We’re a small, specialist Botswana travel company built around first-hand knowledge, personal service and honest advice. We know the country from years of travelling, camping and exploring it ourselves, so we can help you decide not just where to go, but what is genuinely worth your time and money.

Every trip is tailor-made. You deal directly with us, and we design your safari around your interests, travel style, preferred level of comfort and budget — not around a pre-set package.

Botswana is wonderfully informal, so there’s no need to bring formal or dressy clothing. Comfortable, practical clothes are best, and layers are particularly important, as temperatures can change considerably between an early-morning game drive and the middle of the day.

Lightweight, breathable fabrics work well, with neutral colors such as khaki, olive, beige, brown and grey particularly suited to the bush. Long sleeves and lightweight pants are also useful for protection from the sun and insects.

Clothing

We recommend bringing:

• Lightweight, breathable shirts and T-shirts

• Shorts and lightweight pants

• One or two long-sleeved shirts

• Comfortable closed-toe walking or hiking shoes

• Sandals or flip-flops for around camp

• A wide-brimmed hat or cap

• Swimwear

• A fleece or warm layer

• A lightweight windproof jacket

• Comfortable sleepwear

There is generally no need for formal clothing, even at the more luxurious safari camps.

May to August

These are Botswana’s cooler, drier months. Days are usually warm and pleasant, but early mornings, evenings and nights can be surprisingly cold, particularly when you’re sitting in an open safari vehicle before sunrise.

Temperatures can occasionally fall to around 40°F / 5°C overnight, while daytime temperatures may still reach the upper 70s or 80s°F / mid-20s°C.

We recommend adding:

• A warm fleece or jacket

• A windproof outer layer

• Long pants

• Warm sleepwear

• A beanie or warm hat

• A scarf and light gloves if you feel the cold

• Thermals if you’ll be mobile camping or sleeping in tents

It can feel considerably colder on the back of an open game-drive vehicle than the temperature might suggest.

September to April

These are generally the warmer months, with daytime temperatures frequently reaching the 90s°F / mid-30s°C, and occasionally higher.

Rain becomes increasingly likely during the summer months, particularly from around November onward, although showers are often short and followed by sunshine.

Bring lightweight, breathable clothing, along with:

• Swimwear

• A lightweight waterproof jacket

• Good sun protection

• An extra dry layer for after rain

Baggage for internal flights

Light aircraft used to transfer guests between Maun and bush camps have very limited luggage space, so soft-sided bags are required.

As a general guide:

• Recommended maximum bag size: 70 × 35 × 30 cm / 28 × 14 × 12 in

• Maximum total baggage allowance: approximately 20 kg / 44 lb per person

• This allowance may include hand luggage and camera equipment, depending on the airline

• A soft-sided duffel bag of approximately 60–70 liters is ideal

• Avoid hard-shell suitcases, rigid frames and oversized wheeled luggage, as bags need to fit into small aircraft luggage compartments

Baggage allowances can vary between charter operators, so we’ll confirm any different limits that apply to your particular itinerary.

Laundry

One of the advantages of safari travel is that you don’t need to pack a fresh outfit for every day.

Many safari camps offer a laundry service, often included in your stay, although arrangements vary between properties and some personal items may not be accepted for laundering.

Mobile camps generally have more limited facilities, so if your itinerary includes mobile or wild camping, it’s worth bringing enough clothing for those sections of the trip.

Other useful things to bring
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• Flashlight or headlamp — we recommend one for every traveler, particularly if you’ll be staying in mobile camps

• Binoculars — strongly recommended; they make both wildlife viewing and birding much more rewarding

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Insect repellent — many camps provide it, but we recommend bringing your preferred brand

• Personal medications — bring enough for your entire trip and keep essential medication in your hand luggage

• Personal toiletries

• Refillable water bottle

• Small backpack or daypack

• Camera or phone, plus chargers, spare batteries and memory cards

• Travel adapter — Botswana uses Type D, G and M sockets (230V). If traveling from the U.S., bring a suitable plug adapter and check that your devices are marked 100–240V; single-voltage 120V appliances will also require a voltage converter.

• Power bank, particularly for mobile or remote camping

• Lip balm and moisturizer — Botswana’s dry climate can be surprisingly dehydrating

• A good book for relaxing during the hotter middle part of the day

• A deck of cards or small travel game

• Your Into the Okavango Mammal and Bird Checklist, so you can keep track of everything you see along the way

What not to bring

Try not to overpack. Safari life is casual, and most people find themselves wearing the same comfortable favorites repeatedly.

We suggest avoiding:

• Hard-shell suitcases if your trip includes light-aircraft transfers

• Heavy or bulky clothing

• Formal evening wear

• Too many pairs of shoes

• Large quantities of toiletries

• Anything valuable that you don’t genuinely need on the trip

Above all, pack light and pack in layers. You’ll be much more comfortable, and your bag will be far easier to manage on the small aircraft and safari vehicles used throughout Botswana.

