Botswana is really natural africa in my eyes, with many many animals and wonderful people!
US
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.
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Botswana remains quite untouched like other more accessible parts of Africa. The Okovango really is special and unique and the true old school safari takes you into another sense of time. Large elephant herds are common and the concentration of game generally surpasses those seen in other parts of Southern Africa.
East Africa is special in its own way, but is spoilt by higher costs and mandatory chaperoning.
US
Email David Sullivan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Botswana felt exotic, with lots of wildlife easily seen, even just driving through town! The people are pleasant, and I never felt unsafe at any time.
It's hard not to love the place...
BR
Email Marcus Abreu de Magalhaes | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best thing for animal viewing is that in Botswana they don't allow too many tourists and the drivers must keep on track. Because of that you will see a better preserved region of Africa. On others countries you will find better prices, but lots of tourists and not so scenic drives.
CH
Email Georg Treptow | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Drive slowly or you might hit an elephant turning around a corner, careful when getting out of the car as lions and leopards are many in numbers inside all the parks.
The only thing we did not see were rhinos and cheetas, everything else was present.
It is the most wonderful country for lovers of wildlife with the greatest variety imaginable.
FI
50-65 years of age
No hassle - no self-drivers/campers, unspoiled nature and lots of game to spot.
US
35-50 years of age
Botswana was beautiful, wild, warm and true
Camping our way through several Botswanan and Zimbabwean parks was one of the most transformative journeys I have ever made. (And I have traveled). The land has a sense of immensity that is humbling and awe-inspiring. The camping was very basic, with no modern amenities or fences, so the feeling of being in the wild, versus watching a performance of the wild, was complete. The guide was truly learned and local: A dedicated naturalist not a tour guide. And the camp hands were amazing. Warm, knowledgeable, friendly, and excellent cooks given one pot and a fire. The wildlife. What can you say? I was perpetually transfixed, even when rooted to the spot with terror (a face-off with a Bull elephant and hyenas raiding the cool box in our truck come to mind). The cats (the big drawcard for me) were astounding. Many lions, a close-up with a leopard in a tree above us, and a dusk sighting of two cooperating cheetahs hunting. At night we saw a serval, so incredibly hard to spot and very high on my list. Crossing into Victoria Falls was wonderful: despite the woes of its country, a town and a people so warm, funny, smart and welcoming. And I was surprised by the quality of the wildlife there, too (as well as the white water rafting and nightlife). Botswana and Zimbabwe are countries that will sear images onto your retina and memories into your mind, and and these things conspire over the years to produce a kind of soul-magic not easily found in other places. They call you back to Africa.
