It is the higher-end destination for safari, but if you are seeking abundant wildlife, with high concentrations of predators, in areas of extremely low human impact, then Botswana is the place to go. Northeast of the Delta, in the Savuti and Chobe area, the elephant populations are the densest in Africa, (during the Southern Hemisphere winter). Botswana took a bold move, early in its democracy, to focus on high-end, low-impact tourism, resulting in fewer beds at higher prices. This discourages the mass tourism seen in other countries and offers a far more ‘wild’ experience. As you traverse the floodplains of the Delta, or race after wild dogs hunting along the Linyanti river, you are not competing for space with large numbers of vehicles, and the photographic opportunities are truly breath-taking. With a population of only 2 million spread across such a vast country, there is plenty of land to go around for both people and wildlife. Parks and reserves have been established for the protection of the wildlife. Here, in the wilderness of Botswana, this level of remoteness elevates your experience: your adventure here will feel like a unique privilege.

Climate

The seasons in Botswana are indistinct. Rains generally start in October or November and persist through to March or April. Within that period there may be long dry spells. In April, temperatures begin to fall and May is generally regarded as the first month of the dry, cool winter, characterised by clear sunny days and cold nights. Spring begins in August and temperatures rise rapidly during the hot, dry period of September, October and November until the rains again break.

Botswana is truly a land of breathtaking contrasts, from the sandy plains of the Kalahari Desert to the lush oasis of the Okavango Delta. It is possible to combine these areas into one visit, gaining a spectacular overview of different scenery and attractions: from peaceful mokoro rides through clear waterways, to exhilarating game-drives along riverine forests, to a visit at your own deck from a great herd of elephants. Game-viewing is usually at its best during the dry season (in the winter months of May to August) and in the hot spring-time months of September and October, when the animals gather around dwindling sources of water, near rivers, pools and waterholes.