.
You don’t need a visa to enter Botswana if you’re a US citizen staying for less than 90 days. Citizens of other countries should check their visa requirements here.
If you’re traveling with any children under 18 years of age, you must have an original, unabridged birth certificate for each child, which you can apply for on the government website. Where you’re the only accompanying parent, you’ll need proof of parental or legal authority to travel with your child.
Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Botswana, but you should at least be up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
There isn’t a risk of yellow fever in Botswana, but you’ll need to carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from any countries where there is a risk, including if you’ve spent more than 12 hours at an airport in a country at risk of yellow fever.
There is some risk of malaria in Botswana, though it’s not common for visitors to become infected. The northern half of the country has the highest risk. This includes the Okavango Delta, especially between November and June. You should follow your doctor’s advice on whether you’ll need to take antimalarials. We also recommend using high-DEET-concentration repellents, covering up with loose clothing, and sleeping under a mosquito net, which many camps provide.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your departure from Botswana and have at least three blank pages.
Botswana in pictures
Our expert guides to traveling in Botswana
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Botswana. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Botswana at its best.
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My travels in Botswana
Botswana specialist Iain took this footage on a recent trip, where he experienced some lovely safari camps and some of the wildlife the country has to offer.
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Africa’s best safari areas Africa’s best safari areas
Africa’s best safari areas
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picking an Africa safari destination, but where do you begin? Our safari specialists round up their best six wildlife areas on the continent to help you decide where to plan your next safari.
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Okavango Delta safaris Okavango Delta safaris
Okavango Delta safaris
The Okavango Delta is safari by water, where you glide in canoes through waterways and twinkling lagoons in search of hippo, elephant, giraffe and iridescent birdlife. Discover the best time to visit this wonderful water world and how we can help you plan your safari there.
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Best safari destinations in Botswana Best safari destinations in Botswana
Best safari destinations in Botswana
Rainbow-plumed bee-eaters, black-maned Kalahari lions, and elusive brown hyenas… Botswana plays host to a huge diversity of wildlife, in part due to its vastly different landscapes. Africa specialist Harriet shares her favorite safari destinations you could visit on your next trip.
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Mobile camping safaris in Botswana Mobile camping safaris in Botswana
Mobile camping safaris in Botswana
The sights and sounds of safari are just the other side of the canvas on one of our tailor-made mobile camping safaris. Get back to basics and immerse yourself in the true spirit of Africa, staying in private campsites where comfort isn't scrimped on.
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Luxury safaris in Botswana Luxury safaris in Botswana
Luxury safaris in Botswana
If you're planning a luxury vacation to Botswana we've a huge choice of exclusive places to stay, from luxurious vacation camps and lodges to luxury hotels. Touches of comfort like king-sized beds and plunge pools give you extravagance in the heart of the wildlife.
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Family safaris in Botswana: our 8 best camps & lodges Family safaris in Botswana: our 8 best camps & lodges
Family safaris in Botswana: our 8 best camps & lodges
Botswana is known for its intimate, luxurious camps and lodges amid pristine wilderness, but that’s not to say they’re just for adults. We’ve rounded up eight of our best to help you decide where to base yourself if you’re exploring as a family.
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Walking safaris in Botswana Walking safaris in Botswana
Walking safaris in Botswana
Get away from the road and closer to the wildlife on one of our tailor-made walking safaris in Botswana, with a great chance of spotting the Big Five. Our specialists will design your safari on foot around your preferences, anything from a morning walk to a three-day hike.
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Honeymoons in Botswana Honeymoons in Botswana
Honeymoons in Botswana
A safari is perhaps the ultimate honeymoon experience and Botswana is one of the top destinations in Africa. Stay in a luxury lodge in the big game rich Okavango Delta, take a boat trip on the Chobe River, or visit the San people of the Kalahari. Complete your trip with a few days on a beach in the Seychelles or Mauritius.
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Other popular destinations
Still looking for ideas? If Botswana has captured your interest, we think you might also like these destinations.