3 of the Best Parks for a fantastic Cheap Botswana Lodge Safari
Take a peek at the three best parks of my fantastic, cheap Botswana Lodge Safari. Botswana is an enchanting country full of wildlife and untamed beauty, but these few favourites really wowed me on my budget Botswana safari.
[updated Jan 2020]
1. The Okavango Delta - Top Wild Spot in Botswana
I fell in love with the delta because it is such a remote and wild place. It really did feel as though we were miles away from civilization (and we were).
I’m a real water baby so the Okavango Delta immediately scored big points with me as an unusual safari destination. Exploring the watery channels added a refreshing element to the safari, complementing our other, mostly land-based, stops.
Moving quietly over the water in a Mokoro was simply delightful. Sitting back and watching the reeds and trees go by while my trusty poler did all the work felt so indulgent. It’s not often one gets to enjoy human-powered transport in old-fashioned style like royalty!
As we went gliding over the water I spotted various birds flitting about and marvelled at the giant spiders in their complex webs. The golden orb spiders strung up in the high branches aren’t poisonous, but the sight of them took some getting used to.
While in the delta the local polers took us to a safe swimming spot in the mokoro dugout canoes. Here we took a playful dip in the clean waters of a channel where hippos don't wallow about. We were also poled to a walking trail near our camp for an interesting bush walk with the knowledgeable head guide.
The delta experience isn't all about seeing wildlife, although visitors do get lucky and spot big game sometimes. We saw plenty of the smaller creatures inhabiting the bush and heard the foreboding roar of a nearby lion at night.
Being surrounded by the tranquil delta was an experience of the kind that soothes the soul.
2. Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Best Wildlife Sightings
Our game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary was totally packed with wildlife sightings. Seeing so many rhinos grazing in the wild was a real privilege - a touching honour given the endangered status of these large mammals.
We also saw my favourite animal, the giraffe, feeding on treetop leaves. We even witnessed one of these tall ungulates (hoofed animals) lying down, feet tucked under its body, for an evening nap. There were zebras and we saw an eland, the largest of all antelopes, which looks a bit like a cross between a kudu and a cow.
I've never been so close to a herd of springbok in my life! They came so close that we got to hear their strange bleating barks - very unbecoming of such petite little antelopes.
Of course, we saw loads of impalas, which are very common in most of Southern Africa's game parks. We also caught sight of odd-looking hartebeest, as well as kudu resting and milling around in the grasses.
3. Chobe River Sunset Cruise - Best Scenery, Birds & Wildlife
This was an incredibly scenic boat trip into Chobe National Park. The cruise took us along the lush green riverbanks and reed-covered islands of Chobe River.
Motoring slowly along the great Chobe River we were treated to an array of rewarding wildlife sightings - from elephants, kudus and hippos to crocodiles, baboons and monitor lizards.
We cruised under looming rain clouds stacked impossibly high in the multi-layered skies. Now, I'm a real fan of the spectacular African skies and on this boat cruise, we saw some of the most impressive clouds I've been lucky enough to ogle at in my time.
The bird lovers were in their element on the sunset cruise, getting up close to all sorts of feathery specimens. I'm not much of a birder, but it was lovely to see all these colourful and strange birds up close. I was lucky enough to get a fabulous shot of the regal African Fish Eagle beside the Chobe River.
I would do another Botswana Safari in a heartbeat to revisit my favourite wild parks. If I went back I would spend more time at Makgadikgadi Pans and add the Kalahari Desert to my Botswana safari itinerary, as well as Moremi Game Reserve.
For me gliding through the watery Okavango Delta, seeing white rhinos up close in Khama and cruising along the Chobe River were blissful, once-in-a-lifetime African experiences!
Best Botswana Budget Lodge Safaris for 2020
- I joined the 12 Day Vic Falls, Okavango Delta & Chobe Lodge Safari, starting and ending in Johannesburg. It is on special for travel before the end of 2020, making it about $1763 ( less than R26000).
- It is a cheaper version of the 14 Day Best of Southern Africa Budget Lodge Safari which visits Kruger Park in South Africa as well. This safari is also on special in 2020, giving you a 10% discount which makes it the cheapest option at about $1500 (under R22000).
- The 14 Day Best of Botswana Budget Lodge Safari is a fantastic option because it spends time at an exclusive tented bush camp at Moremi Game Reserve which is one of the top highlights of Botswana. This Botswana Lodge Safari costs about $3029 (under R44000).
For more options take a look at all of our Budget Botswana Safaris (including camping tours and multi-country safaris).
To get help with choosing the best Botswana Budget Safari for you and your budget, talk to one of our friendly experts.
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- 12 Day Botswana Safari: Wildlife & Okavango Delta Lodge Tour
- 5 Day Chobe & Okavango Delta Lodge Tour
- 14 Day Best of Southern Africa Safari