Botswana Safari Guide: Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari
Botswana protects its wilderness by keeping visitor numbers low. The result is some of Africa’s most exclusive safaris: mokoro trips through the Okavango Delta, elephant herds on the Chobe River and the vast silence of the Kalahari.
From Livingstone, Botswana is just an hour away.
Why choose Botswana for a safari?
Botswana’s “high value, low volume” approach means fewer vehicles, bigger wilderness areas and wildlife that behaves naturally.
Fewer vehiclesLow-density tourism keeps sightings quiet and uncrowded.
Exceptional predatorsLions, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs across the north.
Private concessionsNight drives, off-road tracking and walking, which national parks don’t allow.
Water and land safarisGlide by mokoro in the morning, track on foot or by vehicle in the afternoon.
Elephant countryBotswana is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa.
Easy from Victoria FallsChobe is about an hour’s drive from Livingstone.
Top safari destinations in Botswana
From watery delta to desert, Botswana’s regions feel like different countries. Here is what makes each one special.
Okavango Delta
A vast inland delta where floodwaters spread across the Kalahari, creating channels, lagoons and islands. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris through the channels
- Boating, game drives and walking on the islands
- Private concessions with small, exclusive camps
Best timeJune – October. Floodwaters peak around June – August.
Chobe National Park
Famous for its huge elephant herds, especially along the Chobe River in the dry season. The riverfront is just an hour from Livingstone.
- Boat cruises among elephants and hippos
- Riverfront game drives
- An easy day trip from Victoria Falls
Best timeYear-round. Biggest elephant herds August – October.
Moremi Game Reserve
The protected heart of the eastern Okavango, where water and dry land meet. Few places in Africa pack in so many habitats.
- High wildlife density
- Lions, leopards and wild dogs
- Both land and water activities
Best timeJuly – October.
Savuti and Linyanti
Remote, rugged country between Chobe and the Okavango, known for powerful predators and dramatic landscapes.
- Strong lion and hyena populations
- Wild dogs in the Linyanti
- Few vehicles and wide open spaces
Best timeJuly – October.
Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
Some of the largest salt pans on Earth. Stark and silent in the dry season, alive with zebra and flamingos after the rains.
- The zebra migration, December – April
- Flamingos, March – June
- Habituated meerkat colonies and huge night skies
Best timeDecember – April for the migration; July – October for the dry pans.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
One of the largest protected areas in Africa: open grassland, fossil river valleys and desert-adapted wildlife.
- Black-maned Kalahari lions
- Gemsbok, springbok and cheetahs
- Complete solitude and extraordinary stars
Best timeDecember – April, when the rains bring the plains to life.
Botswana’s wildlife calendar, month by month
Botswana surprises people: the Okavango floods in the dry season, and the Kalahari comes alive in the rains. Pick your month, then your region.
Swipe sideways to see every month.
| Wildlife event | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okavango floodwaters at their highestOkavango Delta | Good | Good | Good | |||||||||
| Dry-season game viewingOkavango, Moremi, Savuti, Linyanti | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| Elephant herds on the riverChobe Riverfront | Good | Good | Good | |||||||||
| Salt pans, meerkats and dry-season wildlifeMakgadikgadi Pans | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||||
| Flamingos on the pansMakgadikgadi Pans | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||||
| Zebra migrationMakgadikgadi Pans | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| Green-season plains game and predatorsCentral Kalahari | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| Green-season birdingNorthern Botswana | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||
| Chobe day trip from LivingstoneKasane, Chobe | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Good time to go
Guide’s tip: The Okavango’s floodwaters come from rain that falls in Angola months earlier, so the Delta is fullest in the dry winter months. And a note on rhinos: don’t expect them in the Okavango Delta, and sightings elsewhere in Botswana are rare.
Safari experiences in Botswana
Mokoro safaris
Poled silently through the Delta’s channels in a traditional dugout canoe, at eye level with frogs, birds and lilies.
Game drives
In private concessions, drives can go off-road and continue after dark, so you can follow predators and look for nocturnal wildlife.
Walking safaris
Track on foot with an armed guide on the Delta’s islands, reading the smaller details of the bush.
Boat safaris
Cruise the Chobe River or the Delta’s deeper channels, photographing elephants, hippos and birds from the water.
Mobile safaris
Move between parks with your own guide and camp, a flexible way to see more of Botswana for less.
The pans and the Kalahari
Visit meerkat colonies, cross the salt pans and sleep under some of the clearest night skies on Earth.
When is the best time to visit Botswana?
Dry season: May – October
- Best game viewing as wildlife gathers at water
- Okavango floodwaters at their highest
- Peak season, so book early
- Cool mornings June – August; hot by October
Green season: November – April
- Lush scenery, newborn animals and fewer visitors
- Zebra migration and green-season Kalahari
- Superb birding
- Lower rates at many camps
Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe?
All three are excellent, and they combine easily around Victoria Falls. Here is how they differ.
| Botswana | Zambia | Zimbabwe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Known for | Exclusive camps, the Okavango and big elephant herds | Walking safaris and raw, remote wilderness | Classic safaris and highly trained guides |
| Style | Mostly fly-in, private concessions | Road or fly-in, national parks | Road or fly-in, national parks |
| Cost | Higher | Mid-range to luxury | Mid-range to luxury |
| Easy link from Livingstone | Chobe, about an hour | Home base | Victoria Falls town, across the bridge |
Read more in our Zambia Safari Guide and Zimbabwe Safari Guide.
Botswana starts next door
Brightpath is based in Livingstone, about an hour from Kasane and the Chobe River across the Kazungula Bridge. That makes Chobe the easiest way to add Botswana to a Victoria Falls trip, as a day trip or an overnight stay.
A typical Chobe day trip
- Early pick-up in Livingstone and border crossing at Kazungula
- Morning game drive in Chobe National Park
- Lunch in Kasane
- Afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River
- Return to Livingstone in the evening
Practical tips for your Botswana safari
- Getting there: Maun is the gateway to the Okavango, and Kasane to Chobe. Most international travellers connect through Johannesburg.
- Light aircraft: Delta camps are usually reached by small plane. Pack in soft bags, usually about 20 kg per person including hand luggage. Check with your camp.
- Entry: visa rules depend on your nationality. Check official Botswana government sources before you travel.
- Health: northern Botswana is a malaria area. See a travel clinic before you go.
- Money: the currency is the Botswana pula; lodges and camps widely accept US dollars.
- What to wear: neutral colours, layers for cold winter mornings, and a warm jacket for June and July.
Botswana safari: frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a safari in Botswana?
July to October for classic game viewing in the Okavango, Moremi, Savuti and Chobe. December to April for the Makgadikgadi zebra migration and the green-season Kalahari.
Is Botswana expensive?
Botswana is one of Africa’s higher-priced safari destinations, because it limits visitor numbers. Mobile safaris, the green season and a Chobe visit from Livingstone are good ways to keep costs down.
Can I visit Chobe from Victoria Falls?
Yes. Kasane and the Chobe River are about an hour from Livingstone. A day trip with a boat cruise and game drive is one of the most popular add-ons to a Falls visit.
Will I see rhinos in Botswana?
Don’t expect them in the Okavango Delta, and sightings elsewhere in Botswana are rare. If rhinos are a priority, ask us about the best places in the region to see them.
How many days do I need in Botswana?
Allow at least 3–4 nights for the Okavango, or 7–10 days to combine the Delta with Chobe, Savuti or the pans.
Explore more of the region
Botswana guides
Combine with neighbours
Ready to plan your Botswana safari?
Tell us your dates and what you would love to see. We will match it to the right regions, at the right time of year.