A Trip to the Elephant Capital of the World – Botswana Safari Adventure
- Ankitha
- Aug 22, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 15
Part Three of Our Africa Leg – The Botswana Safari.
This leg of our African adventure was all about the Botswana safari experience — a trip I’d been dreaming of for months. We were supposed to combine this journey with Zambia last December, but plans had to be pushed. I was determined to return as soon as possible to see my favorite animals in their natural habitat. And what a treat it was!
Being able to observe wildlife in their natural environment is a privilege we’ve been lucky to experience multiple times. Picking just one highlight from a trip like this is almost impossible. Before you go any further, here’s an important heads-up — Botswana is one of the world’s most expensive safari destinations.
This is due to its remoteness, isolation, and strict sustainability policies. The Chobe National Park area follows a high-cost, low-volume tourism model, which keeps the crowds at bay and ensures a pristine experience. Rich biodiversity, warm hospitality, and unforgettable landscapes make it worth every penny. So, let’s simplify the planning process with my guide to this safari paradise.
Itinerary
Check in, relax and recoup
Breakfast + mokoro safari Botswana style, followed by sunset
Sunrise Botswana game drive
Game drive Part II, early morning
Return to Zimbabwe
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Flights + Visa
Botswana is one of the few African countries we can’t reach directly via Emirates. We used our multiple-entry South Africa visa and connected via Johannesburg to Victoria Falls. You can also connect to Maun or Kasane Botswana directly from Johannesburg, but be aware of frequent cancellations with Air Botswana.
If traveling from Dubai, I recommend our route — Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (get a multiple-entry visa for $50 if returning to Zimbabwe), then connect by road to Botswana. This is the most cost-effective way to reach Chobe National Park.
Botswana Visa on Arrival
You can get a Botswana visa on arrival for $30 per person (single entry) — carry exact change in cash. Requirements include confirmed hotel bookings, a full itinerary with a local guide, and confirmed departure dates. Road immigration can be slow, so plan extra time. Proof of double vaccination is mandatory.
Solo Travel Botswana
Solo travel in Botswana is not only safe but also rewarding. However, traveling solo in Africa can cost nearly double compared to group trips. If budget is a concern, consider finding a travel partner.
Best Time to Visit Botswana
The dry “winter” season (May to October) is the best time to visit Botswana to witness massive herds of elephants crossing the Chobe River. With over 120,000 elephants — the largest population in Africa — this is the ultimate elephant capital of the world.r.
Language & Currency
English is widely spoken. Carry local currency for tips and small purchases. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Guide
A good guide can make or break your trip. Collins, who guided us in Zambia, connected us with excellent Botswana safari guides. They handled everything — immigration, paperwork, and transfers — flawlessly. If you’re confident driving, a self drive safari Botswana option can be budget-friendly.
Collins, was the amazing guide who was with us in Zambia. He has connections for the Southern African countries. All of the guides he recommended were as great as he was. They will make sure your trip is memorable in every way - point to point pick up, staying with you through immigration and helping you with paperwork. Flawless execution this time around as well. Feel free to refer my name, if you get in touch with him.
Botswana Safari Cost – How to Save
A fly-in safari to the Okavango Delta can cost $700+ per person, making Botswana safari cost higher than Kenya or Tanzania. To save:
Skip fly-ins; visit Savuti safari areas or Chobe by road.
Opt for small group tours.
Stay at budget camping sites instead of luxury lodges.
Travel in shoulder months (October/November).
Consider a self drive safari Botswana if you’re experienced.
Focus on one park for 3–4 days rather than hopping around.s
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Chobe Safari Lodge (full review linked in a separate post). It’s a great base for both river safaris and Botswana game drives.
Vegetarian & Vegan Food
Chobe Safari Lodge had great options, but if you want variety, Pizza Plus Coffee & Curry (15 minutes away) serves fresh Indian cuisine — a welcome break after days of basic safari meals
Highlights
Mokoro Safari Botswana
Exploring Chobe National Park via mokoro boat is an unforgettable experience. This unique perspective allows you to spot elephants, birds, crocodiles, hippos, and buffalo from the water, avoiding the bumps of traditional jeep safaris.
