Safari in Botswana — Africa’s Last True Wilderness
Home to the world’s largest elephant herds, the jewel of the Okavango Delta, and the silent splendour of the Kalahari. Expert-guided, tailor-made Botswana safaris crafted for every traveller.
Africa’s Most Pristine Safari Destination
Botswana is Africa’s original safari benchmark — a country that chose conservation over mass tourism. With one of the lowest visitor-to-wilderness ratios on the continent, every game drive here feels like a private audience with nature. Whether you’re gliding through the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro canoe, tracking lion through Savuti’s legendary hunting grounds, or camping under the salt-white infinity of the Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana delivers experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
At Apes & Wildlife Safaris, we have built our Botswana portfolio around genuine expertise, trusted camp partnerships, and the belief that every traveller deserves a safari shaped around them. Our local guides are seasoned naturalists who know where the wild dogs den and when the zebra migration crosses the Makgadikgadi. We handle permits, transfers, fly-ins, bush camps, and lodge bookings — you simply arrive and experience.
From budget-friendly overland adventures to ultra-luxury fly-in circuits, we offer over 17 curated Botswana safari packages — and the flexibility to design your own. Contact us on WhatsApp today to start planning.
World’s Largest Elephant Population
Chobe National Park alone is home to over 120,000 elephants — the densest elephant concentration on Earth. Riverfront safaris here are unforgettable.
Okavango Delta — UNESCO Wonder
A World Heritage Site unlike any other. This inland delta transforms the Kalahari into a water-world of channels, lagoons, and islands alive with hippo, crocodile, and rare birds.
Premier Big Five Territory
Botswana’s parks host exceptional densities of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Wild dog sightings here are among Africa’s most reliable.
Remote & Uncrowded
Low-volume, high-value tourism policy keeps visitor numbers limited. You often have entire landscapes to yourself — no tourist-bus convoys, just wilderness.
Exceptional Bush Camps
From solar-powered eco-camps to iconic luxury lodges like Mombo, &Beyond, and Belmond’s Eagle Island Lodge — accommodation here is world-class.
Fly-in Adventures
Many camps in the Delta and Linyanti are accessible only by light aircraft, making the arrival itself part of the safari magic.
Life in the Botswana Wild
Images captured by our guides and clients on the ground in Botswana.
Choose Your Botswana Adventure
Over 17 expertly designed safari packages — from short escapes to grand multi-week expeditions. All bookable directly via WhatsApp.
7-Day Central Kalahari & Okavango Delta Safari
The ultimate Botswana contrast: spend three nights deep in the vast silence of Central Kalahari Game Reserve tracking lion, leopard, and oryx, then transfer to the watery paradise of the Okavango Delta for bush walks, mokoro canoeing, and extraordinary birdlife.
- Game drives in Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Mokoro (canoe) safari through the Okavango Delta
- Guided bush walks with expert trackers
- Night drives for nocturnal wildlife
- Full-board luxury tented camp accommodation
5-Day Chobe & Okavango Express Safari
A perfectly paced short safari hitting Botswana’s two most iconic destinations. Begin with an exhilarating Chobe River cruise among massive elephant herds, then fly into the heart of the Okavango for Delta game drives and mokoro excursions.
- Chobe riverfront game drives & boat safari
- Flight into Okavango Delta (included)
- Guided mokoro canoe through papyrus channels
- Expert naturalist guide throughout
10-Day Best of Botswana Safari
The definitive Botswana circuit spanning Chobe, Moremi, the Okavango Delta, and the Makgadikgadi Pans. Eleven nights across four iconic wilderness areas gives you the time to properly absorb each ecosystem and its extraordinary wildlife.
- Chobe National Park — elephant capital of Africa
- Moremi Game Reserve — wild dog & lion territory
- Okavango Delta mokoro & bush walk experiences
- Makgadikgadi Pans — quad bikes & meerkats
- Mix of lodge and tented camp accommodation
6-Day Moremi & Chobe Safari
Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park sit side by side, yet feel worlds apart. Moremi’s floodplains and mopane woodland host Africa’s most diverse resident predator population. Chobe offers legendary river cruises alongside thousands of buffalo and elephant.
