Adam & Meghan
We’ve always been firm believers here at Bold Travel that a photo is worth a thousand words. However, after our recent 7-day Botswana Adventurer safari we’re convinced these photos are worth far more than 1,000 words. From Chobe National Park and Savute to Moremi, the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi salt pans, Botswana is one of the most raw, wild and exciting places we have ever visited. But you don’t need take our word for it – we’ll let the pictures do the talking.
A most surreal moment watching the king and queen of the jungle mate in Chobe National Park Savute.
Picture perfect lineup of three zebras on the savanna of Chobe National Park.
The gorgeous and unmistakeable lilac-breasted roller, Botswana’s national bird, painted in seven different colors.
The awkwardly graceful giraffe carries his neck full of tickbirds across the delta.
A chance encounter with the great predator hyena during our stay at Khwai Community Camp north of Moremi.
Watching the sun rise over our campsite during our final breakfast at the Makgadikgadi salt pans.
Exploring Chapman’s mighty prehistoric baobab trees, also known as the seven sisters.
Watching an enormous elephant coat himself in a thick layer of clay to protect his skin from the sun.
Being escorted up the mighty Okavango Delta in our wood mokoro boat.
An aggravated hippo makes his presence known as we watch from our mokoro boats on the Mekong Delta.
A Cape Griffon vulture waits patiently on his perch.
Visitors at our campsite in Khwai community tented camp.
The incredible cloud covered skies on our drive to Moremi Game Reserve.
This cape buffalo keeps guard as his clan crosses the road in front of our safari truck.
A majestic and mesmerizing sunset watching the great lions of Chobe National Park.
If You Go: Botswana Adventurer Safari
What: Oh Botswana – blessed with some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth, this is a land abundant in unforgettable animal encounters, friendly people and untamed natural beauty. The Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park and Makgadikgadi salt pans are just a few of Botswana’s prize jewels.
Where: Botswana is a land-locked country located in Southern Africa to the north of South Africa, to the east of Namibia and to the west of Zimbabwe. The nation is rich in biodiversity, a state they intend to maintain with 45% of their total lands being protected. Botswana’s northern parks and reserves are typically reached via the cities of Maun or Kasane or by transfer from Victoria Falls (either Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe). Most flights into Botswana originate from Johannesburg, South Africa.
When: The best time to visit Botswana’s northern game parks is from May to September, during the dry winter season and winter, when temperatures are more moderate. In addition, the Okavango is flooded from June to October allowing for more wildlife and long mokoro rides up the delta. Note that if you plan to travel during Botswana’s winter be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes as early mornings and evenings will be chilly. We’d highly suggest neck gators to cover your face if you are traveling in an open-air car as we did.
How: There are any number of ways to explore Botswana, though most come at a lofty price tag. Though we typically opt for a self-drive safari (as we had in Namibia and South Africa) we were less confident for Botswana given the state of the sandy roads and bureaucracy with booking campsites and park permits directly ourselves. So instead we organized our 7D/6N mobile participation safari through Okavango Expeditions (also dba Lewis Safaris). Their Botswana Adventurer safari is one of the cheapest we found for a week in Botswana and was totally worth it for the minor amount of work it required including washing dishes, pitching tent and packing the trailer to be able to see the best that Botswana has to offer in one week.
Cost: US$1150 per person