An Africa that stays with you.
Botswana is not simply a safari destination. It is the thrill of watching elephants move through ancient river channels, the quiet of a mokoro gliding across the Delta, lions calling across the Kalahari and evenings spent beneath a sky filled with stars.
Here, nature sets the pace. Days unfold around wildlife, remarkable landscapes and encounters that connect you with the spirit of Africa.
With Africa Compass Collection, discover the right places, the right camps and the right journey for the way you want to experience Botswana.
Discover the Botswana you want to experience.
The Okavango Delta
Winding channels, palm-fringed islands and seasonal floodplains — explore by mokoro, boat or open safari vehicle.
Chobe & the Northern Wilderness
Remarkable elephant concentrations on the Chobe River, the drama of Savuti and the quiet wild of Linyanti.
The Kalahari
Vast open landscapes, desert-adapted wildlife and meaningful cultural experiences with San communities.
Makgadikgadi & the Salt Pans
Immense salt pans, ancient baobabs, meerkats and seasonal wildlife movements under enormous skies.
Choose your Botswana safari.
Four journeys to begin with, from a short introduction to the Delta to a longer, multi-region adventure.
The Okavango Taste
A short but unforgettable introduction to the Delta, combining remote safari accommodation with exceptional wildlife and the magic of Botswana's inland waterways.
Kalahari & Khwai Explorers Safari
Two contrasting worlds: the wide-open wilderness and cultural heritage of the Kalahari, then the wildlife-rich waterways and floodplains of Khwai.
The Wilds of Botswana
A more immersive journey through contrasting landscapes, from the Makgadikgadi region to the Okavango and beyond, combining wildlife, wilderness and the character of different safari camps.
Okavango & the Falls
Combine the wilderness of Botswana with the spectacular Victoria Falls for a memorable Southern African adventure.
Find your perfect Botswana safari.
Not sure which itinerary is right for you? Browse our full collection of Botswana journeys, compare different routes and discover the experience that suits your interests, travel dates and budget.
Explore all Botswana packagesEvery traveller has a different idea of the perfect safari.
Whether you dream of tracking predators across open plains, gliding through quiet Delta channels, sharing cultural experiences with local communities or enjoying the privacy of an intimate safari camp, Botswana offers many ways to experience the wild.
Classic wildlife safaris
Game drives and exceptional wildlife encounters.
Water safaris
Mokoro excursions, boating and birdlife.
Authentic wilderness adventures
Remote camps, open landscapes and a closer connection with nature.
Cultural experiences
Discover local traditions, knowledge and community-led initiatives.
Luxury safari escapes
Beautiful locations, intimate camps and carefully planned journeys.
Mobile safaris
Travel through the wilderness with a sense of exploration and adventure.
Family and private journeys
Itineraries tailored around your group and interests.
When should you visit Botswana?
Green Season
Fresh green landscapes, dramatic skies, newborn wildlife and excellent birding. A beautiful time for photography and travellers who appreciate seasonal contrasts. Rainfall and wildlife visibility vary.
The Changing Season
The landscape transitions after the rains, with increasingly comfortable safari conditions and the Okavango flood beginning to shape the Delta experience.
Peak Dry Season
Water becomes increasingly precious across many regions, wildlife often concentrates around reliable water sources and the Delta can offer outstanding water-based experiences. A popular period — advance planning is recommended.
Seasonal conditions differ by region, and the timing of the Okavango flood varies from year to year. The best time to travel depends on the wildlife, activities and landscapes you most want to experience.
Why plan with Africa Compass Collection?
Knowledge that makes the difference
Botswana is a destination where choosing the right region, camp and season can transform a safari. We help you make those choices with care.
Journeys designed to work
We consider the practical details, from transfers and charter connections to the balance between regions, so your itinerary makes sense as well as inspires.
The right camp for your style
From comfortable safari lodges to intimate tented camps and high-end wilderness retreats, we help match accommodation to your expectations and budget.
