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Valid for travel: 6th January - 19th December 2025
Partner pays 50% - Save up to $750 per person/per night!
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Valid for travel: 6th January - 19th December 2025
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So, you’re thinking about going on your first safari, and Botswana has caught your eye. Excellent choice.
Few places make you feel more at home on safari than Botswana. The game is exceptional, the guiding unmatched, and the experience effortlessly personal – especially for first-timers.
Planning your first-time Botswana safari can feel a little overwhelming – when to go, what to pack, where to stay – but that’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to feel confident, prepared, and wildly excited for what’s to come.
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and a short stretch of Zambia. The Limpopo River forms part of its southeastern border, while the seasonal floodplains of the Okavango Delta define the northwest.
Botswana is one of the best destinations in Africa for a first-time safari. Known for its warm people, diverse wildlife, and strong conservation policies, it offers a fantastic introduction to the African safari experience.
This country is a global leader in sustainable travel, with a low-impact, high-value tourism model that prioritizes conservation and community benefit. Botswana’s diverse landscapes support a wide range of wildlife and safari styles. From the Okavango Delta’s seasonal waterways to the elephant-dense Chobe National Park and the predator-rich Linyanti Reserve, each region offers something unique.
Botswana is a rare safari destination that offers a unique experience year-round. In the wetter months, the Okavango Delta comes alive with birdlife and water-based safaris through its flooded channels. As the drier months take hold, animals gather around shrinking waterholes, making wildlife sightings more intense and frequent.
All in all, your first Botswana safari is bound to be bespoke, rooted in sustainability, and guided by expert professionals.
Botswana offers three distinct Seasons, each with its own appeal. Choosing when to travel on safari depends on what you’re hoping to experience. Whether you’re drawn to the excitement of predator-packed game drives, the serenity of lush landscapes, or the cozy beauty of a winter safari, each season presents unique opportunities.
Amber Season, October to November, brings golden heat, fiery sunsets, and unforgettable scenes of survival. With longer days, hotter temperatures, abundant predator activity, and striking Amber colors across the landscape, it’s a thrilling time to be on safari.
Diamond Season, from May to September, is considered the ideal time for classic safari experiences – cooler temperatures, excellent visibility, and concentrated wildlife sightings. For many, this is the pinnacle of safari season.
Emerald Season, from December to April, lush, green landscapes are accompanied by sporadic and dramatic thunderstorms. This Season also offers fewer tourists, excellent conditions for photography, and incredible birding opportunities.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Botswana for your first-time safari depends on your very own circumstances and desires!
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most extraordinary safari destinations – a shimmering oasis in northern Botswana where floodwaters spill into the Kalahari Desert, creating a rich network of lagoons, channels, and islands teeming with life. Each year, around May, the floodwaters arrive from Angola and transform the Delta into a lush paradise ideal for both water and land-based safaris.
Tucked along the southern banks of the Linyanti River near the Namibian border, Botswana’s Linyanti Reserve offers a remote and exclusive safari experience. Spanning 1,250 square kilometers of riverine forest, grassland, and lagoons, this private concession is a haven for wildlife and a peaceful alternative to its more visited neighbors. During Diamond Season, as water sources dry up elsewhere, animals flock to the Linyanti River, creating fantastic viewing opportunities that peak during the intense heat of Amber Season.
The Khwai Community Concession, situated on the eastern edge of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, offers a rich and diverse safari experience. Managed by the local Khwai community, this area is a prime example of community-based conservation, blending sustainable tourism with cultural heritage. The concession encompasses a variety of ecosystems, including floodplains, woodlands, and the Khwai River, which attract a wide range of wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, and African wild dogs.
We refer to our 17 camps and lodges as ‘Experiences’ because we believe this best captures the holistic nature of a safari – one that goes beyond accommodation to encompass adventure, connection, and discovery.
Our three all-inclusive Experience types each embody a distinct level of luxury: Expedition Experiences for immersive adventures, Signature Experiences for classic luxury, and Icon Experiences for unparalleled opulence.
A Botswana safari is about so much more than game drives. In the Okavango Delta, you can drift through the reed-lined channels in a mokoro – a traditional dugout canoe – for a peaceful, eye-level view of birds and wildlife. It’s quiet, slow, and incredibly immersive. Prefer to be on foot? Walking safaris with skilled guides let you explore at nature’s pace, uncovering animal tracks, learning about medicinal plants, and tuning into the smaller details that bring the bush to life.
In private concessions like the Linyanti Reserve, night drives reveal a whole new side of the safari experience. As the sun sets, the bush comes alive with elusive nocturnal wildlife – leopards on the move, servals stalking through the grass, and the eerie whoop of hyenas echoing through the dark. For bird lovers, Botswana is a dream, with over 500 species to discover across its diverse habitats.
Many of our Experiences also include meaningful community visits. You might spend time at Khwai Pre-school, where young children are supported with quality early education, or visit the Vuche Vuche Basket Weaving Project, a women-led initiative preserving traditional craft while creating sustainable income. Both projects are proudly supported by the African Bush Camps Foundation, helping to strengthen local communities through education and empowerment.
Here’s a quick list of must-pack items to help you feel comfortable, prepared, and adventure-ready for your Botswana safari:
Your first game drive is a truly special experience – peaceful, exhilarating, and completely captivating. Here’s a quick overview to help you know what to expect:
Expect a gentle wake-up call just before sunrise, often with your favorite warm drink delivered to your tent. Morning game drives typically begin around 6:00 AM, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and peak wildlife activity.
