Best Safaris in Africa

Botswana has evolved into one of Africa’s most exclusive and sought-after safari destinations. Home to some of the most prolific wildlife on the African continent, very few countries can compare to its sheer diversity and wealth of wildlife.

As approximately 40% of Botswana’s vast unspoiled wilderness falls within a wildlife-protected area, it has become a true wildlife haven. These protected areas serve as a sanctuary for the world’s largest concentration of elephants, countless big game, the iconic African Big 5, various plains game, and several endangered species such as the black rhino, African wild dog, and cheetah.

With a substantial portion of Botswana’s landscape dedicated to conservation, it’s no surprise that several of its protected areas, including the Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve, rank among Africa’s best game viewing destinations.

Botswana is blessed with the most dramatic wilderness regions, largely consisting of national parks, conservancies, and wildlife reserves. Known for its wild unapologetic natural beauty and pristine unfenced surroundings, it boasts a diverse array of landscapes and ecosystems, From the largest inland deltas and freshwater wetland of the Okavango Delta, rolling savannahs of Savute and the Chobe National Park, to the far-flung stretches of the Makgadikgadi saltpans and the semi-desert grasslands of the Kalahari – Botswana’s natural landscapes are awe-inspiring.

Botswana’s Best National Parks & Game Reserves

• The Okavango Delta
• Chobe National Park
• Nxai Pan National Park
• Moremi Game Reserve
• Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
• Central Kalahari Game Reserve
• Tuli Block
• Tsodilo Hills
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Best Time Of Year To Go To Botswana

If you’re eager to experience Botswana’s vast diversity of remarkable wildlife, the best time to go is during its dry season which takes place between May and October.

As a bonus tip, May to September is deemed the best time to visit the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Moremi Game Reserve, while the months of March and May should be reserved for Botswana’s other drier parks.

Botswana’s Wildlife, Wilderness & Seasonal Highlights

1. Okavango Delta

Known as ‘Africa’s Last Eden’, the vast and virtually untouched freshwater wetland that is the Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013, the Okavango Delta is one of the best safari destinations in Africa.

The Delta owes a great deal of its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River which cuts through the center of the Kalahari Desert, creating a unique inland water system, giving life to a vast diversity of wildlife and birdlife as well as the Delta’s dynamic ecosystem.

The Okavango Delta is affected by seasonal flooding. The Delta’s peak flood season takes place during May – October with water levels being at its highest during June – August. Its peak flood season coincides with Botswana’s dry season, which in turn coincides with the great migrations of plains game from the dry hinterland. During the dry season around 260,000 mammals are estimated to congregate around the delta, resulting in spectacular wildlife sightings and encounters.

The Okavango Delta is also known as a world-famous stronghold for predators and an exceptional birding destination, home to approximately 530 bird species.

*Insider Tip: Besides enjoying an authentic guided 4×4 African safari, by far one of the top and most thrilling things to do in Botswana, especially in the Okavango Delta, is go on a mokoro trip through the Delta wetlands. A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe which is used to traverse and explore the waterways and channels of the Okavango Delta.

Going on a mokoro journey through the Delta is not only a bucket-list worthy adventure, but an opportunity to see the Okavango Delta from a whole new perspective and experience and discover hidden gems, secret spots, and rare sightings you’d otherwise miss while on a traditional 4×4 game drive.

2. Chobe National Park

Botswana is home to the world’s largest population of African elephants, with the highest concentration, more than120,000 African elephants to be exact, found in Chobe National Park. This makes Chobe one of the top safari destinations on earth to witness these gentle giants up-close in their natural environment.

The best time of year to enjoy spectacular sightings of these remarkable members of the African Big 5 is during Botswana’s dry season (May to October) when enormous herds congregate on the banks of the Chobe River.

The Chobe River is also known to draw an unmatched diversity of both birdlife and wildlife, including a multitude of buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, lions, and countless bird species. The endangered and beloved African wild dog, jackals, leopards, and various predators can also be frequently spotted in the Chobe National Park.

The Savuti region of the Chobe National Park is notorious for its brutal clashes between lions and hyenas as well as where powerful prides famously take down Africa’s biggest game, such as buffalo, giraffe and even elephants.

The Savuti Marsh in particular offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa all year round.

*Insider Tip: Besides going on an action-packed guided 4×4 open vehicle safari adventure, one of the best and most exhilarating ways to explore and experience Chobe National Park is on a boat trip.

Have a look at our ‘Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Botswana’ blog for everything you need to know about Botswana’s most sought-after attractions and must-visit National Parks.