MOKORO SAFARI
Time to explore the elephant capital of the world. When it comes to seeing African elephants in the wild, few safari destinations can top Chobe National Park, a wildlife refuge in northeastern Botswana.
The estimated elephant population here is 120,000—more than a quarter of the total number of elephants in all of Africa. The number one reason I wanted to make it Chobe.
The best way to do a safari in Botswana is on a mokoro or boat. The incredible beauty of the lush Chobe river makes it a distinct safari experience for animal enthusiasts. Not only do you get to see elephants, you can also see a crazy amount of birds..
crocodiles chilling.. and hippos, buffaloes grazing/bathing!
Unlike many other African safaris, the unique vantage point for wildlife spotting takes it a notch above the usual bumpy jeep ride. As we watched the mom teach her thirsty baby how to hold water in the trunk, I knew these tender moments will stay in my memory for many years to come.
We spent a good 4-5 hours on the safari.. staying until sunset, when we spotted an eagle, waiting for his mate. What a day.
Botswana Game Drives
From giraffes and kudu to baboons and warthogs, the diversity here is unmatched. One morning, we finally spotted a lion pride — the king himself briefly opened his eyes, giving us chills..
Being in the presence of wild animals is quite different than watching them on documentaries online. It is an enchanting spectacle anywhere in the world.
We saw giraffe, bush backs, impalas, African kudu, baboons.. and of course, a lot elephants.
GAME DRIVE PART II
Another day, another safari day. Today we try to find the mighty lion.. we couldn't find the pride until past mid day. The king was caught taking a nap... he had his eyes closed but we got too close for comfort, he opened his eyes for a millisecond and that was enough to send our hearts racing. We drove fast and far... the chills of watching the king of the jungle. Phew.
We drove around for few more hours until 3 p.m. before calling it a day. The guides were so exceptional and made sure we saw a whole bunch of animals during our three day safari.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re watching elephants splash in the Chobe River, spotting a wild cat on the hunt, or observing a giraffe’s graceful movements, a wildlife safari Africa experience in Botswana is magical. I recommend at least four days in Chobe, or a week if combining Savuti safari or the Okavango Delta. Kasane Botswana is the gateway to these adventures, and this trip was easily the highlight of our Southern Africa journey.
Whether you watch a giraffe graze with elegance, or watch a wild cat hunting, o you just catch a warthog near a waterhole, an African Safari is unlike any other travel experience. No matter how many times you do it, the excitement never wanes!
I recommend a minimum of four days just for Chobe. The park is huge and offers lots of wildlife view opportunities. If you are combining camping safaris, savuti or the delta for wetlands, then you will need one week.
So go ahead and take that trip down the river, and make those extraordinary memories. Chobe was certainly the ultimate highlight of our Southern Africa trip.
Drop your comments below and show some love. Feel free to shoot me an email with your feedback.
Cheers,
Anki
To explore more African destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.
To the country that doesn't exist - Somaliland
Wayfarer Footprints has captured the imagination of explorers and dreamers across the globe. Our travel journey—filled with immersive adventures, honest insights, and practical tips—has resonated deeply with readers who seek meaning beyond the map. From solo travel stories to offbeat discoveries, we’re proud to have been recognized by both Indian and international media.
The National News ,Khaleej Times ,Mint / Livemint, Times Now News,Outlook Traveller, Hindustan Times ,MSN India, The Established NDTV, Times of India, SheThePeople
Thanks a lot Ankitha. I will reach out to him.
Happy Travels!
Hey Anki,
I love your posts. They are well-explained and informative. My partner and I are planning our first trip to the Africa region in mid-June. I wanted to inquire whether it is necessary to purchase a package from Southern Dynasty Safaris or if we can select our own accommodation and hire them as guides for transport, safari, and immigration purposes. We usually prefer to plan our trips ourselves instead of purchasing a tour package. Could you please suggest the best option?
Our planned itinerary is as follows:
Dubai - Johannesburg
Johannesburg - VFA (Zimbabwe)
Staying at Victoria Falls and visiting the falls on the Zambia side by walking over the bridge.
Traveling by road to Chobe National Park in…