​Botswana is renowned for its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. From the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert to the lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta, Botswana offers diverse environments that appeal to every type of traveller. Whether you're an avid wildlife enthusiast, a keen photographer, or someone looking to immerse yourself in local cultures, Botswana has something to offer.

The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's largest inland deltas. This unique ecosystem transforms the desert into a lush paradise during the annual floods, creating a haven for a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors can explore the delta by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), enjoying close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and a myriad of bird species.

Characterised by tall evergreen trees lining a wide floodplain, Khwai is situated to the north-eastern tip of Moremi Game Reserve, and has superb consistency and distinctive species of predator and prey.  Large prides of lions are often seen hunting buffalo, leopard sightings are steady, and Wild Dog action is excellent. Even in the low season, sightings here are prolific. Birdlife such as saddle-billed storks, wattled cranes, and many species of kingfishers and bee-eaters are common. Being outside the game reserve, night drives and walks are permitted.

Chobe National Park is famous for its large elephant population, estimated to be the highest density in Africa. The Chobe Riverfront is a prime spot for game viewing, particularly during the dry season when animals congregate near the water, but is very busy by Botswana standards. ​

In the furthest corner of the Chobe National Park and north of the Okavango Delta lies Linyanti, Kwando and Selinda, some of the finest private reserves in Botswana.  Secluded and uncrowded, this short strip of swampy riverfrontage is reminiscent of the Okavango's permanent waterways with lagoons, reed beds, riverine forests and mopane woodlands.

​The Linyanti Swamp covers an area of almost 1,250km², which fills the area between the Kwando and Linyanti rivers.
Kwando is another huge private reserve covering 2,300km². Most of its western side is dense mopane forest, but along the Kwando River stretches a band of lush riverine forest, interspersed with open plains. Kwando is a wild reserve and attracts lots of big game. The Selinda Spillway is where you want to go if you are looking for luxurious and private safaris, or a horse riding safari. Camp location is very important in this area as the thick bush can make spotting animals more difficult. However, this area of Botswana offers more remote and quieter safaris than are possible in the busier national parks.

The Kalahari Desert offers a stark contrast to the lushness of the Okavango Delta. This semi-arid sandy savanna is home to unique wildlife adapted to the harsh environment, including the black-maned Kalahari lion and the fascinating meerkat. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Africa and provides an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

West of Gweta, the tar road road to Maun slices through Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park. Because of their complementary natures regarding wildlife migrations, Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve and Nxai Pan National Park were established concurrently in the early 1970s, in the hope of protecting the entire ecosystem. In December of 1992 the area of the Nxai Pan National Park was extended south to the main Gweta-Maun road, so it adjoins the Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve, which was renamed 'The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park' to form one vast area covering just under 7,500km2, five times the size of the Mara National Reserve. The park incorporates Ntwetwe Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan, Baines' Baobabs and Kudiakam Pan.

Botswana is a wildlife lover’s paradise. The country’s diverse habitats support a wide range of species:
- Elephants: Especially prevalent in Chobe National Park.
- Lions: Including the unique black-maned lions of the Kalahari.
- Leopards: Often seen in Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai.
- Wild Dogs: the Khwai area is superb for Wild Dog action, hunts and kills are common.
- Rhinos:Both species have been reintroduced.
- Birds: Over 500 species, including the African fish eagle and the lilac-breasted roller.
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Botswana's culture is deeply rooted in its history and traditions. Visitors can experience:
- San People: Learn about the ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle of the San people, one of the oldest cultures in the world. Guided bush walks provide insights into their survival techniques and traditions.
- Traditional Villages: Visiting traditional villages offers a glimpse into daily life in Botswana. Participate in cultural activities, dance performances, and local crafts.