A more meaningful African journey
Discover the people, places and conservation stories that give Botswana its distinctive character, alongside the wildlife that draws travellers here.
Botswana, in the detail.
The practical detail behind a Botswana safari: how clients fly, what each camp type means, and two of the country's great dry regions.
Charter flights in Botswana
One of the least understood aspects of a Botswana safari. Due to the aircraft used, charter companies generally enforce a strict luggage policy — soft-sided bags only, with a total maximum usually around 20kg, split between hand luggage and hold/pod. Exact limits vary by operator, so always confirm before travel.
Seat on Charter (seat rate) is the standard offering, usually quoted subject to a minimum of two guests flying that route — this minimum can vary by operator. Guests may share the flight and make one or two stops en route, with a 20–30 minute wait before departure being normal; inter-camp charters are coordinated with the safari routine, generally operating 09:30–15:00. Private charters are also bookable, at a higher cost, flying the group directly with no other passengers.
Aircraft commonly used
Seating is approximate and load-dependent — actual capacity on the day depends on passenger and baggage weight.
| Aircraft | Type | Typical capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 206 | Single-engine | Up to 5 passengers | Load-dependent |
| Cessna 210 | Single-engine | Up to 4 passengers | Faster; typically used on flights over 45 minutes. Load-dependent |
| Airvan | Single-engine | Up to 6 passengers | Load-dependent |
| Cessna Grand Caravan | Single-engine | Around 9–11 seats | Load-dependent |
Botswana camp types
Land & water camps
Found in the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Selinda/Kwando and Linyanti, plus the Chobe Riverfront: both land- and water-based activities.
Land camps
Activities centre on game drives and walking. Found in Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari, Savuti and Chobe.
Water camps
Predominantly in the Okavango Delta and Moremi; activities are mostly boating or mokoro plus some walking. We generally recommend at least two nights at a water camp on any Delta visit, and packing warm clothing for winter — it can feel colder than expected out on the water.
Makgadikgadi Region
Not a single pan but many pans interspersed with sandy desert, covering roughly 16,000 square kilometres (around 6,200 square miles) in the Kalahari basin — the bed of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. The largest pans, Sowa and Ntwetwe, are surrounded by smaller pans; north of these lie Kudiakam, Nxai and Kaucaca Pans. The Boteti River forms the main "permanent" water and a natural western border.
Landmarks: Kubu Island, a rocky granite outcrop on Sowa Pan studded with ancient baobabs and considered sacred by local communities; and Nxai Pan National Park, home to Baines' Baobabs — painted by explorer Thomas Baines in 1862 and said to look much as they did then, though this is a claim worth confirming rather than a verified fact.
Signature activities: quad-biking on the open pans, San cultural walks, habituated meerkat encounters, and sleeping out under an open sky on the pan itself.
Access: charter flights from Maun and most northern Botswana camps; the region can otherwise be reached by 4x4, with very little exception.
The Boteti River Region
Forms the natural western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans, flowing from the Okavango Delta via the Thamalakane River near Maun before terminating at Ntwetwe Pan.
For much of the twentieth century the river ran dry for long stretches. Stronger Delta floods in recent decades restored a more regular seasonal flow, transforming the area into one of Botswana's most important dry-season wildlife corridors. It is sometimes described as the endpoint of a "new" zebra migration and as one of Africa's longest land-mammal migrations — both claims are repeated widely on the trade circuit but are not independently sourced, so hold them loosely with clients.
Botswana, in the fieldPrefer to go region by region?
Twenty-eight regions, each with its own page: what it feels like, what you will see and which camps suit it best.
The Okavango Delta
Chobe & the North
The Kalahari
Makgadikgadi & the Salt Pans
Beyond Botswana: Victoria Falls and Hwange are natural extensions to the northern circuit.
Zimbabwe & Victoria FallsYour Botswana story starts here.
Whether you have a particular safari in mind or are only beginning to dream about Africa, we can help you turn that idea into a remarkable journey.
Choose one of our selected safari packages or let us create an itinerary around your travel dates, interests and budget.