With so many magnificent wildlife areas to choose from, planning a Botswana Safari requires some difficult choices. Luckily it's easier with a bit of expert guidance. Here's how to plan the best Botswana Safari on a tight budget.
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The minimum Botswana Safari duration we recommend is 5 days. If possible stretch your time and budget to 7 days at least. This diverse and highly rewarding African safari destination is worth the extra investment.
Let's get planning, so you can enjoy your dream Botswana Safari on a budget!
Step one is to research where to go on your Botswana Safari and create a shortlist of your top places to visit.
Our favourite Botswana safari itineraries combine 3 of the county's finest destinations – Chobe, the Okavango Delta, and Makgadikgadi Pans. All three are located in northern Botswana, relatively close to each other. This makes it viable to visit all three on one safari trip, without breaking the bank.
The other top Botswana destination well worth considering is the Kalahari Desert. This one is a must for desert lovers, African culture enthusiasts, and those wanting to get away from it all.
The Chobe National Park area is Botswana's top game-viewing region. Safari activities in Chobe include 4x4 game drives and the scenic boat cruises Chobe is famous for. The Chobe Riverfront area is the most easily accessible and affordable section of Chobe National Park.
The best time to visit Chobe is during the dry season from about May to October. For the zebra migration in Savute and Linyanti, the best times are November to December and February to March.
The pristine Okavango Delta is the top wilderness area in Botswana, home to diverse wildlife and bird species. This is an incredibly beautiful part of Botswana, incorporating a range of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The camps on the fringes of the delta and in the Khwai River area are the easiest to access and usually more affordable.
This wetland region is best visited in winter when the lodges and camps are accessible, malaria risk is lower and temperatures are cooler. Aim for June to August or September to early November.
The vast complex of salt pans in northern Botswana is an unforgettable place to visit. Top activities include wild camping, seeing the zebra migration, raising a toast to the spectacular sunsets, and gazing at the starry night skies in awe. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans complex is easily accessible with several budget accommodation options and safari packages available.
The best time to visit Makgadikgadi Pan for some game and bird spotting is from late November to late March, in the wet season. If you want to catch the zebra migration in action, visit at the start or end of the rainy season.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in Botswana and one of the biggest in the world, covering a vast inland region. Top activities in the Kalahari Desert include wild camping, spotting rare animals and plants, and interacting with the ancient San people.
The best time to visit is from December to April when the Kalahari Desert is less dry.
Chobe and the Okavango Delta with a short stop at Makgadikgadi Pans is our winning combination of Botswana safari destinations. If your budget allows add Moremi Game Reserve (located in the delta) to this itinerary, as it can easily be included.
If time and budget allow, add the Kalahari Desert. Unless you're a desert fundi in which case the Kalahari is a must.
Which of these activities float your boat? Pick a few of your favourites to help you plan your safari.
Mekoro trips and scenic flights are typically the most expensive of the activities. These will take up more of your travel budget, but they are the two top Okavango Delta activities so try to fit them into your budget. You won't regret it!
Now that you have some ideas about where you want to go and what you want to do on safari in Botswana, it's time to check your budget.
A good way to crunch the numbers is to deduct your flight prices and extra costs from your overall travel budget and see what remains for your Botswana safari package. To get a sense of the costs involved, check out How Much Does a Botswana Safari Cost?
- Visa costs: free for citizens of the USA, UK, and selected countries and 30 USD for other countries / see the full list of countries
- Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations are recommended / CDC recommendations / None required (except for yellow fever in some cases which costs about 40 USD)
- Travel insurance costs: Depends on your age, the duration of your trip, and your medical history / A 7-Day Botswana Safari for a 40-year-old from the USA ranges from about
US$75 for standard cover to US$120 USD for more extensive cover.
- Flights: New York to Botswana from about $1000 / London to Botswana 840 GBP / Work with our expert flight partners to find the best flights and air ticket prices.
- Optional activities: Scenic Okavango Delta Flights (30 minutes to 1 hour) from $290 per person / Helicopter flights from $325 for 30 minutes to $640 for 60 minutes per person.
To estimate your overall travel budget, add your flight prices to the price of your safari. Then add your expenses for visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, and other extra expenses. Other expenses include optional activities, pre- and post-safari accommodation, certain meals, alcoholic drinks, and tips.
If you plan to visit Botswana during one of your scheduled school or work vacations then you probably have some defined date options. This makes planning a little simpler.
If you are retired, taking a gap year, or on sabbatical, then you'll have more flexibility to choose the dates that are best for your selected destinations, budget, and activities.
Either way, chat with us for guidance from one of our knowledgeable travel experts.
As noted at the start of this post, we recommend spending at least 5 to 7 days on safari in Botswana (remember you'll need to factor in travel days for your flights too when calculating the duration of your trip).
While planning your Botswana Safari you'll notice that there are different types of safaris. This variable has a big impact on your budget. The more exclusivity and luxury you want the higher your Botswana safari prices, as a general rule.
Before you compare Botswana Safaris take a moment to decide what safari styles are best for you and your companion/s. This is especially important for multi-generational family groups, older travellers, and couples wanting a romantic getaway.
Standard Camping Safaris and Africa Overland Tours are the most budget-friendly guided tour options. For large private groups, private safaris in Botswana can be very cost-effective too.
Africa Overland Tours are one of the most affordable ways to explore Botswana. Overland tours range from cheap camping to well-priced lodges, and excellent-value small-group, options. Camping overland tours are generally the cheapest safaris around and these typically travel in large groups by overland truck. The price of accommodated safaris varies widely depending on the lodges or tented camps used, along with the group size and other factors.
The safari you choose will depend not only on time and budget but also on who you are and what you want out of your Botswana safari experience. Are you a young and active traveller who wants to travel in a big group? Are you a mature traveller looking for some extra comfort? Are you going on a safari as a family with children? From large social group safaris with rustic accommodations to exclusive small group tours staying at remote luxury camps – there is a safari to suit every traveller!
The final and most important planning step is choosing the best safari for you and your travel companion/s.
It's time to use those lists of yours– 1) Top places you want to visit, 2) Bucket list activities, 3) Estimated budget, 4) Your travel dates and duration, and 5) Preferred travel styles.
Send us a message to have an African safari expert gather the best options for your needs and wants (at no extra cost). Simply pop your lists into our inquiry form and hit send.
Compare affordable Botswana Safari Tours or use our tour filter to narrow down your search by dates, duration, prices, top destinations, etc. Working with the budget and time you have for your Botswana Safari is a good place to start. You can search for safari tours based on price range and duration, from a few days in Botswana to two months across Southern and East Africa, including Botswana.
Search for Botswana Safaris online and compare the endless different options with various safari companies. Contact them for quotes and research them to check that they're legit and trustworthy.
Talk to one of our travel experts who specializes in tailor-made, custom safaris for private groups. Be it you and the love of your life, your family, colleagues, or friends, we can design your ideal Botswana safari on a budget.
Go ahead and book your Botswana safari!
If you're still not 100% sure about the safari you've chosen, chat with an African travel expert.
Note: This is a revised article that was first published in March 2014. The above article was updated in April 2023.