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Caitlin
US
Visited:
January 2008
Reviewed: Aug 15, 2012
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana was definitely more remote feeling and wild that what I'm used to (and I grew up in rural America). I saw animals all the time while I traveled Botswana. The people were really kind as well.
A land of rich grassland, varied wildlife and clear water but dusty houses.
From the lush vegetation of the Okavango, we drove south east into drier scrubland and were disappointed at seeing our next campsite in Chobe, a barren dustbowl with the basic of amenities. But we were rewarded later that day by a spectacular safari on riverboats as we got really close up to wildebeest, large herds of elephants, cape buffalo and a myriad
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of birds, all while sipping gin and tonics.We saw a huge variety of wildlife while camping in well kept campgrounds.
Was Buf., Now Was.
US
Visited:
March 2011
Reviewed: Nov 4, 2011
Email Was Buf., Now Was. | 20-35 years of age
I've only been to two parks, and both have been in Botswana (Mokolodi and Chobe). You won't see big cats in either, but you will see elephants and more in Chobe. But in terms of what you can get around Gaborone, short of driving a few hours and dropping a big wad of cash at some bigger, more famous parks, you can't get better than Mokolodi. Botswana is safe, it's inexpensive, and it's not crowded with too many tourists. You'll be in a smaller park, but you may be all alone... we had only four people on our rhino visit, including the two of us. Last time, on a cheetah visit, it was just me and two others. Excellent!
Forsyth72
GB
Visited:
September 2007
Reviewed: Nov 4, 2011
35-50 years of age
Out of the world safari, pure isolation and nature at its finest.
We undertook a mobile tented safari starting in the Okavanga Delta and ended with 3 nights at the Matesi Lodge in Zimbabwe. From start to finish this was a safari that would leave you wanting more and wanting to go back. All the people we met were helpful and friendly and wanted to ensure we had the best time ever. The mobile safari allowed us to be isolated from the general hustle of the safari vehicles and this gave you time and space to enjoy the surroundings. The guides are superb and extremely knowledgeable and they take time to ensure you get to see what you want to see. No mobile phone coverage and isolation from every day life gives you a sense of really being in with nature and this was priceless.
Ben Church Truro
GB
Visited:
August 2005
Reviewed: Oct 24, 2011
35-50 years of age
A cornucopia of wild delights stimulating all of the senses.
I was a leadre on a World Challenge Expedition with 15 17-18 year old students from Monmouth in the Wales, U.K. We were lucky enough to go on several safaris and saw a huge amount of wildlife everywhere we went, especially in Chobe and on the Okavango Delta. We were blessed with good weather and really enjoyed camping out and eating delicious steak cooked on a mahogany BBQ. I particularly enjoyed the photographic opportunities, both on Safari and when visiting the Elephant Sanctuary at Livingstone and Victoria Falls. One of the highlights of our trip was the extremely rewarding voluntary work we did for the Bana Ba Metsi School for troubled boys on the Okavango Delta. I would recommend Botswana to pretty much anyone (especially the more adventurous!) as an exciting and beautiful destination.
Helen Wright
US
Visited:
May 2007
Reviewed: Oct 20, 2011
20-35 years of age
Botswana: awe inspiring landscapes, thrills of jeep safari and relaxation on the river.
When I first arrived in Botswana I was blown away by just how all-encompassing the deep blue sky was; it enveloped me. I felt as if I had stepped out of a plane and in to the Garden of Eden. It really was picture perfect. This natural beauty combined with the pulse racing thrills of jeep safaris and the tranquil early morning mokoro trips really made it a holiday to remember. There was plenty of wildlife to see and the game drives were made all the merrier with scenic stops for a sun down gin & tonic. A must is taking a cessnar flight over the Okavango Delta to really appreciate this vast expanse from a different perspective. I stayed at Camp Moremi and Kwai River Lodge, both lovely accommodations with attentative staff and delicious food. If you are thinking about a safari, Botswana really does offer a diverse experience in the wilderness.
freefie
US
Visited:
October 2009
Reviewed: Oct 18, 2011
20-35 years of age
The most beautiful country I never thought I'd visit!
Unlike other countries in Africa for safari trips, tourism in Botswana is somewhat more exclusive, albeit growing. Our camps were luxurious and small, with the staff outnumbering the guests--in some cases by 5:1. We used Wilderness Safaris for our two camps in Botswana and the accomodations were exquisite for being in the bush; the staff knowledgeable, friendly, and professional; and the food was top-notch. We visited both the Savuti Channel and Okavango Delta, both of which were amazing. The Delta was absolutely
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awe-inspiring, and after having 2 weeks of land-based safaris through South Africa and the Savuti Channel, it was thrilling to have a safari on the water (including one afternoon in a traditional Makoro). We saw a wide variety of game, even spent an entire hour just watching a Cheetah. There was rarely another vehicle in sight, unlike in Kenya or other popular places where if you spot rare game, you suddenly are surrounded by 10 more jeeps filled with spectators. The birds in Botswana were amazing--it's where I fell in love with the Malachite Kingfisher.I travel quite a bit and rarely do I find a place that I yearn to visit time and time again. Botswana is one of the places. Magic, beautiful, dreamy. Visit if you have the chance.
Patrick Smith
Visited:
May 2001
Reviewed: Oct 12, 2011
The Safari Defined
Texas-sized Botswana forms the wedge-shaped heart of southern Africa, resting like a pocketed jewel amidst South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
It's peaceful, prosperous, and splendidly beautiful. Over thirty percent of Botswana's territory -- more than any other nation on earth -- has been set apart as protected parkland, guarded against poaching by a military that fortunately has little else to do. And it's here where you'll find nothing less than the planet's most superb safari opportunities.
The government encourages high-cost but low-impact tourism, avoiding the commercialization of places like Kenya and Tanzania, where vanloads of package tourists converge on animals and battle for the best view.
This is the closest you'll find to the Africa you imagined as a child -- wild and untouched.
Botswana is a beautiful place just teeming with wildlife and birds.
Our vehicles went off in different directions each day but if an unusual siting occurred our guide used a radio to tell the other guides.
We didn't see other tourists since we were not staying in lodges. We were all by ourselves. Our food was wonderful and I still marvel at how they were able to cook such delicious meals. The weather was perfect. Cold
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in the morning and evening but very warm during the day so we came back into camp after lunch to shower and such and went back out at 3pm. We had very primative camps but that made it fun. I highly recommend Botswana. It is an amazing place and the people were very friendly.
Kelly Cheng
SG
Visited:
June 2007
Reviewed: Oct 12, 2011
35-50 years of age
Breathtaking Okavango, like a painting!
The aerial view of Okavango Delta was unexpectedly breathtaking. The patterns made by the islands, waterways, vegetations were like a constantly changing large canvas of painting by nature. It was a sheer joy watching giraffes, herds of elephants and buffaloes wading in the water.
I had 2 nights of bush camping, coming and going by the local canoes called mokoros. During the bush walks, we had to keep a safe distance from animals, so we could not get as close to them as in a vehicle. A pangolin visited our camp site at night.
We didn't feel very safe in a camp site in Maun. We were told to keep all our belongings in the truck, just had only the necessities in our tents. We were told that tents were slashed and stuff stolen in the middle of the night previously.
The river safari was a special experience, to watch herds of elephants, crocodiles, hippos and buffaloes by the river bank from the water. The land safari was less impressive though.