Looking to take your first Botswana safari? This budget-friendly custom safari takes in three different areas of Botswana, showcasing its wild wonders.
At Natural Selection, we believe that everyone should go on a Botswana safari at least once in their life – and it shouldn’t be any old Botswana safari. We think it should be a truly diverse, all-singing, all-dancing sort of trip; one that showcases Botswana’s truly wild places and natural glory. And it also shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. A tall order? We’ve come up with this fantastic, budget-friendly custom safari to three different areas of Botswana that shows it’s absolutely possible…
Your journey begins at the Boteti River on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where activities include Bushmen walks, boat cruises and plenty of game drives. You’ll then head to the Khwai Private Reserve and stay in two beautiful and very different locations. Khwai is quintessential Botswana and the emerald plains are home to an enormous variety of wildlife making for a truly fantastic end to your trip.
On day one you will arrive in Maun and then drive to Meno A Kwena, Makgadikgadi National Park, to settle into your new desert home and enjoy an afternoon lazing by the river, sundowners in hand. Meno a Kwena is one of Botswana’s original safari camps. Views are out-of-this-world good and each tent looks over the Boteti River and the herds of zebra that it attracts. Meno isn’t a camp of unnecessary frills; instead, you’ll find rooms full of character and unique eccentricities, personalised service, and a huge dose of passion for the bush.
Today will be filled with Bushmen walks, game drives, village explorations, and desert wildlife. There are far worse ways to spend a couple of days. The highlight of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is undoubtedly the second largest migration of mammals in Africa, in which 30,000 zebra and wildebeest rumble across the area, congregating at the Boteti River in April in a dazzle of black and white (and grey and brown). Add to that some of the rarest desert species on the continent and the wildlife experience here is a special one.
On day three you will drive to Maun before hopping on a small plane to Elephant Pan in the Khwai Private Reserve. In Khwai, Elephant Pan is one of the most purse-friendly camps in any Botswana private concession. But that doesn’t mean we’ve compromised on style and comfort – we’ve simply kept things laid-back and relaxed.
Enjoy a game drive in the morning, then change the pace with a walking safari or a visit to the magnificent Elephant Hide in the afternoon. The Khwai Private Reserve is positively bursting with game, and it’s just as varied as the habitats you’re driving through. Wildlife moves freely from the neighbouring Moremi Game Reserve and you’ll see buffalo, zebra, reedbuck, red lechwe, sable and roan antelope, and waterbuck dotted over the landscape. Predators are plentiful and lion and leopard hide in the mopane bush, whilst cheetah and wild dog frequently cross the open plains. And don’t forget the elephant – there’s an extraordinary number of the grey pachyderms in the park and the sightings are top-notch.
Enjoy the landscapes whizzing past as you drive to Little Sable, your second location in the beautiful Khwai Private Reserve – it’s an action-packed day and you’ll sleep well tonight! Little Sable, which is refreshingly simple yet stylish and comfortable, has cool swimming pools and shady seating areas to chill out in between game drives and keep your eyes on the happenings in the bush.
Explore the luscious surroundings on a water-based safari by mokoro or boat (water levels depending) and see the wildlife from a different perspective. The varied habitats of Khwai support an equally impressive cast of animals and all the stars of the wildlife show are present – as well as a few extra. The wetlands and rivers host impressive quantities of hippos and crocodiles, whilst on dry land, big cats lurk along treelines and sometimes right through camp. Sable, roan, impala, and kudu dot the grasslands, alongside giraffe and zebra, an abundance of elephant and buffalo, and of course, the occasional jackal. The birdlife is fantastic and guests can expect everything from giant eagle owls to lilac-breasted rollers. Khwai also has an excellent reputation for the rarer species of the African savannah including wild dogs, serval cats, honey badgers, and the elusive pangolin. Binos at the ready!
The last day of a safari is always bittersweet, but sadly it’s time to say goodbye to Khwai and fly back to Maun.
This itinerary runs throughout the year. The dry, winter months of June to October are the most expensive time of year to travel so if you’re looking to save some pennies, we highly recommend travelling in what’s known as the shoulder season which is slightly cheaper, or even the green season. In Botswana, the shoulder season months are April to mid-June and November to January, and green season is January, February & March. Do remember, however, that you may only quad bike in the dry months (April to October).
As for packing, we recommend that you bring lots of light, neutral-coloured layers, preferably in natural fabrics. There are laundry facilities in all camps so don’t bring too much. Sturdy shoes are a must for walking safaris, and sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and any medication you take are all essentials. We also highly recommend a good book and your swimming kit, just in case.
Be inspired by our other suggested safari packages below and remember, all our packages are totally flexible and can be adjusted to suit you. Â
