Is an African safari worth it? Yes an African safari is worth it 100% of the time, even with how much an African safari costs! If you love animals, if you enjoy unique vacations/holidays, if you want to experience travel unplugged from work, phone calls, and the internet, then a safari is one of the most incredible trips you can take.
But you do not have to take our word for it. Let us break down what it’s like to go on an African safari and then let you decide if a safari is worth it for you.
This blog has been updated with new information in December 2024! [Original blog was published in 2020.]
What Does an African Safari Cost and What Do You Get?
Dollar for dollar, African safaris are one of the most expensive vacations you can take. A luxury African safari can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 USD. It all depends on where you go on safari—South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, etc.—what season you go on safari, and how long you stay there. Also, please note that an African safari cost is usually divided up PER PERSON and per night.
So, is an African safari worth the price, and what do you get for the cost of a safari?
All-Inclusive
Most safaris are all-inclusive. This means that the nightly price for your lodge or camp covers everything: food, safari activities (game drives, mokoro, boating, walking safaris, etc.), and even most alcoholic drinks. The good news is that this means you can more easily budget your safari upfront and know exactly what an African safari costs from the very beginning.
All meals, snacks, and in-house beverages (including local beers and wines)
One premium liquor a day
All-day safari activities, including game drives, mokoro, village visits, walking safaris, etc.
Daily laundry and cleaning services
Road transfers between locations/camps while with Brave Africa
$50 or $35 nonprofit donation per guest
Exclusivity
The higher you budget for an African safari, the more exclusive your experience will be. That is because the high cost includes private concessions, campsites, and locations not drowning in tourists. These off-the-beaten-path safaris cost more but also provide far more premium animal encounters. You won’t be in the middle of thousands of tourists, pushing through crowds to see a single lion on the ground. This makes an African safari worth it if you can afford it.
Exclusivity is one of the things that makes a Botswana safari so special. Botswana limits the number of lodges, camps, and tourists that can be in any location at one time. This means that there is serious crowd control, the animals are not used to humans, and there are many times on safari when you are alone. But a Botswana safari is also one of the most expensive safaris you can go on. You pay for exclusivity, but it is worth it. We promise. Botswana is one of the few countries left in southern Africa where a safari harkens back to the early years of adventures in the wilderness. Botswana’s safari tourism model is fewer tourists and better experiences. At Brave Africa Safaris, our vehicles max out at six guests (two per row) and six tents (12 guests total at camp and two safari vehicles).
An African safari should be about you, the animals, and nature. The value of an exclusive African safari experience cannot be overstated. It’s a chance to truly get away from it all: turn off the cell phone, disconnect from WiFi, say goodbye to people, and get in touch with Mother Nature. The key is choosing an African safari experience that focuses on exclusivity.
Kenya and Tanzania have many more affordable options ($500 – $700 per person per night), but you will face large crowds and less luxurious accommodations.
South Africa has some of the most luxurious lodges in all of Africa and some of the most budget safari options. You can get a day pass to drive through Kruger Park in your own vehicle for very cheap. Or you can book a lodge in the exclusive Sabi Sands for more than $1000 – $3000 per night per person.
Botswana is one of the most exclusive countries for a safari and one of the most expensive. Most of Botswana is ultra-luxury, costing upwards of $1500 per person per night. But there are also many incredible mid-range options, such as Brave Africa Safaris, which costs $600 – $900 per person per night.
Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Nambia are great options, with a range of African safari costs from $500 to $1000 per person per night.
Green Season is typically December – March and is also “wet” season. You might experience rain during your safari and the dense greenery might make it more difficult to find animals, but prices will be a few hundred dollars cheaper per person and night.
Shoulder Season is typically April, May, June, and November. This is a great time to visit because the crowds are fewer and the temperatures are more mild. You will also save on your nightly rate.
High Season is July – October and is the most popular time to go on safari. This is winter in southern Africa, and animals tend to be easy to find as they gather at the few watering holes and cannot hide in greenery.
At Brave Africa Safaris, our cost is broken up by season. And we offer discounts for the more nights you stay with us and the more people in your group. Below is an image of our 2025 Botswana safari rates.
Why is an African Safari Better Than a Zoo?
Beyond price, many guests’ next question about whether an African safari is worth it is related to the experience. You can see wild animals in a zoo, how is an African safari better? What is the experience like, especially when animals are not guaranteed?
African Wildlife on Safari
A safari guest has a close and personal experience with a wild dog. This guest is a very experienced safari-goer and followed all guide instructions. The Matriarch came to her, curious. There was no aggression.
An African safari is an adventure. It is your chance to see animals in their natural habitat. This makes all the difference. Animals on a safari are engaging. They eat, walk, play, fight, chase, run, and interact in a thousand different ways. This means that you can see the same animal every day, and every time, it is new and exciting. Natural animal behavior makes a huge difference.
And then there’s the variety of wildlife. Yes, a zoo has all types of animals, but an African safari is better because the animals are not divided by fences and in human-created habitats. You can sit in your safari vehicle and watch elephants alongside hippos, impala, zebra, and wildebeest. And in the next second, you can find lions or wild dogs.
