This African safari destination is perfect if you love the outdoors, wildlife, or luxurious drool-worthy lodges. From the lush Okavango delta to the pristine wilderness, you'll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on your Botswana honeymoon.
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Is Botswana a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Botswana is one of the best honeymoon destinations. It has stunningly beautiful landscapes and perfect weather for phenomenal safari experiences.
You’ll spot part of the big five, including leopards, lions, and elephants. And on a good day, you’ll come face to face with infamous rhinos and buffaloes.
Also, you’ll enjoy some of the most luxurious lodges in Africa set in the bush for the best intimate and serene experience.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Botswana?
- Tour the Okavango Delta. Indulge in activities such as:
- Mokoro canoe rides in the waterways.
- Wildlife sighting: You can expect elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffaloes, and predators (cheetahs, lions, leopards).
- Birdwatching: It’s the perfect place for birding, with over 400 recorded bird species.
- Go on a morning walking safari for an up-close view of the animals.
- Take a game drive to Chobe national park. Explore the lush floodplains for the best views of wild beasts, impalas, giraffes, and large herds of elephants.
- Take a boat cruise. View the animals closely around the Chobe River.
- Visit the gorgeous Makgadikgadi pans. Enjoy the picturesque sites, and admire the large herds of zebras.
- Visit the Botswana National Museum. Learn about the people’s culture and heritage.
- See the largest of rhinos. Visit the Khama rhino sanctuary to see them closely.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Botswana?
The best months to visit Botswana are May to October. The country has perfect weather for game drives, Okavango adventures, and camping in the wild.
While the early months (Jan-April) are rainy, they birth awe-inspiring sights such as lush landscapes (the Kalahari game reserves) and newborn animals. (Think impalas and antelopes taking their first leap and all kinds of bird species.)
November and December may be pretty hot, but also good to visit the game reserves.
Is a Honeymoon in Botswana Expensive?
A honeymoon in Botswana is expensive compared to other African safaris due to its luxury and exclusive experiences.
On average, a couple may spend $10000-17000 on an 8-day Botswana safari.
But the cost may be lower or higher depending on the following:
- Accommodation: Luxury lodges and tented camps are expensive.
- Activities: Exclusive and private tours are pricier than shared tours.
- Season of your visit: May to October is the peak season; hence expensive.
How To Plan a Budget Honeymoon in Botswana
- Most honeymoon packages include accommodation, safaris, and transport from one area to another. It’s less stressful with little to no miscellaneous expenses than DIY.
- A camping tour provides food and comfortable tents cheaper than lodges.
- You can fit your plans in one area, such as the Okavango Delta, to reduce travel expenses (usually involving flying).
- You can just opt for walking tours instead of game drives. Although they aren’t entirely free, walking is cheaper.
- Visit during the off-season (Feb to May) for better deals on accommodation.
- Join a group tour: Go for group tours instead of exclusive private tours—after all, the more, the merrier.
5 Best Cities/Areas to Stay In Botswana
Okavango Delta
Okavango Delta is one of the most scenic wildernesses in Africa. It perfectly balances dry grassland and swampy waterways hosting various species. You can concentrate your itinerary on this awe-inspiring African bush for the perfect Botswana safari.
Embark on a private safari for thrilling game drives. Experience the serenity of the Delta with a romantic sundowner cruise. Indulge in bird watching, exploring the Delta’s rich avian life, with over 500 species to discover.
Take tranquil bush walks hand in hand, learning about the Delta’s flora, fauna, and ecosystem. These activities offer a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and connection, ensuring a truly memorable honeymoon.
Where to stay: Maun, Chiefs camp, Vumbura plains
Makgadikgadi Pans
This salt pan is located in northeastern Botswana and is one of the largest salt pans in the world. Although it’s a dry area, it transforms into a shallow lake during the rainy season attracting spectacular flamingos and hippos.
The lake dries during the dry season, leaving pools that attract a variety of wildlife, such as brown hyenas, meerkats, zebras, and jackals.
Feel the exhilaration of quad biking across the expansive desert-like terrain. Take to the skies on a scenic flight, gazing down upon the vast salt pans, contrasting landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
As the day transitions to night, indulge in the romance of stargazing, marveling at the breathtaking night sky, devoid of light pollution.
Where to stay: Elephant Sands, Jack’s camp. Gweta lodge
Chobe National Park
Chobe national park is the best place to spot and pose with large herds of elephants that line the river during the dry season.
It’s the best place to visit Botswana on a budget since it’s cheaper than private concessions around Moremi national reserve and Okavango Delta. Take a romantic river safari along the Chobe River, where you can spot elephants, hippos, and various bird species.
Morning game drivers to see the elephants, wildebeests, impalas and giraffes, and others. Cross over to Zambia and spend a day at Victoria Falls. Explore the park hand in hand with guided nature walks, immersing yourselves in the smaller wonders of Chobe, such as tracks and plants.
