Botswana

Home to unforgettable wildlife encounters

Botswana is a place where time has stood still and nature continues to reign supreme. Visitors are reminded of this as they glide past hippos on a mokoro ride in the Okavango Delta, cruise past herds of elephants at sunset on the Chobe River or admire the animal tracks from above as they air hop to their next lodge.

Blessed with some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth, such as the zebra migration in Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana is a truly unique destination. The hospitality of its people, and quality of its lodges and guides, cannot be overstated and many a guest has left with a tear in their eye and a new love for this special country.

Title Icon

Reasons to visit Botswana

  • The Okavango Delta is a wetland wildlife haven
  • The Chobe River has the densest concentration of elephants on earth
  • Explore the ancient Makgadikgadi Pans
  • Botswana boasts some of the best big game encounters in Africa
  • Savuti and Linyanti offer incredible predator sightings

Inside Botswana

Take a closer look at some of Botswana’s best places to visit.

Okavango Delta

Kalahari

Chobe

Trips featuring Botswana

There are thousands of ways our travellers can experience Africa. Our bespoke itineraries are created to ensure your trip is just right for you.

12 nights featuring the best of Botswana

Enchanting Botswana

10 nights featuring the best of Southern Africa

Cape Town, Vic Falls & Botswana

9 nights featuring the best of Botswana

Duba, Zarafa and Jacks

title icon

Scintilla’s top Botswana experiences

Our favourite things to do in the wild heart of Africa.

Botswana for Young Explorers
Botswana for Young Explorers
Tsodilo Hills by Helicopter
Tsodilo Hills by Helicopter
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan Sleepout
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan Sleepout
Chobe Princess Cruise
Chobe Princess Cruise
Skybeds in Khwai
Skybeds in Khwai
Great Plains Expeditions
Great Plains Expeditions
Coot Club

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

La Clé des Montagnes

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Four Rosemead

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Twelve Apostles Hotel

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Lion Sands Narina

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Kaingo Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Brookdale Estate Manor

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Lion Sands Tinga

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Pineapple House

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Labotessa

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Simbavati Fynbos On Sea

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

AfriCamps at Oakhurst

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Kanonkop House

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Fairview House

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

The Old Rectory

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Tsala Treetop Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Saseka Tented Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Kubili House

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Bateleur Safari Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Makanyi Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chitwa Chitwa

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Lion Sands Sabi Sand

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Simbambili

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Dulini Leadwood

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Cheetah Plains

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Simbavati Camp George

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

The Outpost

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Oyster Box Hotel

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Rhino Sands

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Thonga Beach Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Three Tree Hill

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Kwandwe

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Samara Private Game Reserve

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Shamwari Sindile

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Jamala Madikwe

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Morukuru Family Madikwe

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Madikwe Safari Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Marataba Luxury Lodges

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Tswalu

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chobe Game Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Gomoti Plains

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Xigera

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Machaba

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Shinde

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sanctuary Chiefs Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Ghoha Hills

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Camp Maru

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Mashatu Euphorbia Villas

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Jack’s Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Matetsi

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Victoria Falls River Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Palm River Hotel

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Somalisa Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Verneys Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

The Private Hide At The Hide Safari Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Tembo Plains Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Vundu Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Nyamatusi Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Fothergill Island

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Bumi Hills

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Matusadona

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Amalinda Homestead

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Waterberry Lodge The Woodlands

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Tongabezi

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Thorntree River Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chikunto Safaris

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Puku Ridge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chinzombo

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sausage Tree

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chiawa Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Anabezi

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Chisa Busanga Plains

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Musekese Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Azura Benguerra

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Santorini Mozambique

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

AsDunas

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Machangulo Beach Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sussurro

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Coral Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sava Dunes

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Strand Hotel

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

The Delight Swakopmund

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Ongava Collection

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Onguma Collection

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Safarihoek

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Shipwreck Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Hoanib Valley Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Serra Cafema

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Kwessi Dunes

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Sonop By Zannier

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Wolwedans Collection

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Mowani Mountain Camp

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Onduli Ridge

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Tintswalo Atlantic

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Cape Grace

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Belmond Mount Nelson

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

More Quarters

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Ellerman House

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

The Winchester

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Twice Central

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Delaire Graff

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

La Cotte Farm

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Babylonstoren Farm Hotel

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Grootbos

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

The Thatch House

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Scintilla's curated Southern African stays

title-icon

Guest Testimonials

Discover why our guests select Scintilla for their travel to Southern Africa.

