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Botswana

  • Destinations
  • Botswana

When to Go

The Best time to visit Botswana

Botswana’s uncomplicated climate – a long dry winter followed by a short wet summer – makes deciding when to travel to Botswana a question of your priorities.

The best time for game viewing is generally considered to be the May to October dry season. Temperatures are mild to warm with cold nights in mid-winter; September and October however can be extremely hot. Animals are easier to see at this time: concealing vegetation is much reduced and animals are increasingly concentrated around water.

The onset of the rains may deter some potential visitors but travellers to Botswana in early summer can expect some of the year’s most dramatic game viewing. Thousands of baby antelope are born, attracting the attention of predators. Migrations begin too. Elephants, buffalo and zebra move into the Kalahari and bird watching is at its best across the country.

May / Jun / Jul
Cool & dry; good game viewing; very low malaria risk; Okavango Delta in flood
Aug / Sep / Oct
Warm to hot & dry; peak game viewing; low malaria risk; best for Chobe River & Moremi
Nov / Dec
Warm & occasional rain showers; birthing season; good for Savuti & Kalahari & birding
Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr
Warm with regular heavy rain; lush landscapes; best birding; Savuti/Kalahari zebra migration
START PLANNING YOUR TAILOR-MADE SAFARI TO BOTSWANA BY CONTACTING A DESTINATION SPECIALIST... DESIGN YOUR OWN TRIP

What to Do

on a Botswana Safari Tour

1. Go on a Game Drive

Led by an experienced guide, morning & afternoon drives deliver Botswana’s amazing wildlife close-up. The 4X4 vehicle has an open roof & sides plus raised suspension to ensure the best photographic opportunities.

2. Explore Okavango Delta

It’s the world’s biggest inland delta, a mesmerising mosaic of wetlands & woodlands, home to big game & epic bird watching. Experience it from a mokoro – a traditional canoe – steered by a local guide.

3. Cruise the Chobe River

Elephants & buffalo crowd the Chobe River during the dry season & the best views are from a boat. You’ll also see hippos, crocodiles, dazzling birdlife & spectacular sunsets.

4. Track The Predators

Healthy numbers of lion, leopard & cheetah stalk Botswana’s reserves; it’s also Africa’s best destination for wild dogs. Crocodiles, hyenas, giant owls & eagles are commonly seen.

5. Walk the Wilderness

The Okavango Delta & private concessions can be explored on foot, adding a new dimension to your experience & ideal for bird watchers. Your professional guide leads the way.

6. Watch at the Waterhole

Camps & lodges are generally set over water: all you need to do is settle down on the viewing deck & let Botswana’s wildlife come to you. It’s especially rewarding in the dry season.

7. Take a Night Drive

Botswana’s private concessions offer spot-lit night drives, the best way to see Africa’s elusive nocturnal creatures such as porcupine, bush babies, wild cats & aardwolf.

8. Interact with Communities

Some lodges incorporate the local community into your experience. You’ll meet village elders, have fun with local kids & enjoy a taste of life in big game country.

Tailor-made Safaris

Experience the extraordinary! Let us tailor-make your trip to Botswana.

Hands-on Expertise

  • We’re based in Africa
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Reviews

Very helpful good suggestions for holiday ideas always available for questions good organising

Excellent service and they supplied good suggestions for our holiday they also organised all internal flights and arranged check in for us so we had no worries while on holiday. We have had a most memorable holiday staying at wonderful places thanks to Sabrina and Safari Online. Would recommend Safari Online to organise your holiday.

Lorraine (UK)
Professional, quick and top of the edge service!!!

From the very first contact we’re very happy about the respond time and quality of information from safari-online.com. Based on the received first tailor-made quote, which is a weblink with all the details about the flights, photos of the lodges etc. we knew that this is “our” partner for this trip. Our expectations were excelled!!!

Lukas (Germany)
Professional, patient, efficient and responsive. Met all our travel needs and requirements spot on

Communication was excellent – I asked A LOT of questions and did a ton of research myself and Walter was extremely patient with me and very responsive. he was straight forward and extremely professional. Tour itself was excellent – an incredible experience and one never to be forgotten. Everything was spot on.

Neena
Best trip I have ever been on. Highly recommend.

Would highly recommend. Safari online asked questions when booking and were efficient and knew exactly what we were looking for in terms of accommodation and animals were wanted to see. Gave advice on a few little extras with no pressure, which we did and am very grateful which make trip even more exciting. Would definitely recommend booking with them.

Safari Online made our fantastic family holiday dream come true!!

Safari Online have been nothing but professional and incredible from the time we made our first enquiry to the last day of our stunning holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for Walter. We are now starting to plan our next family Safari for 2019. Guess who we will be booking with??? Safari Online we hope you are ready!!!!!

Penni (AU)
An incredibly well organised tour with no hassles whatsoever.

Safari Online understood our needs and was able to present us with sensible options to choose from. It was evident that this tour operator has knowledgable and experienced agents who can arrange a seemless tour. We were provided with a professional online itinary which was comprehensive and easy to use, knew exactely what to expect, and encountered no stumble blocks along the way.

Gwen (AU)
Karina was absolutely instrumental to our safari success.

Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver.  We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Chris (USA)
It was a safari of a lifetime and exceeded all of our expectations!

Our mom grew up in Central and South Africa so we had visited the continent many times. My sister and I wanted to take our teens and husbands to Africa to experience the magic. We had a limited budget but big and specific expectations and by some miracle Walter was able to manage both.

Heather (USA)
Safari Online were extremely efficient and absolutely charming to work with.

Our 28-day itinerary took us to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. A magnificent and unforgettable adventure. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently from the flights, transfers, rides, connections, etc. Absolutely wonderful! Can’t thank them enough!

Ann and Mario (Canada)
Walter has always been an excellent communicator and has supported us fully

We have been to Africa for 24 of the last 27 years so know a bit about what is involved. Walter has arranged the details for the last couple of years, and has done a superb job. He is always quick to respond and comes up with answers immediately……..no evasive tactics, always head-on!

Roger (UK)