It is located near the vast Makgadikgadi National Park in northern eastern Botswana. The Nxai salt pans are part of the Makgadikgadi salt flats. Part to the park is covered in acacia woodlands and a few other tree species covering 2576sq kilometers of the park. The park was established in 1970 with its borders stretching to the Baines Baobabs.

Wildlife

The wildlife in Nxai Pans National park is mainly concentrated on the waterholes after the rains. Some of the regular species of mammals in the park include lions, springbok, bat eared fox, jackal, kudu, giraffe, impala, ostrich, zebra, elephants, impala, kudu and mnay others. Zebras and elephant often flick the waterholes with their cubs after the rain which draws many potential predators to the site.

Some of the birds in Nxai include kestrel, goshawk, balck korhaan and vultures. Manyb other birds migrate to the park during the rainy months in November to April

Getting there

The pan can be accessed via the same route as for Makgadikgadi Park on Maun road. The parks are actually 134km from Maun and 65km from Ngweta. The park is more accessible during the dry season months of May to September when the roads are firmer after the rains. 4X4 are required to cross the park.

There are no camps or safari lodges in Nxai National park. Accommodation is available in Maun and safari lodges in the sister park Makgadikgadi national park.

Khutse Game Reserve was opened in 1971 in Gaborone Botswana. This 2500sq km game reserve is a popular tourist attraction in Gaborone for weekend and family holidays. Khutse has been hit by a long drought period fro many years depriving it of lush savanna and water need for animals.

Nevertheless, the dry savanna and salt pans have sights of leopard, eland, duiker, wildebeest, steenbok, springbok, lion, spotted hyena, jackal, brown hyena, caracal, warthog and wild dog among other mammals. Some of the small mammals in the reserve include hare, bat-eared fox, aardvarks, pangolins, ground squirrels, porcupines and black footed cats among others.

Trophy hunting is a popular adventure in Khutse Gaborone reserve in December up to April which is the rainy season in Botswana. Many animals visit the waterhole and salt pans after the rains to get some water to drink. Regular bird sights in the park include Kori bustard and the ostrich.

Accommodation in the reserve is limited but you’ll find camping facilities at Galabodimo near the main reserve gate, Khutse Pan II and another public campsite at Moreswa pan

Manyelanong is another game reserve located near Gaborone the capital city. Manyelanong is actually a hill on Gaborone –Lobatse road. On the hill is Manyelanong Game Reserve a renowned colony for Botswana birds such as the endangered Otse vulture.

The cape vulture of Botswana an a specie in danger of extinction by die to increased conservation efforts the numbers of vultures at Manyelanong Game Reserve have increased. There are 70 pairs in the colony making it the richest colony in Botswana

Visitor on the game reserve are seriously cautioned never to leave food lying around. This and many other efforts are made to protect the breeding grounds as the vulture are known to fly to the Kalahari for prey food.

The refuge cave at Manyelanong Game Reserve is known for pottery and was previously used as a hiding place for the Dutch in 1870s.

Gaborone Game reserve is a small game reserve (5sq km) located in Gaborone the capital city of Botswana. It was established in 1988 and ranks number one in the list of the most visited tourist destinations in Botswana. The reserve is an excellent retreat from the hectic schedules and streets of Gaborone.  It is just 1km from Broadhurst Mall to the east

Wildlife

The reserve is a protected habitat for gemsbok, kudu, warthog, ostrich, eland, wildebeest, rhino, zebra, bush buck, duiker and the eland among other small mammals.

It is a good place to start birding safaris in Botswana with regular sights of hornbill, African crake, European bee eaters, kingfishers, crimson boubou shrike, snake eagle, brightly colored purple Gallinule, sand pipers, white faced duck and many other water bired that migrate to the reserve form the nearby Limpopo river swamp.

Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation for tourists in Gaborone including five star hotels, self catering accommodation, guesthouses and other accommodation option in the capital. Options to choose from include safari lodges in Selemela, Citi Camp Caravan Park, Oasis Motel Gaborone Hotel and Palm Resort Gaborone, Sun city Hotel Gaborone and many other.

Mokolodi is a private game reserve located near Gaborone the capital of Botswana. The nature reserve is managed by Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation which is basically into conservation and education at the reserve.

Wildlife

The reserve occupies an estimated 30sq km since its establishment in 1994. The reserve provides a home to orphaned animals and a variety of wildlife rescued from poachers.

Through the years, many animals have been collected from all parts of Botswana and today the reserves has species like kudu, spring hares, leopard, impala, ostrich, white rhino, sable, porcupines, roan antelope, cheetah, zebra, gemsbok, many red hartebeest, mountain reedbuck, giraffe, elephants and waterbuck among other mammals.

Activities

There are plenty of adventures and educational tours conducted at the reserve. There are safari game drives, game walks led by trained guides, rhino tracking excursions, horse back safaris, Night game drives and sundown cruises on   the dam among others. The reserve has well maintained system of safari tracks and trails best used in the dry season.

The reserve opens at 8h00 and closes at 16h00 with different rates and prices for activities above. There is an option of joining the conservation team at Mokolodi.

Getting there

The reserve is located 10km from the capital Gaborone in Mokolodi village. Follow the signpost on Lobatse highway and branch off on the junction at Mokolodi village. It is just 3km from the village to th main gate at Mokolodi Private Game reserve.

Accommodation

The Wildlife foundation at Mokolodi runs a rest camp (Alexander Smith Traditional Rest Camp)  in the park with self catering options,m bed, breakfast, showers and game viewing deck. Near the water dam are five rustic chalets nested on a high rock in the centre of the park with mosquito netted beds, toilet, and hot water showers. There is a restaurant near the camp and at the park’s main gate with meals and diner.

If Botswana safari and holiday is what you have chosen for the ultimate African safari adventure, then you are tasked with finding the best Botswana safari and holiday packages that will fit into your pocket. Botswana safari accommodation is mandatory on any Botswana safari package deal thus finding the right Botswana accommodation that matches your romantic holiday in Botswana or wildlife trip is not a piece of cake

Botswana safari accommodation includes safari lodges, bush camps, thatched cottages and chalets, tented camps, luxury game/ safari lodges, and budget public camping. All Botswana safari accommodation is designed with intentions of comfort with best game viewing areas especially for the Botswana safari lodges. All lodges are also equipped with well stocked libraries, spacious lounge, game viewing verandahs, swimming pools (for the five star game lodges), well furnished rooms, and so much more

Botswana safari Lodges

Visiting Botswana is rewarding all through the year…accommodation is thus available anytime but booking and reservations are mandatory for luxury Botswana Safari lodges in any of Botswana wildlife parks as reviewed below!            You don’t need to worry about overnight stays if you visiting Okavango Delta, Moremi Game reserve, Chobe Park, and Linyanti Wildlife Park

Camp Moremi offers the finest safari overnight facilities from Moremi Game reserve such as a curio shop, swimming pool, well furnished rooms, excellent dining and other fisrt class facilities that will make you feel at home in the wild. It is situated on the Xakanaxa Lagoon within the Moremi Game Reserve. You have the best game viewing stands from the comfort of your verandah. Other Botswana game lodges in Moremi Game reserve include Camp Okuti, Eagle Island Camp at Xaxaba, Xakanaxa Camp, Khwai River Lodge, Xigera camp, Little Mombo and Sanctuary Chiefs Camp

From Chobe National Park Botswana, game viewing does not stop even when the sun seems to set into the distant horizon. Experience first class safari lodging from Chobe Safari lodge if you are visiting Chobe Park or Linyanti Wildlife reserve and enjoy facilities like guided gamed drives, elephant back safaris to the Chobe river bed. There are also discount honeymoon packages with Chobe Safari lodge from $700. Other safari lodges from Chobe and Linyanti area include Chobe Marina Lodge, Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Savanna Lodge, Duma Tau luxury safari lodge, Kings Pool luxury camp, Kubu Lodge, Lebala camp, Savute Elephant Luxury camp and Savute Safari Lodge to mention a few.