Malaria occurs in parts of Botswana, including the Okavango Delta and other northern safari areas, with the level of risk varying by location and season.

We recommend speaking to your doctor or a specialist travel-health clinic well before you travel for advice appropriate to you.
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While on safari, sensible precautions include using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants around dawn and dusk, and using mosquito nets where provided.

Safari days usually start early, when wildlife is most active and temperatures are cooler.

You might begin with tea or coffee before heading out on a morning game drive at around sunrise. You'll then return to camp for breakfast or brunch, followed by several hours to relax during the hotter middle part of the day.

Afternoon tea is normally followed by another activity, such as a game drive, mokoro excursion, boat trip or walk. Afternoon drives often include a sundowner before returning to camp for dinner.
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Every camp operates slightly differently, and one of the pleasures of safari is that the day's plans can often change depending on wildlife, weather and what interests you most.

Food is an important part of the safari experience, and most camps serve three meals a day along with snacks during activities.

Depending on the camp, meals may be served individually, buffet-style or around a communal table. You'll usually find a combination of international dishes and African influences, with everything from light breakfasts and brunches to freshly prepared dinners.

Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice. Please tell us about any allergies, dietary requirements or strong preferences when booking so we can make sure the camps are prepared.

This depends on the camp and the package you book.

Many safari camps include drinking water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, local beers, house wines and selected spirits in their rates. Premium wines, champagne and imported or specialist spirits may carry an additional charge.
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We'll let you know what's included in your particular itinerary before you travel.

Absolutely. While Botswana isn’t generally a hiking destination in the traditional sense, there are plenty of ways to be active.

Depending on where you stay, you may be able to enjoy guided bush walks, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, horseback safaris, kayak trips and other active experiences.

Because much of Botswana is unfenced wilderness, walking is always guided and carefully managed around wildlife.

If being active is important to you, let us know and we can build your itinerary around camps and areas that offer more opportunities to get out of the vehicle and experience the bush on foot.

Game drives are usually conducted in open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles with an experienced professional guide.

Rather than following a fixed route, your guide will read tracks, listen for alarm calls, speak with other guides and use their knowledge of the area to search for wildlife.

Drives are usually taken in the early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active. Depending on the reserve, you may also be able to drive after dark in search of nocturnal wildlife.
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There is plenty of time to stop, watch, photograph and simply enjoy what is happening around you — safari is as much about observing animal behavior as it is about ticking species off a list.

In many areas, yes.

A guided bush walk offers a completely different perspective on the wilderness. On foot, the focus often shifts from simply finding large animals to understanding tracks, plants, insects, birds and the smaller details that are easy to miss from a vehicle.

Walks are led by appropriately qualified guides and are only offered where conditions and regulations allow.
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Not every camp offers walking safaris, and age or fitness restrictions may apply. If walking is something you'd particularly like to include, let us know when we plan your itinerary.

A mokoro is a traditional canoe used to travel through the shallow waterways of the Okavango Delta.

You'll sit low in the canoe while an experienced poler guides you quietly through channels, reeds and floodplains. It's a wonderfully peaceful contrast to a game drive and an excellent way to appreciate the smaller details of the Delta.

Mokoro activities depend on water levels and are therefore not available at every camp throughout the year.

Botswana offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Africa, and animals commonly seen can include elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wild dog, hippo and numerous species of antelope.

But this is a genuinely wild environment — there are no guarantees.

Wildlife sightings depend on the season, water levels, weather and, sometimes, a little luck. Some drives can be action-packed, while others may be quieter.

That's part of what makes safari so special: you never quite know what is waiting around the next corner.

And remember — even when you haven't spotted them, there's a good chance they've spotted you.

Not at all.

Most of our guests don't need any previous experience for the activities we arrange. Professional guides will explain what to expect, how to behave around wildlife and anything you need to know before each activity.

Bring comfortable clothes, an open mind and a sense of adventure — your guides will take care of the rest.

There's much more to Botswana than game drives.

Depending on where you stay and the time of year, your trip could include:

• Guided bush walks

• Mokoro excursions

• Motorboat safaris

• Horseback safaris

• Helicopter or light-aircraft scenic flights

• Kayaking

• Fishing

• Sleep-outs or wild camping

• Visits to habituated meerkats

• Quad biking on the Makgadikgadi Pans

• Cultural and community visits

• Local arts and crafts

• Visits to local food or drink producers

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Not every activity is available in every location or season, so if there's something you'd particularly love to do, tell us when we plan your trip.

There isn't really a bad time to visit Botswana — each season offers something different.

May to August brings cooler, dry weather and increasingly good wildlife viewing as vegetation thins and animals begin concentrating around permanent water. The Okavango floodwaters usually spread through the Delta during this period, although the timing and extent of the flood varies each year.

September and October can offer exceptional wildlife viewing as the dry season reaches its peak, but temperatures can become very hot.

