Safari
Holidays in Botswana

As one of Africa’s last unpopulated wildernesses,  Botswana holidays are an absolute must for wildlife lovers. With 38% of Botswana’s land given over to national parks, this landlocked country is home to some of the greatest and most varied wildlife in the world, from big mammals and game to birdlife. Our Botswana expert, Emma, recently returned from a research trip to Botswana that saw her travel from the biologically diverse Chobe National Park to the lush Okavango Delta and the remote Kalahari Game Reserve. In this blog post, Emma shares the standout moments from her trip, as well as her top Botswana travel tips… Chobe National Park I started my trip at Chobe National Park – and as the first national park to be established in Botswana in 1967, it doesn’t disappoint. It’s the most biologically diverse park in all of Botswana, and the amount of wildlife here is astonishing: think vast herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra roaming freely, and lions sunning themselves underneath trees. Activities here include game drives and trips to the meeting points of the four countries – however, in Chobe , boat trips are the definitive game viewing experience. They allow you to see wildlife from a completely different perspective, whether you’re looking back on the banks of the river or witnessing elephants snorkel along beside you as they cool off in the water in the dry season, it’s an unforgettable experience. A highlight for me was a boat trip along the channels where we headed out with a specialist guide for a unique opportunity to photograph pied kingfishers, whilst keeping an eye out for other wildlife too. Don’t forget that the trips and activities available here are seasonal, so you’ll need to plan your visit accordingly: the dry season is best for wildlife sightings, whereas, in the wet ‘green’ season, the elephants are on the move. There are baby animals and vibrant birdlife around during this time, making for absolutely incredible photo opportunities. If you have time, it’s also well worth a visit to nearby Savute . Bordering the Linyanti Wetlands on the western edge of Chobe, it’s home to some of Botswana’s most outstanding wildlife. It’s a documentary maker’s dream – in fact, most wildlife documentaries in Botswana are filmed here, which shows just how incredible the wildlife spotting opportunities are. Okavango Delta For the next part of my trip, I headed to the Okavango Delta , one of the world’s largest deltas and a dynamic ecosystem in its own right. With networks of channels and lagoons fringed with papyrus and dotted with charming islands, it’s pristine and serene – and offers excellent year-round wildlife viewing. In fact, the delicate ecosystem here means there’s everything from flora and fauna to birds and marine life, as well as large animals such as elephant, hippo, giraffe and rhinoceros. It’s also the predator capital of Africa, too. There are plenty of activities on offer here, including game drives, night drives, boat cruises, canoeing through crystal clear waters on traditional mokoro canoes made from sausage tree (often made from fibreglass these days) and walking safaris. You can even sleep on a sky bed on a platform underneath the stars – an experience which I would definitely recommend! Another relatively new activity available in some high-end lodges is the chance to go out on a hot air balloon ride early in the morning and enjoy a champagne breakfast when you return – absolutely unforgettable and a fantastic chance to see the Delta from a new perspective. If hot air balloons aren’t for you, you can do as I did and plonk yourself down on a lookout deck over a floodplain back at your lodge and witness the animals come and go. I saw an elephant venture so close to the lodge that it had its head inside the main area and was stealing spring onions from the herb box! On another occasion, whilst setting up for sundowners and listening to the sounds of hippos calling, a pack of 11 wild dogs appeared 20 feet away. We jumped in our vehicle and followed them, which resulted in an amazing and completely private sighting as they taught their youngsters to hunt. If you’re after a bit more action from your Botswana holiday , mobile camping is becoming more popular for an authentic safari experience and the chance to develop really intense safari knowledge. With mobile safaris, you can be much more flexible and each day is tailored to you. However, if you choose to view the Delta, though, the best thing about this region is that the wildlife is so relaxed. Because the area is home to a number of private concessions rather than a national park, there are fewer rigid regulations, fewer people and more activities on offer; it’s a completely unique experience. In addition, the lodges are really community driven – in fact, most of the staff have grown up in villages next door, so have fantastic insider knowledge. Central Kalahari Game Reserve For the final leg of my trip, I headed to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve . One of the largest game reserves in the world, it’s the size of Denmark and covers 50,000km2 of wild, remote and pristine land in southern-central Botswana. Here, you’ll find spotted hyena, black-maned lion, aardvark and desert-adapted elephants, alongside other game species. Whilst the wet season is best for wildlife, there are still plenty of activities on offer in the dry season too. Originally home to the San people, I had the chance to meet two San bushmen, including a village elder, and was granted access to their homes and the chance to learn their skills, the medicines they use and how they live for a fascinating insight into traditional life. On the way back to the lodge, we were lucky enough to spot and park up nearby a pride of lions. We stayed completely still as they edged towards us before sitting right beside the wheel – a real heart-in-mouth moment! Back at the lodge that night, there was sensational campfire stargazing, and on a game drive the next morning we saw the same lions acting very territorial having made a kill. Also on our drive, our guide mimicked the call of a predator bird, the Pel’s Fishing Owl, which made all the birds fly out of the trees to try and mob it for an incredibly unique and awe-inspiring viewing opportunity. This is an example of the difference between the Botswana experience as opposed to ordinary game drives – with Botswana holidays , everything is elevated to the next level. My top tips Pack layers – heading out on activities in the early mornings means it can be very cold, but you’ll need lighter clothes for when the sun comes up.   Consider a camera workshop – either as part of the itinerary or before you go to get the most of the wildlife photography opportunities   Add on time in Cape Town or Victoria Falls to relax after your busy safari days   Download a bird guide app on your phone before you go – it acts as a checklist too   A lightweight scarf acts as an extra layer, a protector for your camera on your lap, and instant cover if you are in the sun during the game drive Whether you want to visit in the dry or wet season, if you’re looking for some of the finest wildlife in the world, Botswana might just be your dream destination. Our team are experts on Botswana holidays and can advise on everything from the best lodges to stay in, to the most exciting activities on offer so you can craft your perfect trip. Ready to start your Botswana adventure? Contact our team today for a quote .  

