The borders of Botswana have just reopened on December 1st.  All travelers must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and health screenings are being conducted at airports. The time has come to reconnect with the African wilderness. With that being said, we wanted to share what we consider to be the best of Botswana to get you inspired about planning a safari adventure.

The famous Okavango Delta consists of 15,000 square kilometers of water channels, lagoons, and islands. Each year water flows from Angola forming this wetland and wildlife sanctuary. As a top wildlife destination, travelers are guaranteed to spot hundreds of species of animals and birds.  There are even a few species that often cannot be found anywhere else such as sitatunga and wattled crane. A stay at the luxurious Vumbura Plains Camp will supply both land and water activities on vehicle, mekoro, and boats providing the ultimate safari experience.

In northern Botswana lies the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. Here you’ll find a region of woodlands and watercourses, and the famous Savuti Channel. The dry season welcomes an abundance of elephants and there is spectacular game viewing year round. The ancient floodplains and woodland habitats make this a must-visit area on any itinerary. We recommend the brand-new DumaTau Camp with spacious suites offering uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon and the many herds of elephants that move through.

Now to the middle of Botswana where the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is found. The Central Kalahari is a vast stretch of fossil dunes between ancient river valleys.  This is one of the largest protected areas in Africa, home to many plants and animals. The main draw to this area is the Kalahari black-maned lion and some of the world’s best cheetah viewing. During the rainy season (Nov-April) the desert awakens with huge herds of plains game followed by large and small predators. Kalahari Plains Camp lies in a remote area of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve offering travelers a tranquil yet thrilling stay surrounded by all of the wildlife. Canvas units even have a sleep-out platform to enjoy star-studded nights.

Whether you are drawn to the magnitude of the Okavango Delta or the solitude of the Central Kalahari, there is much to be seen in this country. The time has come to venture back to Botswana and we invite you to plan your safari adventure with our expertise. For more information please reach out to Jacky Keith.

 

All photos from Wilderness Safaris

 

Call us and book your trip

Call Esplanade Travel and you’ll talk to one of our knowledgeable staff members who can help you book your perfect trip.

Get in Touch

Esplanade arranged a wonderful New Zealand adventure for my wife and myself in 2020…just a couple of months prior to Covid shutting down the world! During this difficult time for the planet, the staff from Esplanade continued to reach out to us on how they recommended we deal with our travel plans and the expenditures we had previously committed to. They continuously updated our travel plans and made all the necessary adjustments to our itineraries. Almost three years to the day later, we were able to enjoy our New Zealand trip. The reservations, excursions, and overall recommendations made by Esplanade were fantastic! We commented several times that their commitment to the smallest of details was very apparent. Our flights were perfectly spaced, our drivers all showed up on time, and our accommodations and excursions were beyond expectations. We now plan on trusting Esplanade for our future travels to Africa and Europe. We cannot recommend them more.

See all of our testimonials

Travel Insurance

We offer comprehensive travel insurance at affordable rates that will give you peace of mind during your travels.

Find out more