Africa’s Best Safari Country of 2024
Botswana rated ‘Africa’s Best Safari Country of 2024’!
Botswana Rated the Best Safari Country in Africa!
The 2024 reigning KING of African Safaris has officially been crowned, and it is none other than… **insert drum roll here**… the one and only BOTSWANA!
Every year a review is done to ultimately decide which country should wear the crown as Africa’s best safari country of the year. Safari-goers and experts from all over the globe were at the heart of these results. More than 4,000 of their reviews were analyzed in this detailed and comprehensive study. The analysis included reviews from expert travel journalists who have extensive safari experience across all of the countries covered by this survey.
All that to say, this year’s coveted winner, claiming the number 1 spot as ‘Africa’s Best Safari Country of 2024’ is Southern Africa’s Premier Wildlife & Safari Destination and one of the most remarkable wilderness areas on earth – Botswana!
Coming in second, not far behind, was Tanzania, followed by Zambia and Kenya!
A massive congratulations to all our remarkable African countries on their achievements!
Botswana is not only regarded as Africa’s premier wildlife-watching wilderness gems & widely acclaimed safari destinations on the African continent, but one of the most remarkable wilderness areas on earth!
Beyond being one of Africa’s most renowned and highly sought-after African safari destinations – Oh & let’s not forget its new claim to safari fame ‘Africa’s Best Safari Country of 2024’ of course – Botswana offers travellers, tourists, and avid nature and wildlife enthusiasts the very best combination of unapologetic natural beauty, adventure, and exclusivity, paired with phenomenal game viewing, vast unspoiled landscapes, expansive lush green surroundings, wide-open plains domed by starlit skies and teeming with wildlife, sunsets that will leave you swooning, an endless array of exceptional destinations, attractions, game reserves, conservancies, and National Parks to discover and explore, as well as several unforgettable safari experiences and adventures you won’t find anywhere else than right here in Botswana.
Here are just a few things that make Botswana a true STAND-OUT when it comes to African safaris & why it should be #1 on your African Safari bucket list!
Don’t waste another second! Book your Botswana African Safari Adventure right NOW!
#Botswana is known for its prolific wildlife sightings & encounters
First and foremost, Botswana is the ultimate wildlife destination! Home to some of the most prolific wildlife species on the African continent, very few countries can compare to the sheer diversity and sensational abundance of wildlife that reside in Botswana.
In addition its vast wilderness & phenomenal wildlife, Botswana’s commitment to safeguarding its wildlife heritage is truly unparalleled in Africa. Covering a total area of +/- 581,730 sq.km, Botswana is blessed with some of the most dramatic wilderness areas, largely consisting of National Parks and wildlife reserves.
Approximately 40% of Botswana’s landscape forms part of a wildlife-protected area which acts as sanctuaries for Botswana’s glorious diversity of wildlife, birdlife, and amazing array of other animal species. That’s not all! It also serves as a sanctuary for the world’s largest concentration of African Elephants, with the highest concentration found in the iconic Chobe National Park as well as creates and acts as a natural stronghold for other endangered mammals, such as the black rhinoceros, African wild dog, and cheetah – which are only three of countless endangered wildlife species in Africa.
As Botswana boasts a plethora of unique and diverse landscapes, eco-systems, and habitats it gives avid wildlife lovers the incredible opportunity to see even the rarest of wildlife species – How incredible is that?
Botswana is also unique in the fact that it supports large concentrations of wildlife, as well as several spectacular species of birdlife, reptiles, and amphibians on both a seasonal and permanent basis.
For avian enthusiasts, there is no better place in the world to see the Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane, not to mention the illusive Pels Fishing Owl, which is extremely rare with many birding enthusiasts having never seen one before. It comes as no surprise that travelling to Botswana and witnessing this incredible bird in its natural habitat for the very first time has been known to bring even the most avid of birdwatchers to tears.
Among its exceptionally diverse, vast, and varied wildlife and birdlife species, a visit to the premium wildlife destination of Botswana will almost guarantee sensational up-close sightings of the most famous of Africa’s mammals – the African Big Five of course (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, and Buffalos).
Here is a quick guide for the best chance of spotting the Big Five in Botswana:
- Chobe National Park for the highest concentration of elephants.