Okavango Delta Botswana safari lodges and accommodation

Botswana wildlife safaris are not the same without visiting Okavango Delta, the heart of Botswana safaris and a spring of life for Botswana’s wilderness. Camp Okavango from Nxaragha Island is ideal for Botswana Honeymoons with the serenity of singing birds, pristine swimming pool, game viewing and secluded adventures…just the two of you! For Xugana Island lodge, warm thatched chalets will introduce you to the serenity of wild Botswana as you enjoy sights of African sunset and visiting elephant herds. That is not all, budget safari lodging and standard Botswana game lodges are found with Shinde Island lodge for $ 860, Vumbura Plains lodge with luxury facilties at USD 1400, Seba Camp has standard facilities at USD 920, Moremi Crossing lodge at $ 400 for cheaper Botswana safari accommodation, Sanctuary Baines Camp offers breakfast under umbrella trees and accommodation at $1000 and Pom Pom camp has budget Botswana safari accommodation at USD 690

You are probably thinking…is this all Botswana accommodation has? Well, the answer is NO. There is luxury accommodation with Royal Tree Lodge if you are visiting Maun, Planet Baobab for Makgadikgadi Pans with budget safari accommodation at $58, Mashatu Main camp and Mashatu tented camp if you are visiting the Tuli Block and Mashatu Game reserve, Edos Camp found in Central Kalahari Park has standard Botswana accommodation going for USD 220.

It may probably take you as much time as I did to review all Botswana accommodation and safari lodges and probably the same time to make an ultimate pick. Make this easy by finding A Botswana safari operator or travel agent who will make reviews for you and choose the best Botswana game lodge-according to your budget. Alternatively, look through reviews of pervious vacationers in Botswana and find which safari lodges and hotels are recommended. Remember to book your Botswana accommodation in advance, especially if your Botswana tour dates fall in the peak season.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest wildlife conservation areas that have survived human habitation throughout the world. The conservation area stretches from South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park and to the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana for a total area of 38,000sq km.

Wildlife in Kgalagadi

A large part of the Kgalagadi is found in Botswana but the absentia of protective barriers for the parks makes it easy for the animals to cross from one side to another. The park is largely under the Kalahari Desert with also rising red sand dunes, sparse savanna vegetation, dry riverbeds from Nossob and Auob rivers and a few standing trees-even with such gloomy landscape there is abundant wildlife that lives here. The salt pans fill up with water during the rainy season and contain nutrient-rich soils, and salts thus attracting some thirsty herds to the water points.

The gemsbok is the pride of this park with several herds visiting the pans after the heavy rains. The vast park is home to the wildebeest, eland, hartebeest and springbok, and a healthy population of large predators – lions, leopards, cheetah and hyena. Bird watching is a delight with species such as vultures, eagles, buzzards, secretary beds, weavers, pygmy falcons and many other birds.

How to get there

Game viewing can be done all through the year but the best time to visit the park March to May when the rains recede to make several water pans around the park. the roads through the park are not well maintained as thus may need a sturdy 4X4 truck as you visit the different parts of the park.

The park is accessed through its five park gates in Botswana and South Africa. From South Africa, use the Twee Riviren gate to do all the fees, fire arm clearing and also get guides. While on Botswana holidays, the park is reached via the Two-rivers gate, Mabuasehube and Kaa gates or from the border posts. Arriving from Namibia, the park is reached from Mamuno border and then drive towards Mat-Mata gate.

Kgalagadi Accommodation

Although there are no luxury safari lodges and camping facilities for Kgalagadi Transfrontier park, there are about 6 basic camps on the south African side including Bitterpan wilderness camp, Twee Rivieren rest camp, Grootkolk wilderness camp, Mata Mata rest camp, Kalahari tent camp and Nossob rest camp. From Botswana, camping is done at Polentswa, Rooiputs and two rivers camp in Mabuasehube. You are however cautioned to carry drinking water, firewood and food if you’ll be camping here.

In case you are looking forward to seeing the adventures from the other side of the park i.e. for South Africa, you are encouraged to spend one or two nights to be on the safe side!

Mashatu Game Reserve is as indeed as it is called the land of Giants in reference to the gigantic Mashatu trees that are spread across the game reserve area besides the big game that roams the plains. Mashatu game reserve is found in the remote south eastern border of Botswana and South Africa in the Tuli Block area as part of the three Bostwana game reserves found near the confluence of the Limpopo River and its valley beds.

The private game reserve covers an area of 305 sq km of riverine forests, savannah grasslands, strange gigantic Mashatu trees, Baobab, shrubs, river beds, rocky (sandstone) outcrops and in a nut shell very beautiful landscape.

Game sighting

The land of giants befits its habitats such as African elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, aardwolf, wild cat, bat eared fox, honey badger, black backed jackal, caracul, snakes, chameleons, baboons spotted Hyena, porcupine, zebras, leopard, lynx, civets, genets and several other mammals (big and small)

More than 300 birds nest in the Mashatu Botswana game reserve with significant sights such as the world’s biggest bird, ostrich, lilac breasted roller, king fisher, kori bustard and many other birds. Adventurous mountain biking is an interesting way to experience the wild Mashatu animals as you ride past herds of elephants, giraffes feeding on acacia branches, over the spectacular sandstone outcrops and all the time within the intense heat of the mid day sun!

The cool winter months of April to September are preferred times to visit Mashatu Game reserve on your Botswana safari excursions. Temperatures can be as high as 42ºC in the hot dry season and 14 ºC making way for the chilly nights.

Mashatu Accommodation

Find luxury Botswana Game lodges and safari accommodations in Mashatu game reserve. There are two luxury camps found within the reserve. Mashatu Main camp and Mashatu tented camp have spacious rooms, wild themed furnishing, excellent dining and above all have good game viewing spots. There is optional accommodation from Tuli Safari lodge and other neighboring bush camps in other fringing private game reserves.

Tuli Block and its game reserves are found in the south eastern part of Botswana in an area stretching 350km long and more than 10km wide known as Tuli Block. This narrow stretch occupies the fringes of Limpopo and Sashe river in the east joining with Notwane river in the north and Olifant drift from the southern end.

TULI BLOCK

Tuli Block collectively includes the private game reserves in the north such as Mashatu Game Reserve, Ntani private game reserve and Northern Tuli game reserve near the Limpopo River.  The outstanding features of Tuli block area are the rocky outcrops, huge stones/pebbles, rare vegetation, gigantic trees and shrubs along the dry river beds and abundant wildlife. The Mashatu trees (Nyala) are a distinct tree species unique to this area in addition to fever trees, sesam and other poisonous species that grow on the outcrops.

Tuli Game Reserve

This Botswana wildlife reserve stretches over three game reserves in the northern part of Tuli block on the banks of Limpopo River covering an area of over 100,000 hectares. Animals roam freely in the game reserve between Motloutse and Limpopo river beds including herds if elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, spotted hyenas, baboons, bushbucks, kudu, zebras, cheetahs, bat eared fox, mashatu eland, wild dog, porcupines, civets, genets and aardwolves among other plains game.

In addition are more than 350 species of different birds such as ground thrush, shrike, cormorants, kingfishers, waders, boulder chats and others. All this is seen on adventure horse rides, cycling and guided walking safari. Visit Mashatu game lodge and you’ll not be surprised by the visiting elephant herds.

Tuli safari lodges and Accommodation

In such an abundant wildlife region, Botswana game lodges and accommodation are numerous with excellent overnight facilities. Tuli Safari Lodge Botswana is famous for its horse riding excursions, exquisite rooms, guided walking trails in the reserve and of course game drives. Luxury safari camping is available from Mashatu Main Camp, Mashatu tented camp, Nitani Safari Lodge, Tuli Lodge and several Tuli bush camps.

