Botswana

Scroll Down

Botswana

A safari in Botswana is a truly magical experience. Camps provide total luxury and all the comforts you can imagine while surrounding you with the breathtaking sights and sounds of the African bush. From the Kalahari grasslands to the shimmering waters of the Okavango Delta, Botswana is a country you won't soon forget. It's friendly people and spectacular wildlife will leave you wanting to return again and again.

Leopard Adventures and our partner travel companies in Botswana can offer you every type of accommodation and experience imaginable. Since we design your trip based on your requirements and interests you can be sure that your adventure will be unique.

Things to look forward to in Botswana:
  • Seeing great and small uniquely-adapted wildlife in diverse habitats on game drives
  • Exploring a blue-green wetland by mokoro (traditional canoe) or boat
  • Walking ancient paths through the desert with a Bushman Taking in spectacular views and landscapes

Chobe

Chobe national park is the second largest national park in Botswana and boasts one of the greatest varieties of game on the African continent. Although divided into several different eco regions, the area most familiar to visitors on safari is the Serondela area in the extreme north east of the park. This vast area of lush plains and thick forest is fed by the Chobe river and has a large year round population of wildlife.

Of particular note in this area is the elephant population. Today's herds are the descendents of the vast herds of old and represent one of the longest continuous populations on the continent. Other lesser known areas of the Chobe park include the Savuti marsh in the west of the park and the Linyanti swamps in the north west. Both of these areas are rich in wildlife and are unique eco regions. Both have wonderful accommodations available and are easily accessible by air.

Kalahari

Known as the great thirstland the Kalahari desert covers a vast area that crosses the borders of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Although called a desert, the Kalahari is actually a land of low scrub and sparse trees with large supplies of underground water. This vegetation supports a huge variety of wildlife. From the stealthy brown hyaena and the termite eating aardwolf to large herds of springbok and other large antelope, the Kalahari is a paradise for the eco traveler.

Large predators also exist in abundance and the Kalahari lions are impressive in their size even when compared to other populations on the continent. Evenings under pristine skies are the norm here. The milky way stretches and winds overhead painting an impossible canvas of spectacular light on a black velvet background. Truly a magical place, the Kalahari is at once hostile yet beckoning, dangerous yet comforting, terrifying in it's vastness yet mystifying in it's variety of life.

Linyanti

In years when the Okavango experiences a good flood some of the water escapes east along the normally dry channel of the Magwekwana River into the Linyanti Swamp, thus entering the Zambezi basin. Otherwise the Okavango basin has no outlet.

On the north side of the Chobe River are the Caprivi Swamps, on the edge of which is the ruined capital of the Kololo people who conquered Barotseland in the 19th Century. So much of the water of the Cuando, Linyanti and Chobe is lost to evaporation in the various swamps that its contribution to the flow of the Zambezi is very small except in occasional years when it floods excessively.

Okavango Delta

Known as the "Jewel of the Kalahari" the Okavango Delta is truly a miracle in the desert. Water from the Angolan highlands flows down the Okavango River and is trapped in the dry heartland of the Kalahari. This annual flood turns the desert green and attracts vast numbers of wildlife to this magical place. Huge herds of Buffalo, Elephant and plains game attract exciting and elusive predators like Lion and Leopard. The heart pounding experience of seeing these animals up close is one you will always remember.

The Delta is world famous for its unparalleled bird life. A bird watcher's paradise, more than 450 different local and migratory species can be seen in the area. Small exclusive lodges dot the landscape, each one on a huge tract of land that ensures that your only contacts will be with the wildlife. You can enjoy the solitude and vastness that is Africa. Unique among the safari regions of Southern Africa, the Delta offers the opportunity to view the game from dugout canoes known as mekoros, as well as from the traditional safari vehicle or on foot.

Tuli

'Tuli' is a river in Zimbabwe which has given its name to this region in Botswana. The 'Block' is a large piece of land, some 10km to 20km wide and more than 350km from north to south. The Tuli Block contains an abundance of wildlife, a profusion of birds and fascinating topography.

With vast flat plains punctuated everywhere with high hills and promontories, the views seem to go on forever. The wide open spaces allow for huge herds of elephant and eland among others.

Predators are also plentiful with Lion (some black-maned), Leopard and Cheetah regularly seen. Nocturnal game viewing yields good sightings of Hyena and Jackal with Caracal and Aardwolf also seen.

Botswana is perhaps the most rewarding country in Africa in which to experience a safari.

Each year floodwater flows into the Okavango from its source in the moist central African highlands southwards and into the Kalahari Desert to create a unique wetland that supports and sustains a huge diversity of wildlife. Apart from year-round excellent game viewing, the beauty of this water wonderland is awe-inspiring. To the north-east of the Okavango Delta are the Chobe and Linyanti Game Reserves where the many varied habitats within the Chobe and Linyanti parks have created an area renowned for its predators and large concentrations of game, particularly elephant. The grasslands of the Kalahari together with the lunar expanse of the Makgadikgadi saltpans complement and are in thrilling contrast to the verdant, game-rich north.

As many as 580 bird species have been recorded in Botswana with 75 larger mammal species known to occur and more than 80 fish species identified in the Okavango. But overall it is often the sense of wilderness and pristine functioning ecosystems that has the most significant impact on visitors.

Wildlife viewing at our Botswana camps is good all year round, but each season has its own nuance and special charm – there simply is not one ‘perfect time’ to visit.


Green Season - December to March
  • Excellent game concentrations in Central Kalahari
  • Time of abundance - births, babies, breeding, and predators
  • Summer bird migrants present in breeding plumage
  • Excellent photographic opportunities - great light, color and subject matter

Transition Season - April to May; November
  • Moderate climate with a mix of the green and dry seasons including the dynamics of a change in season

Dry Season - June to October
  • Diminished water availability results in high game concentrations and density
  • Peak inundation in the Okavango - perfect time for mokoro and boating activities
  • Great visibility in leafless woodland
  • Cooler and drier time of the year with day time temperatures rising towards October