It all comes down to an exceptionally well-conceived tourism model that favours high value and minimal ecological footprint. In real-life terms, this means high prices, a small number of visitors, and very specific seasonality. But when we speak of prices, let there be no misunderstanding: the accommodations you’ll find in Botswana are in a league of their own. They are exquisite, and the level of exclusivity, space, quality of accommodations and guiding, is second to none.
Although the Kalahari Desert covers an enormous eighty percent of the country, the Okavango Delta and the wildlife-rich tapestry of connected ecosystems in the north are synonymous with any super high-end Botswana safari.
Swaths of unfenced wilderness support an incredibly diverse variety of free-roaming wildlife, and here lies one of the most unique floodplain landscapes in the world. There are few experiences comparable to gliding along the water channels of the Okavango Delta, brushing past water reeds and lily pads, brightly-coloured birds skimming past, and crocodile eyes peering from the grassy banks. The mighty yawn of a hippo or an elephant herd coming to drink at the water’s edge are wildlife experiences to treasure, and you’ll share them with barely anyone else.
How to plan a top end Botswana safari? Let’s break it down into three distinct regions…
KALAHARI DESERT
The ancestral homeland of the San Bushmen, evidence of human existence in the Kalahari Desert dates back some 100,000 years—amongst the oldest in the world. Within this wild, flat desert terrain, the Makgadikgadi Pans cover a staggering 12,000km² —parched and unforgiving for much of the year. Perhaps unexpectedly, the region supports some unique wildlife, including its resident and much-loved meerkat population. Yet, visitors don’t really come here for the fauna. This is a place to marvel at the lunar-like landscape, quad bike across salt-crusted pans, learn about ancient Bushmen traditions, and explore on foot or horseback. You’ll most likely stay at one of the most iconic camps in Africa —just three in a one million-acre private wildlife reserve.
LINYANTI
The remote northern Linyanti region includes Linyanti, Kwando and Selinda private reserves —the latter home to Zarafa Camp and Zarafa Dhow Suite, owned by conservationists and National Geographic documentary filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. This is a rugged landscape combining floodplains with mopane woodland, and it boasts an impressive African wild dog population, enormous elephant herds, and thousands of zebra that migrate here during the winter months. One of its main draws is the unrestrictedness and opportunities for night game drives, where you’ll likely see elusive nocturnal species. Diverse, remote and untrodden, the Linyanti region combines perfectly with the Okavango Delta.
OKAVANGO DELTA
Fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippos under a canopy of stars, glide along water channels on a traditional dugout canoe guided by an oarsman, see Nile crocodiles emerge from the papyrus, and a splendid array of bird life. Experience some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth, including some seriously dramatic predator-prey chases, and encounter packs of African wild dog, as well as elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, rhino, buffalo, zebra, and epic herds of roam, sable, eland, and waterbuck, to name a few. Stay in some of Africa’s most exquisite lodges and camps, with seriously impressive accommodations, enormous wooden decks with panoramic views, excellent dining experiences, and a range of wonderful activities combining land and water safari. This is the essence of the Okavango Delta. The world’s largest inland delta, a natural phenomenon that relatively few will ever experience, is by far the most private, exclusive and wildlife-diverse place to safari on earth.
We’ve visited Botswana’s finest lodges, camps, and private residences and have a deep insight into planning the ultimate itinerary, taking in these three regions. If you’re considering a wildlife safari any time soon, CONTACT US.