You never know what type of wildlife you’ll see on your African safari, but every day, every hour, it will be something new. Just make sure you choose an exceptional location for your African safari where wildlife is plentiful. Not all destinations are created equal.
Botswana has almost double the elephants of ANY other country in Africa—over 130,000—along with 163 other species of mammals, including the usual suspects: lions, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, zebra, rhino, etc. The country is also home to more than 550 species of birds, including many rare and endangered species you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. And if you’re worried about going on a family safari with kids? Don’t be.
Nature Retreat
Beyond the wildlife, what makes an African safari worth it are the pristine and stunning landscapes. You will enjoy Mother Nature’s most impressive theater on a breathtaking scale. Explore vast swaths of wilderness where everything is raw, rugged, and stunning. Africa boasts a vibrant ecosystem with everything from dusty red deserts to lush swamplands, sweeping floodplains, expansive savannas, and vibrant forests. You’ll drive through rivers, explore lagoons, have lunch at elephant watering holes, hike rocky outcrops, and more.
Brave Africa’s vehicles can handle almost any terrain, including water.
The landscapes on an African safari will enchant you as much as the wildlife. And the best part is that you will enjoy these gorgeous landscapes without worrying about crowds—if you go to the right safari locations. Regardless of where you choose to go on your African safari, we can almost guarantee you’ll be talking about the beauty of nature for years to come.
5 Tips to Ensure Your African Safari is Worth It!
If you want an African safari to change your life and be “the best trip you’ve ever taken,” not just any safari will do. You must ask the right questions and choose a safari worth the hype and the cost. We recommend giving yourself the largest budget possible, so you can pay for the experience, accommodations, and location that best fits your dreams.
Here are five tips to consider to ensure your African safari is worth it!
1. Choose the Right Location (Country and Region)
Forget about the name. You might have heard about Kruger and the Serengeti because they are well-known safari locations, but that does not automatically make them the best location for your safari. Lesser-known parks and locations can offer a far better experience with fewer crowds and more wildlife.
After all, animals don’t like to be around people, so popular is not always better. For example, Botswana’s Okavango Delta might be a lesser-known safari location, but the experience is superior to the crowded national parks in South Africa. In Botswana, you’re more likely to have untouched wilderness and wildlife not used to cars. In Botswana, you can also go off-road, experience walking safaris, night drives, water safaris, and so much more.
Do your research about all the different safari areas in Africa, and then choose the destination that best fits your needs and wants. And don’t forget to choose the right time for your safari! Not all seasons offer the same experience.
2. Pick the Best Safari Lodge or Camp for You
Whether or not your African safari is worth it will depend on the camp, lodge, or self-drive experience you choose. Do you have a tight budget that will limit where you stay, or are you willing and able to splurge for some luxury experiences? The bargain safari mindset might not give you the best experience.
An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people, so planning to do it right is essential. If you want a picture-perfect African safari that exceeds your expectations, you need to choose a safari lodge or safari camp that fits what you want.
There are a few things to consider.
What luxury amenities are essential to your happiness? Do you need flushing toilets? Is WiFi a must? Are you willing to sleep on a cot, or do you want mattresses? Are you comfortable in a luxury tent, or do you need a lodge? Do you need daily laundry services?
What features does your safari vehicle offer? Beyond the camp, you will spend most of your time inside your game drive vehicle. How nice are their vehicles? Are they new? Do they have charging options, refrigeration, windows, open-air, etc.?
How good are the staff? Unlike a big chain hotel, the staff on an African safari will greatly impact your experience. You’ll interact with the staff regularly, especially the guide and camp manager, so you want to choose a safari camp where the staff receive good reviews and are focused on customer service.
How important is the food? Not all African safari operators have a permanent chef on staff to create inspired meals that you’ll love.
Do you want to change operators between locations or stick with the same operator, guide, staff, the entire time? A mobile lodge like Brave Africa Safaris, offers a consistent experience for guests even while changing safari locations. A traditional lodge requires you to pay for transportation—usually via plane—to get to each new destination.
Is caring for the environment important to you? There are many environmentally friendly operators who use solar power, reduce their plastic use, and give back to conservation efforts.
What is their game drive experience like? We’ll discuss this more below, just remember the entire point of an African safari is to see the animals and get out on game drives. Don’t focus so much on the luxury of your tent that you neglect the most important element: their focus on wildlife viewing.
3. Ask About the Quality of Your Guides: It Is Essential
Tabona Wina is Brave Africa’s co-founder and head guide with over a decade of experience in the bush.
A safari guide is essential to a great experience. You might think that you can get away with a lower budget by self-driving, but we can guarantee that the money savings will NOT make your African safari worth it! A safari guide is an expert animal tracker, nature enthusiast, encyclopedia, and more! Their knowledge and passion for the African bush will enhance your African safari to be worth it.
Safari guies are responsible for:
Finding the animals,
Telling you about what you’re seeing (it’s the difference between watching a National Geographic special with the voiceover or completely silent),
You’ll spend nine to twelve hours a day with your safari guide. They will be one of your best friends on your trip and will 100% make your African safari worth it. Without a great safari guide, you might as well head to your local zoo and walk around yourself.
