“In Botswana, the greatest luxury is not found in a five-star suite, but in the silence of the wild.”
Dear travellers, what if your next great adventure began with a gentle splash through the Okavango Delta, a herd of elephants crossing your path or a sky filled with stars far from city lights? Botswana has a way of turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. However, before you begin to dream of your perfect getaway, you should have one question answered: What does a safari to Botswana cost?
Botswana has numerous options for enjoying its amazing landscapes, ranging from comfortable camping trips to luxurious lodges set deep in the wild. The final price can vary depending on the type of accommodation, travel season, safari style and wildlife destinations.
The good news? There is no need to book all your trips at a luxury lodge. By finding the right safari, you can get everything you want and still afford it, and you can enjoy the magic of Botswana.
In this guide, we’ll find out what a Botswana safari costs in various ways, find out where your money goes and give you a few tips on how you can plan a fantastic safari in Botswana without spending too much.
Let’s find the safari style that suits your budget and travel plans!
How much does a Botswana safari cost?
Botswana is a country that is synonymous with luxury safari lodges and private safaris. But there are also opportunities to explore the country through mobile camping and group adventures and explore landscapes in more affordable ways.
The Botswana safari cost will vary depending on the mode of transport, your accommodation choices and your experiences.
The following gives a broad indication of the costs per person in United States dollars. These are not set package rates and may vary from operator to operator, season to season and availability to availability.
| Safari style | Approximate cost per person |
| Budget mobile camping safari | US$350–US$600 per day |
| Mid-range tented safari | US$600–US$1,100 per day |
| Luxury safari lodge | US$1,200–US$2,500 per day |
| Ultra-luxury safari | US$2,500–US$4,500+ per day |
These are not intended as quotations but for early planning. Exclusive private safaris can be quite expensive, and some group tours might even be more affordable.
For instance, one safari company (not the same one) quotes a 10-day camp trip to the Okavango Delta and Chobe from about US$2,802 per person. The same trip can be arranged with accommodation (including airfare) from about US$3,511 per person.
This demonstrates the effect a type of stay can have on the total cost of Botswana safari experiences.
Travel tip: Make sure that your quote covers the park fee, meals, activities, transfers and domestic flights. Two packages can be the same price, but be quite different.
What makes Botswana safari prices so different?
Ever wonder why two safaris in Africa can cost such different amounts even though they both include game drives and are gorgeous?
The difference often comes down to how your safari is organised.
Many of Botswana’s wilderness areas have been developed as a tourism model that has a strong focus on low volume, high value travel (supported by guidelines from the Botswana Tourism Organisation). Other private concessions restrict the number of visitors, contributing to a more private experience.
This can lead to increased prices, especially in the Okavango Delta and other prime locations for wildlife viewing.
The following are the factors that have the greatest effect on Botswana safari prices.
Your choice of accommodation
There is a vast difference between a simple mobile tent and a luxury safari suite.
Canvas tents and shared facilities or basic campsites will be used for budget trips. But, upscale lodges might have private decks, large suites, personal service and well-prepared meals.
Your safari location
Depending on the area you are looking for a safari in Chobe could be easier to organise by road, especially around Kasane. A light aircraft transfer may be needed to reach a remote camp in the Okavango Delta.
If the camp is further away, it may be necessary to increase transportation and logistics costs.
Your travel season
The time of year can make a considerable difference to the price of accommodation.
Higher rates are typically charged during peak times, but lower rates are available during off-peak periods. The least expensive time of year is not always the most ideal for all activities, however.
Your group size
The price may vary depending on the number of people travelling – whether as a group, family or individuals.
Group safaris and shared transfers can also help to save on costs. A private vehicle, guide or camp, on the other hand, typically is more expensive.
Budget Botswana safari options
Adventure at an affordable price.
Not all travellers have a desire for a private plunge pool overlooking a floodplain.
Others like a campfire, a cosy tent and the fun of hearing the birds wake them up each morning. If this sounds like an adventure to you, then perhaps it’s budget safari time.
While Botswana is not necessarily one of the lowest cost safaris in Africa, it doesn’t have to be a luxury stay at any of the exclusive lodges.