Hi Cuan.  Just wanted you to know we have had an amazing time in Namibia!  What an experience!  Yesterday we stopped off at a bar in a very remote village after tracking elephants and had beers and danced with the locals which was fantastic.  Between the orphanage, stops in many villages, the kids we’ve gotten to meet, the Himba village and of course all the animals it has just been incredible.  You organized quite a trip for us!  And now, Botswana!!!

The Soloman Family, USA

My week in Namibia was sensational and went seamlessly. From the welcoming pickup from the airport to the beautiful accommodations and fascinating road-trip across much of the country, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Of particular note, the food at Hoodia Desert Lodge was impeccable and the al fresco lunch prepared by the guide after the visit to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei was simply magical. The sundowners at both Hoodia and Onduli Ridge were top-notch, each offering breathtaking views and fabulous Namibian gin cocktails and bites. What made the entire journey so easily enjoyable was the daily itineraries and maps presented to me upon arrival and the overall organization and attention to detail. My solo sojourn was truly flawless, and I will recommend it widely!

Sarah Scott, ZA

Cuan, everything going to plan so far with stunning weather and excellent service and amazing wildlife in Etosha!! Thanks again for your professionalism. Everything has been magical, and we have definitely brought some luck with us being the first group to find the elephants only after 10 minutes of looking !! Really appreciate your help, and I will be recommending you to our friends back home.

Tom Last, AU

Our guide Charlene was out of this world. She was charming, intelligent, and fun and she showed us the best of Cape Town while also educating us on the journey Cape Town has taken from Apartheid through today. We were fascinated, engaged, and overjoyed to spend our final days in Africa with her. She is truly outstanding.

Paul & Wendy, UK

The trip was FANTASTIC, and our guide Marcus was absolutely superb! We took all of his recommendations for our last free day in the city and can’t thank him enough for the stellar suggestions.

Thomas & Mary Louise, Canada

Please convey my thanks to the Cape Town guiding teams! Without a doubt our most memorable moment of the trip was our visit to the Cape Peninsula with our guide, Chizzy. A major positive, thrilling time. The penguins, picnic and swim at the reservoir, continual birthday celebrations for Jack’s 18th Birthday were all home runs.

Suzanne, Jack & Family, USA

The most important thing for me to tell you is that we had a fabulous time with James exploring the Peninsula of Cape Town! Along with our visit to the Zeitz Museum, our day with James was a highlight of the time we spent in South Africa. He was friendly and open about discussing his experiences growing up with apartheid which I really appreciated. I enjoyed the towns we visited, the restaurant where we had lunch, our visit with the penguins, and our hike out to the shipwreck. Thank you!!

Emma & Lori, USA

Well, we finished up Cape Town this evening, heading to safari tomorrow. We loved the country tour and winery tour, absolutely amazing. Also, our guide for both days, was one of the best we have ever had. We couldn’t imagine a better time and she couldn’t be more flexible. Thank you for setting up this first part of the vacation and setting us up with the tours.

Cory & Heather, USA

It was great! Everything worked out perfectly! We absolutely loved the Sidecar experience – wow, was that fun! We loved our guide in Cape Town, Josh, he was the BEST! He was so fun. We took him for dinners and played golf with him! We just thought Cape Town was fantastic. Wine Country was great. Fantastic.

Joseph, Marsha & Family, USA

On Saturday, we met our guide, Charlene, who was OUTSTANDING. We had missed the Zeitz Museum, and she was happy to let us rearrange our schedule so that we could tour it as well as taking me to a beautiful craft market to buy gifts.  On arriving in the wine country, we enjoyed an amazing lunch at La Motte.  With Charlene's background in wines, she was able to recommend the best wineries to visit on the winetram, as well as several good restaurants in the area.

William & Constance, USA

Cape Town was so scenic and beautiful.  Had an interesting visit around town and to the houses of parliament with a very accommodating guide James.  James made that whole experience everything it was and deserves a lot of credit. What a great place to visit!  What phenomenal food!  What masters of hospitality they all are in Africa!

Jeffery & Barbara, Canada
Best prices

Best prices

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally infused experiences.
Local Knowledge

Local Knowledge

We’re based in Southern Africa and have first-hand knowledge of the experiences that await our travellers.
Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel

All the experiences and destinations we recommend support their communities and environment.
Boutique Focus

Boutique Focus

Our goal is to connect curious-minded travellers to the essence of the place they’re visiting.
Immersive Experiences

Immersive Experiences

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally-infused experiences.
Exceptional Locations

Exceptional Locations

Our bespoke journeys feature stylish, owner-run properties in exceptional locations.
Bespoke Trips

Bespoke Trips

Our consultants are widely travelled and vastly experienced, with expert knowledge of Southern Africa.