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Introducing Botswana

When is the best time to visit?
June to October is the dry season and the best time to view wildlife—animals are drawn to water sources, and low vegetation offers excellent visibility. Temperatures are moderate with cold mornings and evenings from June-August, while September and October are very hot (this is also when prices are highest). Rains can start as early as November, which makes for beautiful changes in the vegetation. The rainy season is in full swing from January through May, when you'll find hot, humid weather, and a drop in prices. 

Where should you go?
Chobe National Park is incredibly diverse in fauna and flora, covering thousands of square miles of savanna, marshland, and grasslands—along with the Chobe and Savuti Rivers. Chobe is known for its large short-tusked elephant population, along with other Southern Africa mammals like giraffe, wildebeest, and big cats. Taking a sunset cruise on the Chobe River in the northern part of the park is a highlight. You'll also want to visit the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, the largest inland river delta on earth—the best way to explore its islands and reeded banks is by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe. Other draws include the Savuti Channel, Nxai Pan, Linyanti Wetlands, and the Kalahari Desert.

How many days do you need?
In one week, travelers can combine 2 or 3 of Botswana's best regions. In a week, you can also combine a Chobe safari with a visit across the border to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia, or a few days in Cape Town, South Africa. For more, and to get off the beaten path with unique experiences, stay for two weeks.

Botswana Travel Insights

Okavango Delta
Map of Botswana Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 5 Days
Botswana Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 5 Days

Check out two of Botswana's top destinations on this five-day trip. You'll start with Chobe National Park, best known for its large herds of animals, particularly elephants, which you'll follow on safari walks and game drives. Keep going to the famous Okavango Delta, a floodplain full of wildlife most frequently viewed by boat or canoe safari amid the many channels.

Xugana Island Botswana
Map of Ultimate Safari in Botswana & Zimbabwe - 14 Days
Ultimate Safari in Botswana & Zimbabwe - 14 Days

This luxurious itinerary combines several iconic locations in Botswana and Zimbabwe—Okavango Delta, Savute, Chobe, and Victoria Falls. Your first week will be spent on safari in Botswana, with four days on the Zambezi Queen luxury riverboat.  From here, you'll be on your way to  Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls to see this world wonder, ending the journey with a different safari experience in Hwange National Park.

Botswana's majestic wildlife
Highlights of Botswana & Zimbabwe - 7 Days

This trip through Botswana and Zimbabwe lets you experience the highlights in a short time. In seven days, visit the lakes and lagoons of the world’s largest inland delta, watch game from a boat in the Chobe National Park, and be amazed by the beautiful Victoria Falls, the largest sheet of falling water in the world. There will be plenty of time for adventure activities, if you wish, as well as relaxation.

Overlooking Chobe River in Botswana
Map of Explore Botswana: Okavango Delta & Chobe Trail -7 Days
Explore Botswana: Okavango Delta & Chobe Trail -7 Days

Prepare to enter the Okavango Delta in Botswana—one of the world’s most unique wilderness areas. Follow the hippo trails in dugout mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) and join your guide on nature walks to discover the islands. You'll head up to Chobe National Park, where you'll watch the African sunset from the comfort of your river cruise, and experience a close encounter with hippo and elephants. Your tour ends in Zimbabwe and the spectacular Victoria Falls, where you can take part in several available adrenaline activities.

Elephant on game drive
Map of Explore Botswana: Okavango, Makgadikgadi Pans, & Chobe Safari - 7 Days
Explore Botswana: Okavango, Makgadikgadi Pans, & Chobe Safari - 7 Days

This 7-day Botswana safari encompasses the diversity of northern Botswana's Makgadikgadi National Park, with the enchanting wilderness that is the Okavango Delta. You'll visit the Makgadikgadi Pans and end the adventure on the Chobe River—aboard a luxury houseboat. This unique experience allows you to witness abundant wildlife, excellent birding, and experiencing a breathtaking wilderness feel.

Gamespotting in Chobe
Map of Botswana Family Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 10 Days
Botswana Family Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 10 Days

Safari through three separate zones of Botswana on this family-friendly route. You'll start off amidst the herds in Chobe National Park, known for its elephant population, then fly down to the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. This lush ecosystem is bustling with flora and fauna, and you'll take them in from both western Moremi and your final stop on the Pom Pom Lagoon on the delta's eastern side.

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Botswana
Travel specialist Deborah Smook
active 16 hours ago

Deborah Smook

I am absolutely thrilled whenever I have the opportunity to showcase my beloved country to others. It fills me with immense joy to ensure that every visitor who comes here is utterly captivated by...

read more...
Travel specialist Lize Enderstein
active 23 hours ago

Lize Enderstein

I work as a senior consultant for African Travel Gateway and have 18 years of experience in the travel industry. We plan, book and implement tailor-made holidays for our clients that fit within...

read more...
Travel specialist Esther Ruempol
active 12 hours ago

Esther Ruempol

Travelling and discovering new places is one of the things I love most in life, and the best part is to share these special places with our travellers. Our goal as a local specialist is to design...

read more...
Travel specialist Lucy Berndt
active 3 hours ago

Lucy Berndt

Mother, wife, traveller and dreamer! Having travelled extensively throughout Southern Africa, I know the importance of logistics and selecting the right product offerings. Southern Africa...

read more...