Mobile camping safaris
One of the most interesting things about travelling in a mobile camp is that you can have an adventure at a much lower cost.
Mobile safaris do not rely on permanent luxury camps, and you can move around between the wildlife areas and spend the night in a temporary tented camp. This experience can involve:
- Guided game drives.
- Comfortable canvas tents.
- Prepared meals around a campfire.
- Transfers between safari areas.
- Walking and water activities.
Some mobile safaris provide full service, where a team of staff who cook for you, pitches camp and does much of the organisation.
Others are simpler and might be tasks that guests may need to handle themselves.
Being surrounded by nature can be a wonderful experience. Sleep under the canopy of stars and wake up to the sound of the African bush.
Tips for the budget-conscious: Questions to ask before booking a safari: Is it a participation or fully serviced safari? It could be cheaper, but it could also be less comfortable or involved.
Group safari tours
Adventures are more accessible when travelling in a group in Botswana.
Rather than having to pay for a private car and guide, some of the cost will be shared with other travellers. This could help to lower the cost of transport, guiding and accommodation.
These tours are especially great for individuals travelling alone and anyone who likes the social aspect of travelling, as they are open to people from around the world.
Their flexibility may be less, however. You might have to adhere to a schedule for departure from camp and for overall length of time spent at a wildlife encounter.
If you want to take a closer look at planning your first safari read our first time safari guide.
Overland safari adventures
Another option to see Botswana is by overland tours, which can be done on a budget.
They may be multi-country trips and may include an inter-combined visit to multiple destinations and may involve specially designed safari vehicles. Camping is offered on some tours and with some tours a combination of camping and simple accommodation is available.
Depending on the route, you may travel through parts of Botswana, Namibia or Zimbabwe.
It is important to take the fine print into account. Some offer meals, some offer camping equipment and activities and some have optional extra expenses for additional activities.
Remember, a low advertised price does not necessarily mean the price is low. Please review the contents before deciding.
Mid-range Botswana safari costs
Comfort, wildlife and a little extra luxury
If you’re looking for a balance between comfort and adventure, a mid-range safari might be the perfect fit.
You may reside in a permanent tented camp and have a bed, bathroom and an inviting dining area. Dinners can be under the stars and early game drives can start the day.
A mid-range safari can feature:
- Comfortable tented accommodation.
- Guided game drives.
- Selected meals and drinks.
- Park or conservation fees.
- Transfers between destinations.
- Fishing, hunting, or mokoro use during the season.
Regions and operators will have different prices. There may be a more rustic feel to some camps and a more boutique hotel feel to others.
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, a mid-range safari may be your best choice if you’d like to see more than one destination.
For instance, you could spend a few nights in the Chobe region and a few nights in the Okavango Delta. It will enable you to travel through various landscapes without having to stay at the most expensive lodges during your journey.
My planning advice: decide on which experience(s) are most important to you and make your budget around them. You don’t need to pay the same rate for each of your trip nights.
Luxury Botswana safari costs
Key words: retreat, solitude, seclusion, private, nature, wilderness.Key words: retreat, solitude, seclusion, private, nature, wilderness.
But now, let’s discuss what kind of safari makes you think of leaving your phone behind.
Picture a stylish tented suite surrounded by golden grasslands. Your day starts with fresh coffee as the bush slowly awakens, with a private deck overlooking a water channel.
It’s the draw of a luxurious Botswana safari.
Many luxury camps offer an all-inclusive experience, but this is not always the case and will depend on the specific property.
The package includes the following (depending on the lodge):
- Luxury tented villas or private villas.
- Three meals a day.
- Selected drinks.
- Guided game drives.
- Mokoro excursions or boating, where conditions allow.
- Walking experiences with qualified guides.
- Laundry services.
- Transfers between camps.
- Conservation or park-related fees.
Some camps are located in private concessions, and activities offered may differ from those offered in national parks.
Some private concessions also offer guided walking or night drives (per local rules and safety arrangements).
The cost of Botswana safari holidays at luxury lodges can increase significantly during holiday seasons. Private camps with a limited number of rooms can also be expensive due to their location and personal service.
