The Kalahari is Botswana’s other face: a fossil desert of golden grass and endless sky, home to black-maned lions, cheetah on the open pans and some of the most charismatic small wildlife in Africa — habituated meerkats among them.
To the northeast lie the Makgadikgadi Pans, the salt-crusted bed of an ancient superlake. In the dry season you ride quad bikes across a surface that curves with the earth; after good rains the pans flood, drawing flamingos and Botswana’s zebra migration. Time with San bushman guides adds a human depth no game drive can.
Highlights of Kalahari & Makgadikgadi
Black-maned lions
The Kalahari’s famous desert-adapted prides, ranging huge territories.
Meerkats at dawn
Habituated colonies that warm up on — and sometimes climb — their visitors.
The salt pans
Quad biking and sleep-outs on the bed of an ancient superlake.
San bushman culture
Walk with Zu/’hoasi guides and read the desert the way its first people do.
Best time to visit
Dry season — crisp nights, quad biking on the pans and classic desert light.
Green season — the zebra migration, flamingos after rain and dramatic skies.
In the rainy months many of these same camps drop their rates by 20–40% — emerald landscapes, newborn wildlife, superb birding and far fewer vehicles. Peak season isn't the only great season: tell us your budget and we'll show you what the green season buys.
Planning & cost
Usually two to three nights within a Botswana safari Every journey fully tailor-made.
Every journey is private and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
Money & tipping
US dollars are accepted at virtually every camp, and cards work at lodges and city hotels. Your trip is fully inclusive, so cash is mainly for tips: plan on roughly $10–20 per guest per day for your guide and $10–15 for camp staff, handed over at the end of each stay. We send exact guidance with your final documents.
Health & safety
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Staying connected
Nearly all lodges have Wi-Fi in the main areas (often in-tent too), and an eSIM from your US carrier covers the cities. Expect to be offline on game drives — most guests come to see that as the point. Family back home can always reach you through us, day or night.
What to pack
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
Botswana
A Botswana safari is Africa’s water wilderness — the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari.
Explore → ExperienceOkavango Delta
An Okavango Delta safari explores Africa’s great water wilderness by mokoro and 4x4.
Explore → BotswanaChobe National Park
Chobe — one of the greatest elephant gatherings on earth, seen from the water.
Explore → RegionSouthern Africa
The desert, the delta and the falls — Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Explore →Kalahari & Makgadikgadi FAQs
Getting to Botswana — flights, visas and health
Current at the time of writing. We re-confirm every requirement for your exact routing before you travel — and we will tell you what to apply for, and when.
Let's design your Kalahari & Makgadikgadi journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
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