Botswana – Okavango Delta, Moremi Reserve, Kalahari Desert and more! Authentic journeys to the heart of the African bush. Discover all these places with an office that have been operating since 2003. specializes in real and exclusive trips to Africa.

Botswana is one of the most popular and exclusive destinations for individual safari trips to Africa. Botswana is a fascinating country in terms of nature, stretching for 580 km²(slightly smaller than France) and located in the south of the Black Continent, with a population of just over 2 million people. It borders South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and African safari specialists will perfectly combine these places into a beautiful journey discovering the nooks and crannies of this region of the world. How to get to Botswana? When going to Chobe National Park, which is located in the north of the country, it is worth flying to Kasane, and for a safari in the Okavango Delta, the easiest way to get there is from the airport in Maun. You can fly from Europe with a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Botswana is also an ideal and natural extension of the trip to Victoria Falls, both on the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides.

When is the best time to go on safari and when is the perfect time to visit in Botswana?

This is a country where observing the local nature is possible all year round, depending on the location. The best time to travel to the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Reserve or the north of Botswana is the dry season, namely from April to October, when most animals concentrate around water reservoirs or hide in poorer vegetation, which makes them easier to spot. This time is characterized by very large temperature differences, with cold nights and mornings and very sunny days. However, the end of the year can also be a good time for a safari in Chobe National Park, the Kalahari Desert, or Makgadikgadi National Park, and in general, the rainy season, i.e. from November to April, is an ideal time for observing migrating birds. In a word, whenever we go on a trip to this beautiful country, i.e. Botswana, we will see other wonders of nature, straight from National Geographic films!

What is worth seeing in Botswana and what are the biggest attractions of this country?

The main place that attracts tourists is undoubtedly Okavango Delta – which resembles a fan consisting of a mosaic of channels covered with water lilies between tiny islands – that is, the largest inland delta that flows through the very center of the Kalahari Desert, creating a unique ecosystem in which numerous bird populations live (400 different species, including African white-tailed eagles, white-bellied reptiles, and coral cranes). , jugglers, warugs, or the largest eagle living in Africa - an armed warrior). Water pools attract a huge number of mammals, including: a significant population of elephants and hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, impalas, various species of wildebeests, sitatunka antelopes and lychee kobs (litchi kobs are a very rare species of antelope). Predators include lions, leopards, hyenas and hard-to-reach wild animals. The Okavango Delta is known and associated with mokoro, i.e. a long canoe carved from one tree trunk, which is the most effective means of transportation among river canals.

Moremi Nature Reserve It is located right in the Okavango Delta and is the best area for wildlife viewing due to the Big Five present here. In addition to wetlands where you can move mokoro, there are dry areas that offer excellent individual safari tours in a luxury 4×4 vehicle. The uniqueness of this place is added by the fact that it is home to the most endangered species: cheetah, white and black rhinoceros, deer and lions. As many as about 450 species of birds have been recognized in Moremi, e.g. gray amaranths, little long-clawed birds, pink-throated clawbirds and over 1000 species of plants, which makes it the most diverse ecosystem in Africa.

Chobe National Park with the dry plains of northern Botswana, which are wonderful areas of wildlife and savannah. They are especially famous for their largest population of approximately 120 elephants living on the lazily winding Chobe River, which is best traveled by boat. In the afternoons you can observe large herds of elephants and buffaloes coming to the waterhole. There are plenty of crocodiles and hippos living in the river. The Savuti region and the Linyanti River are among the most beautiful in all of Botswana, and the diversity of animals and landscapes is so phenomenal that these places should be included in every African trip program. Due to the fact that these areas are private land, it gives tourists staying in luxury lodges the feeling that they are the only guests on an individual safari in Botswana.

Kalahari comes from the Tswana language and means "place without water". Kalahari Desert it is a pure and untamed space where the rays of the setting sun fall red on endless horizons. The landscape is a mixture of spreading acacia bushes growing among sandy and rust-colored dunes. This area, sparse in vegetation, is incredibly variable due to the periodic rivers that appear here and turn the flora green.

