Botswana Safari: My Insider Guide to Epic Wildlife Encounters

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Hello fellow safari goers. I am hoping you are reading this guide because you are pondering a Botswana, African safari trip, and you are looking for insider tips and personal insights. From trekking across Botswana to enjoying my safaris in Chobe National Park, to all of my wildlife encounters, I am beyond excited to share all of my insider tips and personal experiences from my amazing and memorable Botswana Safari. Now, let’s dive into this guide so we can make your safari dreams a reality!

Introduction: Botswana Safari

Botswana wasn’t originally on my itinerary, but after experiencing it firsthand, I am so glad I added it. With its incredible landscapes, unmatched wildlife encounters, I am not at all surprised that it consistently ranks as one of Africa’s top safari destinations. I had the honor of visiting Chobe National Park and after visiting Kruger before that, I can honestly say that Chobe was 100 times better. Between the off-roading, pristine landscapes, knowledgeable guides, and how close we got to the animals (no joke, we were so close to the lions, that I could actually see them breathing), I can 100% attest that Botswana is the ultimate safari experience. Ready to learn everything there is to know about being on a Botswana safari? Ok, let’s dive in!

1. Chobe National Park

Now, even though I have only been on two safaris’, I can honestly rank Chobe National Park as the best safari that I have ever been on. I loved the off-roading, feeling like you were deep in the bush, type of safari experience. Chobe has the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. I probably saw hundreds just in my one game drive. There was an elephant so close to our jeep that if we stuck our arm, we could just about touch it.

Chobe National Park also has Chobe River, and we were able to see families of elephants drinking and babies splashing around in the water. I didn’t see any leopards, but I did manage to see a family of lions sleep under a tree, hyenas, wild dogs, and lots of hippos in the water.`

At the end of our day game drive, we did a sunset boat cruise where we saw even more hippos, gators, and we experienced the most amazing African sunset. I probably took about 50 pictures of the sunset, and the pictures don’t even begin to do it justice.

The best time to visit Chobe is in the dry season, which is typically May-October. However, I was there in early November and had an amazing experience

Lion resting on the dry African savannah, surrounded by branches and scorched earth, showcasing wildlife adventure photography for travel and safari enthusiasts.

2. Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve

The Okavango Delta Game Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site comes to life. This reserve is located in the Kalahari and over 130 large animals and over 400 various bird species call this reserve home. What is unique about this game reserve that you can take to the water in a mokoro canoe, walk with a wildlife guide on foot, or explore by motorboat, which was my option.

In the Moremi Reserve you will find lagoons, floodplains, and lush landscapes all filled with giraffes, wild dogs, leopards, and elephants. In the water we saw countless hippos, and because of the number of birds in the area, this was actually one of my nosiest game drives.

Pro Tip: If you want to add this safari to your Botswana safari itinerary, make sure you book extremely early. Most accommodations over larger discounts of up to 30% or reservations made 1-2 years out.

3. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is known as one of the world’s largest reserves. If you are looking for exclusive wildlife encounters with less crowds, then this is the safari for you. We went hours without seeing another vehicle, which I really enjoyed.

In the reserve, you can find black-maned lions, which we did not see, oryx, springbok, and brown hyenas (I saw more hyenas on this trip that I can even imagine). This area is also known for great star gazing as there is little to no light or population, and you can literally get lost staring up at all of the millions and millions of stars in the sky.

Before you add this to your itinerary, you need to know that this is a self-drive game reserve and it requires a reliable 4×4, plenty of supplies, and a plan, because there is absolutely zero support and help anywhere around.

4. Makgadikadi Pans & Naxi Pan

Stepping into these salt flats literally made me feel like I was stepping onto another planet. If you visit Botswana during the wet season, which is December-April, then you will see thousands of zebras, wildebeests, and flamingos all arrive in search of trazing areas.

At night, these pans transform into what I thought was a dreamscape. You can sleep under the stars with no lights and just enjoy nature at its best. During the day, meerkats come out, zebras, and more birds than you will ever see.

Conclusion: Botswana Safari

If you are looking for a safari that does not remind you of a zoo expereince and that allows you to be fully immersed in nthe bush, then a Botswana safari is for you! The wildlife and complete expereince is ummatched. From seeing animals in a the boat on my boat safair, to getting so close to the animals in the jep that I could literally touch them or see them breathing, you will never find another expereince like this. Ready to plan your Botswana safari? Reach out! I would love to help you plan this amazing experience.