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Botswana Safaris, River Cruises, & Tours

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Go on safari in Botswana with Adventure Life and discover the place where the Kalahari Desert, Okavango DeltaChobe National Park, and savannas meet; Botswana is home to the highest density of elephants in the world. Float down the magical waters of the Okavango Delta on the luxurious Zambezi Queen luxury river cruise, spotting elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and rhinos as they come to drink from the Delta’s crystal clear waters. Our Chobe River luxury safari cruises are a unique way to see wildlife as you lounge in your luxury suite. Choose from a classic safari, luxury safari, or a safari & cruise combination that includes excursions to South Africa and Victoria FallsContact an Adventure Life Botswana safari expert to start planning your adventure today.
All Botswana Safaris & Cruises

10 Best Botswana Safaris & River Cruises for 2024-2025

All Botswana Safaris & Cruises
Botswana Luxury Safaris and Cruises

6 Best Botswana Luxury Safaris & River Cruises for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Luxury Fly-in Okavango Delta Safari$116818Apr 1, 2024This 8-day luxury Okavango Delta safari visits the highlights of the Gomoti River system, the eastern tongue of the delta in the Kwahi area, and the …
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Luxury Botswana Safari$1790812Mar 19, 2024Experience Botswana and Victoria Falls in luxury on our 12-day safari tour. Accompanied by private guides, explore Mokoro on the Okavango Delta, get …
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Luxury Chobe National Park$16023Mar 19, 2024Explore Chobe National Park on this 3-day Botswana extension. Take game drives through the park and cruise the Chobe River in search of a big game. …
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Golden Trails of Africa$1679517Mar 24, 2024Explore Africa by land and river boat on this 17-day safari cruise! Cruise the Chobe River, visit local villages, take a safari through the Serengeti …
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Rivers & Rails of Africa$1499513Mar 29, 2024This 13-day tour combines a stay in Cape Town, a Chobe River cruise aboard the comfortable Zambezi Queen, a safari in Chobe National Park, and a stay …
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Wildlife and the Falls$1369513Mar 24, 2024Enjoy a stay in Johannesburg, a 4-day African river safari aboard the Zambezi Queen, 2 nights in Victoria Falls, 2 nights in Johannesburg and 3 …
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Favorite Botswana River Cruise Boats

Ship NameMax PassengersFromSummary
African Dream16$7701Explore the deepest treasures on the African continent aboard the African Dream, a luxurious and comfortable ship designed to provide an intimate …
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Zambezi Queen28$10995With a design specific for safari river cruising on the Chobe River, the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen offers a sophisticated onboard experience …
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Botswana Safari Lodges & Camps

8 Favorite Botswana Luxury Safari Lodges for 2024-2025

Botswana Safari Lodges & Camps

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Botswana Safari Tips & Travel Guide

Where to Take a Safari: Botswana vs. Tanzania

Over the last decade, Botswana and Tanzania have emerged as the primer safari destinations in Africa. But, how do you know which country is best for you? Below we review the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Wildlife
Both have exceptional classic safari game viewing opportunities. In Botswana, it's more common to view wildlife from a boat along the Chobe River or Okavango Delta and elephants are more common than in Tanzania, while Rhinos are few and far between. And Tanzania’s Serengeti plains are the backdrop where the incomparable wildebeest and zebra migration unfold. 

Exclusivity & Cost
Botswana was developed as a high-end safari destination with fewer visitors and crowds, with more luxurious safari camps and lodging. Travelers tend to fly between camps instead of driving (common in Tanzania). The price of Botswana safaris tend to be on the higher side of the spectrum. 
Botswana Safari Highlights

Botswana is a staple part of many of our comprehensive Africa safari tours, including stops in South AfricaTanzaniaZambia, and Zimbabwe. It makes for a great extension package for 3-5 days, and we also feature several exclusively Botswana tours, which visit destinations such as:
  • Chobe National Park, where buffalos, giraffes, elephants, hippos, zebras, impalas, and white rhinos roam freely.
  • Santawani Concession & Mopane Forest, where you will see elephants, different types of antelopes, kudus, tsessebes, wildebeests, and zebras.
  • Explore the Okavango Delta and the Khwai River, which are perfect for adventurous families with children.
  • The thundering Victoria Falls awaits eager travelers hoping to see the world's biggest and most impressive waterfalls.
  • In the Hwange National Park in neighboring Zimbabwe, you can enjoy open-air vehicle game drives, walking safaris, and nature walks with your professional guide.
How Much Does a Tour to Botswana Cost?

