Personalized trips to Botswana
for independent travelers

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Travelers love kimkim

- ., traveled to in

Introducing Botswana

When is the best time to visit?
June to October is the dry season and the best time to view wildlife—animals are drawn to water sources, and low vegetation offers excellent visibility. Temperatures are moderate with cold mornings and evenings from June-August, while September and October are very hot (this is also when prices are highest). Rains can start as early as November, which makes for beautiful changes in the vegetation. The rainy season is in full swing from January through May, when you'll find hot, humid weather, and a drop in prices. 

Where should you go?
Chobe National Park is incredibly diverse in fauna and flora, covering thousands of square miles of savanna, marshland, and grasslands—along with the Chobe and Savuti Rivers. Chobe is known for its large short-tusked elephant population, along with other Southern Africa mammals like giraffe, wildebeest, and big cats. Taking a sunset cruise on the Chobe River in the northern part of the park is a highlight. You'll also want to visit the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, the largest inland river delta on earth—the best way to explore its islands and reeded banks is by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe. Other draws include the Savuti Channel, Nxai Pan, Linyanti Wetlands, and the Kalahari Desert.

How many days do you need?
In one week, travelers can combine 2 or 3 of Botswana's best regions. In a week, you can also combine a Chobe safari with a visit across the border to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia, or a few days in Cape Town, South Africa. For more, and to get off the beaten path with unique experiences, stay for two weeks.

Botswana Travel Insights

Okavango Delta
Map of Botswana Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 5 Days
Botswana Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 5 Days

Check out two of Botswana's top destinations on this five-day trip. You'll start with Chobe National Park, best known for its large herds of animals, particularly elephants, which you'll follow on safari walks and game drives. Keep going to the famous Okavango Delta, a floodplain full of wildlife most frequently viewed by boat or canoe safari amid the many channels.

Xugana Island Botswana
Map of Ultimate Safari in Botswana & Zimbabwe - 14 Days
Ultimate Safari in Botswana & Zimbabwe - 14 Days

This luxurious itinerary combines several iconic locations in Botswana and Zimbabwe—Okavango Delta, Savute, Chobe, and Victoria Falls. Your first week will be spent on safari in Botswana, with four days on the Zambezi Queen luxury riverboat.  From here, you'll be on your way to  Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls to see this world wonder, ending the journey with a different safari experience in Hwange National Park.

Botswana's majestic wildlife
Highlights of Botswana & Zimbabwe - 7 Days

This trip through Botswana and Zimbabwe lets you experience the highlights in a short time. In seven days, visit the lakes and lagoons of the world’s largest inland delta, watch game from a boat in the Chobe National Park, and be amazed by the beautiful Victoria Falls, the largest sheet of falling water in the world. There will be plenty of time for adventure activities, if you wish, as well as relaxation.

Overlooking Chobe River in Botswana
Map of Explore Botswana: Okavango Delta & Chobe Trail -7 Days
Explore Botswana: Okavango Delta & Chobe Trail -7 Days

Prepare to enter the Okavango Delta in Botswana—one of the world’s most unique wilderness areas. Follow the hippo trails in dugout mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) and join your guide on nature walks to discover the islands. You'll head up to Chobe National Park, where you'll watch the African sunset from the comfort of your river cruise, and experience a close encounter with hippo and elephants. Your tour ends in Zimbabwe and the spectacular Victoria Falls, where you can take part in several available adrenaline activities.

Elephant on game drive
Map of Explore Botswana: Okavango, Makgadikgadi Pans, & Chobe Safari - 7 Days
Explore Botswana: Okavango, Makgadikgadi Pans, & Chobe Safari - 7 Days

This 7-day Botswana safari encompasses the diversity of northern Botswana's Makgadikgadi National Park, with the enchanting wilderness that is the Okavango Delta. You'll visit the Makgadikgadi Pans and end the adventure on the Chobe River—aboard a luxury houseboat. This unique experience allows you to witness abundant wildlife, excellent birding, and experiencing a breathtaking wilderness feel.

