Has anyone been to Botswana?

[Stompythedinosaur]

And want to share any advice?

We are looking at a safari next year. Debating the benefits of an organised group vs a self-drive. Will be travelling with two teen dds who are up for most things.

I haven’t been to Botswana but did go in South Africa a few years ago and would recommend going on an organised tour for actual safaris. The guides know where the animals tend to be (when we went they were in radio contact with each other and would say where they saw particular animals), they will often spot them before you do, they will be able to tell you about them, and they don’t have to worry about knackering a hire car on unmade roads. If you drive yourselves the driver misses out on seeing the sights because they are concentrating on driving.

I had two teenage DSs with me and we were based in Durban with a hire car. It was easy to book b&bs and hotels and driving around generally was easy. I don’t know whether Botswana is less dangerous than SA in terms of being robbed etc.

The only thing I know about Botswana is it's one of the most expensive places to go in Africa for safaris

I think the self driving we’ve done requires some skills and knowledge. Animal spotting is also unbelievably difficult without guides. We always have private guides and that works best for us, I’d not want a group or shared tour.

I'm South African, I haven't been to Botswana but my parents have, a few times. It's best to have a guide the first time you go. If you go again you'll be more familiar with the reserve and would be able to self-drive.

Namibia is another great place to go for game viewing. Both Botswana and Namibia are quite safe. Worlds away from South Africa which as most people know has an extremely high crime rate.

I hope you have a lovely time x

Read the Foreign Office Travel advice on Botswana.

You must have an original or certified copy of the full birth certificate of any child aged 17 or under when you enter or leave the country.

We did a mixture of self drive and guides in Botswana. The guide we had was amazing - he was spotting game we couldn't see with binoculars. A couple of times I thought he was kidding, but no! If it's a first time trip Id definitely go for guided. Botswana was brilliant overall

Yes years ago though as part of a 6 week trip - with 12 others on an overland truck. Wouldn’t do it without a guide. We stopped a couple of times to pick up/help others who had got themselves in trouble (vehicle trouble more or less). Although we picked up an Aussie couple who had been waiting 3 days for another vehicle to pass them.

Thanks everyone! Seems like a pretty universal recommendation for going with a group. I'm normally someone who prefers to travel independently, but I see the benefits of having a guide for spotting animals.

Thanks for the tip about birthday certificates, I had read that, but it would be easy to miss!

So envious. Hope you have an amazing time. You’ll have to keep us updated with your plans.

We went a few years ago to Chobe, you would not want to drive over those roads - especially if a bull elephant decides to chase you.
Highly recommend going with a guide, they know so much.

We used to go to Chobe when I was a child awesome and do pop to Vic Falls too.

I was in Namibia a long time ago, we did self-driving but hired a private guide for the safaris. When we went, the lodges we stayed in would recommend guides, either private or small group tours.

Thanks! Chobe and Vic Falls are definitely on my list of things to do, although it's the Okavango Delta that made me plan to focus on Botswana.

I will definitely update!

We had a look at Botswana this year. As an FYI - £500 per person per day is not an excessive amount to budget if you don’t want to go on a group tour. It’s not a self-drive destination unless you’re hugely experienced. The Okavango is fantastic but obviously expensive (you have to fly in) if you want to go to the more remote places.

TLDR: we’re going to Namibia for 40% of the cost!

Our trip was Vic Falls, Chobe, & S.A. with Riviera Travel.
Very well organised, couldn't fault them.

We went to South Africa last year and your safari will only be as good as your guide. It’s so important to get a good one for their knowledge. I’d go so far to say it’s a waste of time without one.

Following closing and please share tips OP!

I have been on safari in Kenya and SA but after watching the documentary, Into The Okavango, it's firmly on the bucket list. I've seen the show about 20 times!

Ahhh I have been to Chobe and Vic Falls.

Sadly Okevango delta was too expensive .

Out of SA, Zimbabwe and Botswana that I have visited, Botswana as a place generally was by far my favourite. I LOVED it.

The guides were great, we told him we wanted to see a lion and he put SO much effort into tracking the pride down. There were so many elephants too

In Vic Falls we went to the reserve that has rhino and a river cruise which was good.

I felt the guides had a really good connection with the animals too, they would tell us about the different ones they've seen over the years and watched them grow etc (this was on the reserve)

I didn't know about this documentary and I'm going to watch it tonight! I've been reading a lot about the Okavango, its a real focus for me!

Thank you!

This is so great to hear! Did you arrange your guide through a particular company?

Oh the Okovango Delta is amazing! I did a 3 day trip in dug out canoes. We did this with guides and did a foot walking safari. We camped for the whole 6 weeks but that little part of the trip was outstanding. Even though our canoe capsized with all our drinking water, tablets that purified water and some of our food! Waking up to the sounds of lions was exhilarating and frightening all at the same time!

suggest reading the book Cry of the Kalahari - it’s a fascinating real life story of a couple who sold up everything and travelled through Botswana.

@Stompythedinosaur I’ve been to Botswana 3 times. We have been to the Okavango and Moremi as well as the Linyanti area plus a couple of smaller reserves.

We have always gone with a safari company and twice with a group. However I like fly in and bespoke is tailored to your interests. Groups are good for special interest - eg wild dogs.

Botswana is upmarket. You can get camping but it’s a bit of a lottery about which campsite. Our Moremi one was a bit remote. We saw a lot of wild dogs though.

The Okavango is amazing. You would ideally have 2 bases. One wet for Mokoro punting and one dry for traditional game drives. This way you see the best of the area. The camps are small and range from tents to very luxurious offerings.

Do be aware that sand rivers dry up. The Selinda Spillway being one. So talk to a company with up to date info. Tell them your interests. We saw packs of wild dogs with puppies but they are not everywhere. Lions and elephants should be.

The camps have guides. You pay for the camp and get guiding and all food. It’s expensive. They collect you from the landing strips. It took us 3 flights to get to Moremi. To Joburg, to Maun to Moremi. Another reason why it costs a lot. You can drive but it’s a long way! We flew into the Okavango too. Unforgettable from the air.

Expert Africa or Wildlife worldwide can advise you.

We did our first Safari this year-we went to Tanzania and we had a guide but with just us ( family of five) rather than join a group. We find responsible travel make great recommendations. We were choosing between Botswana and the Serengeti. I'd love to hear what you end up deciding as Tanzania was so amazing it just left us hungry for more!

@HappyHedgehog247 We were in a group so see the wild dogs in Botswana because it was a special interest holiday. That’s very different to travelling in a mini bus. Small interest groups are fairly standard when you’ve been quite a lot before. With family we’ve not had a specific interest so not the same holiday. Every safari specialist does bespoke or group travel.

@happyhedgehog we booked via trailfinders (which was useful for stuff like crossing thr border zimbabwe-botswana as it was all sorted for us). It was probably a very beginner experience but was good that everything was pre sorted for us so we didnt have to think etc. We actually had a couple of private drives with a guide - i think the hotel arranged this for us,