- Moremi Game Reserve — morning & evening drives
- Chobe riverside drives & boat safari
- Top-rated lodge accommodation throughout
- Tracking lion, leopard, wild dog, and painted wolf
8-Day Okavango Delta Fly-in Safari
Arrive by light aircraft, touch down on a bush airstrip, and step into one of Africa’s most extraordinary ecosystems. This premium fly-in experience takes you to three different Delta concessions across eight days, each with its own seasonal wildlife spectacle.
- Three exclusive Delta camp concessions
- All inter-camp flights included
- Mokoro, motorboat, and walking safaris
- Night drives in private concession areas
- All-inclusive luxury lodge dining & drinks
4-Day Makgadikgadi Pans & Kalahari
One of Africa’s most surreal landscapes — white salt pans stretching to the horizon, Baobab sentinels, and meerkats dancing at sunrise. This short expedition combines Makgadikgadi Pans National Park with the southern Kalahari for a truly otherworldly short-break safari.
- Quad bike adventure across the Makgadikgadi salt flats
- Meerkat habituation experience at sunrise
- Kalahari lion & cheetah tracking
- Stargazing in one of Africa’s darkest skies
9-Day Linyanti & Savuti Wildlife Safari
Savuti is legendary for its lion prides and their extraordinary elephant-hunting behaviour. The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve offers some of Africa’s finest wild dog and leopard sightings in a private, low-density setting that feels completely off the beaten track.
- Savuti — Africa’s big cat capital
- Linyanti private reserve exclusive access
- Wild dog, leopard, and cheetah tracking
- Night drives in private concessions
- Expert naturalist guides and trackers
12-Day Botswana Grand Circuit
The most complete Botswana experience available — a meticulously sequenced twelve-day journey through Chobe, Savuti, Linyanti, Moremi, and the Okavango Delta. Each region builds on the last, creating an immersive narrative of Botswana’s wild soul that leaves travellers transformed.
- Five distinct wilderness ecosystems
- Mix of fly-in and overland transfers
- Big Five, wild dog, and over 400 bird species
- Luxury camps and lodges throughout
- Dedicated Apes & Wildlife field guide
14-Day Ultimate Botswana Wilderness
Two full weeks deep in the Botswana wilderness — our premium, unhurried itinerary for discerning travellers who want to experience every facet of this extraordinary country. From Kalahari to Delta, from salt pans to floodplains, this is the full picture.
- Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi, Chobe, Moremi & Delta
- All fly-in transfers between regions
- Premium lodge selection throughout
- Private vehicle and exclusive guide
- Optional Victoria Falls extension available
6-Day Nxai Pan & Makgadikgadi Safari
Nxai Pan National Park holds one of Africa’s most underrated wildlife spectacles — vast ancient lake beds that fill with zebra, wildebeest, and springbok during the wet season. Pair with Makgadikgadi for the full salt pan experience and iconic meerkat encounters.
- Nxai Pan zebra and wildebeest migration (wet season)
- Makgadikgadi Pans quad bike adventure
- Ancient baobab forests exploration
- Sunrise meerkat habituation programme
3-Day Chobe River & Victoria Falls
Short on time but unwilling to compromise on experience? This three-day package is the perfect pairing — a full day’s Chobe river cruise among thousands of elephants and a visit to the thundering majesty of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
- Full Chobe riverfront game drive + boat cruise
- Victoria Falls guided tour (Zimbabwe side)
- Optional sunset cruise on the Zambezi
- Kasane airport transfers included
11-Day Khutse & Central Kalahari Expedition
Khutse Game Reserve is one of Botswana’s best-kept secrets — a remote desert paradise bordering the Central Kalahari, with brown hyena, black-maned lion, and spectacular raptor sightings. This off-the-beaten-track expedition is for true wilderness seekers.