4. Focus on Game Drives: That’s What You’ve Paid Big Money For!
The ENTIRE point of going on an African safari is to go on game drives. Only when you’re in the safari vehicle and driving away from camp in search of animals are you experiencing the value of your safari! People often forget that the purpose of a safari is to offer the BEST wildlife experiences and not just luxury camping.
For example, when the Points Guy went on his safari in Tanzania, he ended up VERY disappointed because while he paid top dollar for a luxury camp, the game drives failed to deliver. This ruined his entire trip and made his African safari not worth it.
Creature comforts are only one piece of your safari. You won’t be happy if you unknowingly compromise your African safari experience by asking for WiFi and forgetting about game drives. On most traditional safaris, game drives happen in the morning and evening for three to four hours each. We created Brave Africa Safaris to maximize game drive time and opportunities. We can do all-day game drives if you want, which means, from sunrise until sunset, you are out on safari to see the animals.
The key is to ask where your money is going. Do you want your money going toward exclusive pools and alcohol or spending time with the animals?
5. Spend Enough Time on Your African Safari
Plan enough time for your African safari if you want it to be worth it. The travel and cost might be too high if you can only spend three to four days on safari. While even a day is amazing on safari, the extended time out in the bush makes the biggest difference.
Since every single day and hour is unique on an African safari, the more time you have to explore and see what the wildlife has to offer, the better. Three days is barely enough time to taste what an African safari is truly like. Instead, we recommend planning at least seven days and six nights on safari. This will give you enough time to truly immerse yourself in Mother Nature.
Remember, National Geographic documentaries are filmed over months. Their photographers spend weeks at a time in the bush to get that once-in-a-lifetime shot. You can’t expect to go out in a few days and see it all. Check out our Magic of The Okavango Safari for 9 nights if you want to maximize your experience.
Final Thoughts: Is an African Safari Worth It?
At the end of the day, whether or not an African safari is worth it is up to you! Only you can decide if the experience is something you will enjoy. Just do your research before you plan your trip. Since an African safari can be expensive, you do not want to make the wrong decisions and regret it.
Reach out to us or an experienced travel agent to get all your questions answered. The only way an African safari is not worth it is if you book the wrong trip for your expectations.
Whether this is the one and only safari you ever plan to take or this is just one of many, we know you want to have an amazing African adventure. No matter what, this isn’t a small trip, and you deserve to get everything you want out of it. So, to make sure you have a fabulous experience, here are our 12 tips for safari photography, so you can make the most of your adventure.
12 Tips for Safari Photography
A safari in Botswana is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you don’t want to miss a second. The amazing memories you make will be stories that you share for years and decades to come. So, while we are offering 12 tips for safari photography, these tips are really all about how you breathe in every moment of your adventure!
TIP 1: GET OUT ON SAFARI GAME DRIVES
Yes, your camp will be set up in the middle of a park and animals could walk by your tent at any time, but if you want to see the animals and experience them as much as possible, you need to be out on safari game drives. That’s why we offer all-day safari game drives, so you get the best chance possible of seeing animals.
This also means that early mornings and late evenings are a MUST—it’s one of our most important tips for safari photography. After all, lighting is everything! The animals are most active right around dawn and dusk when the weather is cooler and the lighting is perfect for high-quality photos. So, if you’re looking to sleep in, a safari focused on incredible African adventures is not the right activity for you. We’ll be waking up before dawn and staying out all day, and believe us, it’s worth it.
TIP 2: TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES
You can always delete extra pictures when you get back to camp, so go a little crazy and take as many pictures as you want. You never know when an animal will turn just the right way or behave in a brand new way and you want to catch it on camera.
And since you’ll be taking so many pictures, make sure you have the batteries and memory space you need to handle all those pictures. The absolute worst thing that could happen is if your camera dies in the middle of the day and there’s still more to see.
It’s also why we recommend bringing more than one camera. Bring your fancy camera equipment and a point-and-shoot camera. Sometimes, you’re going to have seconds to snap the shot and you’ll want a quick-response camera to capture the picture before it’s too late.
TIP 3: PUT THE CAMERA DOWN
We know you want AMAZING pictures from your safari, and we promise that you’ll get some. There will be plenty of opportunities to take picture after picture. Just don’t get so caught up in getting the perfect shot and following all our tips for safari photography that you miss the entire safari from behind your camera lens. Don’t be afraid to put down the camera and just enjoy your African adventures. There’s so much to see, smell, and enjoy. Get into it.
TIP 4: DON’T FORGET BINOCULARS
Yes, we get up close and personal with many animals, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t want a pair of good binoculars. Every time the car stops there will probably be some incredible bird watching nearby where binoculars would come in handy. Also, sometimes we’re in open areas where you might think you see something exciting off in the distance. Binoculars will help you see what’s out there and then your guide can get you close as needed.
TIP 5: BRING A DAY BAG
When you’re out on a safari game drive, heading back to camp because you forgot something isn’t possible. Instead, you’ll want to bring everything you could possibly need for a day out in the bush with you in a daypack. You’ll be in a car, so feel free to stuff your bag as full as possible with everything you can think of.