The best time to visit Botswana depends on what you want to experience:
- Dry Season (May to October): Ideal for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water sources. The temperatures are cooler, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities.
- Wet Season (November to April): The landscape is lush and green, birdwatching is at its best, and it’s a good time to see newborn animals. However, some areas may be inaccessible due to flooding. January to April the longest wildlife migration in Africa, when the Zebra come down to Makgadigkai and Nxai Pans from the north, is in full flow around around the pans and the Boteti River. The Central Kalahari grasslands are in full bloom, attracting thousands of grazers, to the joy of the predators, including the regal black-maned lions. ​

Botswana offers a range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets: 
- Luxury Tented Camps: Enjoy top-notch comfort and services in deluxe lodges located in huge private concessions, prices start at $800 per person per night, low season
- Mid-range Tented Camps: For a slightly less remote experience, from $400 per person per night
- Budget-Friendly Options: There are a range of scheduled group camping tours, from 3 to 20 days.  ​

Indigo Safaris, your safari experts, offer personalised and expertly created tours that ensure you experience the best of Botswana. With a deep understanding of the local environment and culture, we provide tailored itineraries that cater to your interests and needs.
Dream. Explore. Discover. With Indigo Safaris, every journey is crafted to create unforgettable memories. Whether you're navigating the waterways of the Okavango Delta or tracking wildlife in Khwai, we are committed to delivering exceptional safari experiences.
For more information on planning your trip to Botswana, visit our website or contact us today. Embark on an adventure that captures the true essence of Africa.

In the northwest of the park, the Linyanti region captures the timeless allure of the African wilderness. This region, sharing its border with Namibia's abundant Caprivi Strip, is renowned for its elephant gatherings during the dry winter. However, Linyanti's appeal stretches beyond these magnificent creatures.

​Its dry savannahs and complex wooded vegetation bring together a stunning array of wildlife: roan and sable antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, and predators including lions, leopards, and African wild dogs. Witnessing the harmony within this diverse ecosystem spellbinds visitors and instills a profound respect for nature's intricate workings. Linyanti, in essence, is a testament to the extraordinary diversity nestled within Chobe National Park, unfolding as a treasure trove of wilderness experiences that captivate as much as they surprise.

A safari specialist can significantly enrich these experiences, ensuring seamless logistics, comfortable accommodations, and expert guides knowledgeable about the biodiversity of the region. At Indigo Safaris, we focus heavily on curating the safari experience to meet the unique needs and interests of our guests, underscoring our claim of being safari specialists.
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As part of our bespoke Safaris in Botswana, we put a premium on shared experiences. Our crafted journeys offer you the opportunity not just to watch but to participate and engage, creating lifelong memories steeped in the authenticity of the African wilderness.

Chobe National Park, through its diverse landscapes and gamut of wildlife, invites you to engage with an unfiltered, primal connection to the land. Be it the regal lion in the Savuti, the majestic elephant at the Riverfront, or the playful zebra in Linyanti, a Chobe National Park safari lays bare the tapestry of life that thrives in one of Africa's pristine wilderness areas.

Entrust us with your adventure; let us help you explore the fascinating ecosystem and understand the intricate web of life that makes Chobe National Park a premier safari destination.

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This is our blog which we try to keep updated about the Covid19 entry requirements for African countries, as well as any other rules and regulations.
 
What has emerged as standard in Africa is that all countries require a negative PCR test before you are allowed to travel to them. This means that if you are visiting multiple countries, you generally have to get a new PCR test every time you depart one country and head to the next.
UPDATE: Countries have slowly started dropping the PCR test requirement for vaccinated travellers
 
For other popular countries and destinations, we will tell you how it easy to get tested inside each country, but first, we have made a table to show what the requirements are for you to enter the various countries in the first place.

The rules can change without warning and should always be checked on each country's government website.

South Africa
South Africa is the biggest country in Southern Africa and the economic hub of the region. It is also the transit hub for Southern Africa as many flights to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique transit through Johannesburg. This means that these other countries are often dependent on South Africa for getting travellers through to them and back out again, which made it important for South Africa to be able to offer speedy and easily accessible PCR tests.

Travellers departing from OR Tambo Intl airport in Johannesburg may now get tested and collect their PCR certificate at the airport prior to departure. Next Pathology has opened a rapid PCR testing lab in the Kafue Room of the Intercontinental Hotel, just outside the international arrivals hall. The lab promises a turnaround time of only 2 - 4 hours for test results. You should make an appointment on their website, here: https://nextbio.co.za/nextpath-for-travel/
In Cape Town Airport, Navomix is operating a testing clinic near the food court which can produce rapid PCR test results within 2 - 4 hours. Here is the website: https://navomixhealth.co.za/

One of our preferred guesthouses in Johannesburg, Safari Club SA, is now offering day rooms to all travellers waiting for their PCR test results. Guests will be allocated a room for the time they are at the hotel and will have access to all the hotel amenities including bar services, swimming pool, use of the garden and ordering of meals. Transfers are included in the day room rate.
 
