My first safari in Botswana changed everything for me. I still remember gliding through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (a traditional canoe) at sunrise: the hush of water, the call of a distant fish eagle, and the feeling that I was part of something ancient. That sense of awe became the foundation for my career as a travel advisor and my company, Tribù Travel. To this day, Botswana remains my touchstone for what a truly transformative safari can be.
Where Water Shapes the Wild
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The Okavango Delta is pure magic—an UNESCO-listed wetland where the Kalahari Desert’s thirst is quenched by seasonal floods. There, game drives reveal elephants wading through papyrus channels, leopards draped over fig branches, and a dazzling array of birdlife. There are a variety of ways to explore it, including:
- Mokoros, traditional dugout canoes steered by expert polers, offer a gentle, immersive encounter with the Delta’s rhythms.
- Motorboat safaris and catch-and-release fishing add a dose of adventure in deeper waters.
- Guided bush walks invite you to track spoor (animal footprints), learn about medicinal plants, and see the bush from a new perspective.
- For extra“wow” factor, take a helicopter over the floodplains or visit Tsodilo Hills, a spiritual and cultural highlight home to over 4,000 ancient indigenous San rock paintings.
Into the Desert’s Dreamscape
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Contrast the Delta’s lushness with the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where the horizon stretches in all directions like a white mirage. Here, you can:
- Quad bike across the pans to the Lost Island of Baobabs.
- Sleep out under a canopy of stars.
- Witness the annual zebra migration, Africa’s second-largest, as thousands of zebra and wildebeest traverse the pans.
- Walk with Botswana’s indigenous San people and learn ancestral skills: tracking, fire-making, and storytelling that connect you to the land’s oldest rhythms.
- Visit habituated meerkat colonies for up-close encounters that feel straight out of a nature documentary.
Safari with Purpose
Great Plains Conservation
Botswana’s safaris are more than sightings—they’re about connection and contribution. Conservation-focused outfitters like Natural Selection Travel and Great Plains Conservation invite guests to:
- Learn about human-wildlife coexistence from local farmers and conservation experts.
- Join predator researchers in tracking wild dogs or lions.
- Support initiatives like African Bush Camps Foundation’s Female Guides Program, which empowers women to become safari guides through mentorship and field training, helping shape a more inclusive future for the industry.
Why It Matters
Botswana’s diversity—flooded delta, arid salt pans, teeming wildlife—mirrors the richness of its safari experiences. Whether floating past a kingfisher in the Delta or sharing a fireside tale with a San elder in the Kalahari, you’re not just an observer here: you’re a participant, a steward, and a storyteller. For travelers seeking a safari that is as meaningful as it is breathtaking, Botswana delivers in ways that linger long after you’ve returned home.
Marni Granston is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Kenya and Botswana trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Granston by contacting her at [email protected].
