Planning a safari can feel daunting, but it really comes down to a handful of decisions. Here is how we think about it, step by step, so you end up with a trip that fits you, rather than someone else's idea of Botswana.
The season shapes everything. The dry months, roughly May to October, give the best general game viewing, as wildlife gathers around shrinking water. The green season, November to April, is lush and dramatic, wonderful for birds and newborn animals, quieter and better value. Neither is right or wrong, they are just different. Our when to go guide goes into the detail.
Broadly there are two styles. A fly-in safari hops between remote camps by light aircraft, so you spend your time in the wild rather than getting to it, in real comfort, at a higher price. A mobile safari travels overland by 4x4 and camps in comfort along the way, more of an adventure, wonderful value, with more time on the road. Many people mix the two.
Most trips combine two or three areas, joined by short flights. The Okavango Delta for water and wildlife, Chobe for its elephant herds and river, the Kalahari or the Makgadikgadi for the desert and something completely different, Moremi and Khwai for superb big game, and Victoria Falls as a finale. Our where to go guide covers them all.
Camps range from simple and authentic to seriously luxurious, with everything in between. The wildlife is much the same whichever you choose, so it is really about how you like to travel and what you want to spend. We match the camps to you.
Seven to ten days makes a lovely first safari, long enough for two or three areas without rushing. Longer lets you add another region, or simply slow down and settle into each place.
Botswana is not cheap, but there is a wide range and good value to be found. Have a figure in mind, remembering that international flights come on top, and see our cost guide for a straight answer on prices.
This is where we come in. One specialist takes all of the above and builds a single, seamless trip around you, choosing the right camps, sorting the flights and transfers, and looking after you from your first question to your final night. It is all tailor-made, and fully financially protected.
We use essential cookies to make the site work. We would also like to set analytics cookies, so we can see which pages help people plan a safari, and marketing cookies, so we can measure our advertising. Nothing optional is switched on until you say so. Read our privacy policy.