Where To stay: Kasane, Camp linyanti
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
As the name implies, this reserve is in the center of the Kalahari desert and is Africa’s second largest.
The vast wilderness is serene and is the best place to see wildlife under the impression that you’re exploring Africa alone. The landscape includes grasslands, desert vegetation, and salt pans in between.
On a game drive, see jackals, black mane lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas. Others include elephants, wildebeests, springboks, and birds. Walk in the grasslands and explore the saltpans.
Shop in the small shops and galleries. Dance with the San people.
Where to stay: San camp, Evolve back Kalahari
Kasane
Kasane is a city near the African four corners. It’s the meeting point of four African countries (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). Stay here if you’re on a budget.
It’s a gateway to Botswana’s hotspots, including Chobe National Park, Chobe River, and Okavango Delta. And its proximity to victoria falls (one and a half hours by bus) is a bonus.
The game drive to Chobe national park is worthwhile for exploring wildlife. A boat cruise along river Chobe can be a romantic experience. You can also fly to Okavango Delta. Take a day trip to Victoria Falls
Where to stay: Kasane city center, near Chobe national park Chobe river cottages
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Botswana?
Currently, there are no direct flights from North America to Gaborone. Therefore, the best route is a layover flight to South Africa.
You can fly from Washington (Dulles), New York (JKF), or Atlanta to Johannesburg and proceed to Gaborone, Kasane, or Maun in Botswana.
Traveling Within Botswana
The best way to travel within Botswana is by charter flight. As mentioned earlier, the best places, including lodges, game reserves, and national parks, are far-flung interiors. Getting there by bus or car is stressful and time-consuming.
There are readily available light aircraft to move you from one destination to another.
But if you want to self-drive, you’ll need a 4WD since the terrains can be unforgiving and dangerous due to the roaming wildlife.
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in Botswana?
- Safari lodges: They range from luxurious to wallet-friendly lodges and are usually within the reserves.
- Tented camps: Unlike the usual tiny camps, these range from mid-range to luxury tented camps with ensuite bedrooms.
- Guest houses and hotels: These are usually in nearby towns such as Kasane. Most are bed and breakfasts, but the facilities depend on
3 Locals Foods To Try in Botswana
- Seswaa: Botswana’s national dish made with meat (chicken, beef, or mutton) which is slow-cooked and pounded and usually served with maize meal.
- Dikgobe: A traditional dish made with peas, beans, and sometimes meat, slow-cooked and usually served with maize meal, sorghum, or samp.
- Bogobe: This popular dish is made of sorghum, corn, or millet flour slowly cooked in boiling water, forming a soft porridge served with meat or vegetables.
Are There Any Cultural Experiences to Include in a Botswana Honeymoon?
Botswana hosts diverse ethnic groups. While they’re sparsely populated, each has a beautiful cultural heritage. Here are the most popular:
- Nature walk with the bush men: Also called san hunters and gatherers, they’re semi-nomadic and the best resource on bush knowledge.
- Dance with San people: Botswana dance is the most extensive in Southern Africa. You’ll learn to play their traditional instruments and watch the experts enter a trance.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in Botswana
You’ll spend most of the day in the bush, and it’s recommended to pack protective (from bugs and the sun) and weather-friendly wear. Also, add light long sleeve shirts/blouses and pants for during the day and warm for the night. (evenings can be chilly)
The basics include comfortable walking/hiking shoes, water bottles, sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Is Botswana Safe to Visit?
Botswana is a safe place to visit. Most crimes, such as vehicle break-ins, pickpockets, and muggings, usually happen in cities like Gaborone and Francistown. So if you are heading straight to the bushes, you have nothing to fear except the animals.
With that in mind, here are preventive measures to help you stay safe:
- Don’t go outside alone at night. Ensure you have a guard if you want an intimate stroll or stargaze. Animals such as hyenas tend to roam near the camps at night.
- Always stay on the trail. Ensure you follow your guides closely to avoid encountering dangerous animals.
- Don’t go too close to the animals. Most of them (even non-predators) may feel threatened and attack you when you get too close.
- Use bug spray and sunscreen when going outdoors, especially for walks, to protect yourself.
- Don’t swim in rivers and other waterways.
- Consider malaria, typhoid, and cholera vaccinations.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Botswana?
You don’t need a visa to visit Botswana for up to 90 days. But don’t forget to carry a valid passport. Also, be prepared to provide your stay and booking details.
Bonus Tips For A Botswana Honeymoon
- ATMs are scarce in some areas, so you will need cash. Remember to change to Botswana currency.
- 1 USD translates to 13.05 Botswana Pula.
- The local language is Tswana, but most people speak English.