Botswana Dry Season Safari

Sunrise with backlit baobab trees on Lekubu Island, Botswana

What to expect on this itinerary

Botswana's heart beats to nature's seasonal rhythm, and this 11-day itinerary highlights the seasonal wonders. From June to September, the landscape is dusty and scorched, idyllic dry season conditions for game viewing. But during this time, distant rains rumble down and flood the Okavango Delta, crafting a surreal oasis of color and migrating wildlife. So on a dry season Botswana safari, you explore two distinct yet interconnected worlds, the iconic desiccated wilderness, and the lavish waterways.

Countries Visited

Botswana

Places Visited

Maun, Linyanti Concession, Chobe National Park, Selinda Private Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Linyanti Concession – Botswana's Abundance

First safari impressions are always memorable. There's a sense of expectation that's combined with the feeling of not knowing exactly what you should be expecting. A micro flight across Botswana is a good start. You'll land in Maun and transfer to a light aircraft which cruises across the Okavango Delta. Scale imbues at every angle; rivers, desert, forests, grasslands, so many colors and not a single road in sight. You're introduced to just how broad and expansive Botswana can be. This is not going to be a safari into small game reserves; you're going to be exploring Africa's legendary scale.

Touch down on a remote airstrip and the safari begins. Elephants rumble past at remarkable intervals, every corner bringing another herd or another trunk-swinging mother and baby. Giraffe necks stand above the trees and an array of ungulates move beneath the branches. There are animals everywhere, from the rumbustious baboons to the diminutive antelopes hiding from view. But it's not the animals that you're likely to remember. On a first safari, it's the intimacy that defines the experience. Elephant tower above the vehicle, almost close enough to touch. Kudu horns are barely meters from your eyes. Sounds echo through the woodland, mystical insights into life behind the trees. The journey from the airstrip to the luxury camp is a safari. In fact, every moment is a safari. Because when you're lounging on the verandah, there's always wildlife nearby. 

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Activity
Dinner
Day 2 - 3

Linyanti Concession – Sweeping Grasslands and Mopane Woodlands

Day 4 - 5

Selinda Game Reserve – Iconic Wilderness

Day 6 - 8

Moremi Game Reserve – Legendary Safari Experience

Day 9 - 10

Central Kalahari Game Reserve – Classic Dry Season Desert Safari

Day 11

Central Kalahari to Maun – Departure From Botswana

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the evocative array of Botswana's landscapes, each providing a new safari experience: sweeping grasslands, mopane woodland, flooded delta, scorched desert, and more
  • Experience the Okavango Delta in its sublime flooded brilliance, taking game drives and canoe safaris through a labyrinth of deltas that form nature's greatest oasis
  • Walk and ride horses into the seemingly endless wilderness of Selinda, a private game reserve that excels in taking you into the heart of the bush
  • Watch legendary game wander past your luxury camp in Moremi Game Reserve, all the famous animals migrating here during the dry season
  • Escape into the vast dusty plains of the Central Kalahari, a huge safari landscape where the action is centered around the shriveling water holes
  • Discover Botswana from all angles thanks to a handcrafted array of safari activities, each revealing a new side to a mystical country
  • Hop between safari destinations by micro flight, an experience that offers surreal aerial vistas and expedited travel between remote wilderness areas

Starting Price

$18,800 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 413 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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bonnie A.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe: Safari, 13 Nights

The service before, during, and after our trip was totally "white-glove," and there were extra perks that we were surprised with each day of our trip. Zicasso's travel company listened to our goals and met and exceeded every one. We recommend them in every way and will be using them in the future!

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Edward L.
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Wildlife, 28-Day Trip

Fantastic job! Zicasso's travel specialist set up 28 days with flights, drivers, etc, and not a thing went wrong. She understood my needs and tailored the trip expertly.

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Mary B.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Vacation Review: Safari, Cuisine, Camping, Welcome Songs, 17 Nights

The Zicasso tour operators did an exceptional job from start to finish. I would highly recommend this company. Plus, they were in my time zone, making communication much easier. Our agent always responded within 24 hours and when I had to contact him while in Africa, he responded within the half hour. Every aspect of our trip that was planned for us was exceptional and beyond my expectations.

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Meghan C.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Safari, River Cruise, Winelands, 11 Nights

We had the most incredible experience! Zicasso’s travel agent was so easy to work with and made all of our dreams come true, from the hot-air balloon ride to the day trip in Botswana, she had every detail covered and made it so easy for us. When we had some last-minute questions while on our trip, she was incredibly responsive and provided helpful information. I cannot recommend her enough!

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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