How far in advance should I book?

6-12 months for dry season (May-October), 3-6 months for wet season. Popular camps and best mobile safari operators sell out early, especially for July-September peak season.

Can I self-drive instead of flying between camps?

Yes, but requires 4WD experience and adds significant time. Maun to delta camps can take 3-5 hours on rough roads. Self-drive works better for Chobe, which has proper park roads.

What's the difference between permanent camps and mobile safaris?

Permanent camps offer luxury tented accommodations with private bathrooms and set locations. Mobile safaris move campsites every few days, use shared facilities, but access more remote areas at lower cost.

Is malaria a serious concern?

Northern Botswana including Okavango Delta is malaria area year-round. Risk is lower in dry season but prophylaxis recommended. Chobe area has seasonal risk. Consult travel medicine doctor.

How much should I tip guides and staff?

Standard is $10-15 per person per day for guides, $5-10 per person per day for camp staff, given as lump sum at departure. Many camps provide tipping guidelines and envelopes.

How to Plan a Botswana Safari Itinerary

Plan 7-10 days minimum with 2-3 camps to experience Botswana's diverse ecosystems. Book 6-12 months ahead, especially for dry season (May-October). Budget $800-1500 per person per day for premium camps, or $200-400 for mobile camping safaris.

Choose your season. Dry season (May-October) offers best game viewing as animals concentrate around water sources, but costs 30-40% more. Wet season (November-April) brings lush landscapes, baby animals, and better prices, but some areas become inaccessible.
Select 2-3 key areas maximum. Don't try to see everything. Chobe National Park for elephants, Okavango Delta for water-based game viewing, and Central Kalahari for desert wildlife work well together. Allow minimum 2 nights per location to justify flight transfers.
Book internal flights early. Light aircraft connect safari camps and cost $150-300 per flight. Book through your safari operator or directly with airlines like Mack Air. Weight limits are strict: 20kg soft bags only.
Choose accommodation style. Luxury permanent camps offer all-inclusive packages at $1200-2000 per person per night. Mobile camping safaris cost $300-600 per person per day including meals and activities. Self-drive with camping saves money but requires 4WD experience.
Plan arrival and departure buffer. Fly into Maun or Kasane. Book one night before safari start and after safari end to account for potential flight delays. Both towns have decent hotels for $80-150 per night.
Book activities in advance. Most camps include morning and afternoon game drives. Add-ons like mokoro trips ($50-80), night drives ($60-100), or helicopter flights ($400-600) book up quickly, especially in dry season.

How far in advance should I book?: 6-12 months for dry season (May-October), 3-6 months for wet season. Popular camps and best mobile safari operators sell out early, especially for July-September peak season.
Can I self-drive instead of flying between camps?: Yes, but requires 4WD experience and adds significant time. Maun to delta camps can take 3-5 hours on rough roads. Self-drive works better for Chobe, which has proper park roads.
What's the difference between permanent camps and mobile safaris?: Permanent camps offer luxury tented accommodations with private bathrooms and set locations. Mobile safaris move campsites every few days, use shared facilities, but access more remote areas at lower cost.
Is malaria a serious concern?: Northern Botswana including Okavango Delta is malaria area year-round. Risk is lower in dry season but prophylaxis recommended. Chobe area has seasonal risk. Consult travel medicine doctor.
How much should I tip guides and staff?: Standard is $10-15 per person per day for guides, $5-10 per person per day for camp staff, given as lump sum at departure. Many camps provide tipping guidelines and envelopes.