When you say Botswana you are saying Okavango delta, one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. The most expensive country in Africa to do safaris, the most exclusive, would not recommend it as your first safari stop, unless for a very special occasion. Great variety of animals, and incredible ambience as backdrop, but you won’t find here the large herds of animals and endless horizons you can find in Tanzania, because of the dense bush. You won’t find many vehicles neither, so you’ll enjoy a pure wilderness experience unlike any other place in Africa. Are you seeking a bit more variety of experiences? Combine Namibia with Botswana, and you’ll have your ultimate safari experience combined with your ultimate landscapes experience.

Let us try to answer some of the questions you might have before choosing Botswana as your next destination. If you are not satisfied or have further doubts, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Will I be safe
Botswana is rightfully regarded as a very safe country. Safe in terms of social stability: rich in diamonds and upmarket tourism, Botswana has enjoyed an enlightened governance for decades, investing tax payers money back in the country. As a result you will find friendly people, welcoming visitors and recognizing them as the best way to preserve the country’s natural wilderness heritage. English is commonly spoken everywhere. Safe in terms of medical assistance: given the remoteness of most of the camps in the Okavango delta and other popular wilderness areas, personal medicines should be carried from home, and reckless behaviour should be avoided. This said, all camps have staff trained in first aid, and from most airstrips a Med Evac service can be guaranteed by helicopter to Maun or Kasane, and from there air ambulance can get you to Johannesburg in less than 2 hours. Safe in terms of hygiene: no compulsory vaccination is required to enter Botswana. Soon after the rainy season and during the hottest months, malaria prevention tablets might be advisable. Please refer to your national health authorities for updated requirements or recommendations, and contact us for the most updated status on health requirements. Food hygiene in camps and lodges is generally very good, and ice cubes in drinks or fresh vegetable are as safe as in Europe or in the US. Drink only bottled or purified water. Safe in terms of quality of transportation: both the aviation industry and ground transports are of a very good standard and enjoy a very safe record in Botswana.

Where will I sleep
A general note: in Africa a tented camp is not synonymous of basic accommodation. Some tented camps are of a 5 star hotel’s suite level, with its own style and décor, they just happen to have canvas walls instead of brick and cement walls, usually on a raised wooden deck. Ask us about pictures and descriptions, we will gladly provide them, together with our first hand feedback. Botswana offers in general a very good level of accommodation. Even what we consider entry level tented camps have spacious tented rooms with en-suite, normally or raised wooden platforms, with never more than 10 rooms; some camps have 20 rooms, but then are split into two completely independent operations of 10 rooms each, to preserve the small size feeling, they only share the staff, management  and kitchen area. Camps are normally revamped every 10 years, to keep up with the industry standards and offer to their guests a unique  experience. Most camps enjoy incredible locations deep into the wilderness. A top tented camp will provide the same characteristics of a luxury tented camp, sometimes oversized rooms, but the main difference from a luxury camp will lie in its prime location for game viewing, exclusivity and redundant guests service. A luxury tented camp or lodge will provide ample bedrooms well in excess of 40sqm, a unique décor, private bathroom with shower and/or bathtub, an outside deck with outside shower, sometimes a modern conditioning system, possibly a private plunge pool. A good tented camp or lodge will provide ample bedrooms from 30 to 40sqm, a unique décor, private bathroom with shower, possibly an outside deck with outside shower, no airconditioning, no private plunge pool.

What will I eat
Botswana hospitality industry is of international standards, and its cuisine is as such international, so expect to eat fresh or cooked vegetables and very good meats. In general from good to top tented camps and lodges they will all offer a variety of food, and they can cater for any food allergies or preferences, vegetarians, vegans, gluten free etc…, provided they are notified at the time of booking. It is common use once a week to offer a traditional local dinner, which is normally a mix of polenta, cooked veggies and roasted meats.

Should I take my kids along
Exclusive safaris are the main reason to visit Botswana, and camps are generally in remote location, not fenced off to wild animals. For these reasons most of the camps do not cater for kids under the age of 6 or 8, unless the entire camp is taken on exclusive basis. Above this age limit a safari deep in the wilderness is always a great experience for kids, but kids must be always under parental control keeping in mind you are in remote wilderness areas. camps’ staff and our pilot/guides have a very soft spot for kids, so don’t be surprised if your pilot will be as good as your nanny back home in taking care of your kids!

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A very efficient air shuttle service between all camps in the north makes it ideal to hop from camp to camp. In fact, most of the Okavango delta camps are only reachable by air. Off course this means being prepared to work your daily schedule around their times, like using public transportation in a city. Should you want to gain full flexibility, then a private flying safari is still your best option. And maybe if your group size is big enough to optimize the aircraft, it might not cost you much more. You might also opt for private flying if you decide to move away from the northern circuit, and add rugged terrain of southeast Botswana to the flat floodplains of the north.