Luxury Botswana safaris

All Wilderness camps are fully inclusive. Your rate covers all game activities (game drives, guided walks, boat trips or mokoro excursions where applicable), all meals and drinks including house wines, beers and spirits, laundry, and park fees. Excluded are items such as gratuities, spa treatments, curio purchases, and premium spirits or wines. Airport transfers between camp and the relevant airstrip are included where Wilderness Air operates the route.

Minimum age requirements vary by camp. At most Wilderness properties children aged 6 and above are welcome when booking exclusive use of a camp and vehicle or travelling as a family group. Several camps — including Vumbura Plains, and Qorokwe — have no minimum age restriction for families travelling privately. Activity restrictions (e.g. walking safaris, mokoro and boating excursions) carry their own age minimums set by regional park authorities. Speak with your Wilderness Travel Designer to confirm suitability for your children's ages.

Most Wilderness camps are accessed by light aircraft — typically a 1–2 hour flight from the nearest international gateway (Maun, Windhoek, Kigali, Nairobi, Lusaka or Harare). Wilderness Air operates scheduled safari circuits in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Rwanda, connecting camps with international airports. Transfers are included in your stay for Wilderness Air routes. Your Travel Designer will arrange all in-country logistics.

Wilderness recommends neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) for safari activities — avoid bright colours and white. Pack layers: mornings and evenings can be cool year-round in most regions. Include a wide-brim hat, good sunscreen, quality binoculars, and a camera.

Many camps have a weight limit of 15kg (33lb soft bag only) for light aircraft transfers. Full packing lists are provided in your pre-departure documentation.

The optimal season varies by destination and what you want to see. As a general guide: Botswana's dry season (May to October) delivers peak wildlife concentration. Your Wilderness specialist can advise based on your priorities.

Wilderness operates under strict safety protocols developed over 40 years in the African bush. Guides are fully trained and licensed in wilderness first aid and wildlife safety. All camps maintain satellite communication and emergency evacuation procedures. The areas Wilderness operates in are private concessions, remote from tourist crowds, and consistently safe for guests. As with any wildlife encounter, guests follow guide instructions at all times in the bush.

Wilderness24 is our proprietary response capability internal and commitment to your wellbeing. This integrated risk management function, managed from within the business, involves internal experts and dedicated partners to ensure that if any unexpected situation arises, it is handled swiftly and seamlessly.

Wilderness camps are in the premium segment of African safari. Rates are fully inclusive (all meals, drinks, activities) and typically range from USD1,000 to USD4,000+ per person per night depending on camp, season, and configuration. Ultra-exclusive properties such as Little Mombo, The Sanctuary at Mombo, or The Sanctuary at Bisate sit at the higher end. Peak season (July to October in most regions) commands higher rates than green season. Contact a Wilderness Travel Designer for a personalised quote.

Every Wilderness camp directly contributes funds to conservation through a dedicated conservation innitiative, the Wilderness Trust. Wilderness also runs community partnerships in every region it operates — from community trusts in Botswana and Namibia to reforestation programmes in Rwanda. 

A Botswana safari typically costs between $800 and $4,500 per person per night, depending on the camp, season, and level of exclusivity. This price is all-inclusive — covering accommodation, all meals, game activities, and often park fees and light aircraft transfers between camps. A full 7–10 night fly-in safari across two or three camps usually ranges from $12,000 to $30,000 per person. Botswana deliberately operates a high-value, low-volume tourism model, which means fewer visitors and a far more exclusive experience than most other African destinations.

June to October is peak season — the dry winter months when wildlife concentrates around permanent water sources and vegetation is sparse, making animals easier to spot. The Okavango Delta floods between July and September, transforming into a water wonderland ideal for mokoro excursions and boat safaris. The green season (November to April) brings dramatic storms, lush landscapes, and newborn wildlife, often at lower rates and with fewer visitors. Botswana rewards year-round, but your ideal time depends on the region and experience you prioritise.

Botswana and Kenya offer fundamentally different safari experiences — the choice comes down to exclusivity, landscape, and budget. Botswana's private concession model strictly limits vehicle numbers, meaning you may track a pride of lions for hours without seeing another vehicle. Kenya's Masai Mara, while extraordinary for the Great Migration, can be busy at peak times. For the ultimate in privacy and pristine wilderness, Botswana is hard to match. For the spectacle of the wildebeest migration, Kenya is unrivalled.

Most international travellers fly into Maun or Kasane via Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport), which serves as the main Southern African hub. From Maun — the gateway to the Okavango Delta — Wilderness Air operates light aircraft transfers to remote camps across the Delta and Linyanti, typically taking 20 to 60 minutes. Botswana offers visa-free entry for citizens of most countries for stays of up to 90 days.

A minimum of seven nights is recommended to do Botswana justice — this allows time to experience at least two different ecosystems, such as the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti. Many guests opt for 10–14 nights, combining three camps across different regions to experience the full range of habitats and wildlife. The longer you stay, the more the rhythm of the bush reveals itself.

Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in the world — with some herds numbering in the hundreds — alongside lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and buffalo. The Okavango Delta supports rare species such as the sitatunga antelope and Pel's fishing owl, while the Linyanti's river systems draw massive elephant concentrations during the dry season. Botswana is one of Africa's best destinations for African wild dog sightings, with thriving packs across the Okavango and Linyanti concessions. Four of the Big Five are reliably encountered.

A fly-in safari means travelling between remote camps by light aircraft rather than road — the standard way to experience Botswana, given the vast distances between concessions. Wilderness Air connects Maun with all Wilderness camps across the Delta, Linyanti, and Mababe, with flight times of 20 to 60 minutes. Flying in allows guests to combine multiple ecosystems in a single trip and reach camps that would be inaccessible overland. The aerial perspective over the Okavango Delta — its labyrinth of channels and floodplains stretching to the horizon — is itself one of Botswana's great safari moments.

