What to do in Botswana

You'll see the Okavango Delta like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless patchwork of lagoons, islands and water-logged channels, where you'll have the clearest views of the Delta's most untouched islands. You'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and fleets of red lechwe as they canter through the reeds, while pods of hippo emerge from the water like boulders come to life. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

We don't doubt you've heard of the Great Wildebeest Migration, but what about Botswana's Zebra Migration? Leave your lodge at the hornbill's call to follow the hoof prints of these striped beauties as they walk the route carved out over thousands of years. On their circular pilgrimage from North to South, they make a pitstop on the sun-cracked Makgadikgadi Pans as the rains bring sweet green shoots for them to eat. Here, they remain from December until March, filling the arid pans with a flurry of activity for you to marvel at. And Makgadikgadi's vastness makes it easy to track and spot the zebra. The big cats follow hot on their heels, so be ready for some full-throttle predator versus prey!

You'll see the Central Okavango like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless patchwork of lagoons, islands and water-logged channels, where you'll have the clearest views of the Delta's most untouched islands. You'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and fleets of red lechwe as they canter through the reeds, while pods of hippo emerge from the water like boulders come to life. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

Travel the tranquil river and waterways of the Khwai Private Reserve in style with a boat safari. Leave the jetty as your guide weaves past tall pockets of papyrus where jewel-bright kingfishers wait to speed after a fish and banks where the wildest of creatures stop to quench their thirst - think lions, elephant and rare antelope alike. Hear the legends of the Delta and learn all about its four-legged residents from your knowledgeable skipper. Faster and more comfortable than a mokoro, exploring Khwai by boat is always a winning choice, especially in the dry season (July to October). Enjoy the delightful views in the early morning or in the golden hours before sunset when you'll finish with feet-in-the-water sundowners.

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoofprints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand! As you explore the Delta on foot, cast your eyes to the shimmering tributaries where kingfishers may erupt from the lush banks to dive for a fish and red lechwe splashing through the water. Get a taste of the Delta wilderness on this short but sweet walk.

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoofprints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand! As you explore the islands and floodplains on foot, cast your eyes to the shimmering tributaries where kingfishers may erupt from the lush banks to dive for a fish and red lechwe splashing through the water. Get a taste of the Delta wilderness on this short but sweet walk.

You'll see Khwai like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless patchwork of forests, tranquil channels and its great river, where you'll have the clearest views of the scene. You'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and fleets of buffalo, while pods of hippo emerge from the water like boulders come to life. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

You'll see the Okavango Delta like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless patchwork of lagoons, islands and water-logged channels, where you'll have the clearest views of the Delta's most untouched islands. You'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and fleets of red lechwe as they canter through the reeds, while pods of hippo emerge from the water like boulders come to life. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

​Close your eyes and picture yourself cantering alongside a loping herd of giraffe while the reddening sun sinks behind the tall palms, casting a reflection across the flooded plains of the Central Okavango. On jeep safaris, the engine's hum creates an inevitable disconnect from the wildlife. However, approach the animals by horse (lead by your seasoned guide) and you become part of the scenery as they go about their business undisturbed, giving you unrivalled insight into their habits. Sit back in your saddle, allow the bathing elephants, splashing herds of lumbering buffalo, and nonchalantly grazing antelope to mesmerise you.​

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoofprints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand! As you explore Khwai on foot, cast your eyes to the shimmering tributaries where kingfishers may erupt from the lush banks to dive for a fish and elephant splashing through the water. Get a taste of the Delta wilderness on this short but sweet walk.

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoofprints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand!

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoofprints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand! As you explore Moremi and its islands on foot, cast your eyes to the shimmering tributaries where kingfishers may erupt from the lush banks to dive for a fish and red lechwe splashing through the water. Get a taste of the Delta wilderness on this short but sweet walk.

You'll see Savuti like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless golden plains where you'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and lions snoozing in the shade, packs of African painted dog and antelope gathered at scarce marshes. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

You'll see the Okavango Delta like never before as you take to the skies in a helicopter. Rise over the endless patchwork of lagoons, islands and water-logged channels, where you'll have the clearest views of Moremi's most untouched islands. You'll be able to spot herds of ambling elephant and fleets of red lechwe as they canter through the reeds, while pods of hippo emerge from the water like boulders come to life. For those keen-eyed photographers, the doors can be removed for the ultimate snap from the top.