You’ll head out in an open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle, designed for maximum visibility and comfort. Seating is elevated, giving you a clear view over the bush and plenty of space to move your camera or binoculars.
Drives usually last 3 to 4 hours, with a stop mid-way for coffee, snacks, and to stretch your legs in a scenic spot. Afternoon game drives begin around 4 PM, ending with sundowners in the bush as the sun sets – a safari-must!
No two drives are the same. Your expert guide will help you track and interpret the bush with care and respect.
Want to dive deeper into what a full day on safari looks like? Discover more about what “A Day on Safari with African Bush Camps looks like.
Here are some simple ‘do’s and don’ts’ to help you make the most of your first safari in Botswana.
Following these easy tips ensures a safe, enjoyable, and respectful adventure for everyone.
Botswana is an exceptional destination for families seeking adventure, connection, and shared discovery. Whether you’re introducing your children to the wonders of the wild or creating lasting memories across generations, a Botswana safari provides a meaningful and enriching experience for all ages.
The Ngwana Club (Ngwana meaning “explorer” in Setswana) is designed to immerse our young adventurers in the wonders of the bush.
Whether it’s spotting members of the Big Five, embarking on nature walks with our expert guides, or learning about local traditions and cultures, a family safari with African Bush Camps is designed to inspire travelers of all ages. All safari activities are tailored to the age and interests of each guest, ensuring an engaging experience for everyone.
We know that the key to an extraordinary safari is an exceptional guide, and this is no different when it comes to our younger guests. Our team is trained to make every moment both safe and unforgettable.
At African Bush Camps, your safari goes beyond the wildlife experience.
Through our African Bush Camps Foundation, a portion of every stay supports meaningful community and conservation projects in the areas where we operate. In Botswana, our efforts focus on education, community empowerment, and conservation initiatives that benefit local communities near Khwai and Linyanti.
When you travel with us, you’re directly contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for the people and wildlife of Africa.
All our safaris itineraries are fully bespoke and can be tailored to your individual preferences. The options below are simply to give you an idea of pricing and to help you start imagining your dream safari. Let us take care of the details and create your once-in-a-lifetime journey through Africa.
Revel in the beauty of Botswana during Emerald Season. This transformative time marks the peak of birthing season for many mammals, set against a backdrop of lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, and abundant water sources. Explore Chobe National Park, a safari destination renowned for its incredible wildlife density. Discover the historic Moremi Game Reserve – the oldest protected area in the Okavango Delta. Venture on game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching excursions, and mokoro safaris.
Discover the authentic beauty of Botswana on this 7-day safari adventure. Experience the magic of sleeping under the African sky with Linyanti’s Star Suites; these unique accommodations feature mesh-enclosed spaces that extend from each tent, allowing you to sleep beneath a starlit canopy in complete comfort and safety. From Khwai Lediba, Explore Moremi Wildlife Reserve – Botswana’s oldest and most diverse wildlife region. Venture on game drives, walking safaris, and mokoro safaris.
Discover Botswana’s Okavango Delta on this exclusive 9-night safari. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest inland deltas in the world, the Okavango Delta is globally revered for its beauty and biodiversity. Explore its labyrinthine waterways on mokoro safaris and discover its animals via vehicle and foot as the Delta’s rich wildlife and tranquil beauty offer an unforgettable safari experience.
– Khwai Lediba
This was our first safari experience. Our guide Phefo picked us up from the airstrip and brought us to the camp, where the assembled staff sang to greet us (I am not sure if most safari camps do this or only those run by African Bush Camps, but it is charming). We had a beautiful, tented cabin facing the Moremi Game Reserve and often saw wildlife from our deck. You are really ensconced among the wildlife here; sometimes elephants come through the camp, or hippos or baboons. We had wonderful game drives during which we saw so much wildlife, from elephants to honey badgers. We enjoyed a walking safari, where we learned about different tracks and other animal sign, and a mokoro safari, which was terrifically peaceful. The food was very good and we enjoyed sitting down to meals with our fellow guests. All the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. We were so impressed by our guide. Our experience was simply fantastic.
– Linyanti Bush Camp
Linyanti was our first experience of Botswana hospitality. We arrived by light plane at local airstrip and then helicopter took us to Linyanti where we were greeted by song. The early morning starts for a safari were well rewarded with many animal sightings. After lunch we had time to relax, sit out on our deck or snooze before afternoon tea and then late afternoon we had another safari drive.
Overall, it was a memorable experience in a bush camp away from the bustling crowds.
– Linyanti Ebony
OK, maybe it’s because they’re only four tents in the camp and we were the only family there occupying half of them. But this was our favorite of our trip hands-down… Our tent was right next to the river so at night we heard the hippos (and smelled them) upfront and personal… I have to go out of my way to mention our guide, Chester. He was amazing. He was charming. He was funny. He was so willing to share anecdotes of growing up in a small village in Botswana and he was committed when it came to finding animals. We’ve never had the experience of watching a guide, actually track a group of lions over two days until we found them and it was fascinating. So, he did find the lion and her cubs which was beautiful, but also a wild cat, a civet.
A great place great people absolutely loved it.
