Luxury Botswana Safaris

It is hard to argue against Botswana’s status as the leading luxury travel destination in Africa. A deliberate Government tourist policy of “high yield, low impact” tourism has encouraged lodge and camp owners to build some of the finest properties on the continent in the vast private concessions they have been leased to offer amazing encounters with the country’s incredible wildlife. The variety of ecosystems across the country means it is possible to enjoy a huge variety of different safari experiences over the course of a trip, with many operators boasting lodges across these various areas, meaning a consistency of experience which adds to the feeling of luxury and wonder that any trip to Botswana is bound to offer.

Incredible camps

Botswana offers a seemingly endless range of the finest safari camps in Africa, the majority of which are found in their own private concessions, meaning you see few, if any other guests when out on safaris during your stay there. Generally camps are spread over large “footprints” with suites set along way apart from one another, which adds to the feeling of privacy and luxury that they offer. Suites are put together with no regard to expense, with the finest linens, quality furnishings and toiletries, as well as in-room food and drink offerings to rival the very best hotels in the world. Many camps offer guests private plunge pools in the suites, perfect for an afternoon relaxing and soaking up the African sunshine. Communal areas of lodges are designed with space and tranquillity in mind, with deep comfortable sofas, open sides to allow for amazing views, small libraries, beautifully appointed swimming pools and truly exceptional food and drink offerings. Guests staying at Botswana’s best camps want for nothing during their stay – these lodges are truly exceptional.

Wildlife experiences

What makes Botswana’s wildlife experience so special is a combination of the sheer abundance of animal, bird and reptile life on offer and the context of the environment in which you see them. As many of the top-end lodges are found on private concessions, you will only be sharing the game viewing experience with guests from your camp and possibly any other camps on the property, although this is rare. Given the size of some of the concessions the experience is truly incredible – one piece of land in the north of the Okavango Delta is the size of Greater London and hosts a maximum of 28 guests. Incredible predator sightings are a hallmark of any Botswana safari – lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena are seen in great numbers, with specific camps and areas offering access to virtually guaranteed sightings of different predators. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, plains game and hugely varied birdlife are found throughout the country, whilst rhino have been re-introduced to larger land masses in the Okavango Delta in recent years and sightings are becoming more common. With game drives, guided walks, boat safaris and traditional mokoro canoe trips offered from most camps, all in the company of some of the most experienced and eloquent guides in Africa, you are assured a truly amazing safari experience wherever you choose to stay.

When to travel

Botswana is definitely a year-round safari destination, although it is undoubtedly most popular during the cooler and drier winter months between June and October when the lower temperatures, lack of rainfall and sparser vegetation makes wildlife easier to spot. This is also the time when the world-famous Okavango Delta comes in to its own, with the channels and spillways filling up with water from the far-off highlands of Angola, acting as a magnet for huge numbers of animals and birds which offers one of the planet’s most iconic wildlife experiences. With such popularity brings large numbers of visitors (relatively speaking) and higher prices, so those looking for luxury for less should consider travelling during the summer months between November and March. Although it does get very hot with some rainfall at this time of year, the wildlife viewing is still outstanding, and it is a superb time of year for birding. Value for money-wise it is a brilliant time to travel, with even the most sought-after camps offering reductions of up to 70% of their peak season rate, offering you the chance for luxury experiences for far less than you would expect, without compromising on any of the elements that make the camps so incredible.

Luxury combinations

Sitting right in the heart of Southern Africa, Botswana is easy to combine with all of its neighbours, offering very contrasting yet complementary travel experiences for anyone looking to do so. Daily flights connect Botswana with both Cape Town and Johannesburg, so South Africa is a perfect combination, as is the neighbouring Victoria Falls, with easy access to both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side of The Falls from the north-eastern safari hub town of Kasane, on the borders of the Chobe National Park. Neighbouring Namibia offers an amazing contrast to the lush greenery of Botswana, with its deep red deserts and stark landscapes a popular destination to combine. Further afield time can be spent on the gorgeous beaches of Mauritius, Mozambique and the Seychelles, all of which are accessed via Johannesburg and an overnight stay.

Tailormade Botswana

With such an incredible range of places to stay and areas to visit, there is no such thing as an “off the shelf” safari to Botswana, meaning will curate your trip to perfectly suit your needs. When planning we take in to account the style of camp you like, the game viewing experiences you prefer and wildlife you want to see. When planning a trip it is worth taking in to account that if you stay in multiple camps owned by the same operator this can lead to quite significant discounts, even in peak season, so it is worth bearing in mind when planning where to stay and visit as a significant driver of value. Many of the most popular camps are often fully booked a year or more in advance, especially in the middle of winter so it is definitely a destination worth planning early for, especially if there is a particular camp that you are especially keen to stay in.