What you need to know for a luxury safari- Botswana

Thinking about going on a Safari? Planning your first safari can be intimidating but we’re here to help. We put together this short list to prepare you for your trip of a lifetime!

It’s worth mentioning that for this type of journey, you will absolutely want to book through a professional travel agent. With so many moving parts that go into a safari adventure - flights, lodging, ground logistics, packing, preventative medication - Jetset & Travel has deep knowledge and the best partners for curating your amazing African adventure (all of Africa, although the below speaks on Botswana)

10 tips to Know before you go:

Game Drives - A Game Drive is a wildlife viewing drive, that one would typically think of as a “Safari”. A typical Safari vacation has two Game Drives daily: early morning and sunset. Your wakeup call is around 5:00AM and, after a quick breakfast, you hit the road around 6:00AM. You return for lunch around 11:00AM, followed by a relaxing siesta at the lodge between 12PM-4PM. At 4:00PM, you will be offered African traditional tea time (light snacks and drinks) before you go on your sunset game drive which leaves between 4PM-7PM. You’ll end the day with a Sundowner (see below) before your delicious dinner.
A sundowner is simply a 'happy hour' during sunset over the African Bush. As you round off your Afternoon adventure, your game drive will be spiced with a Basecamp Sundowner. A gin & tonic is the unofficial drink of Africa and the go-to for Sundowners!
Luggage & Laundry- Soft sided luggage is a requirement (that way it can be “stuffed” into the small planes and transfers cars). The requirement for your luggage is around 44lbs (this includes your carry on bag as well). They will weigh everything, additional costs are involved if you go over. For 10 + days this can seem stressful for packing but all premier lodges offer complimentary Laundry service. It’s common to only bring four outfits on this journey so no need to be shy about re-wearing outfits and rotating them in wash! (not sure what to pack- CLICK HERE to see some go the items I packed)
Most camps are set up family-style so your guide & other staff members will join you for breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner. This makes the experience more personalized and a great way to learn about their background in culture.
It’s recommended to visit multiple camps in different area’s in order to see a range of wildlife. The average camp stay is about three nights and it’s normal to see about 3 camps on your journey.
Medications & Vaccinations- Different parts of Africa have different recommendations and requirements to visit. For this trip to Botswana, Malaria medication was recommended. I had such a great experience with Runway Health that provided my Malaria medication for this trip, that I partnered with them and highly recommend the ease of their service! No need to visit a doctors office, just log in & use code JETSET15 for 50% off your consultation (making it only $15 for your visit). CLICK HERE for access. You will begin your Malaria medication two days prior to your trip and continue taking it every day throughout, and the four days following your return. Your doctor will lay out a specific plan for you.
Traveling between Camps- The only way to get between each camp is what we call the “Bush Uber” (a small plane or a helicopter) be mentally prepared for multiple small 8-12 seater planes while traveling around Botswana and most of the Safari experiences in Africa.
Safety- There are no internal hallways at these camps, it’d not like a traditional hotel. You will have an escort to guide you to and from your room after dark and early morning as the wildlife is unpredictable. The animals do view the Game Drive cruiser as a whole and as long as your stay in the vehicle it’s safe.
Photography- If you don’t have room to bring a large professional camera, your iPhone will do just fine, BUT most premier camps will include a complimentary professional camera in your room for use throughout your stay with a SIM card to take home.
Whats included-All your food & drinks are included on your safari and be prepared to eat a ton! The safari game drives are all included as well (basically the whole experience once you land will be paid for prior, tipping is expected though and details on that are below)
Going on game drives means a lot of sitting. Be prepared for this, and if it’s hard for you to sit for long periods of time, I recommend a maximum of six nights on a safari. Consider combining your safari with a visit to Cape Town.

Photo Credit: Amanda Davis

Why Botswana?

Botswana is widely considered one of the best places to travel for a safari experience thanks to its abundant wildlife, pristine wilderness, and commitment to sustainable tourism. To me, it feels like the most authentic African Safari experience.

The country boasts some of the most stunning natural landscapes in Africa, including the vast expanse of the Okavango Delta, the arid Kalahari Desert, and the Chobe National Park. These areas are home to a vast array of wildlife including: lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and many more.

What sets Botswana apart from other safari destinations is its dedication to conservation and responsible tourism. The government has implemented strict measures to limit the number of visitors and vehicles allowed in the parks, ensuring that the animals and their habitats are not disrupted, giving you an untouched experience that doesn’t feel very touristy - trust me when I say this is not your typical “Animal Kingdom” vacation!!

All of these factors make Botswana the perfect destination for an unforgettable safari experience while also supporting responsible tourism.

When’s the best time to go?

Although it’s a year-round destination, Many experts regard the cooler months of June to August is the best time of year for luxury safaris in Botswana, which has the perfect weather for a game drive, and the risk of malaria is at its lowest. I went in March (the end of their summer) and it was beautiful and lush being the rainy season, although very warm.

How to get to Botswana?

From New York City, you will take a 15-hour flight to Johannesburg or Capetown. Followed by a 2-hour flight to Maun, and finally a 10-45 minute flight to your camp. You will most likely do an overnight in South Africa prior. In the end, it takes about two days to get to Botswana. While I used NYC as an example here, I’m happy to chat through the travel process from wherever your home destination is.

What’s the typical cost of a safari trip?

For premier camps in Botswana, it’s typically between $2600-$5500 per person per night with a lower rate offered in the low-season and higher rates during the high-season. For a couple going on a 7-night safari, the cost would be between $50-$77K. Note: By comparison to Botswana, South African Safari prices tend to run a bit higher and may be $1500-$4500 per person per night. All your food and drink at camps are included, as well as the full safari experience. What will be additional are your international flights and inter-country flights. also Gratuity is customary and the below guides are provided to help with what to bring. You can pay these at the end of your stay using USD Dollars or by credit card.