In the Greater Kruger Park, South Africa’s wildlife gem and one of its most popular destinations, PCR testing is also possible now. A PCR clinic has been set up in the town of Hoedspruit, which is the nearest town to many lodges within the Greater Kruger Park. Tests are only carried out between 08:00 - 10:30am. Lodges are able to transfer guests in between safari activities to the town of Hoedspruit to get a PCR test done. The cost of the test is ZAR850 per person, while the cost of the transfer will differ depending on the lodge you are staying at. Some lodges have gone a step further and are able to offer PCR tests in your room. Please ask us for an updated list of which lodges can do this.

Botswana
Botswana is one of the most popular destinations for a wildlife safari due to the exquisite unspoilt nature of its wilderness. However this vast wilderness and lack of infrastructure which many people fall in love with also originally meant that getting a PCR test done would be difficult.

You must be fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot in order to enter Botswana without a PCR test. If you have not received a booster shot, but have only received your second shot within the previous 6 months, you do not need a PCR test. All other travellers need a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours to enter Botswana. If you have not received your second dose or your booster shot, you will receive the shot upon landing in Botswana. Unvaccinated travellers are not allowed to enter Botswana..

All passengers departing Botswana require a negative PCR, no matter where you are flying to. You can be tested in camp (which is expensive) or you can do an Express PCR test at Maun Airport for BWP1200 per person. For those departing from Kasane, it is very easy to get tested at the clinic there for BWP500. Prices are subject to change.

Zimbabwe
The primary destination of choice for any traveller to Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls, so this is where the government has focussed most of its efforts. PCR testing is now possible upon arrival or departure at Victoria Falls Airport, with a waiting time of 3-6 hours for the results. Alternatively, several luxury lodges offer in-house testing now. The cost of the test is US$60 per person, but this can change without notice.

Namibia
The majority of itineraries to Namibia only include one or two nights at each destination, which makes finding the time to have tests done difficult. In addition, Namibia is a vast, sparsely populated country. Namibia has come up with an ingenius solution. As all safaris typically start and end in Windhoek, PCR test roadblocks have been set up on the two main highways into Windhoek. This means that as you return to Windhoek, you can stop off and get tested. Results take 7 - 14 hours, which means you will likely need a night of post-tour accommodation before departing, but this has to be the most simple testing solution we have come across in Africa so far. You can view more details and book an appointment here: https://www.covidtestnam.com/

Zambia
From 28 March 2021, fully vaccinated travellers no longer require a negative PCR test to enter Zambia. All unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers require a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours.

To leave Zambia, you will only need to get another PCR test done if the country you are travelling to requires it. For some reason, in addition to a negative PCR test certificate, you also have to get a Ministry of Health certification which is a separate document with an additional cost.

Many people visit Zambia to see the mighty Victoria Falls. There are testing facilities in the town of Livingstone, but is very difficult to arrange the testing on an individual basis, especially since you cannot pay for the tests with cash or credit card. Only EFT bank transfers are accepted. For this reason, hotels have stepped up to help guests arrange tests. You can pay the hotel for your PCR test and they will then transfer the payment to the Zambian health authorities. Private testing can be conducted at the hotel and the hotel will help to arrange this. The test costs between USD100 - USD150.

If you are going on a wild and remote safari in Zambia, to places such as Kafue, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, it is possible to get tested there and have your swabs flown to Lusaka for processing. This incurs quite a cost, you are looking at US$250 - US$320 and it might be cheaper just to spend a night in Lusaka at the end of your holiday and get tested there.

All test results take 24 - 48 hours to be delivered. Therefore, if you are only visiting Victoria Falls for  2 nights, it would be a good idea to get tested on the day you arrive.

Tanzania
Fully vaccinated travellers no longer require a PCR test to enter Tanzania. All unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers require a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. Everyone needs to fill out a traveller surveillance form. Filling out this form will give you a Unique Health Code which must be presented upon landing in Tanania. The form can be filled out here: https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/ You may need a negative PCR test to depart, depending on the country you are departing to, or the airline you are travelling with. It is possible to get a negative PCR test in Dar Es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar. Tests cost between USD100 - 120 and results can take up to 96 hours. Please note that the current government advice is for travellers to undergo Covid19 testing a minimum of 5 days prior to departure to allow enough time for results to be delivered.