- Khutse Game Reserve — rarely visited by tourists
- Central Kalahari brown hyena and wild dog tracking
- Desert-adapted wildlife including oryx and springbok
- Remote bush camping nights under the stars
7-Day Mabuasehube & Kgalagadi Safari
The remote Mabuasehube area of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers some of southern Africa’s finest big cat encounters. In these ancient red-dune valleys, black-maned Kalahari lions patrol pan waterholes alongside cheetah, leopard, and raptors of every description.
- Kgalagadi black-maned lion tracking
- Mabuasehube pan waterhole hides
- Cheetah and leopard sightings
- 4WD off-road adventure experience
- Sociable weavers’ nests and raptor diversity
5-Day Savuti Big Cat Safari
Savuti is simply one of the finest predator habitats in Africa. In the dry season, the seasonal Savuti Channel creates a magnet for wildlife and the carnivores that prey upon them. Five concentrated days here will yield lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and wild dog encounters most visitors dream of.
- Savuti Marsh game drives — morning and evening
- Lion, leopard and cheetah specialist tracking
- Elephant-lion interaction viewing
- Savuti Channel waterhole hides
13-Day Photography Safari Botswana
Crafted for serious photographers, this thirteen-day journey puts you in the best light across Botswana’s most photogenic landscapes and wildlife concentrations. All itinerary timings are dictated by golden-hour windows, and our guide double as a photography mentor throughout.
- Dedicated photography vehicle with roof hatch
- Okavango Delta reflections and waterscape photography
- Makgadikgadi Pans sunrise and star photography
- Chobe river cruise photography sessions
- Wildlife and landscape photo editing workshops
15-Day Botswana Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trek
Our signature Africa-wide combined adventure — the best of the south and the best of East Africa. Spend eight days exploring Botswana’s wilderness, then fly north to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a mountain gorilla trekking permit and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale.
- Chobe, Moremi & Okavango Delta (Botswana)
- Uganda gorilla trekking permit ($800) included
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- All inter-country flights arranged
- Seamless logistics managed end-to-end
20-Day Ultimate Africa — Botswana & Uganda
For those who want it all. Twenty days spanning two of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife nations — Botswana for the Big Five and Delta landscapes, Uganda for gorillas, chimpanzees, and the magnificent birdlife of the Pearl of Africa. This is our most ambitious multi-country itinerary.
- Full Botswana circuit — Chobe, Savuti, Delta, Kalahari
- Uganda gorilla trekking — Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee tracking — Kibale National Park
- Queen Elizabeth NP game drives and boat safari
- All flights, transfers, and permits included
Design Your Own Botswana Safari
None of our packages quite right? We build every safari from scratch if needed. Tell us your travel dates, budget, interests, and group size, and our team will design a bespoke Botswana itinerary that fits you perfectly — from budget camping to ultra-luxury fly-in camps.
- Fully customisable dates and duration
- Any budget — budget to ultra-luxury
- Private, family, honeymoon, or group safaris
- Add-ons: gorilla trekking, birding, walking safaris
- Free expert consultation via WhatsApp
Not sure which safari is right for you?
Our Botswana specialists are online daily. WhatsApp us with your dates and wishlist — we’ll design the perfect package within 24 hours.
Chat With a SpecialistExplore Botswana’s National Parks & Reserves
From UNESCO Delta to ancient salt pans — each of Botswana’s wild places offers a completely distinct experience. Click to explore each destination.
Chobe National Park
Africa’s elephant capital. The Chobe riverfront hosts 120,000+ elephants alongside lion, leopard, buffalo, and over 450 bird species. The annual river cruise among elephant herds is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles.
Okavango Delta
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s true wonders. The world’s largest inland delta floods seasonally to create a labyrinth of papyrus channels, floodplain islands, and lagoons. Explore by mokoro, motorboat, or on foot.
Moremi Game Reserve
Covering one-third of the Okavango Delta, Moremi is widely considered Botswana’s finest all-round game reserve. The predator diversity here is exceptional — African wild dog, leopard, lion, and cheetah all thrive alongside vast buffalo herds.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Africa’s largest game reserve and one of its most remote. The vast Kalahari fossil valleys are home to black-maned Kalahari lions, brown hyena, gemsbok, springbok, and raptors. An expedition here feels genuinely off the edge of the map.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
The Makgadikgadi is one of the world’s largest salt flats — a hauntingly beautiful expanse of white crystal stretching to the horizon. Zebra and wildebeest congregate here in their thousands, and the meerkat families are legendary among wildlife enthusiasts.