Botswana is widely considered one of Africa's safest and most politically stable countries, with a strong rule of law and low crime rates. Wilderness camps sit within remote private concessions with no public access. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most safari regions, and standard travel vaccinations should be current before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date.

All Wilderness camps in Botswana are fully inclusive — accommodation, all meals and beverages (including local spirits, wines, and beers), and all scheduled game activities such as game drives, mokoro excursions, walking safaris, and boat safaris. Park and concession fees are included, as is laundry. The main additional costs are international and regional flights, Wilderness Air transfers between camps, and any premium extras such as helicopter flights or spa treatments.

Luggage must be in soft-sided bags with no wheels or hard shells — a total weight limit of 20 kg (44 lbs) including hand luggage applies on all light aircraft flights. Pack neutral, muted colours: khaki, olive, sand, and grey. Avoid white, which is highly visible to wildlife, and dark blue or black, which attract tsetse flies. Layering is essential — mornings and evenings in the bush can be cold even in summer. Most camps offer a daily laundry service, so three or four days of clothing is plenty regardless of trip length.

Yes, Botswana is one of Africa's finest family safari destinations, particularly for families with children aged 6 and above. Wilderness operates several family-configured camps across the Okavango Delta and Linyanti — including Chitabe Lediba and Linyanti Tented Camp — where younger guests join game drives, guided nature walks and, where conditions allow, mokoro experiences.

Safaris take place in private concessions with no other vehicles at sightings, so guides can move at a pace that works for every age. With 160+ mammal species and 600+ bird species there is always something to discover. Most families combine two or three camps over 7–10 nights. For full guidance on camp suitability, activities and age policies, see our dedicated Botswana family safari page.

Botswana is one of Africa's finest photography safari destinations.

Private concessions mean no competing vehicles at sightings, giving photographers the time and space to compose properly. The Okavango Delta's year-round water creates exceptional reflections and opportunities for water-level photography from mokoros and boats. Key subjects include Linyanti's legendary elephant herds — among the largest concentrations in Africa — wild dog packs, big cats and the elusive Pel's fishing owl. All Wilderness guides are experienced in
supporting photographers with positioning and light awareness. The dry season (June to October) delivers concentrated, high-contrast sightings; the green season (November to April) offers dramatic skies, breeding plumage and lush landscape colour. See our dedicated Botswana photo safari page for full details on the best camps, seasons and photographic subjects.

A Botswana safari package combines flights, light aircraft transfers between camps, accommodation, all meals, drinks, game activities and conservation fees into a single, transparent itinerary — no hidden costs on safari.

All Wilderness Botswana camps are fully inclusive: twice-daily game drives or water activities, guided walking safaris, park fees and most beverages are covered in the nightly rate from approximately $800 per person per night. Most guests combine two or three camps across different ecosystems — such as the Okavango Delta and Linyanti — over 7–14 nights, routing via Johannesburg or Cape Town. Every itinerary is built around your dates, interests and group size by a dedicated safari specialist. To explore suggested routes, see our Botswana safari itineraries page.

Botswana currently offers visa-free travel to all countries for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave Botswana.

If you are travelling to Botswana from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We advise our guests to also have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine and a hepatitis A vaccine. 

Depending on where you travel in Botswana, you may require malaria medication. Please consult your GP or travel consultant before departure.

The official currency used in Botswana is the Pula. USD, Euros, UK Pounds and South African Rands are also accepted. Major international credit cards are accepted at most hotels and there are also ATMs available throughout Botswana, dispensing local currency.

Botswana shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT).

MasterCard and Visa (both with raised credit card numbers so that an imprint may be taken) are usually accepted throughout Botswana, including Wilderness camps. American Express is accepted in some instances. However, Diners Club is not accepted.

Please note that debit cards are not accepted as a form of payment at our camps/lodges.

220V multi-plug adaptor points are provided in our rooms which can be used to charge batteries, mobile devices and sleep apnoea machines. We also supply universal charging points in our safari camps. It is advisable to bring an additional adaptor as a back-up for any other hotels or properties you may be travelling to.

Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It’s bordered by South Africa to the south and east, Namibia to the west and Zimbabwe to the east.

Botswana is home to the world's largest concentration of African elephants and other iconic African wildlife. The beautiful Okavango Delta, the vast Kalahari Desert and the game-rich Linyanti. As well as warm, wonderful people and thrilling adventures by vehicle, air and on foot. All combine to make Botswana an unforgettable holiday.

Setswana is the main local language, but English is widely spoken, especially in all Wilderness camps.

Our Botswana camps offer varying amenities, but you can always expect to find thoughtfully designed spaces that balance comfort with a deep sense of place. Amenities include spacious tented suites with indoor and outdoor showers, private decks with panoramic views, and bespoke furnishings inspired by the surrounding landscape. You can also expect plunge pools, wellness treatments, and private dining at select camps. 

Wilderness DumaTau has its own dedicated wellness space, Osprey Retreat, with a tranquil view over Osprey Lagoon, where you can choose from a range of massages and beauty treatments, or make use of the fully-equipped gym.

The Sanctuary at Wilderness Mombo is another dedicated wellness space that complements the grounding experience of your Mombo safari, with its own fully equipped gym, lap pool, saunas, cold-immersion facilities, and treatment rooms. The Sanctuary offers a range of facials, massages and healing therapies inspired by African traditions, brought to you by two leading wellness brands: TheraNaka and Esse.