Your knowledgable guide will lead you across the sun-cracked Makgadikgadi Pans to Kubu Island. While it may not be surrounded by water (though it once was in the middle of a lake), the island is a rugged outcrop where mammoth baobabs shoot up from the landscape. Enjoy a walk beneath the towering limbs of these upside-down trees, which feel as ancient as the desert itself. A solitary pocket of life amongst vast salt pans, Kubu Island also holds a long history where artefacts have been uncovered from the early Stone Age. Cameras at the ready!

Leave your lodge in the soft morning light or as the heat of the day subsides to sail down the shimmering Linyanti waterways. Gently pass the wading pods of hippo and the sharp-eyed crocodile as your guide leads you on a scenic boat cruise. Spy massive herds of elephant and buffalo, and big cats who leave their shady turf for a drink, African painted dog panting after a chase and birdlife galore. This is the perfect time to whip your camera out! Clink your glasses before returning to the jetty - and spotting all the wildlife you can on the way.

Leave your lodge at dusk to sail down the shimmering Chobe River. Gently pass the wading pods of hippo and the sharp-eyed crocodile as your guide leads you on a scenic boat cruise. In the golden afternoon light, spy massive herds of elephant and buffalo, and big cats who leave their shady turf for a drink, African painted dog panting after a chase and birdlife galore. This is the perfect time to whip your camera out! Clink your cocktails as the sun dips below the horizon before returning to the jetty - and spotting all the nocturnal wildlife you can on the way.

See the bush from a completely new perspective on a mountain biking safari in Tuli. Experienced guide accompanies riders as they follow ancient elephant paths that cross the reserve, giving you the opportunity to cycle amidst the 'Giants of Tuli,' and search out some of the smaller creatures too.

Embark on a game drive as dawn appears or dusk approaches, where the wildlife of Chobe is on full display. Your knowledgable guide knows every hot spot and secret perch so they'll steer your experience in the right direction. This region of Botswana is home to the largest concentrations of elephant in Africa so you'll be treated to herds marching across the plains and stopping by the river. Keep your binoculars ready to spot the flick of a leopards tail and ferocious yawn of a lion. Stop for sustenance beneath a leafy acacia before heading back to your lodge with plenty of stories to tell.

Take a horse safari in the 'Land of Giants' in search of elephants in the Mashatu Game Reserve. The area is ideal for riding; with regular game sightings of the elephants, antelopes, wild dogs, jackals, bat eared foxes, giraffe and the occasional canter with zebras and wildebeest across the plains.

Take to the plains of Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana, the elephant capital of the world, on a game drive to remember. Leave as dawn breaks or in the dusky late afternoon when herds of strolling elephant make their way to the banks of Chobe River and nearby waterholes to drink, splash and cool off. Your guide has all the know-how to find elephant on the move and with more than two thirds of Africa's pachyderm population, you can't go wrong. This is especially true in the dry season (June to September). Stop for a late morning cup of coffee or an early evening cocktail as elephants meander past before returning to base.

Join your all-seeing guide as you learn to follow the scent of trampled grasses and tracks imprinted into the earth on a captivating bush walk. Leaving camp in the coolness of the morning, there's no better way to take a deeper look at this microcosm of nature. Eye out in-the-process birds nests and spot their brightly coloured builders - don't miss the flight of a lilac breasted roller, watch the scuttle of a beetle amongst the bark of a Marula tree and learn how to follow the hoof prints of a warthog who may just burst out of its burrow. You could even spy an African painted dog scampering across the sand! As you explore the Linyanti on foot, cast your eyes to the shimmering tributaries where kingfishers may erupt from the lush banks to dive for a fish and red lechwe splashing through the water. Get a taste of the Linyanti wilderness on this short but sweet walk.

Depart from camp under a clear, star-spangled sky for a sultry night drive. Your knowledgable guide will lead you with an infrared light (that doesn't disturb the wildlife), which picks up the glow of eyes peering out from behind trees. In the piercing quiet of the African evening, listen for the crack of a twig or growl of a big cat on the hunt. There is a cast of creatures you wouldn't see during the day including the cartoonish bush baby, shy serval and ultra rare pangolin (if you're really lucky!). Return to camp for a warming drink before bed.