Custom Safaris in Botswana

A Botswana safari is best for travelers who want privacy, large predator and elephant encounters and remote luxury camps in pristine wilderness. The dry season from May to November offers the best wildlife viewing, with most trips running 8 to 12 nights across two to four camps.

From our first visits in the early 80s when there were only a handful of simple, rustic camps, we at Next Adventure have loved Botswana. With over four decades of experience designing Botswana custom safaris, we know this destination inside and out. The country is now home to some of the most extraordinary camps in Africa, and it remains a world-class African safari destination with extraordinary seasonal contrasts.

Each year, floodwaters flow from their source in the moist central African highlands over a thousand kilometers away into the Kalahari sands of the Okavango, where it creates a unique wetland sustaining a huge diversity of wildlife and fabulous bird life.

To the northeast of the Okavango Delta are the Chobe and Linyanti Game Reserves with marshes, waterways, riverine forests, dry woodlands, and the world-famous Savute Channel, areas renowned for predators and large concentrations of game, particularly elephant. The grasslands of the Kalahari, together with the lunar expanse of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, are in total contrast to the verdant, game-rich Okavango and Linyanti regions.

Botswana’s low-volume/high-revenue tourism model and stable democracy have made it a shining star for sustainable tourism while ensuring that visitors have an exclusive wilderness experience.

Botswana offers some of the most exclusive and unique safari destinations in all of Africa. Next Adventure is proud to partner with Wilderness Safaris, Great Plains Conservation, Natural Selection, Uncharted Africa, Desert and Delta Camps, Ker and Downey Botswana, Kwando Safaris, Sanctuary Retreats, African Bush Camps, Mashatu, and many other independent camps and lodges in Botswana. We have long working relationships with all of these providers and have visited most camps personally.

Botswana Safari Overview

With so many spectacular and unique areas throughout the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, along with Chobe and the Savuti/Linyanti reserves, Botswana can easily be a stand-alone destination worthy of 8-12 nights split between three or four camps. This is especially true if you’re incorporating the Kalahari Desert or the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. At a minimum, we would recommend 5 nights split between two contrasting camps.

The dry season runs from May to November, and those are generally considered the best months for wildlife viewing. May-September have optimum temperatures with warm, sunny days and cold nights. October-November are very hot months with excellent wildlife viewing but tough temperatures. There are also excellent Green Season opportunities, which are often a great fit for a returning safari traveler.

The safari gateways are Maun (from Johannesburg or Cape Town) or Kasane (from Johannesburg or Victoria Falls). Often, our itineraries begin in one gateway and depart through the other. It is common to include a stop in Victoria Falls and/or Cape Town, and destinations in Botswana are easily paired with other safari areas throughout Southern Africa

Botswana is known for being one of the more expensive safari destinations due to a vast network of private concessions in pristine, wildlife-rich areas. The camps and lodges we prefer are smaller, intimate properties with only 4-10 tents, where guests can avoid crowds and enjoy an exclusive wilderness experience. For small groups or families, we often reserve an entire camp on a private basis. Safari costs in Botswana vary widely depending on the season, camp style, and concession area. We work with clients across a range of budgets to find the right fit. 

Guided overland camping safaris are also a popular option in Botswana, offering excellent value, and they can be a great fit for families and small groups of friends looking for an affordable adventure.

Botswana's low-volume, high-revenue tourism model means smaller camps, fewer vehicles, and a more exclusive experience than many other safari destinations. For travelers who value privacy, pristine wilderness, and world-class wildlife, particularly large predator and elephant encounters, Botswana is hard to beat.

Start Planning Your Botswana Custom Safari

From the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the wide-open pans of the Makgadikgadi, Botswana offers some of the most exclusive and rewarding safari experiences in Africa. Next Adventure has been planning Botswana custom safaris for over four decades; let us design a trip tailored to your interests, travel style, and budget.