Makgadikgadi this is part of the Kalahari Desert, where the largest salt pans in the world are located. The shiny and cracked shell does not look like any form of life could support it. However, after heavy rains, this desolate and harsh landscape changes as the fresh grass attracts herbivores. Makgadikgadi is a great place to observe migrating pelicans and flamingos, which gather here in large numbers during the rainy season, i.e. from November to April.

Is Botswana a suitable country for a safari trip all year round and is it the best and safe place in southern Africa for family trips with children?

Botswana is an excellent choice for lovers of animals and phenomenal nature, as well as safari trips in the most luxurious edition. Many lodges and hotels in the bush and in Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta offer great conditions for safe family safaris and specially trained rangers. Both drivers and guides have special qualifications to ensure the highest comfort of rest. Thanks to the right advisors and professional travel specialists to Africa, you will also be able to have the dream safari of a lifetime with your children. Some of the ones recommended by the office CARTER family safari destinations include: San Camp on the Makgadigkadi salt flats, Little Vumbura in the northern part of the Okavango Delta and Linyanti Ebony in the Linyanti wetlands.

This is a great destination for an individually designed trip and a great African adventure!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Flight from Poland/ How to fly from Poland to Botswana?

Most travelers from Poland or Europe fly with a mandatory transfer in Johannesburg or Cape Town to Maun, which is the closest airport connecting the Okavango Delta region, and in the north (also with a stopover in South Africa) Kasane, from which it is close to Chobe National Park and the Waterfalls Victoria.

Currency

The currency in Botswana is Pula (BWP). 100 Pot = $8,20. However, in lodges we can pay in US dollars or rands (the currency in South Africa). During safari, it is worth leaving a tip of approximately USD 10-20 / day per person.

Language

The official language in Botswana is English, which is taught at school. There will also be no problem with communicating in this language in the lodges.

Time zone

GMT + 2

Climate

Botswana has a subtropical desert climate with large daily temperature differences. The days can be very hot, around 30-35 degrees C, and the nights are cold (from May to August it can drop below 10 degrees C). The wettest months are from December to March, however, during this time you can observe bird migrations in the Kalahari Desert. After the rainy period, the water level in the Okavango Delta is perfect for a mokoro safari, which is why travel to Botswana is recommended from April.

Electricity

The voltage in the sockets is 220 - 240 V. The sockets are prepared for plugs with three square or round pins. Therefore, it is worth taking a travel adapter with you.

What to take and what kind of luggage to pack when flying on safari to Botswana?

It's worth starting with the fact that hard suitcases should be left at home. We recommend taking soft and roomy bags or backpacks for safari due to possible air travel in small planes within the country. They have quite strict weight limits of 12 - 20 kg (it is worth checking before traveling), and larger suitcases may not be taken on board.

It is recommended to take earth-colored clothes, i.e. beige, light brown, khaki, made of natural materials such as cotton or linen, which is very breathable. Colors are important because black or dark clothes can be very hot during the day, while white ones simply get dirty quickly. Due to the intense sunlight, it is recommended to pack long-sleeved blouses and shirts to protect against excessive sun exposure. Comfortable and must-have closed trekking shoes, which will also be perfect for hiking. The nights can be very cold, so fleece sweatshirts or jackets will be an indispensable element of clothing.

The following list will definitely help you pack for a safari:

– light cotton, linen shirts and blouses, preferably with long sleeves

– cotton long trousers (can also be jeans), short shorts may also be useful

– a change of trekking shoes and regular sneakers

– sunglasses, lip cream, cream with a high UV filter and mosquito repellent

– headgear, e.g. a hat

- camera

– raincoat, fleece sweatshirt or warm cardigan

– in colder seasons, a scarf, gloves and a warm hat may be useful

– it is also worth taking your personal medications

It is worth adding that in luxury lodges, laundry services are included in the price of your stay, so you are not obliged to take a lot of things.

Travel documents, passport requirements for travel to Botswana

Polish citizens are required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return. A return ticket is required. When traveling with children (up to 18 years of age), it is mandatory to have a birth certificate (or a notarially certified copy). If the child travels with one parent or only, e.g., grandparents or extended family, you must have written consent in English, notarized. These requirements concern the prevention of illegal trafficking of children in Africa.