What does a luxury safari really offer?
Luxury isn’t just about room size.
It can also make your journey more comfortable by taking care of the details.
Your guide may arrange a special picnic in the bush. The camp team may surprise you with a candle lit dinner! A quiet afternoon may include watching elephants swim and relaxing on your private deck.
With these little nuances, a safari can be personal.
It’s crucial to keep in mind however that luxury lodging does not guarantee wildlife encounters. There is a rhythm to nature and each game drive is unique.
Okavango Delta cost: What should you expect?
The Okavango Delta is amongst Botswana’s most renowned safari destinations known for its waterways, wildlife rich floodplains and unforgettable mokoro experiences.
But what is the Okavango Delta cost of a holiday here?
There’s no right or wrong answer.
How much you will spend will be determined by your safari type, be it mobile, permanent camp or exclusive lodge on a private concession.
Budget options in the Okavango
A mobile safari might be a cheaper option to visit parts of the Delta.
This is possible by road or temporary camp and guided activities for wildlife. Some packages include other areas of Botswana with the Delta, to provide a bigger adventure.
This form of travel is especially popular among those who prefer real-life experiences over a luxurious setting.
Some places may be available only during a certain time of year, however, and some trips might not have the exact same aquatic adventures.
Mid-range Delta experiences
Mid-range camps provide a comfortable place to stay while enjoying the surrounding wilderness.
You can relish a permanent tent, an actual bed, an en-suite restroom and a dining space facing the scenery.
There are camps that offer more of land-based activity and others offer a combination of game drives and water activities.
If you are keen to take a mokoro ride or go boating, it is important to find out the annual flood cycle before you book.
Luxury camps in the Delta
Some of the finest safari accommodation on the Okavango can be among the most expensive in Africa.
Many are located in remote areas and may need light aircraft transfers between camps and/or between airstrips near Maun.
The published rates of lodges illustrate the diversity of lodging fees. One example is a safari offered by one operator in the Okavango River that rates its accommodations from several hundred US dollars per person per night, up to some thousand dollars per person for an exclusive safari.
These rates can be for more than just accommodation, including meals, guided activities and selected transfers.
Before comparing, always make sure to look at what is included.
How to manage your Okavango Delta cost
For the Delta, however, you don’t have to come on a luxury holiday to stay in a luxury camp.
Look into spending a couple of nights in the Delta and mix it with a less costly place to stay.
Another option is to compare some of the camps in various concessions, or to book a safari at a non-peak time, or a joint safari package.
With a little preparation, you can enjoy the Delta without going over budget.
What is the cheap time to visit Botswana?
Whether you’re looking for a wildlife experience with the big five, a cultural journey, or a relaxing getaway at a desert resort, the best time to visit Botswana will vary.
Many parts of the country have a dry season, and it’s often a time of choice for wildlife viewing, especially from May to October. Animals may congregate over consistent water sources and vegetation may be less dense in some places.
But during busy seasons, higher hotel costs can be found, too.
The “green” months, which are often the less rainy part of the year, can be quite different.
You can find abundant greenery, birds could be spotted in some areas, and migratory birds might be seen. Lower rates are also provided for some operators during less busy times.
Here is a general guide:
| Travel period | What to expect |
| May–June | The landscape begins to dry in many areas; floodwaters may be arriving in parts of the Delta |
| July–October | Popular dry-season period; often excellent for wildlife viewing, but rates can be higher |
| November–March | Green landscapes, seasonal rain and excellent birdwatching opportunities in many areas |
| April | Changing conditions, with possible value opportunities depending on the lodge and region |
The Okavango flood is not always in the rainy season in Botswana. The levels of water are dependent in part on the highlands rainfall in Angola, which can result in flood waters arriving and spreading at different times each year.
Budget tip: If dates are flexible, inquire with safari operators about shoulder season opportunities. You may find a better rate without missing out on an enjoyable experience.
How to lower your Botswana safari cost
It’s not essential that a great safari experience involves spending a fortune.
These are a few ideas for how to extend your budget.