The Kalahari Desert that stretches from Namibia into Botswana occupies the heart of Botswana, but not all is lifeless within this vast desert. The open savannah plains of the Kalahari are home to several species of wildlife thus gazetted into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is actually the second largest game reserve across the world stretching over 52,000sq km. the reserve is made of large savannah plains, sand dunes covered with short grasses, trees and shrubs, dry river beds (for the dry seasons) besides it rich wildlife. Small groups of Bushmen remain resident of this reserve as it has been throughout the traditional hunting session of Botswana people.

This reserve (especially the north) was made famous by the writings of Mark and Delia Owens in their book Cry of the Kalahari that focused on preserving the reserve and its wildlife

Game viewing in Kalahari

The abundant desert reserve is visited all year round. The rainy season bring new life to the reserve attract several herds of wild game to the valleys between the rolling sand dunes. Some of the regular game sighted here includes blue wildebeest, Giraffes, warthog, brown hyena, wild dog, oryx, eland, kudu, springbok, bat eared fox, cape fox, meerkats and red hartebeest. Predator can not fall short in this prey rich reserve; Lions, jackals, leopards, cheetahs are encountered once on a fruitful game drive in the reserve. As the prey herds collect in the valleys for the rainy season, many of these predators find and opportunity to feast! It is best to visit Central Kalahari Game reserve for Game viewing opportunities between December and April, when the animals congregate in the pans and valleys.

The Basarwa or San people have been residents of this reserve for several years and live harmoniously in the wild, hunting and feeding to game meats. Overtime, the Bushmen have evolved their lifestyle to settles just around the reserve in villages and also focus on game conservation, sometimes stepping in as guides. Enjoy and get to know their lifestyle when you visit central Kalahari Game reserve.

How to get there

There are about three gates that lead you to the reserve; Khutse in the south, Xade gate in the west and in the northeast through Matswere gate. The northern region is very abundant with wildlife accessed through Matswere gate. Matswere is reached from Maun, drive north to Rakops via Motopi, Kumaga and Tsoe. Alternatively, the southern route from Mahalapye takes you through Serowe, Letlhakane and Mopipi and then reach Matswere gate.

Central Kalahari Accommodation.

Organizing a short trip to Central Kalahari reserve is easy. Accommodation should not even worry you for a single moment. There are basic camps, tented camps, safari lodges and a few overnight options for Central Kalahari.

Meno Kwena Tented camp is a good choice with excellent game viewing over the salt pans. From Xade gate is Xade Wildlife camp with basic camping facilities, three star Haina Kalahari lodge and Grasslands Bushman lodge. Deception Valley Lodge is a beautiful place to stay while visiting the central Kalahari-stylish accommodation, game viewing is good over the verandah and dining is delightful. Other camps to enjoy include the new private camps called Kalahari Plains camp and Tau Pan camp (for luxury overnight accommodation)

If you are considering bush camping, stock up on supplies such as fuel, food, water and anything else you may end on a wild camping trip. Camp fires and any rubbish must be buried before leaving a particular place you stayed for overnight.

The Savute safari area in Botswana is part of the Chobe National Park in the south west , a prime game viewing area covering some 5,00sq km. The Savute is known for its strange channel that runs for almost 100km from the Linyanti Swamp before entering the Mababe Depression at the Savute Marsh.

The channel has been dry for more than twenty years but it is still a wildlife haven, in particular during the rainy season when thousands of animals move in to feed on the lush new grass. The mysterious channel intrigues many geologists.

Along the banks of the channel are skeleton acacia trees which are prominent features of this area. The Magwikhwe sand ridge forms 20m high ridge that once formed the banks of the lake that covered this area once before.

Savute Game-viewing

After the summer rains, thousands of zebras and elephants migrate here from the Linyanti swamps nearby. The pans fill with water after the rains attracting other animals here such as lions, hyenas and a great variety of bird species. However birds are seen here although the year. Some of the regular  bird sights include secretary birds, kori bustards and redbilled francolins with the summer migrants including Abdim’s storks and carmine bee-eaters. Birdwatchers may be lucky to see the gathering of Quelea finches – a single flock can contain tens of thousands of these small birds.

When to Visit

The Savute channel and its surrounding are excellent places to visit all through the year. November to December attract several herds of Zebras from the north (Linyanti) into the Mababde depression. September and October are excellent game viewing months with different animals congregating around the waterholes.

Savute accommodation

There are a few Botswana safari lodges from the Savute areas. Savute Elephant Camp was named after its visiting Elephant herds and other large animals. Other lodges include Savuti Safari Lodge and other lodges neighboring Chobe National park.

Botswana is outlined by South Africa within the south and southeast Zambia and Zimbabwe within the northeast and Namibia within the north and west. It’s the northwest corner of Botswana is often visited by several tourists a year since it is here the Okavango River drains inland from Angola to create the Okavango Delta – the biggest inland delta on the planet, also some wealthy profusion of wildlife. The delta is very beautiful, big sky country with spectacular scenery across grassy plains and limpid lagoons. The Moremi Wildlife Reserve, covering 700 square miles (1,812 sq km) within the northeast corner from the Okavango Delta, may be the ultimate African safari destination. Other names synonymous with Botswana include Savuti, Makgadikgadi salt pans, Mashatu Game reserve, Tuli block reserve and several other reserves.

The Tourist destinations and attractions of Botswana

Gaborone may function as the capital and biggest town of Botswana, but when it comes to tourism there really isn’t a great deal to do here. If you are within the capital city for business reasons you will find a couple of attractions for those who have a free of touring, otherwise you can opt ot visit the more beautiful areas of Botswana in the countryside! Botswana is known for its wildlife and the same applies in the capital Gaborone. Gaborone Game Reserve for instance, is definitely an chance to determine zebras, wart hogs, wild boars, apes and several wild birds and also the benefit is when you’ve got a vehicle you’re liberated to drive round the reserve not-led.

Maun; Still only classified like a village, Maun is continuing to grow into among Botswana’s leading tourist towns. It is actually the gateway towards the country’s major national parks and other country side attractions. Maun Game Reserve that is easily situated within walking distance from the town is good place to start your Botswana wildlife safaris before you head on deeper into Botswana.

Matsiend Rock Designs and carvings, are based on legend, a giant named Matsiend crept from a 12-feet hole within the ground 1000′s of years back followed by many kinds of ghostly animals. Because the rocks were thought to be very soft then, his feet created a large, 12-inch footprint that’s considered a sacred spot by Botswana people. Near the foot print are several animal engravings created over 2,500 years ago.

National Parks in Botswana

The Okavango Delta is just one of Botswana’s most widely visited places in Botswana explored by Makoro canoe rides or on a boat. Okavango horse safaris are more adventurous way to experience the largest inland delta in Africa. If you are up for that task, spend 4-6 hours each day going through the camps, sights, and lifestyle of the true safari existence. Moremi Game Reserve is not far from the delta and can be toured before you proceed on to other areas beyond Okavango, the wildlife is spectacular here!

Chobe National Park in North West Botswana has got the largest concentrations of predators from any national park across Africa. Some of its wildlife includes buffalo, leopard, lion and antelope. The park is near to the border with Zambia and Zimbabwe and thus is a great place to pursue the magnificent Victoria Falls, about 60km away.

Mokolodi Natural Reserve hosts an array of animals varying from tall giraffes, elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, Jackals, hyenas, wildebeest, hippo to herds of zebras and lazy hippos. More than 300 birds nest in harmony with these different birds. There is a research facility and breeding center devoted entirely to protecting endangered species. The most interesting thing is that all conservation efforts are done with the help of the local community.

The Kalahari Desert is very evident on the surface even before you land by flight into Botswana. Kalahari Desert although considered an extremely dry area has some dry savannah grasslands that often become flooded for the rainy season. The moment the rains start, the vivid plants blossom into colorful flowers.. Covering a lot more than two-thirds of Botswana’s land area, the so-known as “desert” turns into a playground for ostriches, antelopes, and colorful flowers. Just in case you consider camping here, bring your personal equipment, and anticipate to hang on tight – guides that set you up at the camping site also supply you with a 4WD vehicle.

