Read on to find out what you need to know to plan your trip to Botswana!
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1) Where To Go
Most people visiting Botswana go to the Okavango Delta. If you are starting or ending in Victoria Falls, you should include Chobe because you can drive from there to Vic Falls. If you have more time, add more areas. You need 2-3 days in each location.
Okavango Delta
Described as ‘the jewel of the Kalahari’, the Okavango Delta – a tranquil and isolated oasis set in the harsh and arid surroundings of Botswana’s bush and desert – is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best safari destinations, with its rich diversity of fauna and flora.
Moremi Game Reserve
The Moremi Game Reserve is situated in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, on the south-western border of the Chobe National Park, and covers almost one-third of the Delta.
Savute Region
The Savuti Channel has a fascinating history of flooding and drying up independently of good rainy seasons and flood levels elsewhere – a mystery that has intrigued geologists and other researchers for many years.
The Chobe Riverfront
The Chobe National Park is located in the Northern part of Botswana and lies along the Chobe River, which borders Botswana and Namibia. The Park is the second largest in Botswana and is known for its superb game viewing all year round, as it has one of the largest populations of game on the African continent.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park stretches away from the banks of the Boteti River, through its hinterland of scrub and grassland. The river and the nutrient-rich western grasslands supply the essential water and sustenance for the herds that inhabit the park.
Okavango Panhandle and Tsodilo Hills
This region is the major tributary river system that leads into form the Okavango Delta. The panhandle channel winds its way through tall papyrus thickets and interspersed with beautiful lush islands. To the west of the panhandle the stark dry contrast of UNESCO World Heritage listed cultural site, Tsodilo Hills.
2) What To Do
Activities in Botswana include:
- Game drives
- Motorized boat safaris
- Mokoro excursions (canoe)
- Guided bush walks
- Fishing
- Cultural excursions
- Helicopter flights
- Sleep out
Let us know which activities are most important to you to make sure we book the right camps!
3) When To Go
Peak season in Botswana is June-October, which is also the most expensive. Shoulder season is November, April, and May. Green season is December-March and is the cheapest time to go. September-October can be very hot.
For Victoria Falls, November-December have lower water levels. This is not the best time to see all of the falls or for river rafting, but it is a good time for the Devil’s Pool.
4) Getting To and From
Most people fly into the airport in Maun, Botswana (MUB) and then fly out from Victoria Falls. You can also do this in reverse, or skip Victoria Falls and fly into and out of MUB. There are daily flight to MUB from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT).
There are 2 airport in Victoria Falls. Depending on where your hotel is, you will want to fly out of the correct airport.
- Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (VFA)
- Livingstone, Zambia (LVI)
5) Before / After Botswana
If you want to extend your trip in southern Africa, you can add
- Victoria Falls
- Cape Town
- Johannesburg
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