A common question we’re asked, is “How much does a Botswana safari cost?

The team at Safari Guru understands that when people start investigating safaris, they often need help understanding the overall costs for safari budgeting purposes. Without setting the budget parameters upfront, it can usually result in prolonged booking processes, complications such as forfeited accommodation options, and even frustrations due to sticker shock.

In short, a considerable diversity of safari experiences are available at a wide range of prices. Still, it’s important to note that African Travel Specialists like Safari Guru do not set these prices. African travel specialists, unlike travel agents, work closely with preferred safari operators in Africa to engage at the best prices and create the most rewarding travel packages for each traveling party.

Safari Guru can tailor a safari to most budgets, but we only engage with approved safari operators, where we can guarantee the quality of the experience. Within the budgets mentioned below, the safari experiences are fantastic. We as a team would happily do any of these safaris with our families, and we often do – it’s just a matter of finding out what works for you and your family. 

The budgets below are merely guidelines and will help give us a focus on the kinds of camps and experiences we should focus on for your traveling party. Still, there are many factors that come into play with safari bookings and prices, which we will explain below.

In this article, we’ll explain a handful of factors that determine the answer to the question, “How much does a Botswana safari cost?”

As mentioned above, the cost of a Botswana safari can vary widely depending on several factors, but here are some general price ranges:

• Budget safaris: Around $550-$650 per person per day.
• Mid-range safaris: Approximately $650-$800 per person per day.
• Luxury safaris: $900-$1,800+ per person per day.
• Ultra-luxury safaris: Can exceed $ 2,500-$4,500 per person per day at top-end properties.

Now comes the curveball… Luxury does not always equate to silver services, or a thread count on super-sized king beds. Luxury, in all aspects of safari can also mean having the luxury of a private wildlife viewing area, only shared by other travelers affording the same lodge as you! But, we will get into that more below.

Safari Guru travelers typically spend 6 to 9 nights exploring Botswana. Their itineraries usually include 6 nights in the Okavango Delta, split across two camps, each offering different experiences. The another 3 nights in the Linyanti / Chobe region, and or sometimes a desert property, all providing a balanced mix of land and water-based experiences.

Safari Guru Top Tip: Spend 3 nights minimum per camp, as this allows 2 days of activities and exploration per region. 4 nights are also popular for safari connoisseurs, yet 5 nights could be a bit of a stretch for some.

Popular add-ons to these trips are destinations like Victoria Falls, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Most journeys start and end in Maun, unless travelers arrive from Victoria Falls, in which case Kasane or the Victoria Falls airport serves as a more convenient entry point.

Rough budgets for 11 night safari in Botswana, with a quick visit to Victoria Falls (similar experiences are available in Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya but generally at slightly lower prices)

USD 7,000-8,000 per person – This is primarily a mobile tented safari experience or entry-level authentic camps in non-private areas. In Botswana, you’ll generally have exclusive use of your own mobile tented camp, which moves through the main game reserves and national parks. There are some limitations (you might not be able to track animals offroad, and you’ll need to be back in camp just after sunset), and as the areas are open to the public, there might be other vehicles around.

However, the wilderness is beautiful, the wildlife is plentiful, and the guides are excellent and able to get you off the beaten track when they can. Accommodations are simple but very comfortable. There is an open-air en suite bathroom with bucket showers and short drop toilets. Moving through very wild areas with excellent game viewing.

An example of an itinerary would be this Mobile Safari safari. 

USD 10,000-13,000 per person – This type of safari will get you into some wilder and more remote areas. Generally, in these areas, the guides are allowed to drive off the road, and you can do night drives and walking safaris as well as other activities. Accommodations are beautiful and very comfortable, generally with full ensuite facilities. 

A sample itinerary might be:

• 3 nights Camp Kalahari, Kalahari Desert
• 3 nights Pelo Camp, Okavango
• 3 nights Sable Alley, Okavango/Linyanti
• 2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe

USD 14,000-18,000 per person – Here you start getting into the very best game viewing areas with luxurious camps. The guides in these camps are awesome, but we could also organize a private guide to accompany you. 

A sample itinerary might be:

• 3 nights Chitabe Lediba, Okavango 
• 3 nights Okavango Explorers Camp, Okavango
• 3 nights Selinda Explorers, Linyanti
• 2 nights Mpala Jena, Victoria Falls, Zambia

USD 18,000pp +

These are the highest-end camps with the ultimate luxury and service. Being in one of these camps doesn’t always guarantee a better safari experience, but some of these camps are located in the absolute best of the best safari areas. Again, highly recommend a private guide to accompany you throughout. 