1. Choose your priorities
Would you rather spend four nights in a luxury Delta camp or enjoy a longer trip with a mixture of accommodation styles?
There’s no correct answer.
Pick experiences that are most important to you first, then plan your trip.
2. Compare inclusive packages
A safari package might seem costly until you consider what you can get for the money.
When travelling between activities, meals and conservation fees can easily mount up when booked separately.
Ask for a complete breakdown of the price.
3. Take a look at a joint safari.
There are ways to get around expenses, such as sharing vehicles or transfers.
It’s a good choice for solo travellers and couples who don’t need their own travelling itinerary.
4. Be flexible with your dates
Travelling during peak seasons can be expensive.
When you can travel during less busy times, inquire about special pricing and other travel options.
Simply be sure that the season fits the activities you are interested in.
5. Mix and match accommodation styles
You could spend a few nights at a luxury lodge and the rest of your holiday at a more affordable camp.
This will enable you to have a special experience without paying for luxury charges throughout the journey.
6. Book early for remote camps
Some of the popular lodges and small safari camps may be full.
By booking in advance, you will have greater flexibility when it comes to picking dates, room types, and price.
One should also be mindful of cancellation conditions prior to payment.
7. Check the hidden extras
Check out the following things before making a booking:
- International flights.
- Domestic or charter planes.
- Airport transfers.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa requirements.
- Drinks not included in the package.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Optional activities.
- Single-room supplements.
Clear quotations allow for easier planning with confidence.
For some more useful tips about planning your first safari, check out our First Time Safari Guide.
Is Botswana worth the cost?
Botswana is where you can experience a type of safari many travellers want to have.
It has vast open spaces, remote camps, and waterways, and is also home to carefully managed wildlife areas, providing opportunities for relaxed and immersive experiences.
One morning you may come to see elephants at the Chobe River and the next at a Delta channel in a mokoro.
It is not an experience that is all about checking boxes. It’s about sitting in silence and listening to birds and observing the wilderness passing you by.
However, Botswana is not the only place to enjoy an unforgettable African safari.
If you’re comparing destinations then why not explore a different way of planning your safari with our South Africa Safari Cost guide, perhaps some of the safari options here may be more budget-friendly?
Find out more destinations and useful planning advice in our Ultimate African Safari Holidays Guide.
Plan a safari that feels right for you
The ideal safari budget isn’t always the most costly one. It is that one that provides you with the experiences that you crave.
Fancy a few relaxing nights in the Okavango Delta? Perhaps travelling alongside elephants along the Chobe River is more your style. Or maybe your dream holiday involves camping beneath a blanket of stars as you explore the wild.
Whether you are a safari enthusiast or prefer to explore through other means, Botswana has something to offer you.
Compare the cost of a Botswana safari, find out what is included in your safari tour and select the safari season that would work for you.
Remember dear travellers, the best part of a safari is not always the room, the car or the cost.
Sometimes it happens when the bush becomes quiet, an elephant walks in and you know you’re in the right place, bringing total world holiday vibes.
Your journey to Botswana awaits! Let’s do it right!
FAQ
Mobile camping US$350 – US$4,500+ or luxury accommodations.
During green season (November to March) or as an alternative, during shoulder months such as April.
Yes, the price for mobile camping begins at about US$350/day.
Rules of low-volume tourism and remote light aircraft transfers.
Check always – good inclusive quotes do; cheaper base prices don’t.
Source
E- book:
- https://ebooks.vibesgroupuk.com/books/zpxr/
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/holiday-travel-guide-ebook
Youtube
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YavMmHK0XUI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X72kPJ4XTU&list=PLNUm9YypsEQCLTnmAoQijeNXfxSgKZFaB
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F9NWbShnrU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-67Ujy_ga4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzkT8hf0EC8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZE2ipDg7LQ
Facebook:
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2022445845326016
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1507201421153719
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1532669025175724
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/4159963504228590
useful links:
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/destinations/africa
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/destinations/africa/madagascar
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/holiday-deals/madagascar-northern-highlights-madagascar-whv2308
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/holiday-deals/escape-to-madagascar-your-wild-paradise-madagascar-whv3198
