2 Day Luxury Botswana Safaris

Botswana’s immense wilderness and unlimited space will help you disconnect from regular life and reconnect with nature. This beautiful country situated in southeast Africa borders South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia. It offers a true wilderness experience over thousands of kilometers.

Botswana has twelve National Parks and Reserves and travelers can experience herds of animals stampeding over dusty migratory routes or resting by dams or rivers.

The five main areas to visit in Botswana are, the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta, Chobe, the Tsodilo Hills and the Kanyu Flats. If you only planning to go on a safari for two days, it is best to focus on only one of these areas.

In the past couple of years, a number of luxury lodges have opened in Botswana, bringing in travelers from all over the world. The country is known for its luxury boutique lodges and camps. Most of them deliver excellent services and provide full amenities, while still being environmentally responsible.

Some of the luxury lodges and camps are:

Zarafa located in the Selinda Concession of the Okavango Delta.
Jack’s Camp located in the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Belmond Eagle island Lodge in the Okavango Delta.
Meno a Kwena perched above the Boteti River on the border of the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Duba Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta.
Mombo Camp in the Okavango Delta.
Abu Camp overlooks a lagoon in the Okavango Delta.
Chobe Game Lodge.
Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp.
Jao Camp tucked away on a remote island in the Okavango Delta.
Chief’s Camp in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Eagle Island Lodge situated on the Delta’s Xaxaba Island.
San Camp situated in the Makgadikgadi Pans on the Kalahari Plains.
King’s Pool Camp overlooking the waters of King’s Pool Lagoon in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
Tuludi Camp in the Khwai Private Concession.
Camp Moremi in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Okuti Camp in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Sancturay Baines’ Camp situated on the Okavango Delta plains.
Vumbura Plains situated in the Okavango Delta.
Little Tubu Camp situated on a remote island in the Jao Private Concession.

What to Expect on a 2 Day Luxury Safari in Botswana

On a 2-day luxury safari in Botswana, you can visit some of the country’s distinctive tourist sites and experience its breathtaking scenery and animals, but you won’t have time to see all of the most famous tourist spots because they are so far apart.

It will be more worthwhile if you visit one or maybe two places and rather spend more time to experience it to the fullest.

Some of the most popular safari destinations in Botswana are the following:

The Okavango Delta Swamps’ and its many natural attractions are first on the list. The Okavango River runs through this wetland of islands and channels with about 15,000 square km of waterways and wetlands, attracting a wide diversity of wildlife. It’s also UNESCO-listed.
The Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta is where visitors can get close to the big five in an open safari vehicle or a mokoro on the many channels and rivers.
The Kalahari Desert or Kgalagadi stretches through nearly two-thirds of the country and covers the land with mostly sand and sparse vegetation. Wildlife is plentiful and visiting this area provides a wilderness experience rivalled by no other place in the world.
Chobe National Park is the second largest reserve in Botswana and attracts a large amount of bigger game due to the Chobe River flowing through the area.
The Tsodilo Hills is situated in the northwest of the country and is a fascinating site for those interested in African history and culture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers various hiking paths throughout the park.
Makgadikgadi Pan Game Reserve is a salt pan situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana and one of the largest salt flats in the world.
Nzai Pan National Park is situated in Northern Botswana consists mainly of forest and savanna woodland and large areas of open grassland. There are two Pans – Nxai and Kgama-Kgama Pan.
Linyanti Concessions lies in the Kwando-Linyanti rivers system and is home to a number of private game reserves. This vast, untamed wilderness in the perfect location for those seeking a unique African adventure.