Nxai Pan National Park
A cluster of ancient fossilised lake beds, Nxai Pan comes alive in the wet season with one of Africa’s most overlooked wildlife spectacles — a massive zebra and wildebeest migration that sweeps through between November and March, pursued by lions and cheetahs.
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
A cluster of exclusive private concessions bordering Chobe’s northern boundary, the Linyanti area offers some of Africa’s finest wild dog sightings alongside remarkable elephant concentrations in the dry season. Strictly limited visitor numbers means extraordinary exclusivity.
Savuti — Chobe’s Wild Heart
Savuti is legendary in safari circles for one reason: its lions are famous for hunting elephants — a phenomenon documented in celebrated wildlife films. The ancient Savuti Channel, Marsh, and rocky Gubatsa Hills create a habitat of extraordinary predator diversity.
Khutse Game Reserve
Bordering the southern edge of Central Kalahari, remote Khutse is known for its pan waterholes which attract remarkable concentrations of wildlife in the dry season. This is one of southern Africa’s best-kept secrets — rarely visited but extraordinarily rewarding.
Mabuasehube National Park
Part of the greater Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mabuasehube’s distinctive red Kalahari dunes frame a series of seasonal pans that act as magnets for wildlife. Black-maned lions, cheetah, and gemsbok roam these ancient landscapes in near-complete solitude.
Combine Botswana With East Africa
Why choose one incredible safari country when you can have two? These multi-country tours are among our most sought-after packages.
15-Day Botswana Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trek
Big Five game drives and Delta water adventures in Botswana, followed by an intimate mountain gorilla encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale.
Botswana & Kenya Safari — Southern & East Africa
Combine the elephant herds of Chobe and the water world of the Okavango with Kenya’s Maasai Mara Great Migration and the dramatic landscapes of Amboseli under Kilimanjaro.
20-Day Ultimate Africa — Botswana, Kenya & Uganda
Our most ambitious multi-country itinerary. Twenty days spanning Botswana’s wilderness, Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and Uganda’s gorillas and chimpanzees — the complete East and Southern Africa experience.
Planning Your Botswana Safari
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Best Time to Visit
Dry season (May–October) is best for wildlife — animals gather at water sources and vegetation thins. Wet season (November–April) brings lush scenery, newborn wildlife, and spectacular Makgadikgadi bird life including flamingos. The Okavango Delta floods peak June–August.
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Getting to Botswana
Major entry points: Gaborone Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and Kasane Airport (for Chobe). International connections via Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo) are most common. We handle all Botswana transfers, fly-in camp connections, and land logistics.
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Health & Vaccinations
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most safari regions in Botswana. Consult your travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Yellow fever certificate required if coming from an endemic country. No special vaccinations required for most travellers.
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Visa Requirements
Citizens of most Western countries including USA, UK, EU, Australia, and Canada enjoy visa-free entry to Botswana for stays up to 90 days. Always verify current requirements with the Botswana embassy or high commission before travel.
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Currency & Budgeting
Botswana’s currency is the Pula (BWP). USD, GBP, and EUR are widely accepted in lodges and camps. Botswana deliberately pursues a high-value, low-volume tourism model — expect premium pricing for exclusive wilderness experiences.
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What to Pack
Neutral-coloured, lightweight, breathable clothing (khaki, olive, tan). Layers for cool morning game drives. Sturdy walking shoes. Wide-brim hat and high-SPF sunscreen. Quality binoculars. Camera with zoom lens for wildlife photography.
Botswana Safari — Everything You Need to Know
Questions our clients ask most before booking their Botswana safari with us.
Your Botswana Safari Starts With One Message
Tell us your dates, your wishlist, your budget. Our experts will build your perfect Botswana adventure — from first inquiry to final footprint in the Kalahari sand.