Tour Company: Dav safaris
Website: www.davsafaris.com
Email: info@davsafaris.com
On Botswana Safari tours, you experience the Okavango Delta by mokoro canoe, spot large elephant herds on the Chobe River, and search for nocturnal animals on Kalahari night drives. You can also ride horses through floodplains or walk across the vast salt flats of Makgadikgadi. Each Botswana Safari tours adventure offers a different landscape and activity, keeping your trip varied and wildlife-focused.
1. Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
A mokoro (dugout canoe) trip through the Okavango Delta is a quiet adventure on your Botswana Safari tours. You glide through narrow water channels with a local poler pushing from the back. You see hippos, crocodiles, and elephants drinking at the water's edge. The silence lets you approach animals without disturbing them. You stop on a small island for a walking safari to see tracks and smaller wildlife. This activity works best from June to August when water levels are high. Most Botswana Safari tours include a mokoro trip as a half-day add-on. Wear a hat and sunscreen. No experience needed.
2. Chobe River Boat Safari
Chobe River holds the largest elephant herds in Africa, often 200 to 300 animals coming to drink at once. A boat safari on your Botswana Safari tours puts you at water level with these giants. You also see hippos surfacing close to your boat, crocodiles basking on sandbanks, and buffalo crossing the river. Birds like African fish eagles and kingfishers dive for food right in front of you. The boat moves without engine noise, so wildlife stays calm. This trip lasts 2 to 3 hours and runs in the afternoon when animals come to drink. Your Botswana Safari tours should include Chobe River for the best water-based wildlife viewing.
3. Night Drive in the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert comes alive after dark. A night drive on your Botswana Safari tours uses a spotlight to find nocturnal animals like aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, porcupines, and springhares. You also see lions hunting on the open plains under moonlight. The guide drives slowly on sandy tracks while a spotter scans the bushes. Night drives last about 2 hours and start at 7 PM. You must book this in advance because only park rangers lead it. The cool night air feels good after a hot day. Many Botswana Safari tours travelers say night drives show them animals they never expected to see. Bring a warm jacket.
4. Horseback Safari in the Okavango Delta
A horseback safari gives you a silent way to move through the Delta on your Botswana Safari tours. Horses make almost no noise compared to vehicles, so zebras, giraffes, and antelope do not run away. You ride through shallow floodplains and dry islands, covering more ground than walking. Guides adjust the pace to your comfort level—beginners walk slowly, experienced riders can trot on open sections. Rides last 2 to 3 hours. This activity is not for everyone you need basic riding confidence for your Botswana Safari tours horseback trip. Wear long pants and closed shoes. No special gear needed. Available from lodges like Macatoo Camp.
5. Walking Safari in the Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are vast salt flats as far as you can see. A walking safari here on your Botswana Safari tours takes you across the white crust with a guide who explains how this ancient lake dried up. You see meerkats standing on their hind legs, springbok jumping across the flats, and brown hyena tracks in the dust. The walk is easy on flat ground and lasts 2 to 3 hours. You stop at a baobab tree believed to be 4,000 years old. This is not a typical game walk, but it gives your Botswana Safari tours a unique landscape you will not find anywhere else. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. No special fitness needed.
How to get to Botswana Safari tours
To start your Botswana Safari tours, fly into Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK) via Johannesburg (South African Airways, Airlink) or Cape Town. Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta, while Kasane serves Chobe National Park. From either airport, your tour operator provides a 4x4 vehicle, light aircraft transfer, or boat pickup. Self-drive is possible but requires a 4x4 and advance bookings for campsites. Most Botswana Safari tours include airport transfers in their package
Best time to go for Botswana Safari tours
The best time for Botswana Safari tours is the dry season from June to October. Animals gather around permanent water sources like the Chobe River and Okavango Delta, making wildlife easy to spot. Days are warm and sunny, with little to no rain. September and October are best for seeing elephants at Chobe. For green landscapes and birdwatching (November to March), your Botswana Safari tours cost less, but roads become muddy. Avoid December to February if you dislike heavy afternoon rains.