Gamespotting in Chobe
Map of Botswana Family Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 10 Days
Botswana Family Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta - 10 Days

Safari through three separate zones of Botswana on this family-friendly route. You'll start off amidst the herds in Chobe National Park, known for its elephant population, then fly down to the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. This lush ecosystem is bustling with flora and fauna, and you'll take them in from both western Moremi and your final stop on the Pom Pom Lagoon on the delta's eastern side.

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Botswana
Travel specialist Lize Enderstein
active 21 hours ago

Lize Enderstein

I work as a senior consultant for African Travel Gateway and have 18 years of experience in the travel industry. We plan, book and implement tailor-made holidays for our clients that fit within...

read more...
Travel specialist Petru van Zyl
active 22 mins ago

Petru van Zyl

I started in the travel industry in August 1998 and have 25 years experience as a travel consultant. I am a senior consultant who specializes in FIT travel, group travel, VIP clients, luxury...

read more...
Travel specialist Esther Ruempol
active 9 mins ago

Esther Ruempol

Travelling and discovering new places is one of the things I love most in life, and the best part is to share these special places with our travellers. Our goal as a local specialist is to design...

read more...
Travel specialist Anna-marie Mocke
active 19 mins ago

Anna-marie Mocke

As a South African who loves my country, the out-door, food, wine and travel it gives me immense pleasure to put the perfect Southern African experience together for travellers. I want to create...

read more...

Related Destinations

Travelers who visit Botswana also visit these destinations

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
kimkim trips are 100% climate neutral
A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
BBB A+ rated

Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Botswana

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

An amazing adventure to Victoria Falls and Chobe and Okavango
Botswana | Apr 28 - May 10, 2024

Tom
Tom O.
Italy | Reviewed on May 28, 2024
We are experienced and demanding senior travellers and Bianca was very responsive to our specific needs and responding to our questions in a timely fashion. We had to change our plan and she was able to make the appropriate changes. She proved to be knowledgeable and experienced as a travel advisor and planner.
We had an interesting and informative visit to Johannesburg based on travel guides recommended by Bianca. Victoria Fall was breathtaking and the accomodation at the Phezulu Guest...
Read more

We are experienced and demanding senior travellers and Bianca was very responsive to our specific needs and responding to our questions in a timely fashion. We had to change our plan and she was able to make the appropriate changes. She proved to be knowledgeable and experienced as a travel advisor and planner.
We had an interesting and informative visit to Johannesburg based on travel guides recommended by Bianca. Victoria Fall was breathtaking and the accomodation at the Phezulu Guest Lodge was very enjoyable. Chobe and staying at the Chobe Bush Lodge with morning safari outings and the afternoon boat trips were amazing. Okavango swamp and Pom Pom Camp was outstanding with very personal service and staying among the animals with knowledgeable guides we found all the animal we wanted to see. The Pom Pom Camp was a very special experience.

Hotel Reviews
Pom Pom Camp
United Kingdom

Very personal service with a limited number of guests. We had safari outing to our selves most of the time. The food was good. The tent accomodations with open bathing areas was spacious but a bit warm in the afternoons. Staying among the animals was unique and watching them from the balcony was captivating. This was the peak experince of the trip and Ryder our guide knew where to find the animals including leopards, wild dogs as well as lions, elephants and giraffes . A magical experience with outings in the morning and late afternoons.

Authenticity & Character
Definitely a lot of character and the personal attention of the staff
Location
Isolated and staying among the animals next to a watering hole
Staff
Always address by name, our guide ate meals with us and the service was great
Cleanliness & Comfort
The tent rooms were spotless, just two small issues, the rooms were very hot in the afternoon and the need to be careful about the use of lights at night to avoid invasion by the insects
Chobe Bush Lodge
Kasane

The rooms were very spacious and modern with large bathroom area and balconies. Location near the Chobe river was great. Very helpful staff that were very responsive when we needed their help. I would say that the food was a bit disappointing.

