Taking an African safari is something that everyone who loves to travel should do at some point. If you’ve reached your senior years without having taken a safari, don’t feel like this is no longer an option – many seniors take African safaris every year. One of the best destinations is Botswana due to the high quality of the safaris and the stunning landscapes of the Kalahari Desert that form the backdrop to some impressive wildlife.
Make your dream of taking a safari a reality by using these planning tips.
What Time of Year Should You Take a Safari?
There’s no “best” time to take a safari in Botswana — it all depends on what you want to see. To avoid the rainy season (which means fewer mosquitoes) and hottest temperatures, you may prefer the winter months (between May and September). However, this is high season in most places, meaning prices are higher. Plus, the weather even becomes cold during the nights in June and July. The silver lining is some lodges consider the coldest months to be low season and actually drop their prices.
It’s worth visiting during the rainy season (the rest of the year) if you want to see Botswana while the landscapes are green. This is also the ideal time for birders, as it’s when the migratory birds are within the country.
How to Reach Botswana
You won’t be able to fly directly to Botswana from the U.S. However, there are flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. From either of these cities, you can reach Maun National Airport. If you book through a travel company, you’ll likely receive transport from the airport into the bush to start your safari.
Finding a Senior-Friendly Trip
If you have any concerns about staying comfortable on your tour or you have mobility needs, you should book a safari aimed at seniors. These will feature accessible accommodation and suitable activities. For instance, schedules may be more relaxed or go at a slower pace to allow you to soak in the atmosphere rather than rushing on to something else. They’ll also likely include some downtime activities.
Staying Within Your Budget
Safari companies have to charge high prices because accommodation is typically expensive — but the advantage of this is you won’t encounter crowds and you’ll be staying in intimate settings. There is also a huge range between a regular and a luxury safari. Although many Botswana safaris are expensive, it should be possible to stay within your budget (provided you are able to allocate a reasonable amount to your trip).
An alternative option to booking a safari through a tour company is to plan a self-driving safari. Botswana is the ideal place to do this because the roads are mostly in good condition and there are rental companies offering 4×4 vehicles who may even provide you with recommendations for routes and accommodation. The tradeoff is this will require a great deal of research on your part to ensure the trip is successful.
Top Places to Visit
Whether you decide to drive yourself or prefer to book a tour, it’s important to know where you’d like to visit. Some top destinations in Botswana include:
- Chobe National Park — Home to the Chobe River, it’s here where you’ll see herds of elephants and buffalo along the waterfront. In the forests and lagoons, there are lions, antelopes, and hippos.
- Okavango Delta — If you want to traverse the waterways on a canoe, head to the Okavango Delta. This will give you the chance to see crocodiles, hippos, and aquatic birds up close as well as lions, leopards, and rhinos on the land.
- Makgadikgadi Pan — Set in the middle of the savannah, Makgadikgadi Pan is one of the largest salt pans in the world. If you visit during the rainy season, you’ll see herds of migrating zebra and wildebeest as well as pink flamingos.
Preparing for Your Trip
To ensure your trip is as enjoyable as possible, there are some preparations you need to make in advance.
The most important are considerations for your health. Recommended vaccines are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid (if you don’t have them already). You may also need to take medication to prevent malaria before your trip, although this depends on where you’ll be visiting.
In addition, it’s important to pack appropriately for your safari. Find out what kind of weather you should expect according to the time of year you’ll be visiting. Typically, you’ll want lightweight, breathable clothes in neutral colors. Bring walking shoes or closed-toe sandals that are suitable for all conditions. Finally, make sure you have some binoculars for better views of the wildlife.
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