Botswana has something for nearly every traveler. From newlyweds on a honeymoon safari to family reunion safaris, solo travelers to couples’ retreats, and everything in between, Botswana is the prime destination for your trip of a lifetime.
With more than 40% of its land protected again poaching and natural resource deprivation practices, Botswana is bustling with a wealth of wildlife and exclusive game reserves. In fact, many of the private game reserves, which make up 17% of protected land, are so exclusive that they only permit access to visitors staying on those reserves.
If you’re looking to plan the ultimate Botswana safari vacation, choose from the very best game reserves and parks in Botswana:
Top Game Reserves and Parks:
Linyanti and Selinda concessions: Known primarily for its abundance of elephants, the Linyanti and Selinda concessions attract thousands of elephants during Botswana’s dry season (months between May and November). Some of the top safari tours to partake in while visiting these concessions are mokoro (canoe) safaris, night drives, and boat safaris.
During night drives, you can witness a wealth of nocturnal creatures come out of hiding including the bush baby, wild cats, hyenas, lions, owls, and leopards.
Okavango Delta: Comprised of secluded islands, sprawling savannah, wildlife-abundant rivers, and vast floodplains and lagoons, Okavango Delta is a wildlife-lover’s dream. Because the Okavango Delta is strewn with intricate rivers and waterways, a canoe (mokoro) safari is the region’s most celebrated activity. Although power boat tours are also an option, a mokoro safari is more relaxing and allows you to get much closer to the water and water’s edge. Without the sound of an engine, you have the ability to listen to the orchestra of nature as birds sing and skim the water, frogs chirp, and a light breeze blows.
The Okavango Delta is also considered one of the best places in the world to witness a variety of bird species. From Pel’s fishing owls to African fish eagles, kingfishers to slaty egrets, wattled cranes to African pygmy geese, and carmine bee-eaters to blacksmith plovers, there is no shortage of birds in the Okavango Delta.
Moremi Game Reserve: Arguably Botswana’s most beautiful reserve, the Moremi Game Reserve is comprised of more varying eco-systems than the Okavango Delta area. With over 1,160 square miles of dense forests, floodplains, islands, and swamps, this game reserve attracts an abundance of diverse creatures including antelope, waterbuck, red lechwe, ostrich, elephant, zebra, buffalo, leopard, spotted hyena, various bird species, and much more. You might even spot the elusive dung beetle while visiting Moremi.
Chobe National Park: Spanning roughly 4,250 square miles, the Chobe National Park is one of the best places in Botswana to partake in a power boat tour. Watch as large herds of elephants cross through the water with their baby’s playfully running side by side with their mothers.
For bird lovers, the time between September and October is an exceptional time to visit the Chobe National Park as thousands of carmine bee-eater colonies begin to breed.
When to travel to Botswana:
Although Botswana provides exceptional game viewing year-round, the best time of year to visit is usually during the dry season in months between May and November. Some areas do, however, lose some of their animals to migration patterns during the months outside of the dry season. Specifically, the Linyanti and Selinda concessions lose much of their elephant and zebra population due to natural migration patterns.
For the more adventurous, you can observe these spectacular creatures up-close from the safety of a specially designed shark diving cage. If you’re on the more conservative side—like myself—you can witness sharks feed from the comfort of the boat. In addition to viewing a variety of shark species, you can see Cape fur seals, whales, and penguins.
Coming in as Animal Planet’s sixth ugliest animal in the world, the poor little warthog has made an unfortunate name for itself. With long, thin legs, a hairy back and head, two sets of tusks (four individual tusks all together), and a wart covered head, it’s no wonder this unpopular creature is getting picked on. But, to the contrary, if you observe the warthog in its entire splendor, you may find them to be quite cute!
As a close relative to the North American bald eagle, the African fish eagle is one of South Africa’s most stunning creatures to observe on a South African birding safari. Characterized by black, brown, and white plumage, the African fish eagle is nearly identical in appearance to its endangered North American relative.
Scuba diving enthusiasts, beach lovers, and adventurists alike find Marlin Lodge to be a haven for their most beloved activities. Rich with exotic wildlife, each type of eco-system boasts the same amount of awe and beauty as the next. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or take part in water sports, a Dhow cruise, horseback riding, island game-drives, scuba diving, snorkeling, or spa treatments, Marlin Lodge is the ideal place to stay in Mozambique.
2. Lavish Accommodations: Keeping in par with the island’s indescribable beauty, Marlin Lodge’s luxurious accommodations are a delightful compliment to the area’s stunning landscape. With a total of 17 elegant chalets, Marlin Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy an intimate and private setting while on an African honeymoon vacation or 
3. Wonderful Entertainment: An absolute highlight among guests is Marlin Lodge’s Beach BBQ, which primarily features fresh seafood. After the Beach BBQ, sundowner cocktails are served poolside and accompanied by light music in the lounge and bar area where you can socialize about the days exciting events.
Before the 1850s, Victoria Falls couldn’t be found on a map. When David Livingstone discovered the region and its Tonga and Makalolo people in 1855, the area received much attention for its abundance of stunning scenery and fantastic wildlife.
At Toka Leya camp, activities on the fully inclusive rate include:
Accommodations provided by the Toka Leya camp include:
Become closer with nature than ever before on an 
eal location in the middle of the 
The main lodge contains an exquisite bar and lounge deck, outdoor dining area, and pool—all open to the outdoors. When the weather permits, dining is outdoors around a crackling campfire. The exquisite cuisine offered by the Sussi Lodge and Chuma House combine fresh, local and international flavors that delight every palate. One of the main lodge’s newest additions is a lavish spa, offering top-of-the-line pampering services and revolutionary treatments.
