Email Nicola Cappelletti | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic wildlife, great landscapes but a bit too crowdy.
Email Laurie Mulrine | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We found Botswana an excellent country to visit as an independent traveller. We entered at Ngoma border crossing in the north. The custom staff were friendly and there was no visa charge, unlike Namibia and Zimbabwe. It was then possible to drive through Chobe National Park on the tarred road to Kasane and incorporate some game viewing on the way. We saw Elephant and Southern Ground Hornbills easily from this road. Roads generally in Botswana are excellent, with the main routes now tarred. It is possible to drive long distances, as a result. We travelled from Kasane to Francistown; Francistown to Gabarone and Gabarone to Kimberley in South Africa, in day trips with relative ease in a small two wheeled drive car. Four wheeled drive may be necessary, if you were intending to go to other game parks, particularly those of a sandy nature ( e.g. Kgalagadi and the Kalahari). This would be costly in car hire and petrol. It would probably be cheaper to fly to Maun, say from Johannesburg, and organise car hire from there.
Botswana was a very friendly country. I never felt in danger, and everyone was always happy to help you out. We camped at numerous locations throughout the country and never had an issue. Beautiful scenery and wonderful people! and so many elephants!!
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outside of the Delta Botswana is a dry country of flat, bush-covered semi-arid terrain. We didn't travel the southern parts of the country that are pure desert, but I expect that the scenery there is equally stark. This kind of country has real beauty but can easily get monotonous because there is little variety.
Email James R Rye | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana is an excellent safari destination, there are easy safari's such as the one in Chobe where the roads are easily passable and the wildlife is plentiful. You can also do more challenging safaris such as the one in Makagadikgadi where there are fewer tourists and the roads are quite sandy. Botswana has a reputation for being expensive and whilst there are many luxury lodges, it is possible to do the holiday on a budget. Our biggest expenses were the flights and car hire.
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We only visited the north and west but the contrast between Chobe and the Okavango was quite marked and the two really complemented one another.
Email Iain in Pagham | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A vast range of habitats - we visited the Kalahari, Okavango Delta and Chobe all three were entirely different but captivating. Botswana is quieter and you feel more at one with nature as there aren't the hordes of vans viewing every Cheetah or Leopard you come across, you really are out in the country but feel totally safe, well fed and watered.
Email Jennifer Baird | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I have now been to several spots in South Africa and Botswana. I can highly recommend Botswana - particularily the Okavango, Chobe River, Moremi and Makgadikgadi Pans. Each area has its own beauty - even at the end of dry season. The wildlife is rich. Camping wild is thrilling. The people are lovely. And if you are a meat eater - Botswana has the best beef in Africa!
Central Kalahari is so spacious and dry that animals are spread widely. The other parks however have more density of all kind of animals, also as a result of more water.
Botswana is a beautiful, unique and incredible place to visit. It is also probably the safest and friendliest holiday destination in Africa, which is a bonus.