A safari in Botswana is more than simply a vacation; it’s an opportunity to get back in touch with nature. From the clear waters of the Okavango Delta to the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, each area has its own unique set of things to do during a Southern Africa adventure. Botswana is a terrific spot for activities you’ll never forget, whether you want to go on a family safari or you’re planning a solo trip.
Every place has its own rhythm, and every moment is a chance to observe the simple moments of the wilderness, like the way the sunshine sparkles on the river, a heron settling on a reed, or a lion stopping in the shade.
1. Mombo Camp: The Heart of the Delta
Located in Moremi Game Reserve, Mombo Camp on Chief’s Island features tall tents with extensive views of floodplains. This is a place where elephants wander free and lions slumber under acacia trees. The sun might shine on canals full of lilies in the morning, and in the afternoon, you could see a herd of wildebeest cross the plains. Here, time seems to flow more slowly, which lets you relax and take in every element of the environment surrounding you.
2. Jao Camp: A Hidden Gem in the Okavango
Jao Camp settles onto its island like a secret, with high-ceilinged villas suspended over tranquil lagoons. The Okavango morning here is pure poetry: delicate strands of mist rise from the water while the air is dense with the chorus of a thousand birds. Wake up to the whispering rustle of the reeds and the silent glide of a mokoro (dugout canoe) slipping past. This deep, natural silence creates a space where the wilderness isn’t just observed, but felt in every quiet breath.
3. andBeyond Sandibe: In the Canopy
Built to mimic the shell of a pangolin, Sandibe is woven into the landscape, allowing you to fully inhabit the delta’s forested edge. Massive wooden decks and glass walls frame the wild, turning your suite into a private cinema for light, shadow, and passing game. Beyond the luxury of your room, you can trade game drives for guided bush walks, letting your senses adjust to the raw, intricate details of the wilderness. In the evenings, the silence around the boma is so profound, you can hear the distant calls of the night—a leopard’s cough or the rhythmic croaking of frogs—making the entire star-dusted canopy feel like a grand, whispered secret.
4. Vumbura Plains: Where Land and Water Work Together
Vumbura Plains offers a safari that includes both land and aquatic activities. In the morning, you can witness groups of animals eating on beautiful floodplains. In the afternoon, you can float down rivers that are full of the chirping of the resident bird species. Each suite has its own private area, yet the landscape is open and extends on forever—Botswana’s never-ending horizons never cease to amaze and inspire.
5. Duba Plains Camp: Brave and Hidden
Duba Plains Camp holds a sacred space in a secluded corner of the delta—a territory famously dominated by massive lion prides that patrol the wide-open floodplains. Tented suites are expertly designed so you can watch the raw, untamed life of the Okavango unfold. Against this immense backdrop of endless light and sky, even the simplest event—the thunder of a passing buffalo herd or the low, vibrating roar of a distant lion—is amplified into a truly unforgettable experience.
6. Xugana Island Lodge: Water as Poetry
Xugana Island Lodge lies on a tranquil lagoon, the perfect spot to truly relax and let the natural world float by. You may see the delicate pulse of life in the river and along the banks by canoeing or taking a peaceful walk. The lagoon is full of color and movement when the sun sets, and the moments endure long after the moon rises.
7. The Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge: Where Giants Roam
In the dry Savute region, existence is raw, and the stage is set for pure drama. Giant elephant herds roam freely across the broad, arid plains, offering a glimpse of the African world at its most untamed. Perched on stilts, your tent provides an unflinching view of the mysterious Savute Channel, where animals move in the stark, natural cycle of life. The camp’s subtle luxury is the only buffer you need, letting you soak up the bold, dramatic environment without being disturbed.
8. Ngoma Lodge: Quiet with a View
Perched high above the Chobe Floodplain, Ngoma Lodge offers a magnificent, sweeping panorama that rolls across the plains, past the river, and into the distant hills. The scale of the landscape here means you aren’t looking at a waterhole; you’re witnessing the grand tapestry of the wilderness unfold below you. Dawn’s beautiful, clean light illuminates the riverbanks, where elephants and other game wander along the water’s edge. This unmatched scenery makes early mornings an excellent time to find stillness and perspective with a hot cup of coffee in hand.
9. San Camp: Surreal Serenity
Set on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, San Camp delivers an experience of astonishing, vast emptiness. The camp’s shimmering white tents are a graceful contrast to the landscape, but it’s the pans themselves that work the magic. Walking on the endless white crust beneath your feet makes you feel both intensely grounded and completely free. Under the enormous, unbroken sky, every moment here demands that you be patient, present, and fully absorbed.
Final Thoughts: The Richness of Silence
Skip the frantic checklists. In Botswana, being truly rich means embracing the quiet times: the moment you feel the dry wind, see the water flow through the land, or watch an elephant pass by. Every camp you visit adds a new, distinct note to the wilderness’s vast symphony. Go with friends or travel solo—either way, Botswana isn’t just a trip. It’s an essential reminder of how impossibly wide, raw, and alive the earth can still be.