- Savuti region for excellent lion sightings and encounters.
- Northern Okavango to see the large Cape buffalo.
- Moremi Game Reserve will offer excellent rhino sightings.
- Mashatu Game Reserve plays host to the elusive leopard.
As a large portion of its land is dedicated to conservation, with a strict ban on virtually all hunting implemented in 2013, Botswana is a true haven for wildlife. As a result several of its protected areas, including the remarkable Chobe National Park, glorious Okavango Delta, and the incredible Moremi Game Reserve, rank among the best game viewing destinations in both Africa and the world.
That’s not all – Did you know that Botswana is famous for the second-largest zebra migration in the world, after the Serengeti? You can also experience a personal encounter with the Bushman as they take you on guided tours on foot – How fantastic is that?
Botswana’s wild unapologetic natural beauty, diverse landscapes, pristine unfenced surroundings, and prolific wildlife population guarantees a truly authentic African safari experience in EVERY way!
#Home to a vast diversity of landscapes & destinations to explore
In Botswana, the landscapes are equally as diverse and prolific as the wildlife itself. The evergreen jewel of the Okavango Delta is at the heart of Botswana’s safari attractions, flanked in the east by the rolling savannah of the Savute and the sought-after elephant paradise of the Chobe National Park. South of the Delta you will find the far-flung stretches of the Makgadikgadi saltpans and the semi-desert grasslands of the Kalahari.
Boasting such a vast diversity of landscapes and destinations to discover, explore, and experience, Botswana is undoubtedly one of the best countries for wildlife lovers who are eager to go on the ultimate safari experience in Africa!
#Botswana is the ultimate destination for safari adventures & bucket-list worthy experiences
Travelers looking to enjoy an African safari holiday filled with endless adventure and once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences, look no further than Botswana! Beyond its lavish luxury and exclusivity, Botswana is brimming with thrilling adventures, exhilarating experiences, and exciting safari activities – All of which are right at your fingertips and yours for the taking!
Botswana also offers wildlife enthusiasts and safari goers a more rugged and real wildlife and safari experience compared to other countries. So, if gong off the beaten track and seeing as much wildlife as possible sounds like the perfect African safari adventure, then Botswana is the perfect safari destination for you! Botswana’s wild unapologetic natural beauty and pristine unfenced surroundings further allows for a truly authentic and immersive African wilderness experience.
Depending on what you’re looking to experience – or if you’re eager to experience it ALL (who could possibly blame you?!) – Botswana and its host of immaculate safari lodges boasts an endless variety of safari adventures and experiences to enjoy, some of which include:
#Day & Night Game Drives / Safaris
Go on a self-drive wildlife safari adventure through the African bushveld or enjoy a thrilling game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle with an experienced and knowledgeable wildlife guide by your side as you encounter sensational up-close wildlife sightings like you never have before.
For those thrill-seekers at heart, why not venture into the Botswana wilderness at night and revel in every exhilarating second of an exciting night game drive? In all honesty, there are very few experiences that can compare or even come close to hearing a lion – the al-mighty king of the bushveld – roar during a night drive or safari excursion. It will absolutely send shivers down your spine in the absolute best and most invigorating way possible – Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list worthy experience!
#Guided Walking Safaris / Bush Walks
If you’re eager for something a little more wild and daring, ditch the safari vehicle and proceed on foot on an unforgettable walking safari alongside an exceptional and highly experienced wildlife guide. Exploring the African bushveld on foot encourages you to fully immerse yourself in Botswana’s vast and untamed wilderness and witness magnificent up-close wildlife sightings and encounters you only tend to read about in books and travel magazines.
Guided walking safaris / bush walks further give you the amazing opportunity to explore, and experience the African bushveld and all of its incredible inhabitants from a whole new perspective as you encounter a vast and wonderful array of wildlife, birdlife, and so much more you may not be able to spot while on a 4×4 safari vehicle To kick it up another notch on the thrill and adventure scale, you can even embark on a night-time guided walking safari / bush walk – Talk about an adrenalin rush like no other!