The great grass plains of Makgadikgadi and also the connected pan complexes of Sowa, Ntwetwe and Nxai Pans are scenically stunning the very first-time Botswana Tourist  is almost always struck through the immensity of sky and horizon from the Botswana landscape.The large pans of Makgadikgadi would be the most visible remains of the lake disappeared 5 million years back. In the rainy season aftermath, the pans are a source of life, thousands of antelopes, waterbucks, flamingos, pelicans, and many other species

Best Time to Visit

Botswana boasts of a sub tropical climate with hot summer season, once the climate is about 26C, through the country, although it does are afflicted by dusty winds throughout the dry season – April to October within the south, and also to November within the north. Throughout the rainy season lasts several weeks, particularly May to August, Botswana encounters a replenishing time for its wildlife, grasslands and several migrant birds flock into the water logged salty pans. Botswana comes back to life.

Travel around Botswana

Plane tickets to Botswana are usually costly if in the US or the Middle East, but when book your Botswana vacation ahead of time, you’ll have the ability to find a very good deals and least expensive plane tickets to Botswana.

There are six major bus routes around Botswana, however, the buses travel on irregular time schedules. The train line operates through the major towns of Francistown, Gaborone, and Lobatse, and may usually be depended on for affordable costs and much more timely service. Car rentals and 4X4 vehicle hire is available for tourist who are visited the different parts of Botswana with rough, dusty roads

If you think you have exhausted African safaris without visiting Botswana on wildlife safari holidays, think twice! Botswana is once of the favored African wildlife safari destinations with exhaustive wildlife habitats stretching from lush dense forests to the vast desert plains of Kalahari. You will definitely want to return for another Botswana wildlife tour…surely why not? For a country as big and diverse as Botswana, you can enjoy so much;

Botswana Wildlife Game Parks

Okavango delta is the prime tourist attraction in Botswana. It occupies more than 5,000 sq miles of palm fringed rivers, swamps, lagoons, and is a spring of life for a variety of birds and animals. Chobe National Park shelters one of the largest concentrations of African elephants, buffalos, leopards, lions, sitatunga, zebras, giraffes and other animals in Serondella river area.

Moremi Game reserve, not far from Chobe provides refuge for migrant animal herds from Chobe. Selinda nad Kwando private reserve make the wildlife safaris more complete and fulfilling. Another option is Mokolodi Nature Reserve, which has a broader range of wildlife including giraffes, elephants, hippos and more, and you can even pet a cheetah here!

Kalahari Desert is not as plain as you may think… the open grasslands of Kalahari are home to some few black manned lions, meerkats, gemsbok, springbok, hyenas and so much more. The Makgadikagadi salt pans are an extension of the Kalahari with herds of game visited the salt pans after the long rains and birds such as flamingos and pelicans enjoy the algae growing on the pans during the flooding seasons.

Linyanti wildlife reserve are lush wetland region and swamp with habitats for water loving animals such the sitatunga, amphibians, more than 300 different birds, buffalos, crocodiles, lions and others gathering on the banks of Savuti channel after the long rains subdue.

When to visit

Wildlife safaris in Botswana are possible all through the year. The best time for Botswana safari holidays comes around June to November if you are looking forward to good game viewing.  It is the period of dry months, migrant herds congregate around water pools, predators too patrol the scene for a day’s kill, vultures and other raptors are part of the scenery.

Botswana safari lodges and Accommodation

On a Botswana wildlife safari, you don’t need to worry about where to stay, spend the night or have your evening meal. There are plenty of luxurious, standard and budget safaris and game lodges within the parks and near the park gates

Top luxury accommodation is ready and available on booking with Botswana safari ant tour operators. Some of the best game and safari lodges are Delta camp, Chobe game lodge, Thakaduu camp, Mashatu lodge and others from each game park you’ll visit.

If you have settled for a Botswana safari holiday and you are looking for safari company or travel agent to help you arrange and customize your Botswana safari itinerary, you have definitely visited the right website. Botswana has  a number of safari companies and tour operators that can do this for you but you have too be cautious of which safari company you zero on.

For unique interest comparable to birding in Botswana, trekking, water rafting, sightseeing tours in Botswana, Big Game safaris, hiking, walking safaris, and much more, the ideal Botswana tour operator will arrange you the right Botswana Holidays and safari packages, customized safari itinerary that fits into your budget.

Among other types of things the expedition operators in Botswana can make a reservation for flights booking and ticketing, transport comparable to car hire and  expedition vehicle in spite of whether chauffeur driven or self drive, Botswana hotel booking and visa arrangement or travel advisory. Get value for money

You’ll be able to have all opportunities from luxury tours to budget recommendations The most commonly seen example of a tour operator’s product is a flight  on a charter airline plus a transfer with the airport to a hotel and the services concerning a local representative, all for one price. some of the places that cant miss on your Botswana tours include Moremi game reserve, Chobe park, Okavango Delta tours, visiting the open savannah of the Kalahari desert and many others.

Tour Operators in Botswana

African Horseback Safaris
PO Box 20538, Maun
tel/Fax: 663154
email: sjhorses@info.bw
web: www.africanhorseback.com

Afro Trek
P Bag 58, Maun
tel/fax: 6862574
tel: 686510
email: info@afrotrek.com
www.afrotrek.com

Audi Camp Safaris P Bag 28 Maun, Botswana
tel: 6860599
fax: 6860581
email: audicamp@info.bw
www.audicamp.bizland.com

Botswana Safaris & Tours
P Bag BO46, Boseja, Maun
tel/fax: 6864845
home: 6862656
cell: 0721518
email: botswanasafaris@botsnet.bw or edurne@info.bw

Bush Ways Safaris
P Bag 342, Maun
tel/fax: 6863685
email: reservations@bushways.com
www.bushways.com

Butler & Lindstrom Safaris
PO Box 236, Maun
tel: 6860994
fax: 6860995
cell: 716 56455
email: sls@info.bw

Capricorn Safaris
P Bag 21, Maun
tel: 6861165
fax: 6862991
email: capsaf@info.bw

Crocodile Camp Safaris
PO Box 46, Maun
tel: 6860796 or 6860265
fax: 6860793
email: sales@botswana.com
web: www.botswana.com

CC Africa
Sir Seretse Khama Rd, DDS Complex
tel: 661979
fax: 661972
email: ccabotswana@info.bw
www.ccafrica.com

Desert & Delta Safaris
Lot 851, Opposite Nhabe Museum, Desert & Delta Complex,
P Bag 310, Maun
tel: 6861234/6862246
fax: 6861791
email: reservations@desertdelta.com
www.desertdelta.com

Drumbeat Safaris
PO Box 20228, Maun
tel/fax: 6863096
email: drumbeat@info.bw

Eco Africa Botswana
(PTY) Ltd P Bag 371, Maun
tel: 6862427
email: rogersafaris@info.bw

Elephant Back Safaris
P Bag 332, Maun
tel: 6861260
fax: 6861005
email: ebs@info.bw
www.elephantbacksafaris.com

Game Trails Safaris
P Bag BO13, Maun
tel: 6862405
fax: 6862405
email: gametrails@botsnet.bw

Island Safari Lodge
PO Box 116, Maun
tel: 6860330
fax: 6862932;
email: island@info.bw

Ker & Downey
Airport Box 27, Maun
tel: 6860375 / 6861226
fax: 6861282
email: safari@kerdowney.bw
www.kerdowney.com

Kgori Safaris
P Bag 146, Maun
tel: 6862049 or 6861073
fax: 6862048
mobile: 72152596
email: kgorisaf@info.bw
www.mankwe.com

Kwando Safaris
PO Box 550, Maun
tel: 6861449
fax: 6861457
email: reservations@kwando.co.za
www.kwando.co.za

Lodges of Botswana
The Power Station Building,
PO Box 39, Maun
tel: 6861154
fax: 6860589
email: lodges@okavango.bw
web: www.okavango.bw

Masson Safaris
P Bag 257, Maun
tel/fax: 6862442
email: sallie@masson-safaris.com
web: www.masson-safaris.com

Maun Rest Camp Safaris
PO Box 250, Maun
tel: 6862623
tel/fax: 6863472
email: simonjoyce@info.bw

Moremi Safaris
P Bag 26, Maun
tel: 6860222
Runs: Xakanaxa Camp.