A safari trip through Botswana usually starts in Maun which is the tourist capital of Botswana. Highlights on your trip may include the following:

Not only is Maun the third largest city in Botswana, but it also has a rich history with a number of worthwhile attractions in town, such as the Thye Nhabe Museum, the ostrich farm, and a crocodile farm. There are also a number of luxury lodges in the area as well as shopping malls and numerous restaurants. Maun is also the entrance to the Okavango Delta.
Hiking adventures along the Thamalakane or Chobe rivers where you will really get close to nature and have some close encounters with the wild life of the area.
Scenic flights over the Okavango Delta or the Kalahari, either in a light aircraft, helicopter or a hot air balloon.
Bird watching as Botswana is blessed with abundant bird life. You can either go exploring on your own or join a guided tour or enjoy bird watching from a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) on many of the waterways.
The Motsana Cultural Centre, situated in Maun that showcase the true culture of Mauna and its people.
Go on a day safari to Chobe National Park which is known for its large herds of elephants.
Visit Francistown which is one of the oldest towns in Botswana and the site of southern Africa’s first gold rush.
Makgadikgade Salt Pans in the Kalahari Desert with its white sparkling mystery and many fossil sights and ancient Bushman remnants.
Join the San on a guided walking adventure in the Kalahari while you learn about their culture, tracking and hunting skills and their knowledge of medicinal and poisonous plants.

Best Time for a 2 Day Luxury Safari in Botswana

The best times to travel in Botswana depends on what you want to do, as Botswana is a year-round safari destination.

The best time which is most popular is in winter, from May through September. However, Botswana’s summer grass and water attract herds of game, so winter may not always be the “best time” to visit. In recent years the summer months, when all the antelope give birth and the migrant birds have arrived, have become a popular time to visit and can also lay claim to the “best time to travel” to Botswana.

What to Pack for a 2 Day Luxury Safari in Botswana

For a two-day safari, you only need comfortable shorts, t-shirts and long pants for the cooler evenings. Sandals or shoes with thick soles for hiking, a rain jacket or hooded windcheater and something warm for the evenings.

A guidebook, camera, binoculars, insect repellent, a hat or other head protection, sunscreen, sunglasses, and personal care items should also not be forgotten.

Selecting a Tour Operator for a 2 Day Luxury Safari in Botswana

When planning a safari in Botswana for only two days, choosing the proper tour operator can have several advantages. You will have access to some of the best nature and wildlife areas in the country. Tour guides have usually worked there for years and know a lot about the land and the animals and can give expert advice on how to plan the most effective schedule to make the most of each day.

Popular Itineraries for a 2 Day, 1 Night Luxury Safari in Botswana

Itinerary 1 – Okavango Delta

Day 1 – Travel from Maun into the Okavango Delta to the luxury lodge of your choice. You can fit in a game drive in the late afternoon.
Day 2 – Go on a game drive through the delta or opt for a mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion on the many channels in the area and observe the animal life on the banks of the river. Return to Maun late afternoon.

Itinerary 2 – Maun

Day 1 – Arrive in Maun and visit the many tourist attractions in town like the museum and crocodile and ostrich farm. Enjoy your meals at the lodge you are staying at or in town at one of the many restaurants.
Day 2 – Get up early and go on a hot balloon flight over the Okavango Delta. Next you could go on a river cruise during the afternoon.

FAQ

How much does a luxury 2-day luxury safari in Botswana cost?

The cost of a luxury safari in Botswana will depend on the activities and the choice of accommodation, but it may range from R10 000 to R14 000 per person per day.

What is the best time of year to go on a 2-day luxury safari in Botswana?

The best time to go on a 2-day luxury safari in Botswana is the dry winter season, from the month of May through to September, although the wet summer months can also be most satisfying.

Is a 2-day luxury safari in Botswana family-friendly?

Yes, most luxury safari providers in Botswana are family-friendly.

What type of accommodation can you expect on a 2-day luxury safari in Botswana?

Most luxury safaris in Botswana include accommodation in exclusive luxury lodges or tented camps.

Will I be able to customise my 2-day luxury safari in Botswana?

Yes, you can usually customize your luxury safari in Botswana to suit your specific goals, providing you have enough time and the budget at hand.