Some things to include in your daypack are:
Extra batteries
USB chargers
Extra memory sticks
Clothing layers (it’s cold in the morning and evening and hot in the afternoon)
Binoculars
Hand sanitizer
Lotion
Eye drops
Medication
Sunscreen
Wet wipes
Plastic baggies (for trash)
TIP 6: DISCONNECT
When you choose Brave Africa for your safari experience, we force you to disconnect. There’s no Wi-Fi or cellphone service in the Botswana bush, and that’s how it should be. Put the phone and computer away and just enjoy the safari experience. Make friends with the other guests in camp. Spend your evenings reminiscing about the day around the fire and looking forward to the day ahead. Instead of checking messages or worrying about what’s going on back in “civilization,” enjoy every moment you can on your African adventures and let civilization worry about itself.
TIP 7: ASK! ASK! ASK!
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you can, and not just about the animals and wilderness. If you’re at all concerned about any part of your safari experience or you want to know more about how something works, ASK! That’s what we’re here for, and it’s one of our most essential tips for safari photography. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have, no matter how crazy they are.
The same goes for asking what you want. Whether you want to have an all-day safari or you want to head back to camp, we don’t know what you want unless you ask. It’s the same out on a drive. If you want the car to stop because you see a cool bird or viewpoint that you want to snap a picture of, ask your guide to stop. We’ll always do our best to accommodate every request.
TIP 8: TALK AND LISTEN TO YOUR GUIDE
Your safari guide is your greatest resource for all things Botswana. He’ll be your eyes and ears in the bush, pointing out the animals, finding tracks, and telling you about various animal behaviors you might witness. Your guide is a wealth of information. He has years of experience guiding safaris and learning all there is to know about the animals, plants, weather, and more. The more you communicate with your guide, the better your safari experience will be.
So, you want to see a kill? That’s great! We do too. However, we cannot control what happens on any game drive. Sometimes, you’ll see everything on your bucket list, and sometimes, you won’t. That’s how nature works, and it’s critical to understanding our tips on safari photography. And while it’s great to head out on safari with animals and items you want to see, don’t hold onto those ideas so tightly that you miss everything else that’s incredible.
For example, on our first safari, we desperately wanted to see a kill. It didn’t happen. Instead, we got to see two lions mating, which was completely unexpected and incredible. On our second safari, we were woken up in the middle of the night because a pack of wild dogs killed an impala just outside of our guide’s tent. The next morning, the dogs were still hanging out fat and bloody from their dinner.
The key is that you might have dreams of seeing a cheetah but see 23 lions instead. Or you could be dying to hang out with a pack of wild dogs and instead find yourself in the midst of a baboon mating ritual where the males are fighting to the death for the female. You just never know what could happen—that’s what our African adventures are all about. So, come with your dreams but be open to anything.
TIP 10: ENJOY THE MOMENT
Don’t get so anxious to see the next thing that you miss whatever you’re currently looking at. Botswana is incredible. There’s always something to see, experience, smell, and listen to. You can find beauty in everything. Take time to enjoy the fact that you’re in the middle of nowhere, in a place that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before. You might be seeing your 100th elephant, but that elephant could be the first elephant to trumpet at you or get on its hind legs while eating from a tree. You just never know, so enjoy the moment.
TIP 11: BE CURIOUS
Be curious about everything out on safari. Ask about trees, flowers, insects, snakes, and more. If you hear an interesting sound, ask about it. If you think you see a footprint in the sand. Ask what it could be. You’ll be amazed about how many interesting things there are out in the African bush that your guide can shed light on. Every curiosity will enrich your experience and enhance your memories.
TIP 12: DON’T COMPARE
Every safari experience is different, and comparing your trip to someone else’s is the best way to lose your joy in the experience. This is even true when comparing this safari trip to a previous trip.
It’s incredibly difficult to do, but try to just enjoy the experience that you’re having and don’t compare what you’ve seen, experienced, and felt with someone else. Your African adventures are yours and yours alone and everything you experience is a gift. Don’t let anyone take away how amazing your experience is because they had a different gift.
Join Brave Africa on Safari Today!
Are you ready to start your adventure of a lifetime, then contact us today. A safari in Botswana is always a good idea and it will always be memorable. Whether this will be your first safari or your twelfth, each safari is new and exciting.
And if you follow our 12 tips for safari photography, we know you will have an unforgettable experience!
One of the biggest questions you probably have when it comes to planning your safari adventure with Brave Africa is, “What am I supposed to pack?” We know it feels intimidating to come up with your safari packing list. You’ve probably heard horror stories about what you can and can’t bring, including the shocking fact that you’re limited to around 20kg (44 pounds). So, how do you make sure you bring everything you need and nothing you don’t?
You need our detailed safari packing list!
LUGGAGE
You’ll need light, soft-sided luggage (a backpack or duffle bag is recommended)—no rolling bags, period! This is because you’ll be taking private bush flights to and from Maun to get to our camps. These flights do not allow luggage with frames or rigid structures.
Your bush flights will also limit your luggage allowance to 20kg (44lbs) total. This total luggage weight includes your personal item as well as your carry-on and checked-in luggage. So, the lighter you can pack, the better.
RECOMMENDATIONS
A 40L – 45L backpack or duffle bag
Small personal item (lightweight day bag/camera bag)
Safari Packing List
Your safari packing list will be personalized to you. You know best what you will need to wear and use while on safari. Our outline below offers an example of items that we feel could be helpful.