New Moon Safaris
P Bag 210, Maun;
tel/fax: 6861665;
email: newmoon@info.bw

Okavango Polers’
Trust PO Box 24, Seronga
tel: 6876861.

Okavango Wilderness Safaris
Mathiba I Road,
P.Bag 14, Maun
tel: 6860086
fax: 6860632.

Orient-Express Safaris
(formerly Gametrackers)
PO Box 100, Maun
tel: 6860302
fax: 6860153
email: gtb.mngr@info.bw
web: www.gametrackers.orient-express.com

Penduka Safaris
PO Box 66, Maun;
tel: 6864539
fax: 6864540
email: sitatunga@info.bw

Penstone Safaris
PO Box 370, Maun
tel: 6861721
fax: 6861722;
email: penelope@info.bw

Phakawe Safaris
Shorobe Rd, P.Bag 385, Maun;
tel/fax: 6864377;
email: sarah@phakawe.demon.co.uk;
web: www.phakawe.demon.co.uk

Planet Okavango
Mophane Rd,
PO Box 236, Maun
tel: 6864575
email: planet.okavango@info.bw

Sanctuary Lodges
P Bag 45, Maun
tel: 6862688
fax: 6863526

Wilderness Dawning
P Bag B017, Maun
tel/fax: 6862962
email: wd@info.bw

Wilderness Safaris
Wild Lifestyles
PO Box 66, Maun
tel: 6863664
fax: 6861045
email: mikepenman@info.bw
www.wildlifestyles.com

Botswana Travel Agents

Africa Pride
P Bag BO 46, Boseja, Maun
tel/fax: 6864845
email: africapride@botsnet.bw
www.africapridebotswana.com

Bathusi Travel & Safaris
P Bag 44, Maun
tel/fax: 6860647
email: bathusi@info.bw.

Ensign Services Mophane Rd
PO Box 66, Maun
tel: 6860351/6860978
fax: 6860571
email: ensign@info.bw.

Merlin Air Services
P Bag 13, Maun
tel: 6860351
fax: 6860571.

Okavango Tours & Safaris
The Power Station Building
PO Box 39, Maun
tel: 6860220
fax: 6860589
email: okavango@info.bw
www.okavangotours@okavango.bw.

Travel Wild
PO Box 236, Mathiba I Road, Maun
tel: 6860822
fax: 6860493
email: t.wild@info.bw.

If you need to travel to Botswana on holidays, honeymoon, or African safari, you’ll never be disappointed with Botswana tourism. Botswana is actually one of the best African safari destinations with impressive wildlife, interesting tourist hotels and accommodation, a variety of places to visit from national parks, to vast salt pans, and much more all included in one wholesome Botswana holidays and safari package

Botswana safari and holiday packages are readily available, and so they may be some of the best options with regards to saving money and genuinely taking advantage of your time in Botswana. Secure a good Botswana safari and tour operator and you won’t be disappointed with this South African safari.

What to see

Botswana has many national parks but the most popular is the Kgalagadi Tran frontier Conservation area that is located south of the country and its well known for its large number of resident eagles for example the black Breasted, snake along with Martial Tawny

If Botswana wildlife safaris are what you are looking for… there is much to see from northern Botswana, Moremi Game Reserve as well as Chobe National park, these are famous for both wild and bird-life. Okavango delta is an amazing attraction in Botswana, it’s among the few inland deltas in the world and the second in Africa. The most exciting aspect about this delta is that the waters of the Okavango River floors to arid Kalahari Desert thus forming a beautiful garden for both wild along with bird-life species. Regular sights on Botswana wildlife safari holidays include elephants, leopards, lions, giraffes, warthog, antelopes and so much more.

Makgadikgadi Pan Complex is also popular with pelicans, flamingos and wildlife that visit the flooded territory after the heavy rainy seasons. In case you want an experience of a Botswana wildlife safari, Botswana is the best destination in Africa that will give a perfect guide.

Matsiend Rock Carvings features some the best pieces of Botswana traditional art, counting 3,000 years ago. Gaborone is the capital city and the largest city in Botswana, but in terms of tourism there really isn’t a lot to do here. It is the city with the main airport and easy to reach with several hotels and accommodation facilities.

Botswana Travel info

You need to also take the time to obtain a Botswana holiday map, so that you can identify the places you want to tour, where to stay and the like. You can buy maps from Botswana tourism offices in Gaborone or from gift shops around the country.

Book a good and reputed Botswana safari and tours provider in case you want to make the best Botswana holiday.

When to visit

Botswana is quite dry most of the year but has a summer from November to March, perhaps the best time to visit but in case you are there for wildlife tours, May to September has slightly drier conditions, cooler weather and temperatures. Bird watching is good for December to April is an ideal time to see the migrating birdlife in the Kalahari Desert and in Makgadikgadi pans.

Botswana is known to be a landlocked country in the southern Africa, The people are usually called Botswana, and the country is such great destinations with beautiful attractions that will make any visitor love the place. Experience the best of Okavango Delta safaris, its wildlife and rolling desert and sand dunes on Botswana safari holidays.

Other interesting sites in Botswana include Maun, chobe national park, Matsiend rock paintings, Mokolodi Nature reserve… and the list goes on and on

Flights to Botswana

Botswana has two international Airports and these are; Sir Seretse Khama international Airport serving the capital of Gaborone, more still Maun Airport helping the town of Maun and also to the Okavango delta that is known as the tourist destination.

Botswana as a country has a self-effacing air travel network with no direct inter-continental flights that serves the country. It’s only South Africa that can offer direct flights to Gaborone Botswana via Cape Town along with Johannesburg for one hour travel time

Air Botswana can only offer programmed services to Cape Town Harare as well as Windhoek. Air Botswana is the national carrier and has daily flights in and out of Botswana.

Maun Airport is famous for the usual Air Botswana flights from Gabarone further more with a direct link via Air Namibia from Windhoek. The private along with the charter air traffic deals with the incomplete programmed services that usually concern the major tourist destinations. At times tour operators come in to give a hand to the remote destinations through private and elite air access.

Get weekly direct Botswana flights from London or Heathrow, via Jo’burg or Nairobi using Kenya Airways, Virgin airlines, British airways or South African Airways.

Botswana Travel Guide

It is recommended that tourists book their flights to Botswana earlier enough through a Botswana safari and tour company, on line through a travel agent and thus enjoy cheap Botswana flights, special discount Botswana tour packages that include hotel accommodation and airport transfers.

Cheap Botswana flights come around the off peak season around January and March but it is often the rainy season. The best time to visit Botswana is in the summer; July to October with excellent game viewing .

Botswana is another African safari destination that you can not miss while on safari holidays in Southern Africa. Although landlocked, Botswana safari holidays will include tours to the neighboring Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. More than 85% of Botswana overland safaris will be in the Kalahari Desert and trips to the river delta called Okavango. As a result of Botswana’s this diversity, the country boasts of different habitats that have made this country one of the top safari destinations in Africa.

Safari in Botswana

Through the Okavango Delta, the biggest inland delta worldwide,  enormous and dry Kalahari desert; from the Moremi Game Reserve to the deserted Nxai Pan; within the verdant Chobe River to Deception Valley, a Botswana safaris would be the adventure of your lifetime. The best Botswana safari includes visit to the game parks like Moremi, Chobe national park and Linyati game reserve which are home to great concentrations of wildlife, such as African Elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, kudus, wild dogs and so much more.

