Botswana is one of the best places in Africa to go on safari. It’s known for its large wildlife populations, untouched landscapes, and unique safari experiences. From the wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the dry plains of the Kalahari Desert, the country offers a wide variety of environments and animals to see. Whether you’re looking for lions, elephants, birds, or just peaceful nature, Botswana has it all.
What makes Botswana stand out is how it focuses on low impact, high quality tourism. This means fewer tourists, more personal experiences, and better chances of seeing animals in their natural habitat. Many camps and lodges are eco-friendly and support local communities. Whether you’re exploring by boat, on foot, or in a 4×4 vehicle, a safari in Botswana is a chance to experience nature in a clean, respectful, and unforgettable way. In this blog we are going to explore some of the best safari activities in Botswana.
Mokoro Safari in the Okavango Delta
A mokoro safari is one of the most peaceful and unique ways to explore Botswana’s Okavango Delta. A mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe that is pushed through shallow waters by a local guide using a long pole. Unlike motorboats, mokoros are quiet and eco-friendly, allowing you to get very close to wildlife without disturbing them.
As you glide through narrow water channels lined with papyrus and water lilies, you might spot animals like elephants, hippos, antelope, and many types of birds. The slow pace lets you take in the sounds, smells, and sights of the delta in a calm and natural way. This activity is perfect for travelers who want a quiet, up close connection with nature and a deeper understanding of how local communities live in harmony with the environment.
The best time to go on a mokoro safari is during the dry season, from May to October, when water levels are high from the Angola rains and wildlife gathers around the delta. Some of the top camps offering mokoro experiences include Xigera Safari Lodge, Little Vumbura, and Baines’ Camp. These camps are known for expert local guides, comfortable stays, and strong commitments to conservation and community support.
Game Drives in Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is one of Botswana’s most popular safari destinations, and for good reason, it has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, with an estimated 120,000 elephants roaming the park. Game drives here offer a great chance to see not just elephants, but also lions, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, and many types of antelope. The drives are done in open 4×4 vehicles with experienced guides who help you spot and understand the animals.
The best time to visit Chobe is from June to October, when animals gather near the Chobe River due to the dry conditions. The Chobe Riverfront area is the most visited part of the park, offering amazing views and dense wildlife activity, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Recommended places to stay include Chobe Game Lodge (the only lodge inside the park), Ngoma Safari Lodge, and Elephant Valley Lodge. These options cater to different budgets but all provide excellent access to wildlife and guided experiences.
Boat Safaris on the Chobe River
A boat safari on the Chobe River is a must do activity if you’re visiting northern Botswana. Unlike a game drive, this experience lets you watch wildlife from the water, giving you a fresh and exciting perspective. You can see elephants swimming across the river, hippos bobbing just below the surface, crocodiles sunning themselves, and birds flying low over the water, all while cruising gently along in a boat.
The best time for a boat safari is in the dry season (June to October), when animals crowd the riverbanks to drink, and water levels are ideal for smooth sailing. Afternoon cruises are especially popular because you get to watch the sunset over the water while wildlife moves in for the evening. Top lodges offering boat safaris include Chobe Safari Lodge, Muchenje Safari Lodge, and Zambezi Queen Houseboat, which even lets you stay on the water overnight for a full river experience.
Mobile Camping in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
If you’re looking for a true wilderness adventure, mobile camping in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the way to go. This is one of the largest and most untouched protected areas in Africa, known for its vast open landscapes, endless horizons, and a deep sense of silence you won’t find anywhere else. Unlike permanent lodges, mobile camps are set up just for your stay and moved afterward, leaving little impact on the land.
This kind of safari lets you explore remote areas where you can spot black maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, oryx (gemsbok), and other desert-adapted wildlife. It also gives you the chance to learn about survival in harsh environments from San bushmen guides who know the land in incredible detail. The best time to visit is during the green season (December to April) when short rains bring fresh grass and attract wildlife in large numbers.
Walking Safaris in Private Concessions
Walking safaris offer a completely different kind of safari, one where you slow down, tune in, and experience the bush with all your senses. Instead of riding in a vehicle, you head out on foot with an expert guide and often an armed tracker. It’s not about chasing big game (though you might come close); it’s about learning to read the land, animal tracks, scents, sounds, and plants that most people never notice.
The best walking safaris in Botswana are found in private concessions like Khwai, Linyanti, and Selinda, where group sizes are small, and rules are more flexible than in national parks. These walks are safe but thrilling, led by highly trained guides who teach you how the entire ecosystem fits together. You might walk into a herd of elephants or watch a pack of wild dogs from behind a termite mound, all while moving quietly through the bush. The dry season (May to October) is ideal for walking due to clearer visibility and cooler weather. Great camps that specialize in walking safaris include Selinda Explorers Camp, Khwai Bush Camp, and Footsteps Across the Delta.
Quad Biking and Sleep Outs in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
For a safari like no other, head to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans a vast, otherworldly landscape that looks more like the moon than Africa. In the dry season (June to October), the pans are bone dry and rock solid, making them perfect for quad biking adventures across endless white terrain. You can ride for miles with nothing around you, no trees, no buildings, no sound but the wind. It’s freedom at its purest.
But the real magic happens at night. After racing across the pans, you stop, set up camp, and sleep under the open sky no tents, no walls, just you and the stars. The skies here are some of the clearest in the world, and the silence is absolute. Some tours also include visits to see meerkat colonies, where the curious little creatures often climb on your head for a better view. Top operators for this experience include Jack’s Camp, Camp Kalahari, and San Camp, all offering a mix of comfort, adventure, and cultural connection with local Bushmen guides.
Birdwatching Across Botswana
Botswana is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 590 species recorded across the country. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just enjoy spotting colorful wildlife, birdwatching here is rich and rewarding all year round. The Okavango Delta, Chobe River, and Makgadikgadi Pans are key hotspots. You’ll see everything from the striking carmine bee-eater and African fish eagle to rarities like the Pel’s fishing owl and wattled crane.
The best time for birdwatching is during the wet season (November to April) when migratory species arrive and the landscape turns green and vibrant. Most lodges offer bird focused walks or boat trips led by knowledgeable guides, especially in areas like Xakanaxa, Khwai, and Nxai Pan.
Helicopter Safaris Over the Okavango Delta
For a truly unforgettable view of Botswana, take to the skies with a helicopter safari over the Okavango Delta. From above, you can see the delta’s maze of channels, lagoons, islands, and wildlife movements in a way that’s impossible to capture from the ground. It’s like watching nature write its own story from a bird’s eye view, elephants moving in single file, hippos creating paths through reeds, and buffalo herds kicking up dust.
Flights usually last 30 to 60 minutes and are offered by many camps in the delta, especially during the flood season (May to August), when the water patterns are most dramatic. Some helicopters have open doors for photography, giving you crystal clear shots of the wild below. Camps like Vumbura Plains, Shinde Camp, and Tubu Tree are well known for arranging scenic flights with expert pilots and safety first operations.
Conclusion
Botswana isn’t just a safari destination, it’s a deep dive into wild Africa at its most pure and respectful. Whether you’re gliding silently in a mokoro, camping under the stars, walking through lion country, or flying above floodplains, every activity here brings you closer to nature in a real and powerful way. With a strong focus on conservation and low impact tourism, Botswana protects its landscapes while offering travelers a once in a lifetime experience.
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