Botswana is a wonderful place to visit due to its fantastic landscapes and wildlife. Botswana tours can start at around $1,000 for a 5-day trip, and can go up to 16,500 for a 17-day trip.

There are also different kinds of trips, you can choose between a classic safari, a luxury safari, or a safari & cruise combination.

Of course, your choice will depend on your time and needs, but you can always contact one of Adventure Life's travel experts to assist you choose the best option.



 
Did You Know...?
  • The Chobe National Park has the world's largest concentration of African elephants.
  • An impressive 38% of the country is covered in national parks, preserves, and dedicated wildlife areas.
  • The Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is the largest inland river delta in the world.
  • The Makgadigadi pans stretches over 12,000 sq. km., making it one of the largest salt pans in the world.
  • Although English is the country's official language, Setswana is the national language and is spoken throughout the country.
  • The border between Botswana & Zambia is the shortest in the world, at just 150 meters.
  • Because it is rather isolated and a bit more expensive to get to, Botswana isn't a top destination and is therefore a great place to go to see amazing things and avoid tourist traffic.
Animals to look for in Botswana (by region)
Chobe/ Caprivi: Buffalo, Cheetah, Elephant, Kudu, Hippo, Leopard, Lion, Wildebeest

Moremi/ Okavango: Buffalo, Cheetah, Elephant, Kudu, Hippo, Leopard, Lion, White Rhino, Wild dogs, Wildebeest

Linyanti/ Selinda/ Kwando: Buffalo, Cheetah, Eland, Elephant, Kudu, Hippo, Leopard, Lion, Wild dog, Wildebeest

Savute (Southwestern Chobe): Cheetah, Elephant, Kudu, Leopard, Lion, Wild dog, Wildebeest
Lodges & Safari Camps

We have curated Botswana's best safari lodges and tent camps to choose from. Here are our top picks:
 
Best Botswana River Cruise Lines for 2024-2025
  • AMA Waterways - has an African cruise and safari program based on Chobe River cruises in Botswana, with travel options to Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The 28-passenger Zambezi Queen offers a sophisticated onboard experience designed to maximize animal sightings with a design specific for safari river cruising on the Chobe River. 
  • CroisiEurope - offers shore excursions such as full-day safari in Jeeps to explore the Chobe National Park that is home to more than 1/4 of the total elephant population in Africa. Designed to explore Southern Africa, African Dream provides an intimate look at the nature and animals along the shores of this incredible region. 


 
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Botswana Travel FAQs

Do I need a visa to travel to Botswana?
Your passport must be valid for 6 months, and you do not need a tourist visa to travel to Botswana if you're a citizen of North America or Europe.
Is tipping customary in Botswana?
You can give guides a $10-20 tip per day and porters a few dollars for every move. Otherwise, tips aren't an expectation.
 
What is internet access like in Botswana?
The nicer your lodging, the more chance you will have internet access. Hotels and lodges will likely have some form of internet access, while tent camps (which can be very comfortable) will not likely have any kind of internet accessibility.
Can I use my cell phone while in Botswana?
You probably won't be close enough to the cell phone towers to get a signal on your phone. If you do, you will have to replace the SIM chip with one you purchase locally (maybe at the airport).
Can I drink the water in Botswana?
You cannot drink the water in Botswana, but your tour provider or hotel will have filtered or bottled water for you at all times.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
While not required, it's definitely a good idea to have travel insurance just in case, and we have some great deals via TravelGuard on our Once You're Booked page.
Are credit cards accepted in Botswana? Will I be able to find ATMs?
You probably won't find too many ATMs or businesses that accept credit cards on your Botswana safari, but that's okay since your trip is all-inclusive. Take some cash out of an ATM at the airport when you arrive for souvenirs and any tips and you should be covered.
 

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