With over eighty five types of mammals, 1075 species of birds, and 150 types of reptiles, Botswana tours have some thing for everybody, whether pursuits lie within a game drive or boating expedition. Experience the Elephant back safaris in the Okavango Delta or take Botswana walking safaris or game drives in the wild parks, to the salt pans of Magadikgadi, board a boat ride on the Chobe River where you have sights at the famous Victoria falls at a distance.

Chobe Safari in Botswana

Chobe National Park is situated in the north-east of Botswana and combines river flood plains with open pans and riverine woodlands. The best time to visit is from May to September when you will be thrilled by the huge herds of elephant and buffalo that have made the park famous. In addition there are big numbers of hippopotamus, giraffe, kudu and impala and more than 250 species of birds have been recorded.

Makgadikgadi, Pans National Park were once a huge prehistoric lakes, they dried up only 10,000 years ago and today they are salt plains, grasslands and isolated “islands” of vegetation, baobab and palm trees. Most of the time they appear as glaring, white, endless plains but during the rainy season they are one of the most important wetland areas in Botswana. There are Bushman hunting shelters and sacred sites and the shorelines of Makgadikgadi are littered with archaeological relics including Stone Age tools.

Linyanti, Savuti and Selinda, areas are home to huge quantities of wildlife including big herds of buffalo and elephant, and predators, particularly lions and hyenas. The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is a private reserve shared by a very small number of private camps, ensuring that guests are able to view the abundant wildlife privately and exclusively. The Savute channel is a now dry “waterway” that connects the Linyanti River with the interior of the Chobe National Park, ending at the Savute marsh. The Selinda (or Magweqana) Spillway is a shallow channel connecting the Panhandle region of the Okavango Delta with the Chobe River system.

Moremi Safari Tours Botswana

The Moremi Game Reserve on the north-eastern edge of the Okavango Delta packs acacia forests, wetlands, lagoons and swamps into 1,800 sq km (700 sq miles). As varied as the terrain is, so is the game. From lion and leopard to elephant and buffalo right down to the bird-life, even the least inspired ornithologists will be amazed.

Okavango Safari Botswana

Okavango river which originates in Angola and spills back inland to the sands of the Kalahari Desert where it fans out and forms a vast delta of wetlands and waterways. At the flood this is quite literally a land of water; lagoons dotted with lilies, narrow channels that are invaded by papyrus reeds, islands and shallow sheets of water that glisten in the sun. This bounty attracts a huge variety of mammals and bird species, though on occasion they are almost secondary to the sheer wonder of the setting.

You can combine your Botswana safari packages to include visits to Mozambique Island, South African game parks or to Namibia. Botswana Safari tour guides are useful and friendly, and very knowledgeable concerning Botswana safari wildlife along with the best Botswana safari attractions and safety precautions. The most difficult facet of Botswana safari tours could be the truth that at some point you’ll definitely depart.

Botswana Travel

The major airport is situated in the city of Gaborone, and the majority of incoming flights are via Johannesburg, South Africa. Direct charter flights are to Maune and Kasane Airports located near all preferred Botswana safari destinations. No visa is needed for 67 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, even though, passports are necessary. Car hire and rentals are available, and may perhaps be integrated in numerous travel deals of wilderness safaris.

Get the best deals for Botswana safari tours from low peak season, October to April, the dry months however associated with intense heat, high temperature and insect bites. May to August is the best time to have safaris to Botswana although it’s quite expensive during this time! It is invariably sunny during the days and chilly for the nights especially from south western Botswana.
For tourists, the best months for Botswana wildlife safaris are from April through to October, when several animals tour the water pools every morning to quench their thirst giving you th e best game viewing spot and take some good pictures.

Northern Botswana is regarded in the malaria zone and travellers are recommended to be conscious, pack your Malaria prescription and medication, appropriate clothing-long sleeved shirts and trousers.

Main roads are smooth and well kept and accessibility is excellent, although individuals do will need to beware of animals that crisscross the Highways. Public transport is readily available through bus routes, even so service may be spotty away from big cities and buses tend to fill up quickly.

Safari Lodges in Botswana

While you are here for Botswana safaris, you don’t have to worry about where to stay. Botswana safari accommodation is available from

Evenings at Chobe Safari Lodge

everywhere, near each of the attractions such as Chobe, Okavango delta, Kalahari, Savuti and Linyati. Northern Botswana is home to Camp Okavango, Mambo Camp, Duba Plains Camp, and also the Abu Camp in which Botswana family safaris offer the very best big game viewing in Africa.

Other Botswana accommodation options include a tented safari camp or even a vacation within a Botswana safari lodge. Some of the luxury safari lodges include Savute safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, and Elephant valley Chobe lodge among others. A Botswana lodge not only offers an close up look at the unique wildlife of the region such as lions, buffalo, along with a variety of bird wildlife, what’s more, it offers deluxe lodging that may be surprising when contemplating of Botswana safari camps.

When considering a Botswana safari package, be keen on the prices and safari itineraries that the package has. Tailored safaris normally include Botswana flights, accommodations and safari lodges and the number of days you’ll be on safari. Book your Botswana safari through Botswana safari and tour operators or through the any of the Botswana safari and travel websites.

The Chobe National Park is bordered by the Chobe River and the Moremi Game Reserve and encompasses 11,000 sq km of river flood plains, open pans and riverine woodlands. It is one of the largest wildlife protected areas in Botswana and Africa. Chobe park eco-system is comprised of 4 unique habitats.

Chobe Botswana tours

The Chobe River rises in the northern Angolan highlands and travels enormous distances through Kalahari sands before reaching Botswana where it is known as the Linyanti and

Elephants crossing Chobe River

then the Chobe. Like the Okavango and Zambezi, the Chobe’s course is affected by fault lines, which are extensions of East Africa’s Great Rift Valley. These three mighty rivers carry more water than all other rivers in Southern Africa and naturally attract a huge quantity of wildlife.

Serondela Marsh, wetlands and dense forests areas that lie next to Chobe River in the northeast. The lush plains are a popular spot for African elephants and buffaloes, particularly in the dry season and is perhaps the most visited area in Chobe game reserve.  Not far from this area is Victoria Falls, a major tourist attraction on any African safari. Other important habitats within the park include Linyati swamps and Savuti marsh in the west end of the park.

Savuti marsh is covered in dry, dead trees that lie along the banks of Savuti channel which feeds the marsh. The region is also covered in sizable savannah grasslands, which attracts several animals and wildlife.  Regular sights for the dry season include warthogs, kudus, impalas, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, impala, roan and sable antelopes, buffalo and above all elephants bullying each other. Predators enjoy Savuti marsh thanks to its abundant prey that pounces on any animals that loiter around aimlessly. Lions, spotted hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, bat eared fox and wild dog comprise the set of Savuti night predators. The rainy season draws more than 450species of birds to the plains. This Chobe region is indeed reputed for its annual migration of zebras and predators.

Linyati swamps that fringe Linyati and Kwando river make game reserve to the north of Chobe National park. The riverbanks are also inscribed in open woodlands, lagoons and scanty savanna grasslands, home to large concentrations of leopards, African wild dogs, roan antelopes, lions, hippos, lechwe, sitatunga, elephants and crocodiles. In such varied habitat bird life is prolific and there are 440 bird species found in the river area, including many rare and unusual species. Keep an eye out for the African skimmer, the tiny and exquisitely colored malachite kingfishers and Pel’s fishing owl.

Chobe elephant encounters

Chobe really is one of the wildlife parks with large concentrations of the African elephants with over 10,000 elephants visiting Chobe and Linyati rivers during the dry season. You’ll often encounter elephant calves on trails with their mothers near a water hole, some coated with mud, other rubbing on tree trunks and some crossing the shallow river in the afternoon.