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Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Botswana

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Anna Marié was amazing at planning the trip. ...
Botswana | Aug 14 - Aug 22, 2024

T
Thibault P.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2024

Anna Marié was amazing at planning the trip. Everything was smooth and well thought. I loved it. Special mention for Delta Camp team in Okavengo Delta. The whole team was so nice and welcoming making the experience unique and exceptional. Highly recommend this trip.
Thanks a lot!

Local specialist: Anna-marie Mocke
Anna-marie
Anna-marie Mocke
Local specialist in Cape, Winelands | Replied on Aug 26, 2024

Hi Thibault,

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! It was such a pleasure planning this trip with you. I am pleased to read that you loved it! These are exactly my thoughts after a visit to Delta & Chobe.

Thank you also for the great photos you shared with us. Hopefully, you will be back one day.

Warm greetings
Anna-marie

South Africa and Botswana
Botswana | Jul 30 - Aug 11, 2024

Christopher
Christopher S.
Hollywood, FL | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
Our trip to South Africa and Botswana was excellent.
Eileen and her team put together a wonderful trip that completely met our needs.
They listened to all of our requests and after several versions, nailed the perfect trip for our family.
While in country, her team (specifically Lucy) continually checked in with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and we were having a great time.
I never felt like we were traveling alone and always had someone local looking out for us.
Read more

Our trip to South Africa and Botswana was excellent.
Eileen and her team put together a wonderful trip that completely met our needs.
They listened to all of our requests and after several versions, nailed the perfect trip for our family.
While in country, her team (specifically Lucy) continually checked in with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and we were having a great time.
I never felt like we were traveling alone and always had someone local looking out for us.

Hotel Reviews
Machaba Safaris
Maun

We had an incredible experience at Machaba as my kids felt it was the best place we stayed in Botswana; or at least the most authentic. There are no wooden walkways and tents are not built up on stilts; they are on a concrete slab. My family loved how close we were to nature (after all, that is why we were there). We stayed at other camps and while they may have been more elaborate (glass doors, paved/wooden walkways, hardwood floors) they lacked the character of Machaba.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Everyone on the staff was amazing. Shout out to Rafa, our guide, possibly the best we had in Botswana.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Commodore Hotel
Cape Town

Great location...clean and met our needs. The staff was friendly and accommodating. It is not the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons so as long as your expectations are in line, you won't be disappointed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Halls and rooms were slightly dated, but everything was clean
Local specialist: Eileen De Villiers
Eileen
Eileen De Villiers
Local specialist in Johannesburg | Replied on Sep 04, 2024

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for the lovely review, I am so happy you had a lovely time and enjoyed Machaba (our last find). It was a pleasure creating this experience for you and hope our paths will cross again in the future. May the memories will last a lifetime!

Best wishes,
Eileen

The Most Magical Trip
Botswana | May 7 - Jun 16, 2024

Kim
Kim T.
Hong Kong SAR China | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2024
My daughters and I planned a girls trip to Africa. Four countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia) in 3 weeks was no small feat for first time visitors. We reached out to Kimkim for help and they connected us with their local specialist Esther Reumpol of The Eco-Travel Boutique.
Esther, through the Kimkim platform, made the whole planning process easy. Her suggestions based on our given budget, interests and preferences helped us narrow down what we wanted to do. ...
Read more

My daughters and I planned a girls trip to Africa. Four countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia) in 3 weeks was no small feat for first time visitors. We reached out to Kimkim for help and they connected us with their local specialist Esther Reumpol of The Eco-Travel Boutique.
Esther, through the Kimkim platform, made the whole planning process easy. Her suggestions based on our given budget, interests and preferences helped us narrow down what we wanted to do. From the time we connected till the time we got home, Esther was in constant contact, coordinating, revising, confirming and checking in.
The result of her patience with our itinerary revisions was perfect! The accommodations she booked were superb, the transfers to and fro like clockwork, our last minute tour bookings accommodated and all our inquiries patiently and promptly answered.
Esther is also a miracle worker. My luggage, amongst some other passengers, was offloaded from our flight from Nelspruit to Victoria Falls. We were taking a morning chartered flight to the Okavango delta the day after and there were no more flights from that airline coming in that day or the next. All I had were the clothes I was wearing. All my necessities, toiletries and medicines were in my luggage.
I call her a “miracle worker” because on this chartered flight, you can only check in soft luggage with a weight limit of 20 kg inclusive of hand carry. My luggage was in a hard case and weighed 25 kg which I was planning on repacking to a duffle for our 4 night stay at the Delta. I had resigned myself to accepting that I would not get to see my luggage until I got back to Victoria Falls but Esther, somehow, made the airline deliver my luggage to the heart of the delta. This was the airlines responsibility and was not part of Esther’s obligation to us. I can just imagine how many phone calls she had to make, while she herself was away on a work trip and I am truly grateful.
Our biggest thanks to the KimKim team, Esther and Lucy, our concierge, for making our first visit to Africa the most wonderful and memorable experience. It was a palate teaser that makes us want to go back, stay longer in each country and explore more of what Africa has to offer.

Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Jun 23, 2024

Hi Kim, Thank you so much for the wonderful review, it was such a pleasure planning this trip with you and it was lovely to meet you and your daughters in Johannesburg. I hope to see you again!