CLOTHING
The clothing you choose to bring on your 10-day safari is completely up to you. Just remember to pack light and to use layers. Mornings are cold while afternoons can get blistering hot. We offer laundry services daily (except for small clothes—we provide a wash basin for you to hand-wash your smalls yourself), so you can wash clothes regularly for fresh outfits and options.
Choose your clothing for comfort and practicality over fashion. You’re going to be in an open-air vehicle all day with lots of dust, heat, sun, and potentially rain, the last thing you want to be is uncomfortable. Also, 99% of your photos will be of animals, so don’t worry about being fashionable. The lion won’t care what you’re wearing and neither will the other safari guests. You’re in Africa. Enjoy it!
Please remember: All clothing should be neutral colors: tans, beige, brown, and green when possible. DO NOT wear camouflage clothing.
Sunglasses
Wide-rimmed hat
Beanie or warm hat, and maybe ear muffs for early mornings
Face mask (in case dust is too much for you)
Warm scarf
Undergarments (7 pairs of underwear, bras)
3-4 short-sleeved shirts
2-3 long-sleeved shirts
2-3 pants (we recommend a convertible cargo pant that can become shorts)
Light-weight but warm jacket
Sweater, sweatshirt, or fleece
Rainproof jacket or poncho
7 pairs of wool socks (mid-calf length or quarter ankle)
Hiking boots (or comfortable walking shoes)
Sandals (for showers and walking inside the tent)
TOILETRIES & STORAGE
When you’re out on safari, you will not have the option to stop by the store to pick up something you forgot. So, please carefully go through your morning and evening routine to determine what you’ll need in your toiletries kit. Here’s what we recommend to put on your safari packing list:
Leak-proof travel bottles/containers
Insulated water flask
Insect repellent lotion
Sunscreen
Eyedrops
Moisturizing lotion
Lip balm
Toothbrush + toothpaste + floss
Shaving kit
Typical medicines (including your malaria tablets)
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Other personal toiletries
Hair brush + ties
Nail scissors/file/clipper/tweezers
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
In the middle of the Botswana bush power is limited—animals don’t need or want power lines or cell phone towers. Animals also don’t need Wi-Fi, so please plan to be completely UNPLUGGED from the world during your safari.
At night, your tent will have solar lights and no plug-in options, so if you need to charge any electronics, you’ll need to use the charging station in our main dining area. Each night, we recommend recharging your batteries and other electronics for the day ahead. We’ll have a power strip available, but since the strip will need to be shared by all guests, if you have extensive power needs, we recommend bringing your own small power strip.
As for when you’re out on your all-day safari, there will be no charging opportunities unless you bring your own portable USB batteries. We recommend bringing at least two portable batteries with you on your safari drives in case you need to charge additional camera batteries.
Power outlet adapter (electric plug M)
Power charging station (this way you have additional charging potential)
2-4 portable USB batteries
Mobile phone
Mobile phone power cords
Camera and camera lenses
Camera memory cards
Camera power cords
2-4 camera batteries
Noise-canceling headphones (the bush can be loud at night if you’re a soft sleeper)
Compact portable flashlights (we’ll provide flashlights in your tent, but in case you want your own)
Binoculars
OTHER TRAVEL ITEMS
Passport
Bank debit card
One credit card (Preferably Mastercard or Visa) that does not charge foreign transaction fees
Cash (you will need cash for all tips)
Itinerary with flight and lodging information
A Few of Our Favorite Safari Products
Below, we’ve collected a few of our favorite items to make your Brave Africa safari as incredible as possible. These are just some samples of items we believe work well on every safari packing list.
A Brave Africa safari is a memory that will last a lifetime. From the moment you arrive, we take care of everything else. The problem is … you still have to get to us. But it’s not as difficult as you think. While there are relatively few international flights directly to Botswana, it’s incredibly easy to fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town in neighboring South Africa and then take a short, connecting flight to Maun.
So, let’s walk through how to get to Botswana for your safari!
Getting to Maun, Botswana
Maun, Botswana, is the gateway airport to the Okavango Delta. We recommend that all of our guests fly to Maun and then catch a charter flight from there.
FROM JOHANNESBURG: There are two nonstop flights per day from Johannesburg to Maun on two different carriers Air Botswana and South African Airways (Operated by Airlink).
FROM CAPETOWN: South African Airways (operated by Airlink) operates one nonstop flight per day from Cape Town to Maun.
Getting to Kasane, Botswana
Alternatively, you can fly or drive into Kasane, Botswana fromVictoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This route is ideal if you are starting your travel in the north at Vic Falls or even further north in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, or Rwanda. From Kasane, Botswana, you can catch a charter flight into the bush.Talk to your travel agent about how to get to Botswana on safari or reach out to us for help.
Bush Flights to Camp
From Maun and/or Kasane, you’ll need to take a bush flight to get to your first camp with us. Your travel agent will work with us to set up the appropriate bush flight and make sure you get to our camp as required. If you are booking your own travel, you’ll also need to book your own bush flight. There are many options for bush flight charters in Botswana. They are:
We’ll need to coordinate with you and your bush flight to ensure you’re heading to the correct landing strip for our camp. Please contact us after booking your safari to talk about your bush flight needs.