Chobe elephants are dark with short tusks; many of them migrate from the dry Kalahari deserts in search of water and breeding grounds that are near the rivers.take a boat cruise along Chobe river and find many elephants and with calves trumpeting along the trail, schools of hippos, water birds and crocodiles gapping on the river bank.

Views from Savute Elephant Camp

Chobe accommodation

Find a variety of overnight and accommodation options from and near Chobe National park. Luxurious  Chobe Chilwero is on eoptions with delightful facilities like private gardens, serene views of the coursing Chobe river. Down the banks of Chobe river is Chobe Safari Lodge with affordable family suites and rooms one of the budget Chobe accommodations that offer great value for money.  Other overnight options include Chobe Grand Dame Game Lodge located within the park and some bush and tented camps. Ihaha camp has some exclusive modern facilities.

When to go

Chobe Game viewing is at its best during the dry season, when the majority of salt pans, plains and wetlands have dried up. All game makes its journey to the banks of Chobe and Linyati rivers in search of water around May to October. Elephant sights are rather common during the dry season and so are the predators like lions, cheetahs and hyena that gladly wait to have a kill along the riverbed.

Chobe river floods during the heavy rains from January to March, fewer elephant sights but more birds are sighted in the park. Be sure to pack your Malaria drugs and long sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites for the rainy months.

Remember to hire 4WD vehicle if you intend to have game drives through the park, carry extra fuel supplies, food, drinking water, flash light and everything you may need on outdoor camping adventures. Roads through the park especially in Linyanti area are not clearly signed at this time, so visitors should carefully plan their route before setting out and it is advisable to inform park wardens and staff before arrivals.

The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve covers and area of 125,000 hectares of pristine wildlife area and is bordered by Linyanti River in the north and the Chobe National Park in the east. Across the Linyanti River northwards lies Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. This area is very different from the Okavango Delta and should be included in every Botswana safari itinerary so that travellers have a more complete and varied experience of the country’s different wildlife areas.

Linyanti Wild dogs

This private reserve is enormous and is one of the least visited and most pristine corners of Botswana and the private owners intend to keep it this way. The Linyanti region is shared between a very small number of private camps, ensuring that guests are able to view the abundant wildlife privately and exclusively.

Much of Chobe National Park’s wildlife spends the winter season in this area and huge concentrations of migratory species such as zebra and elephant can be seen. The Linyanti area is also renowned for its predators, particularly lions and hyenas. It has a wonderful diversity of habitat – open grasslands and waterholes, spectacular mature woodlands, Savuti channel, towering mopane and Leadwood forests.

Linyanti river

The Linyanti river meanders as it makes its way eastward towards Chobe river and along its way forms a myriad of pools and lagoons that attract hippos, crocodiles and incredible bird life. These pools also attract game from the dry lands to the east, for out of the rainy season they hold the first permanent waters to be found. In the early evening, with youngsters in tow, several breeding herds of elephant will gather to the pools along the Linyanti to enjoy a drink and to wallow and play in the mud holes.

There are large concentrations of buffalo and antelopes such as Red Lechwe, Tsessebe, Impala and Kudu. More elusive species such as Sable and Roan Antelope are also regularly encountered in this area. The Linyanti has high concentrations of giraffe, which love to feed on the abundant acacia trees along the floodplains, while cheetahs find the open areas of

Linyanti Hooded Vulture

the Savute channel perfect for running down their prey. The water loving Sitatunga and red Lechwe antelopes are endemics of Linyanti swamps

Savuti Channel

The Savuti channel is a now dry “waterway” that connects the Linyanti River with the interior of the Chobe National Park, ending at the Savute marsh. The Savute has only ever flowed intermittently and today the channel is open grassland and is home to numerous animals including large herds of zebra,giraffes, buffalos, impala and wildebeests, as well as abundant predators such as lion, serval, bat eared fox, cheetah and African wild dog.

Enjoy the wide variety of birds that flock the river banks and flood plains during the rainy season. There are thousands of swamp endemic species chirping about during the day in harmony with grunting hippos and trumpeting elephants such as the rare Narina Trogon, pelicans and Okavango endemics like slaty egret, white rumbed babbler, wattle crane and others

When to visit

The rains come around November to March with slightly high temperatures and creating thus breeding grounds for Mosquitoes. Road access is thus rough and requires 4X4 vehicles. The dry season is May to October is the best time to visit Linyanti swamps and wildlife reserve with scanty water pools and holes attracting thousands of animals looking for water. The Savuti channel defines the famous zebra migration in Chobe park around November as herds of zebras migrate southwards of Linyati into Savuti area for fresh pastures that come along with summer rains.

Find Linyanti accommodation and overnight from some nearby safari lodges, tented camps, bush camps and other private options like homestays. Linyanti Duma Tau Camp offers luxury safari camping in addition to Kings Pool camp that has iconic views of Linyanti river and Kings pool. Other camping options include Savuti camp located within Linyanti reserve and near Savuti channel, Linyanti bush camp, Lebala camp and other budget options.

MAKGADIKGADI PANS NATIONAL PARK

The area that is now covered by Makgadikgadi pans national park was once a 30m deep lake that occupied several square miles. But has since thousands of years, dried up and water has evaporated leaving salt pans stretching as far as the eyes can see. Today, the area is though to be the largest salt flats in the world. Within the salt plains are isolates rocky outcrops, specks of giant baobab trees, dry savannah bushes and palm trees.

Contrary to its local translation for a vast lifeless land, Makgadikgadi boasts of thousands of wild animals, reptiles and birds. Formerly a game reserve in 1970, Makgadikgadi is now a protected national park covering an area of close to 2,000 sq km Sowa and Ntwetwe and other smaller salt pans that make it the largest salt pan worldwide.

Makgadikgadi Botswana safaris

The park’s habitat ranges across riverine woodlands, scrubs, salt pans, weathered and dry baobab trees, spiky grasslands and other unique plant species.

When the sparse summer rain comes, shallow depressions of saline clay and silt become pools that attract a migration of wildlife – zebra, wildebeest, eland, bushbuck, duiker,  waterbuck, gemsbok, springbok and hartebeest ebb and flow across the plains in ceaseless pursuit of water and grazing. Boteti river that flows from Okavango is a major source of life to the dry salt pans and attracts several game during the dry season ( june to July) to its western riverbank

Following in their spoors are the inevitable array of carnivores – lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, and hyena. It is not an uncommon sight to see game, far out on the pans eating the mineral-rich silt, as if up to their knees in water as the heat shimmers a mirage across the surface of the pans.

The bird life is a specialist’s dream – white backed and lappet faced vultures, bateleur, ostrich, kori bustard, black korhaan and bronze winged courser, four species of sand grouse and a startling variety of larks. In the wet season flamingos, pelicans, avocet and a huge range of ducks move into the area to feed on the algae that form on the flooded salt pans. Sowa Salt pan attract several water birds at the Nata bird sanctuary found on the main route to Sowa pan.

Springboks in Makgadikgadi Park

Best time to visit

January to April are the best months to visit Makgadikgadi Botswana safaris when game sifts south of the park to Boteti riverbanks in search water as predators feast on the large numbers of animals that migrate here. August to November is the dry season but associated with strong dry winds that blow away sandy silt.

The rains flood most of the salt pans transforming it into a sea of life for many birds like pink flamingoes that use the area as a breeding ground. The park is then inaccessible with slippery roads and you surely need an expert game ranger to escort you on a game drive. Bear in mind that this area is Malarial and you will need to pack your anti-malaria treatment and drugs.

Makgadikgadi accommodation

Due to its harsh weather, the salt pans have remained void of human settlement for several years after Stone Age Era. There are Bushman hunting shelters and sacred sites and the shorelines of Makgadikgadi are littered with archaeological relics including Stone Age tools. The seasonal bounty of game has attracted hunters through the ages.