Experience the World, while it’s still quiet  With Peru and Ecuador moving off the red list from Monday, travel is back on the table in a big way. Here at HA we always do our best to suggest ways to get you off the beaten track, walking the road less travelled and soaking up true authenticity wherever you’re visiting. However, all countries have those truly must-visit experiences and places that can’t be missed. And, with those bucket-list worthy spots, tends to come the crowds! (We tried to keep schtum about Petra, but the word got out.) For the time being though, with fewer tourists the big sights are so much more peaceful than normal. So, it could just be the perfect time to get back out there to experience some of the most magical places in our world, while they’re quieter than they’ll *hopefully* ever be again.     Botswana Botswana ‘s Okavango Delta and Linyanti Wetlands reserves are a sprawling safari playground, with incredible scenery, untouched wilderness and just about all of the definitive, headline grabbing African wildlife that you could hope to see. And, with game viewing here even more exclusive than it usually is, you’re guaranteed countless memorable wildlife encounters and far fewer tourists to share them with. Plus, with an exclusive chance to save more than £1,000 per person on this Botswana adventure (when travelling within 30 days of booking, and on selected dates), incredible safari sightings could be closer than you think. Contact our Botswana specialist, Kirsty, for more information. (Offer valid at time of writing).       Peru Peru is set to be moved off the red list on Monday (we couldn’t be happier about this news!). And that means the spectacular Incan citadel of Machu Picchu , nestled high in the Andes Mountains, is ripe for exploring once more. This jewel in the crown of the Inca empire is South America’s most iconic visitor attraction – and it never disappoints. Whether you choose to trek or take the train or bus up, the view at the top will be worth every minute of the journey. Get in quick, to experience this top bucket-list destination for yourself, before the crowds return! Find out more >     Sri Lanka This train ride through Sri Lanka ‘s tea hills really is something else. And to enjoy the experience to the fullest, we’ll always book you a window seat. With fewer tourists, there will be more chance to move through the carriages, lean out of open windows and sample tasty delicacies sold by the local sellers who make their way down the aisles. Or, if you have an adventurous streak, sit in an open doorway to feel the breeze as you watch the far-reaching tea terraces whizz by below. An exhilarating journey like no other awaits. Take me there >           Namibia Climbing the imposing orange dunes of the Namib desert is a must when in the Sossusvlei region of Namibia. The huge 100m high peak of Dune 45 makes for a bit of a challenge – and a staggering view across the golden plains once you get to the top! Plus, right now, you’re able to take in the sweeping vistas with very little company. Pinch-yourself moments guaranteed. Now is such a fantastic time to visit Namibia, and with great last-minute availability on routes like this two-week self-drive Namibia itinerary , get in touch with Kirsty, our Namibia specialist , to plan your trip today.       Mauritius Surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters and immaculate white sandy beaches, we’d understand if Mauritius is calling your name. Whether you visit as a standalone romantic holiday (we’re looking at you honeymooners), or fancy unwinding in paradise after a South African safari adventure , Mauritius makes the perfect island hideaway. Boasting one of the largest unbroken barrier reef systems in the world and fringed by soft sand beaches, it could just be the perfect place to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a perfect post-pandemic getaway. Take me there >             Canada Just an hour away from Toronto , you can experience the power and roar of what is arguably one of Canada’s most famous icons – the plummeting Niagara Falls. Whether you choose to feel the spray on your face from the water as you cruise to the base of Horseshoe Falls, walk along the White Water Walk boardwalk or venture into the tunnel – Journey Behind the Falls – which takes you behind the cascading wall of water, this is a sight not to be missed. Plus, fewer crowds allows a rare and uninterrupted opportunity to be wowed by this magnificent example of mother Nature at work. Find out more on this sample ‘Canada Icons’ holiday itinerary >           Jordan Petra , once called “the rose-red city half as old as time” and famously voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is a must-see for visitors to Jordan, and for good reason. It’s hard to beat (or put into words) the feeling when you catch your first glimpse of the Treasury Tomb at the end of the dramatic Siq Canyon – and it’s all the more magical without the crowds! HA clients, the Sussexes, visited Jordan last month and said: “A lot of the places were very quiet. It made seeing places so much easier, especially Wadi Rum and also wandering around Petra.” See it all on this Grand Tour of Jordan             Cambodia With more than 1000 temples scattered across its 400 square kilometers, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is the most visited sight in Cambodia. With South East Asia being a little slower to open up, we’d recommend getting a trip booked in for 2022. This way, you’ll have a holiday in the diary to look forward to and will travel knowing you’ll not only beat the crowds, but you’ll be supporting a wonderful country in its efforts to reignite tourism, too. The ethereal glow of the sun as it rises over the ancient towers of Angkor is an experience everyone should have when they visit this remarkable side of the world. See the Temples of Angkor and so much more on this ‘Best of Cambodia’ holiday itinerary.     Not sure where to explore first? No problem. Our friendly team of travel specialists are at the end of the phone ready to chat all things travel and help design a getaway that’s tailored for you. Give us a call on 01242 253 073 , request a quote or email us on [email protected] .