November to March is Botswana's greener season. Summer rains transform the landscape, migrant birds arrive and many antelope species give birth. This can be a beautiful time for photography and birding, with dramatic skies and fewer visitors in some areas.

April is a transition month, when the rains begin to ease and temperatures become more comfortable.
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If you're primarily interested in classic big-game viewing, May through September is generally an excellent choice. But we'll help you choose the right time based on what you'd most like to experience.

Botswana has a semi-arid climate, with warm days for much of the year and a distinct summer rainy season.

December to March — Summer
Generally hot, with daytime temperatures sometimes reaching around 100°F / 38–40°C. Afternoon thunderstorms and periods of heavy rain are possible, although rainfall can be very localized.

April to May — Autumn
A transition period. Rainfall decreases, humidity begins to fall and temperatures become increasingly comfortable. Nights start becoming cooler.

June to August — Winter
Days are generally dry, sunny and pleasant, often around 68–86°F / 20–30°C, but nights and early mornings can be surprisingly cold. Temperatures in the Delta and Kalahari can occasionally approach freezing.

September to November — Spring
Temperatures rise steadily and October in particular can be extremely hot. The first thunderstorms of the new rainy season often begin during this period.
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Whatever time of year you travel, layers are useful because temperatures can change considerably between an early-morning game drive and the middle of the day.

Safari camps operate in wild areas where animals move freely, so it's important to follow your guide's instructions.

You'll receive a safety briefing when you arrive at camp. At many unfenced camps, guests are escorted between their rooms and the main areas after dark.

Never approach or feed wildlife, and don't leave your accommodation at night unless you've been told it's safe to do so.
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The guides and camp teams live and work in these environments every day — listen to them and you'll be able to relax and enjoy being somewhere genuinely wild.

Absolutely, and Botswana can be an unforgettable family destination.

However, individual camps and activities may have minimum-age restrictions, particularly for walking safaris, mokoro excursions and certain specialist activities.

Some camps are particularly well suited to families and may offer family tents, private vehicles or activities designed for younger guests.
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If you're traveling with children, let us know their ages and we'll recommend camps and an itinerary that work well for the whole family.

At most permanent safari camps, you'll have access to electricity for charging phones, cameras and other small devices. Many camps are solar-powered, so high-powered appliances such as hairdryers may not always be permitted.

Botswana uses Type D, Type G and Type M electrical sockets, with a standard electricity supply of 230V / 50Hz. We recommend bringing a universal travel adapter, as the socket type available can vary between camps.

If you're traveling from the U.S. (120V): you'll need a plug adapter for U.S. Type A or B plugs. You should also check the voltage rating printed on each charger or appliance. Most modern phones, laptops and camera chargers are dual voltage, typically marked “100–240V”, and can be used safely with just a plug adapter. If an appliance is rated only for 120V, you'll need an appropriate voltage converter before using it in Botswana — otherwise it could be damaged.

Wi-Fi is increasingly available, particularly in the main areas of lodges, but speeds can be limited and connections aren't always reliable.

Mobile phone coverage can be patchy or nonexistent once you're deep in the bush.
Mobile and wild camping trips may have very limited charging and connectivity, so bringing a power bank is useful.
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We recommend embracing the opportunity to disconnect — the bush provides a considerably better screen anyway.

Tipping is entirely optional, but if you feel the team has helped make your safari special, gratuities are always greatly appreciated.

As a general guide, we suggest allowing approximately:

• Safari guide: $10–$20 per person, per day

• Camp staff (all): $10–$20 per person, per day, usually placed in the communal staff tipping box

• Mobile safari chef and camp crew: around $5–$10 per person, per day for each team or as advised by the operator

• Mokoro polers or specialist activity guides: around $5–$10 per person, where applicable

We generally recommend tipping your guide separately, as you’ll usually spend much of your safari with them, while a communal tip is shared among the wider camp team, including housekeeping, kitchen and other behind-the-scenes staff.

These amounts are only guidelines — there is no obligation to tip, and you should always give what you feel is appropriate for the service you received.
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Individual camps and safari operators may have their own recommended tipping guidelines, so we’ll let you know if anything different applies to your particular itinerary.

Most safari activities are suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels, and you certainly don’t need to be an athlete.

Game drives and mokoro excursions require very little physical effort. Guided bush walks are more active, so a reasonable level of mobility and fitness is helpful, particularly in warm weather or on uneven ground.

Longer kayaking safaris require a higher level of fitness and stamina. You may be paddling for several hours each day, so being comfortable with sustained physical activity will make the experience much more enjoyable.

Horseback safaris vary considerably. Short rides may be suitable for beginners, but dedicated multi-day riding safaris in the Okavango are generally aimed at intermediate to experienced riders. You should be riding-fit, comfortable and in control at all paces, and prepared to spend several hours a day in the saddle.

If you have any mobility concerns, health considerations, or are interested in a more physically active safari, let us know when planning your trip. We can recommend camps and experiences that are appropriate for your ability and comfort level.