You’ll find two camping sites overlooking the salt plains on Njugha hill with basic facilities and latrines. If you are lucky enough, you will experience the migrations of zebras, wildebeest and other animals on trail that can be seen from the camp sites. Campers are encouraged to carry plenty of drinking water and other supplies.

Find a public camping ground at Kumaga locate droughly 50km from the main park gate on the banks of Boteti river. Sunsets are splendid on this camp site with the pans turning golden.

MOREMI GAME RESERVE is situated to the north-east of the Chobe national park and Okavango Delta Botswana to the east. Moremi is covering around 5,000 sq kms of grassy floodplains, winding waterways, palm-fringed islands, mopane woodland forests and lush, lily-covered lagoons; only 30% of the game reserve is land. With this blend of diverse habitats, Moremi wildlife reserve is not only exceptionally beautiful but additionally provides refuge for an amazing quantity and variety of game.

The Moremi Game reserve was established in 1963 and can be divided into three areas: the permanently flooded delta, Chief’s Island and then the mainland areas – accessible by vehicle, Mopane Tongue and Mboma Island. It has become one of the most successful wildlife havens in Africa – a tribute to the founders and protectors of this sanctuary.

Moremi Botswana wildlife safaris

Moremi National park is where hippos wallow in crystal-clear lagoons, where huge herds of impala and tsessebe roam the savannah and where the rare sitatunga and red lechwe antelope live in the papyrus banks of the waterways. Elephant are a regular sight Around Khwai River during the dry season together with buffalos, giraffe as they come to visit the water pools for a drink. Naturally this profusion of life attracts predators and the Moremi offers an excellent chance at seeing lion, jackal, leopard, spotted hyenas, the endangered wild dogs and even cheetah.

Bird watching in Moremi Botswana is exceptional with many water birds visiting the papyrus swamp during the rainy season creating opportunities for sighting several migrant species. Regular sights include ducks, geese and herons among others.

Moremi game reserve offers opportunities to view game and birds on foot, on 4X4vehicle safaris or using a dug out sausage tree canoe ride on Khwai River under direction and lead of an expert game ranger.

When to visit

Game viewing is excellent from July to October when the salt pans near the Okavango delta ran dry thus creating a few water pools and holes that attract several herds of animals. May to August are rainy months with cold nights and warm days. Late October to December is extremely hot during the days.

Spur-winged Goose, Moremi Game Reserve

Although much of the game is migratory, the choice grazing and permanent waters ensure game viewing all year round. However the peak months are in the dryer winter months (June to September) when large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra that have been feeding in the Kalahari over the wet summer months, swarm back into the Moremi. By July, when the Okavango floodwaters reach the Moremi it is bursting with game. Most of Botswana game reserves are in malarial zone and so is Moremi game reserve. Visitors need to take precaution treatment and drugs.

Moremi Botswana accommodation

Moremi Botswana tourism is creating eco-tourism policies that aim to keep the park as natural and beautiful for many generations. The reserve includes a few Botswana game lodges located near the edge of the lagoon. There are 4 private camps near the south gate, Khwai river and Xakanaxa lagoon.

Camp Moremi located near Xakanaxa lagoon offers unbeatable game viewing especially for July when the dry season draws thousands of animals to the lagoon water holes. Banora Bush Luxury camp is another option with 10 tented canvas rooms located in Khwai river paradise east of Okavango delta.

Find other Botswana game lodge facilities from Kwai river lodge. Mombo camp, Baines camp, Sandibe safari Lodge, Xakanaxa Camp and many other options offering great value for money on safaris in Botswana

Most of the game lodges Botswana have private airstrips for light aircraft charters and transfer shuttles for game drives to the parks and neighboring Okavango delta or Chobe National Park. There are airstrips at both Khwai and Xakanaxa, but most visitors to Moremi drive in from either Maun or Savuti.

The river course starts in Angola’s western highlands, with numerous tributaries joining to form the Cubango river, which then flows through Namibia where it is called the Kavango and finally enters Botswana, where it is then called the Okavango.

Facts about Okavango Delta

Millions of years ago the Okavango River flowed into the huge Lake Makgadikgadi that dried up over the year to form now Makgadikgadi Pans.  The river is trapped in the sands of Kalahari Desert making a unique system of lagoons dotted with lilies, narrow channels fringed by papyrus reeds, swamps, islands and shallow lakes that glisten in the sun supports a vast array of animal and plant life in what would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari open savanna.

Aerial view of Okavango Delta

This slow meandering pace is due to the lack of drop in elevation, little more than 60 meters over a distance of 450 kilometers. The Delta’s water ends in the Kalahari – via the Botetle River, over 95 per cent of the water has evaporated along the way.

Okavango Swamps are fed by Angolan rains, which start in October and finish in April. The floods only cross the border between Botswana and Namibia in December and only reach the bottom end of the delta at Maun sometime in July. The flooded delta covers close to 16,000 sq km after the rains and reduces to 9,000 sq km in the dry season.

Naturally this bounty attracts a huge variety of mammals and bird species, though on occasion they are almost secondary to the sheer wonder of the setting. The water moves into the Delta as the surrounding land dries out (winter months are dry in Botswana) and so huge populations of wildlife congregates on the edge of the newly flooded areas – May through October.

Okavango Botswana safari

Botswana Okavango Delta safaris and tours include walks in lush forested islands, game drives to the main islands and canoe rides using a dug out canoe from Sausage tree often poled by a local guide. Other Okavango safari ideas include horse rides and elephant rides particularly good for birding adventures.

Okavango Delta wildlife safaris

The Okavango Swamps and Delta are home to large numbers of animal populations including crocodile, the amphibian red lechwe, shy sitatunga antelopes, African elephant, wild dogs, wildebeests, bushbabies, warthogs, mongoose, spotted genet monkeys, tree squirrels, buffalo, white and black rhino, zebras and many other. Many of the animals are migrants from neighboring parks like Chobe National Park and Moremi Game reserve. Herds of elephants and buffalos arrive in Okavango delta around the summer and often return to their homes on the onset of summer rains with the search of fresh greener pastures and just in time to escape Okavango seasonal floods.

Mokora Dugout Canoe ride

There are more than 500 different species of birds, many of these migrant birds that visit the delta during the annual floods. Regular bird sights on safaris Okavango delta include wattle and created cranes, African fish eagles, Lilac breasted roller, ostrich and Sacred Ibis.

When to visit

The best time for game viewing in the delta is from May to October when herds of game congregate around the remaining flooded areas and water pools, the dry season then dries out the rest of the vegetation. The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season, November to April with several flocks of migrant birds returning and the plants are fully blossoming and green again.

Safari walks are probably the most exciting form of adventuring on Okavango delta safaris while game viewing flights are available using helicopter and charter aircrafts. Okavango delta is a Malaria zone thus all tourists are advised to pack anti malarial treatment and drugs. However, June to September are low risk malaria months but be dressed in long sleeves and trousers to avoid mosquito and insect bites.

Okavango delta camps and accommodation

There are a number of Okavango safari lodges and camps built in and around the delta area, bordering Moremi Game reserve in the west, Chobe National park and Linyanti wildlife reserve. Each of the Botswana Okavango game lodges offers iconic views, some of the best game sightings, bird watching, fishing and photographic spots.

Some of the popular camps include Abu camp located on the western side of the delta and popular with elephant back rides through Okavango delta. Book Xakanaxa camp if you are looking forward to boating and canoe rides. Kwara camp near Moremi game reserve is renowned for good game sights and carefully guided game drives or safari walks.

Other safari camps include Mapula lidge, Okavango House Boats, camp Okavango, Pompom camp, Macatoo camp, Xugana Island camp, eagle island camp, Nxabega safari camp, Stanley camps, Xaranna tented camp and mobile camping safaris from public camp sites. Botswana Okavango safaris don’t have to strain and worry you on where to stay… you could spend the whole day trying to pick which safari and game lodge have the finest facilities given several to choose from!