Kenya
All vaccinated travellers no longer require PCR tests in order to enter Kenya. If you are over 18, you must be vaccinated in order to enter Kenya. If you are over 18 and unvaccinated, you will be denied entry. Proof of vaccination must be uploaded to www.globalhaven.org before you board your flight. If you are under 18 and unvaccinated, you will require a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours in order to enter Kenya and will then be given a rapid antigen test upon arrival at a cost of US$30. All travellers (including those in transit) will be expected to fill the traveler’s health locator form and submit before travel (please do this once you have your airline seat numbers).  All arrivals are expected to self-monitor and report daily through the jitenge platform for 14 consecutive days in Kenya.

From 01 January 2021, all travellers requiring a visa will need to apply for an e-visa in advance. No visas shall be issued on arrival in Kenya. For more information visit www.evisa.go.ke 

When departing Kenya, it is possible to be tested in your hotel in Nairobi at a cost of US$120 per person. Results will be ready within 24 hours. It is also possible to be tested in some safari destinations, including the Maasai Mara. The collection point for testing in the Maasai Mara is in Mararienta, close to Musiara Gate and it costs US$110. Alternatively, the test can come to your camp, for US$140 per person (*min 2 guests.) Testing in the Mara his is subject to availability and results will take 48 hours. You only need to get a PCR test done on departure if the country you are travelling to requires it.

Uganda
Fully vaccinated travellers do not require a negative PCR test to enter. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers require a PCR test not older than 72 hours to enter Uganda,. If you are unvaccinated, you also require a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours to depart Uganda, no matter what the rules of your next destination country are.

Rwanda
Rwanda has a complicated set of testing standards. There is one testing standard for entering Rwanda and another one for entering Rwanda's national parks. Rwanda is implementing double testing standards. This means that you need a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours, but that once you arrive, you will be given a second test to confirm the results of the first test. You will have to quarantine in a hotel for 3 at your own cost while waiting for the results of the test. Thereafter you will have to take additional tests at designated sites on day 3 and day 7. Tourists visiting national parks will be required to take a mandatory Rapid Antigen test on a daily basis at their own cost. A facilitation request accommpanied by guest identification details as well as their travel itinerary is required to be submitted by the tour operator or hotel to [email protected] 72 hours prior to arrival.

To depart Rwanda, you need to undergo another PCR test, which you are encouraged to book and pay for online at least 2 days prior to departure, here: www.rbc.gov.rw;

Seychelles
From 15 March, all fully immunised travellers do not require a PCR test to enter Seychelles. Fully immunised means having received the first 2 doses of a vaccine and a booster dose 6 months later. Children between 12 - 18 years old do not require a booster. All partially or unvaccinated travellers require a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours or a rapid antigen test done in a certified laboratory within 24 hours prior to departure for Seychelles.
You only need to get a negative PCR test to depart Seychelles if it is a requirement of the country you will be travelling to.

Mauritius
If you are not fully vaccinated, you have to do a mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine upon arrival in Mauritius. As such, we only recommend travelling there if you are fully vaccinated. Everyone entering Mauritius requires a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. You will also be required to a do a rapid antigen test upon arrival and again on day 5. All travellers must fill in the mandatory health forms before landing in Mauritius.

We have been working hard updating our website during lockdown and have added new pages specially dedicated to multi-country itineraries. If you are looking to explore as much of Africa as possible in one go, or tick off the biggest highlights, check out our pages for Southern Africa Combo Itineraries and East African Combo Itineraries.

Please remember that you will have to adhere to the lockdown rules of any country you are travelling to, such as curfews and mandatory mask wearing.
 
If you are unsure about anything, send us an e-mail or give us a call and we’ll do our best to make your ideal trip happen.

A few pics from an overnight inspection at Chobe Elephant Camp, a very good value for money camp if you want to be close to the Chobe River, but away from the crowds of Kasane. There were lots of ellies, a couple of herds of buffalo around 400-strong, a pride of 8 lazy lions, but the cherry for me was this very cool and rarely-sighted Caracal.