#Canoe & Boat Safaris & Mokoro Canoe Rides
Botswana is known for taking keen travelers on a trip of a lifetime! This means your Botswana African Safari experience and its ample wildlife adventures DON’T just revolve around or end at going on game drives or safaris alone! Oh no!
Many of Botswana’s safari camps, resorts, and lodges are located on or near water. Water levels in Botswana are at its highest during June – August, especially in Botswana’s crown jewel the Okavango Delta.
The Okavango Delta truly is a water wonderland in every way possible – this undoubtedly makes exploring the Delta by water the very best way to discover and experience everything it has to offer. This water wonderland in the heart of Botswana provides avid thrill-seeking and down-right adventurous guests with the very best opportunity to enjoy a thrilling boating and canoe safari, with the most popular and exhilarating being traversing the waterways on a traditional Mokoro canoe.
**Quick insight: A Mokoro is essentially a traditional dug-out canoe which is used to traverse and explore the narrow waterways and complex, yet thriving, channels of the Okavango Delta, as well as discover hidden islands that are inaccessible throughout the rest of the year. Going on a Mokoro safari is an absolute MUST-DO experience for anyone and everyone who travels to the Okavango Delta.
The unique Mokoro or dugout canoe is a traditional canoe used to navigate the channels of the Okavango Delta and beyond – To make it even more exciting, going on a traditional Mokoro safari in the glorious Okavango Delta gives you the opportunity to see, discover, encounter, and explore hidden gems, secret spots, as well as witness diverse and rare wildlife and birdlife sightings you might not otherwise have spotted or seen on a traditional game drive.
**To top it off, enjoying a traditional Mokoro safari journey through the extraordinary Delta waterways is without a doubt one of the most incredibly unique & wildly thrilling safari experiences in both Africa & the world – AND TO MAKE THIS EVEN BETTER ~ IT IS ENTIRELY EXCLUSIVE TO THE OKAVANGO DELTA – which means you can’t experience this thrilling water-based African safari adventure anywhere else in the world than in Botswana’s glorious Okavango Delta! Now that’s pretty cool if you ask us!**
Going on an adrenalin-filled canoe safari, particularly a mokoro canoe adventure, is by far one of the most exhilarating bucket-list worthy adventure experiences absolutely everyone visiting Botswana should experience!
#More Safari Experiences & Activities
Wait, there’s MORE! Besides bucket-list worthy open-vehicle day and night drives, adventure-filled walking and canoe safaris, and of course Mokoro Canoe adventures, travelers can look forward to even more fantastic, fun, and exciting safari adventures and experiences.
Jump on a mountain bike for a new way to explore Botswana’s diverse terrain and surroundings, embark on an amazing hiking expedition, take to the skies by helicopter or plane and discover and explore the stunning landscapes from a bird’s eye view, or go on a memorable horse-back ride.
Your safari lodge, camp, or resort can also arrange private flights, dining experiences, exclusive game drives, personal bush walks, canoe rides, and Mokoro safaris, as well as unique, tailored-made, private safari experiences and adventures exclusively reserved just for you.
These are merely a few of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can tick off your Botswana African safari bucket-list.
#Top Attractions, National Parks & Game Reserves in Botswana for safari goers
The south and east of Botswana consist of the jaw-dropping Kalahari Desert and lunar-like pans at Nxai and Makgadikgadi. The north and west, on the other hand, comprise the dazzling water worlds of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River ecosystem. The sheer diversity of Botswana’s terrain lends itself to an endless array of things to do, see, and explore.
Whether it’s your first trip to Botswana or your 10th, there is always something unique and exciting to experience when visiting one of Africa’s most extraordinary safari destinations!
Do you consider yourself to be a head-over-heels nature and wildlife lover, avid explorer, and keen adventurer?
Here are some of Botswana’s top tourist attractions and best must-visit National Parks and Game Reserves that absolutely deserve to be on your Botswana safari bucket-list:
- The Okavango Delta
- Chobe National Park
- Tuli Block
- The Makgadikgadi Pan National Park & Salt Pans
- Sodilo Hills
- The Nxai Pan National Park
- Moremi Game Reserve
- The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary
- The Linyanti
**Check out our ‘Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Botswana’ blog to find out more about these incredible attractions, parks, and reserves.