Authenticity & Character
Large thatched building that was very spacious.
Location
On the Chobe River
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great rooms
Phezulu Guest Lodge
Victoria Falls

As small hotel near Vic Falls and all that we needed for our stay. Staff were very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Premier OR Tambo Hotel

We liked the spacious rooms, the location next to the airport was perfect and the staff were helpful and professional

Authenticity & Character
Not sure what to say about character, but the staff were friendly and helpful
Location
next to the airport
Staff
Very helpful staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Okavango Delta Safari
Okavango Delta Safari
Okavango Delta

The morning and afternoon safari outings were amazing. Ryder our driver and guide was very professional and knowledgeable and we found all the animals that we wanted to see plus a few surprises

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very personal and friendly service and when one of our party was a bit sick they when out of their way to help him feel better
Transport
You have to be ready to be shaken a bit during the game drives
Chobe Safari Day
Chobe Safari Day
Botswana

The safari drives were nice but the best was the boat outing on the water since all the animals are drawn to the water. Seeing the elephants swim/walk through the water was great and the wallowing hippos.

Quality of Experience
Great sightings of animals on land and from the water.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Some of the drivers were a bit fast. They need to clean the area where they stop for morning tea as there seemed to be a lot of used toilet paper around the area.
Transport
Keep the speed down
Local specialist: Bianca Gersbach
Bianca
Bianca Gersbach
Local specialist in Cape Town, South Africa | Replied on May 29, 2024

Dear Tom,

Thank you for taking the time to write such an informative and detailed review about your trip to Botswana and Victoria Falls. Your insights and reflections are incredibly valuable and will surely help other travelers in planning their adventures.

It was a pleasure working with you to create this memorable experience. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed your journey, and I look forward to assisting you with any future travel plans.

Warm regards,
Bianca

Beautiful Botswana and more.
Botswana | Jul 2 - Jul 11, 2022

A
Anne O.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2022
Lize
The remoteness of the Okavango was the perfect start to our trip and the attention to detail and quality of the staff at the lodge was exceptional we loved the walking safari and the mojito and when they handed us our hot water bottles on the first night I’ve never seen a happier bunch of ladies.
Our next stop at Chobe lodge felt a little more luxurious in terms of the lodge and rooms and the setting on the river was lovely. Our game drives were early but interesting and in spite of...
Read more

Lize
The remoteness of the Okavango was the perfect start to our trip and the attention to detail and quality of the staff at the lodge was exceptional we loved the walking safari and the mojito and when they handed us our hot water bottles on the first night I’ve never seen a happier bunch of ladies.
Our next stop at Chobe lodge felt a little more luxurious in terms of the lodge and rooms and the setting on the river was lovely. Our game drives were early but interesting and in spite of the lion remaining elusive we saw lots of elephant, hippo, giraffe, crocodile, many different antelope species and birds galore. The variety of dining there was excellent and we felt that the experienced so far was the right way round. A tricky transfer to Zimbabwe followed as we had not been alerted by anyone or taken on board ourselves that we were going to need crisp US dollars in cash to pay for our visas. Eventually with help from our driver and a trip back to the cash point and bureau de change we succeeded in getting our visas and passed through emigration.
The setting at the Victoria Falls game lodge was lovely and having the balcony overlooking the waterhole an added bonus. Victoria Falls itself lived up to expectations and we did the scenic helicopter ride which provided us with some amazing photos. Back through the borders and onto the Zambezi Queen which was everything and more. A combination of the excellent food and staff on board meant we had some relaxation time, gentle river safaris in the sunshine, elephants, crocs and hippos in abundance topped off by a rare sighting of a leopard. The perfect end to what was most definitely a very special holiday.
Thank you.

Local specialist: Lize Enderstein
Lize
Lize Enderstein
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Jul 18, 2022

Dear Anne,
Thank you for your wonderful review of your trip to Botswana, Victoria Falls and Namibia. I am happy that you enjoyed your safari, falls experience and the river cruise. It was lovely working with such a bunch of special ladies.
Take care and keep well.
Best Wishes, Lize