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Planning a safari of a lifetime to Botswana and not knowing where to begin? These are the top rated Botswana safari locations every traveller aspiring to visit Botswana should consider.
Planning a Botswana safari can be overwhelming, especially since the country offers diverse safari destinations with unique experiences. As a safari enthusiast, I share with you the best Botswana safari locations for an unforgettable safari experience.
You are going to learn about Botswana safari locations, Botswana places to stay, and more. After learning about these gorgeous safari destinations, you will be able to select the region you want to visit with confidence.
This post is all about Botswana safari locations
Best Botswana safari locations
1. Botswana safari locations: Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta consistently tops the list of the best places to visit in Botswana. This place is nature’s masterpiece. Moreover, the Okavango Delta is teeming with diverse wildlife and birdlife.
Additionally, the Okavango Delta has some of the most luxurious and gorgeous safari lodges I have ever seen. I have been to the iconic Masai Mara. Overall, Botswana lodges take first place by far. I will even go so far as to say that Botswana is the best place for a safari. I had a great time in Kenya, though!
Furthermore, if you are looking for places to visit in Botswana for honeymoon, I highly recommend the Okavango Delta. It is breathtakingly beautiful and just a romantic place to be.
Botswana safari locations: Where to stay
Botswana places to stay are numerous, even in the Okavango Delta. I am a massive fan of an all-inclusive safari; however, here are the places you can stay in the Okavango Delta even if you are not on an all inclusive Botswana safari. Here are a few examples.
Andbeyond Xaranna Okavango Camp
Looking for a specific safari lodge for your honeymoon? Look no further; this lodge is designed for romance. It is luxurious and cosy. Additionally, they offer a honeymoon discount.
Camp Okavango
This is a hidden, secluded Okavango gem that is also affordable compared to other lodges in the Okavango Delta. Okavango camp can also be booked as part of a safari package.
Go2Africa Okavango Lodges
Go2Africa is an award-winning safari operator with which I am affiliated. They have summarised the absolute best Okavango lodges. Have a look at what the Delta has to offer.
2. Botswana Safari Locations: Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is the busiest yet adventure-packed Botswana safari destination, partly because it is very accessible. It is renowned for its large herds of elephants, especially during the dry season.
Although witnessing these elephants on a river cruise is such a thrilling and unique experience, the Okavango Delta offers just as many, if not more, elephant sightings.
I visited these two Botswana safari locations during the dry season, and I had the best sightings in the Okavango Delta, including elephants. The point is that if you are visiting Botswana on an Elephant safari, or you are just looking forward to seeing these majestic animals, you will have incredible sightings in either Chobe or the Okavango Delta.
Botswana safari locations: Where to stay
The great thing about Chobe is the range of accommodations it offers, from stunning safari lodges overlooking the Chobe River to cottages and hotels. Here are a few accommodation options in Chobe.
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is very popular in Kasane. It has an excellent location, a short drive from the airport and close to Chobe National Park. Above all, it is ideally located on the banks of the Chobe River.
Additionally, this lodge offers many activities, including a trip to Victoria Falls.
Chobe Under Canvas
If you are in Chobe and have been dreaming about an authentic Botswana camping safari without doing all the heavy lifting, Chobe under canvas is your go-to camping safari accommodation. This safari camp is located within Chobe National Park, offering a true wilderness experience.
Chobe Game Lodge
This lodge is one of the beautiful places in Botswana, no doubt. It is the only permanent lodge in Chobe National Park and overlooks the Chobe River. Chobe Game Lodge’s advantageous location enables guests to have an incredible safari experience. I mean, you can have a safari from your balcony.
Chobe Game Lodge offers luxury accommodation perfect for luxury safari travellers.
3. Botswana Safari locations: Moremi Game Reserve
Although Moremi Game Reserve is part of the Okavango Delta, it offers unique experiences. Moremi Game Reserve delivers fantastic predator sightings. If you love big cats, Moremi Game Reserve should be at the top of your list. Additionally, safari self-drivers and safari campers love Moremi due to its good campsites.
Not only is this a beautiful wildlife reserve, but it also has a high concentration of wildlife. However, as wildlife-rich Moremi is, most safari travellers combine it with other safari destinations, such as Chobe.
For a thorough exploration of the region, travellers usually opt for a week-long itinerary, which allows them to see other parts of the Okavango Delta.
Where to stay
Camp Moremi
This camp is a classic, beautiful and in the middle of the wilderness. Camp Moremi is great for travellers on a moderate budget seeking a high-quality safari experience. Additionally, you can stay at Camp Moremi as part of the safari package, which will save you the stress of safari planning.
Camp Xakanaxa
This camp is well-positioned for excellent game viewing. Located on the banks of the Khwai River, this allows guests to indulge in water activities, whether on boat safaris or mokoro excursions.
Camp Xakanaxa is a luxury camp with rates lower than those of other lodges in the area.
Jacana camp
This luxury safari camp is located in the private Jao concession. It is all about luxury here. This camp is among the most exclusive in Moremi.
Activities here include game drives, mokoro activities, and walking safaris. That being said, semi-permanent water surrounds the Jacana camp. Therefore, during the rainy season, some activities might not be possible due to flooding.
As for the rates, this camp tends to be pricier.
4. Botswana safari locations: Kalahari
Kalahari is less well-known than famous destinations like the Chobe and the Okavango Delta. However, it is one of the best safari destinations in Botswana. Kalahari boast an impressive variety of wildlife.
Adventurous travellers love the Kalahari for its untamed beauty and uniqueness. Furthermore, it is here that you get to witness the Zebra migration, and it is a sight to behold.
On top of that, you get to go quad biking and do a cultural visit to the Bushmen of Kalahari.
Where to stay
Tau Pan Camp
This camp is perfect for eco-friendly travellers. Tau Camp is located in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and is designed with eco-friendliness in mind. The entire camp runs on solar power.
Additionally, if you are staying at this camp, you will easily be able to visit the much-loved Deception Valley as a day trip; on top of that, you can take walking safaris with bushmen guides and trackers.
Tau Pan is gorgeous, and as the name suggests, ‘tau’ meaning lion, you will see lots and lots of lions here.
Camp Kalahari
This camp borders the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and is situated within a private concession. Camp Kalahari is the absolute best camp to stay in if you are looking to witness the renowned zebra migration.
Additionally, this area has fantastic birdlife, including the beautiful flamingos.
Kalahari Plains Camp
This camp is closer to the centre of the Kalahari Game Reserve, and game viewing is excellent year-round. Additionally, you will be in a great spot to interact with the San Community.
In fact, a good number of staff, be it at the lodge or guiding, are descendants of the San tribe, and they will be more than happy to share and discuss their culture with you.
Jack’s Camp
Located in the heart of the Kalahari Desert, Jack’s camp will give you the best Botswana safari. The lodge is stunningly beautiful and luxe with a rustic charm.
Because this lodge is ultra-luxurious, the price tag reflects that.