• 2 nights Matetsi Victoria Falls, or Tongabezi Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia
• 3 nights Zarafa Camp, Selinda/Linyanti
• 3 nights Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta
• 3 nights Jack’s Camp, Kalahari Desert

What factors influence Botswana safari prices?

SEASONALITY

When planning a Botswana safari, understanding the factors that influence pricing is key. As with any destination, seasonality plays a pivotal role in determining costs, with rates fluctuating throughout the year.

Prices tend to spike during the festive season (December 20 to January 5), but Botswana’s unique geographies and reliance on floodwaters create a more nuanced picture of peak and off-peak seasons.

The importance of floodwaters can’t be overstated when considering how much a Botswana safari costs. Rather than making sweeping assumptions, it’s essential to understand that the “best camps” and prime wildlife viewing areas may vary significantly based on the season or even the specific month.

For example, peak season in the Okavango Delta typically spans June to October. During this time, North American travelers often arrive with their families on summer vacation, and water levels reach their highest. This isolates wildlife on islands, creating excellent game-viewing opportunities. Additionally, the dry season and thinning foliage make spotting animals easier. While October’s heat can be intense, it offers the best wildlife experiences and even great fishing.

The green season, which follows the November rains and lasts through March, is another factor to consider. Aside from the festive season, this is often referred to as the “secret season” in the Delta. May, just before the peak season begins, is an ideal time to experience a safari at slightly lower rates.

However, the Central Kalahari has a different peak season, from December to February, when the Okavango Delta experiences less wildlife activity. This is the best time to witness the lesser-known zebra migration in the Kalahari, where tens of thousands of animals move through the region.

Meanwhile, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer year-round experiences. Travelers seeking the eerie, lunar-like landscapes and adventure activities like quad biking should visit during the dry season (April to October).

In short, when considering how much does a Botswana safari cost, it’s essential to take into account the varied landscapes, seasonal wildlife movements, and the timing of your visit, all of which can dramatically affect both the experience and the price. But don’t stress, your African Travel Specialist will take all of this into account, when planning your next safari vacation.

Further reading on the best times to visit Botswana!

TRIP LENGTH

As a general rule of thumb, when planning and budgeting for a luxury Botswana safari you can use a peak season average of USD 1,500 – USD 2,000 per night, per person as a starting point, multiplied across the number of active safari nights on your itinerary.

EXCLUSIVITY

Botswana’s wilderness experience is unique by design. The absence of large crowds is no coincidence, but a deliberate outcome of the country’s national tourism strategy, which prioritizes conservation and wildlife welfare above all else. By focusing on high-end, low-impact tourism, Botswana limits the number of guests in each concession to protect the environment. Some of the most exclusive luxury safari camps in Botswana have as few as four suites, ensuring seclusion, privacy, and uncrowded big game viewing. It’s this commitment to exclusivity that drives premium pricing, but the experience is truly worth it!

Safari Guru Top Tip: Since Botswana has fewer lodges compared to destinations like South Africa, we recommend booking your safari 12 to 18 months in advance, particularly if your preferred dates fall during peak season. This ensures availability at the most sought-after camps.

SAFARI CIRCUITS

Given Botswana’s limited road infrastructure and vast distances, small charter planes are the fastest and often the only way to travel between camps. These short flights, some lasting as little as 15 minutes, can add a few hundred dollars to the overall trip cost, especially if switching camps frequently.

Safari Guru Top Tip: In some cases, when guests stay at multiple camps owned by a single collection or brand, air transfers are complimentary.

ACCOMMODATION

Across the board, Safari Guru African Safari Specialists recommend camps and lodges in private concessions rather than national parks. Chobe National Park is a popular destination but it can feel overcrowded thanks to self-drive safaris and daytrippers from nearby Victoria Falls.

Botswana’s high-end/low-impact offering naturally aligns with this ideal: small camps—4 to 10 suites or tents—in remote locations spread across a patchwork of private reserves. Within this category, there are properties ranging from approachable luxury to ultra high-end and exclusive use. In the Okavango Delta, there are water camps, land camps, and combination camps where water levels may affect the activities on offer.

Not to fret, one of Safari Guru’s African Travel Specialist can help you make sense of it all.

In summary to, How much does a Botswana safari cost:

While Safari Guru works with many operators in Botswana, and the surrounding areas, and our knowledge on the area is fresh and current, it is always advisable to have one of African Travel Specialists give you an up to date account of preferred camps and areas based upon the season you intend to travel, how many people in your group, and the experiences you wish to enjoy.

Contact us for your personalised safari itinerary.