Know Before You Go: Botswana Safaris
What Wildlife Will I See On a Botswana Safari?
Botswana is one of the last places in Africa where wildlife still dictates the rhythm of the land. Conservation here is deliberate: vast tracts of wilderness are protected so animals can move freely, shaping a landscape where nature feels whole.
Each year, the Okavango Delta floods and transforms into an inland sea. Channels wind through papyrus beds where elephants drift through water up to their shoulders, red lechwe splash across lagoons, and kingfishers hover in flashes of blue. Predators prowl the fringes — lions following buffalo herds, leopards draped in the shade of jackalberry trees.
Farther north, the Chobe River draws immense gatherings of elephants, the largest population on Earth. Along its banks, crocodiles bask in the heat and fish eagles wheel overhead. In the Kalahari Desert, lions with dark manes roam dune valleys while springbok and oryx carve paths across the arid plains. When summer rains arrive, the Makgadikgadi Pans erupt with green, and tens of thousands of zebras and wildebeest begin their migration — one of Africa’s great seasonal dramas. In the remote Linyanti, wild African dogs and sable antelope move through quiet woodlands rarely seen by people.
Strict limits on visitors ensure that Botswana wildlife sightings happen without convoys of vehicles or crowded horizons. Wildlife appears as it always has: elephants at dusk, a lion’s roar rolling across the floodplain, a herd of zebra vanishing into the mirage and so much more.
In Botswana, you can expect:
One-third of the world’s elephant population
Black-maned lions of the Kalahari
Elusive leopards
Giraffes, hippos, rhinos and Cape buffalo
Endangered African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves
With incredible wildlife, dramatic landscapes and some of the best big game viewing in Africa, Botswana is one of the top safari destinations on the continent.
Wildlife FAQs
Why is Botswana a top safari destination for wildlife?
From the lush channels of the Okavango Delta to the arid salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, Botswana’s diverse ecosystems support an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Unlike busier safari regions, Botswana prioritizes low-impact, high-quality tourism—meaning more intimate encounters with wildlife and fewer crowds.
Can I see the Big Five in Botswana?
Yes—Botswana is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino.
Elephants are abundant in Chobe and the Okavango Delta.
Lions, including rare black-maned males, roam Savuti and the Kalahari.
Leopards thrive in Moremi and private Delta concessions.
Buffalo gather in large herds near water sources.
Rhinos—both black and white—can be seen in protected areas like Chief’s Island and Khwai, thanks to strong conservation efforts.
With expert guides and remote wilderness, Botswana offers some of the most rewarding Big Five safaris in Africa.
What birds can I see in Botswana and where can I go birdwatching?
Botswana is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 580 recorded bird species, including the following iconic ones:
African fish eagles, saddle-billed storks, and malachite kingfishers in the Okavango Delta
Lilac-breasted rollers, Kori bustards, and bee-eaters in Chobe and Savuti
Flamingos and pelicans in the Makgadikgadi Pans (during the wet season)
Slaty egrets, wattled cranes, and other rare species in the Delta’s private concessions
Top birding areas include the Okavango Delta, Chobe Riverfront, Moremi Game Reserve and the seasonal pans. Peak birdwatching season is November to April, when migratory species arrive and wetlands are full.
Is Botswana good for wildlife photography?
Yes—Botswana is one of Africa’s best destinations for wildlife photography.
Thanks to its remote wilderness areas and limited visitor numbers, Botswana offers:
Close-up shots of elephants, lions, leopards and wild dogs in the Okavango Delta and Moremi
Dramatic predator-prey encounters in Savuti and the Central Kalahari
Stunning golden-hour lighting, especially in the dry season (May–October)
Bird photography highlights with over 580 species, including kingfishers, rollers, and raptors
Unique angles from water-based photo safaris, using mokoros and boats to shoot at eye level
Private concessions allow off-road access and flexible game-drive hours, giving photographers the freedom to capture rare moments in ideal conditions. Whether you're a seasoned pro or an aspiring enthusiast, Botswana offers exceptional photo opportunities.
Learn More About Botswana Wildlife
Take Our Botswana Wildlife Quiz
African Elephant
African Wild Dog
Baboon
Buffalo
Cheetah
Crocodile
Giraffe
Greater Antelope
Hippo
Hyena
Jackal & Fox
Leopard
Lion
Ostrich
Rhino
Vervet Monkey
Wildebeest
Zebra
Wildlife Webinars
WEBINAR | The Golden Pack: Wild Dogs of the Okavango Delta
African wild dogs are colorful canids with fascinating social structures and hunting behaviors. Join safari guide Russell Gerber to learn about a famous wild pack in Botswana and how you can help protect this endangered species.
WEBINAR | Botswana's Okavango Delta: A Desert Eden
Take a virtual journey into the wild heart of the Okavango Delta—the world’s largest inland water system and one of Africa’s richest biological hotspots—and discover the prolific wildlife that flourish in this desert oasis.
WEBINAR | Botswana’s Secret Migration
Discover Africa’s “Second Great Migration” – the one that few people know about, a major annual trek of wildebeest and zebra crossing Botswana from delta to desert – and learn when and where to see it.
WEBINAR | Northern Botswana: Africa’s Wildlife Oasis
From the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert, Botswana is a magnet for some of Africa’s most prolific wildlife populations. Discover why, and what you can expect to see on safari here—it’s simply amazing!
WEBINAR | Bird Photography: Pro Tips
Birdwatching is addictive -- and so is bird photography! In this sequel to his recent Bird Photography Basics: Equipment, Settings & Techniques webinar, India Expedition Leader Aditya Panda returns to help you take your photo skills to the next level. Loaded with easy-to-understand pro tips and tricks, you’ll learn what camera gear to use in which birding situations, plus new shooting techniques that will make your bird photography soar!
WEBINAR | Flood of Life: The Okavango Delta
Originally presenter February 17, 2023
Explore the web of life in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and discover how plants play a crucial role in the health of the ecosystem and the wildlife that thrives here.
Nat Hab's Botswana Safaris
Secluded Botswana Safari
Our flagship Botswana safari—for just seven guests! A truly exclusive wilderness immersion in the Okavango Delta's best private wildlife reserves and beyond, plus Victoria Falls.
Southern Africa Odyssey
This romantic adventure combines luxury boat-based exploration on Lake Kariba with classic land safaris in premier national parks of Zimbabwe and Botswana—plus Victoria Falls!
Botswana Explorer Safari
A classic tented safari exploring Botswana's wildlife-rich Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert, with exclusive adventures from small camps on remote private reserves.
Botswana: Kalahari, the Delta & Beyond
Witness the spectacle of Botswana during the green season under changing skies, as the desert bursts forth with life, wildlife thrives with seasonal water, and new births fill the plains.
Family Botswana Safari
Create memories that span generations on an expertly guided family safari filled with abundant wildlife encounters and diverse activities designed to delight all ages.
Epic Botswana & Namibia Safari
From Namibia's desert canyons and towering dunes to the prolific wildlife of Botswana's Okavango Delta and Linyanti Reserve, this luxury expedition offers extraordinary diversity.