Botswana Visa
Most passport holders will not require a visa for Botswana: U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others. If your country does require a visa, you can option a three-month visa upon entry into Botswana at any airport or border. For more information visit the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana.
LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
As we mentioned on our “What to Pack” page, all bush flights in Botswana have strict luggage requirements. You’ll need light, soft-sided luggage (a backpack or duffle bag is recommended). These flights do not allow luggage with frames or rigid structures. No rolling bags!Your bush flights will also limit your luggage allowance to 20kg (44 lbs) total. This total luggage weight includes your personal items as well as your carry-on and checked-in luggage.
“I’m so worried! I’ve seen the videos online. Is a Botswana safari safe and what happens if things go wrong?” We know you are concerned about Botswana safari safety and that you want to have a magical trip with no worries. So, what do you need to know?
We have discussed “Is an African Safari Safe?” on our blog before, but we thought we would touch on the topic again and bring up a few more things. There are many ways we keep you safe on safari, and there are many ways to keep yourself safe. So, let’s talk about it!
Are you going to be eaten by a lion? Is an elephant going to run over your vehicle? Is a leopard going to run through camp and enter your tent? You are in the wild, so everything is possible. Right?
“I have seen safari videos online. It is dangerous! How can you protect safari guests from animals attacking? Are animal attacks common on safari?”
The short answer is, “Animals are not dangerous on safari if you follow the rules and act smartly.” Those videos exist because they get millions of views and, thus, a lot of money. They are viral videos because dangerous situations on safari are so rare, and as such, they are newsworthy.
If you have a reputable guide and stay at a reputable lodge, you should not worry about animals when it comes to Botswana safari safety. Here’s why.
Animal Behavior: Reputable and experienced safari guides have spent years studying animal behavior to know how and when to interact with the many animals you will encounter on safari. Your guide will be able to tell you when an animal is stressed, when they need space, when it is safe to approach, how close to approach, and everything in between.
Situational Awareness: Nature can always be unpredictable; that is why safari guides are also trained to never put themselves or their guests in a situation where there is no easy escape. It is one of the first rules of Botswana safari safety. This means that your guide will not drive your vehicle into an area where they could not easily get you to safety if the situation calls for it. Your safety is always their first priority.
Safety Over Photography: We know that guests go on safari to get incredible photos and videos that will last a lifetime. But your guide will never prioritize your pictures over your health and safety or the health and safety of the animal. So, sometimes you might have to sacrifice the “perfect picture” for a safe experience.
What about at camp? “I have seen your canvas tents. How is that safe? Animals could break into your tent or come through camp at any time!”
We love it when animals visit camp, and so do our guests. That is part of what makes a mobile safari camp so attractive: the chance to sleep and interact with animals where they live. And who doesn’t want to wake up to elephants drinking at the nearby river?
The key to remaining safe at your safari camp is listening to your guide, following the camp rules, and using common sense. Another key to Botswana safari safety is always remembering that we are visiting the animals’ home, so you must respect it!
Camp Rules
To ensure your safety at camp, there are a few critical rules you will need to follow.
Never walk anywhere at night without a guide! When the sun sets at camp, you cannot walk anywhere you want. Night is the most dangerous time, and so you will be walked around camp and to and from your tent by someone on staff. This is for your safety and the safety of our staff.
Never leave your tent at night! Once you enter your tent at night, stay inside. There is never an excuse to leave your tent at night. Yes, you will hear a lot of noises outside, but the animals will never bother your tent. You are safe inside. Do not go outside to look. Listen, enjoy the experience, and then ask your guide in the morning what happened. All sorts of animals come by camp at night, and they have night vision while you do not.
Do not approach any animals without permission. If animals come into the camp, do not approach them unless you are with your safari guide and they give permission and show you how to approach safely and appropriately. In most cases, we do not want to interact with the wildlife directly for everyone’s safety and comfort.
One concern we often encounter when it comes to Botswana safari safety are our open safari vehicles. Unlike in Kenya and Tanzania, most Botswana safari vehicles are open to the environment with no doors or windows, and it can seem unsafe if you have never been on a safari before.
“Can animals jump into the car and eat us on safari? What happens if an animal charges us? What about the vehicle getting stuck in the African bush?”
The first thing to know about your safari vehicle safety is that the vehicle has been specifically designed for an amazing safari experience. Our vehicles are entirely customized to ensure your safety and comfort on safari. We talk all about them in this blog. For now, let’s focus on safety.
Safari Car Safe Practices
There are many ways we practice Botswana safari safety during game drives in our open-air vehicles. Here is what you need to know.
Listen to your guide. The first key to safari vehicle safety is to listen to your guide. They will tell you how to be safe near the animals inside the vehicle. This means:
Never leave the car unless your guide gives the okay.
Talk in low voices when near animals that may not react well to more animated chatter.
Stay seated during animal sightings unless your guide gives you permission to move around.
Keep your hands, arms, legs, feet, and heads inside the safari vehicle, especially around animals.
Never reach out to touch the animals.