#Best time to travel to Botswana
When to visit Botswana is one of the most frequently asked questions when planning a trip to this top African safari destination!
The best time to go to Botswana is largely dependent on what you’d like to experience on your bucket-list Botswana trip. As Botswana is home to such an incredible diversity of landscapes, vast wilderness, ecosystems, and wildlife, it is the ultimate year-round African safari destination for adventurous travellers and nature and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.
Botswana has two distinct seasons, the dry season (winter) and the wet season (summer). Although it is a glorious year-round destination, each season offers visitors a unique experience. As most people (both local and international) travel to Botswana to experience its pristine game-viewing and diverse wildlife, the dry winter months of May to October is considered the best time to visit Botswana!
The Okavango Delta
By far one of the top reasons why the dry season is deemed as the prime time to visit Botswana, including the untouched freshwater wetland of the Okavango Delta, rolling savannah of the Savuti, Africa’s elephant paradise of Chobe National Park, the Makgadikgadi saltpans and the semi-desert grasslands of the Kalahari, is because of the sheer abundance and glorious diversity of birdlife and wildlife present – with game viewing being at its peak during this period.
This is when the animals truly come out to play, putting on a show that will without a doubt leave you wanting more – This is what return visits are for!
Due to the minimal rainfall experienced during Botswana’s dry season, animals will seek out water wherever they can. As a result, an ever-increasing concentration of wildlife will gather around permanent water sources and various watering holes in order to remain hydrated. This will give visitors the amazing opportunity to experience exceptional up-close wildlife sightings and thrilling encounters as a vast abundance of diverse wildlife species of all shapes and sizes come together to congregate around a single source of water.
**Extra Insider Tip: As it can get pretty hot closer to the end of Botswana’s dry season, reaching day-time temperatures as high as 40ºC (especially during November and October), the dry season’s cooler months of June to August is regarded as the very best time of year to enjoy the ultimate Botswana safari – The game viewing is consistently excellent during this time, with virtually no rain!
#Premium luxury accommodation in Botswana
Boasting ultra-luxurious accommodation, lavish facilities, and superb safari experiences – Botswana is any travelers dream come true. Accommodation in Botswana is set within the heart of the wilderness and positioned to provide true away-from-it-all indulgence. With panoramic views of its pristine wildlife and stunning savannah, the only ‘interruptions’ you’ll encounter are wandering elephants, curious giraffe or, if you’re lucky, a lion basking in the midday sun.
When it comes to its spectacular array of exclusive accommodation options, Botswana offers guests a pristine level of privacy that is simply unparalleled and impossible to find in any other destination. From exclusive villas, luxury Safari Lodges and 5-star Safari Resorts, to uniquely lavish cave suites, eco-friendly, and modern tented suites, and one-of-a-kind treehouse escapes under the stars, Botswana is the pinnacle of exclusivity and lavish luxury.
To take it to the next level, guests can expect luxurious, intimate cabins and lodges nestled amongst sensational scenery, whether it be in the wild Botswana bush or along the stunning Indian Ocean coastline. Most of its exclusivity, privacy, and tranquility is owed to its relatively inaccessible and gloriously remote location.
Guests will almost feel like they’ve escaped to their very own piece of African wilderness paradise – and perhaps they have (that’s one secret we’ll never reveal) – fully immersed in every part of their breathtaking natural surroundings – It truly is a beyond magical and unforgettable experience unlike any other.
Make the most of your trip by enjoying a relaxing massage followed by a refreshing dip in the lodge spa pool, perfectly complimented by magnificent wilderness views. Or how about a cocktail or two overlooking the glorious unspoiled savanna after your exhilarating game drive filed with thrilling wildlife sightings? If you’re a sunset lover, there is nothing more magical than watching the African sun go down over Botswana’s plains and vast landscapes – The possibilities are truly endless!
You can rest assured that your every desire will be catered to as you sit back, relax, and bask in the pure tranquil, and peaceful serenity offered by Botswana’s array of luxury Safari Lodges, and spectacular wilderness surroundings.
Here are some of the top safari lodges in Botswana for an African safari holiday or getaway:
- Selinda Camp
- Mombo Camp
- Jack’s Camp
- Sanctuary Chief’s Camp
- Wilderness Jao Camp