Prepare for off-road driving. Safari guides are exceptional drivers. They have to be. Their roads are dirt tracks, marshlands, waterways, tall brush, narrow paths, and so much more. The good news is this means that you can go where the animals are and see things you could never see outside the bush. But don’t expect an always smooth ride because we cannot promise that.
Trust in the community. When you go on safari with a reputable company and guide, you are never alone on safari. The entire community will come together to help if there is ever a need. For example, on a recent safari, another camp’s vehicle got stuck in deep water. Within an hour, 10-12 different safari vehicles and guides stopped to help rescue the vehicle and guests. Vehicle breakdowns, flat tires, and other mishaps can happen, but there is always help available. That’s why your guide has a radio connected to the entire community and camp—just in case.
Safari Safety: Injuries, Sickness, and More…
Lastly, you might be worried about being in the bush if something happens: you get sick, someone in your group gets injured, you have an allergic reaction, etc. If you need a doctor or a hospital, being away from civilization can seem terrifying. That’s why a key element of Botswana safari safety is our plan for first aid.
We do not leave your health or safety up to chance. We have various plans and contingencies in place to take care of you in case the worst should happen.
Okavango Air Rescue: If a worst-case scenario should occur and you need emergency help, we would go with Okavango Air Rescue to get you to the hospital as quickly as possible. They have a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor who we can call to evacuate you from the bush immediately.
First Aid Treatment: If you have a smaller injury that doesn’t require a doctor, we have multiple first aid kits around camp and in our vehicles that are available. These kits contain everything you would need for basic first aid.
Non-Emergency Aid: If you become sick or injured in such a way that you are unable to finish your safari, but it is not an emergency needing immediate attention, we will work with the local bush flight companies to get you back to Maun or Kasane and a local doctor. Depending on your situation, we also might be able to drive you back into town.
We Take Your Botswana Safari Safety Seriously!
The key thing to note when it comes to your safety on safari is that your safety is our number one goal. It is even more important than getting the perfect picture or seeing all the wildlife. We know you will not have a good time if you feel unsafe or you get hurt.
If you have any questions or concerns about Botswana safari safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We promise an African safari is worth it. You will not regret a moment!
Any experienced safari enthusiast will tell you, “The most important element of an outstanding safari is the guide.” Safari guides play a crucial role in providing travelers with a memorable and safe experience in the African bush.
At Brave Africa, we understand this deep in our soul. In fact, it is the basis of our foundation: one of our owners and founders is a safari guide. And that’s why we are so proud to have some of the best safari guides in Botswana.
Guest Safety: Your safari guide is ultimately responsible for your safety. They have spent years learning everything there is to know about spending time in the Bush. Whether it’s understanding when and how to approach animals, navigating nature, or setting guest rules, safety is always a top priority.
Passion for Wildlife: With a talent for reading and understanding animal behavior and the language of the Bush, safari guides share their passion for wildlife with every guest. Not only will they educate you about every animal you see, but they’ll make sure the safari experience is as sustainable and eco-conscious as possible.
Animal Tracking: A safari is not a zoo. The animals are wild and free to roam, but your guide has the skills to track them. This is especially important for predators, which can be difficult to find if you don’t know the sounds and tracks to look for.
Share Knowledge: There are hundreds of birds, thousands of unique flora and fauna, and dozens and dozens of difficult animals. Somehow, your guide will know them all. They are walking and talking encyclopedias on everything in the bush.
Camp Hospitality: On safari, your guide is not just your connection to the wilderness they are also your Bush host. They’ll become your close companion on long game drives, at meal times, and so many moments in between.
Meet Tabona Wina: Brave Africa’s Premier Safari Guide
Tabona Wina is a Motswana born and raised in Francistown, Botswana. He is a Co-owner, President, and Founder at Brave Africa Safaris, as well as a level 3 experienced guide (the highest level).
Early Life
From a young child, Wina has always been interested in animals and nature. Whether he was spending time on a farm, in the plowing fields, or at the cattle posts, his favorite part was working with the sheep, cattle, and goats. And while doing so, he also gained exposure to the wilds, sparking his love and passion for the Bush.
But living in the city, Wina didn’t have very many opportunities to explore nature—at least as much as he wanted, especially as his schooling got more intense. So, for a while, he left the Bush behind and began his career working in Public Health after college. But while his job was fulfilling, it couldn’t replace the joy and beauty Wina found in the wild.
Career as a Safari Guide in Botswana
Then, in 2007, the opportunity finally came for Wina to go back to his first love. With the help of his family, he followed his heart and pursued his dream of becoming a safari guide by joining the Tourism Industry. And the rest is history.
Wina reignited his love and passion for the Bush immediately. And by 2008, he earned his professional guiding license and a job guiding at African Bush Camps (ABC)—a premier safari company with lodges in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
For over a decade, Wina helped grow ABC while exploring his passion for wildlife, the environment, and amazing guest experiences. Under the guidance of Beks Ndlovu at ABC, he learned the guiding principles of intuition, respect, and sharing, and developed an incredible depth of knowledge and breadth of experience that is unparalleled. He quickly became the go-to guide for special guests and was regularly requested by anyone and everyone in the know.
Founding of Brave Africa
Then, in 2018, Wina was given a new opportunity. While guiding a young American couple on an incredible Safari in Linyanti and Savuti, he shared his private dream of owning his own safari company. They believed in him and his vision, and a year later in 2019, Brave Africa Safaris was born.
Wina is not just the President and Co-Owner of Brave Africa, he is our beating heart. It is his deep love and respect for the Botswana Bush that is woven into every aspect of our company from our “leave no trace behind” campsites to our all-day immersive safaris. Everything that is Bush-based is his forté. For Wina, there is nothing better than sharing his passion for wildlife with others.
Being a safari guide in Botswana is not just Tabona Wina’s dream; it is his calling!
5 Questions and Answers with Tabona Wina
How long have you been a guide? 15 years
After so long as a guide, do you still enjoy it? Yes! Animal behavior is just amazing. Over the years, I’ve never lost my love. I really really enjoy my time in the bush. This is my destiny. I am going to die in the Bush.
What is one of your favorite parts of being a guide? You never stop learning! You learn something new every single day you are in the Bush. Whether you are looking at vegetation, insects, or animal behavior, there is always something to learn. Whenever I am in the Bush, I feel like I’m growing my education.
Do you have a favorite animal? I love all the animals, but I have developed a particular love for elephants. I think in my previous life I was an elephant. I get so attached to them; I can feel their presence. They have a beautiful social structure with a Matriarchal society where the entire herd follows the oldest female. And the thought of that is incredible.
Do you have a particular guiding memory about elephants you can share? I had always heard and understood that elephants can mourn family members when they die, but I had never witnessed it. But when I was working for ABC in Linyanti one time, there was a local elephant we knew very well. He was an ancient guy with one tusk who died of old age. A few months later when he was just bones, I passed by his skeleton and found six Bull elephants with massive tusks surrounding the bones. Looking at their facial expressions, I could see they were mourning. I watched them for a while as one elephant picked a bone off of the ground and played with it in his tusk, tasted it, and then passed it to the next elephant. The bone went around the entire circle until it went back to the first elephant and then they walked off with the bone before tossing it in a new location. It was an amazing experience watching them scatter bones just as humans scatter ashes.
What do Guests Say About Tabona Wina as a Safari Guide in Botswana?
“How do I know there are 23 types of antelope – because of our fabulous guide Wina. He MADE the entire adventure. He was a walking Wikipedia with 3 years of schooling and 10 years of experience. I just can’t say enough about Wina. Besides his vast knowledge and charming personality, he always made our safety his top priority.” —Sheree F. TripAdvisor
“Mr. Tabona Wina is a skillful guide, with a deep knowledge of the flora and fauna of Botswana. He was able to locate and track many wonderful animals – elephants, lions, cheetah, hyenas and wild dogs, to name a few. We felt safe while on safari drive with him.” —PaultVo TripAdvisor
“If you don’t have a “Wina” (our guide), you don’t have ½ the experience. Wina has 10+ years experience in Botswana, he taught most of the guides. He knows every animal, behavior, tracking paw prints, birds, even knows about animal poop! Very important if you want to catch your animal. It’s like we’re hunting in a Landcruiser, everyone on watch, hoping to spy the next amazing sighting!” —Rick F. TripAdvisor
“Mostly however the superb skills of the resourceful Tabona Wina as Guide make this really special as he has an extraordinary ability to find game.” —Michaelk TripAdvisor
“I went on the most wonderful safari with Wina and his dedicated team. I’ve been on a few safaris in my time and this has been far and away the best. Wina is incredibly knowledgable and passionate about nature, and through his skill we were able to see a whole range of animals from lions to painted dogs to buffalo to elephants and, most excitingly of all, a leopard!” —LJHK TripAdvisor
“Wina is in a class ALL by himself, an expert tracker and naturalist who knew what seemed to me, everything about the bush. Everyday was a new and exciting adventure. It didn’t matter at all that we were in ‘Green’ season and that all the bush was full and tall. He tracked dogs, cats, hyena, cheetah, leopard and spotted all the little birds and animals that I would never have seen, had I not been with such an accomplished guide. Wina cares about them all, so deeply. He educated me about everything that my endlessly curious mind wanted to know!” —Herbeingness TripAdvisor
“Tabona Wina is a great guide, host and manager. We saw so many animals: elephants, lions, zebra, impala, a cheetah, a leopard, hippos, giraffe, buffalo and more. On day 2, Wina stopped the vehicle and said, “I see a hyena…he has blood on his mouth”. We could barely see it but he could, and off road we went to find about a dozen of them feasting on a recent kill. We just sat in the vehicle and watched. I felt like we were inside our own little nature documentary. Wina knows so much about the animals, birds and vegetation. He was constantly teaching us about our surroundings. He is so passionate and loves nature. Didn’t hurt that I was also nudging him for more info!” —E7158S TripAdvisor
What about at camp? “I have seen your canvas tents. How is that safe? Animals could break into your tent or come through camp at any time!” 
Lastly, you might be worried about being in the bush if something happens: you get sick, someone in your group gets injured, you have an allergic reaction, etc. If you need a doctor or a hospital, being away from civilization can seem terrifying. That’s why a key element of Botswana safari safety is our plan for first aid.
