Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory being the Kalahari Desert. It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. It is connected by the Kazungula Bridge to Zambia, across the world’s shortest border between two countries.
Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. About 11.6 percent of the population lives in the capital and largest city, Gaborone. Formerly one of the world’s poorest countries, it has today transformed itself into an upper-middle-income country, with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Botswana is not only regarded as one of the most exclusive safari destinations in Africa, but one of the most remarkable wilderness areas on earth. Boasting vast areas of protected wilderness, pristine landscapes, and a rich diversity of wildlife, as a safari destination, Botswana is hard to top.
You can’t spend just two days in Botswana and see all of its beautiful wildlife, different landscapes, and rich culture. Because Botswana is fairly big, it would take a lot more time to see everything it has to offer.
But, if you only have time for a two-day trip, it’s best to focus on one place and try to see as much as you can in that area.
Plan your route carefully and hire a knowledgeable guide from a reputable tour operator to help you get the most out of your trip.
If you just have two days available for a safari in Botswana, you can expect to visit one of the following attractions:
Chobe National Park is the third largest National Park of Botswana. It is situated in the northern part of Botswana about an hour away from the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The park is known for its massive elephant populations. The best place for viewing game is next to the Chobe river where you will find the largest concentration of wildlife.
The Okavango Delta is also situated in Northern Botswana. It is renowned for its vast expanses of grass that periodically flood, creating a thriving wildlife habitat.Â
Dugout canoes are utilized in this area to get through hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.
This safari will have you isolated in a mokoro (canoe) in which you will explore the Okavango Delta’s waterways. This will also include a safari walk that will give you the ultimate African adventure.
The dry, mostly winter season, which lasts from May until October, is the greatest time to go to Botswana since the weather is pleasant during the day (22°C to 35°C) and the nights are cool.
It is also during this time that the water levels in the Okavango Delta are at their peak, which results in the formation of rivers and channels.
As this is the time when the foliage dies back, the wildlife is concentrated around the few remaining waterhole. Animals gathering around the watering holes, making them easy to find. Also, most animals, especially the carnivores, are busier during the day.
Itinerary 1 – Chobe National Park
Day 1 – The closest entry point to Chobe is from Victoria in Zimbabwe. You should start your trip early morning when you will be picked up from your accommodation or the airport in Victoria and taken to board a boat on the Zambezi River to start the three-hour boat cruise to the Chobe National Park.
The river cruise will be one of the highlights of your trip to Chobe National Park.
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Day 2 – You will be woken at dawn and the staff will provide you with warm water in a basin to wash in.
Day 1 – The closest point to the Okavango Delta will be from Maun, which is the tourism capital of Botswana and on the southern fringes of the Okavango Delta. You need to rise early and will be picked up from your accommodation to travel the approximately 65km to the Okavango Delta.
Day 2 – You will rise early and be treated to coffee and a light breakfast.
On a 2-day budget safari in Botswana, you will probably stay in a lodge or camp that is simple but safe. You’ll still stay in accommodation with en-suite bathrooms but may have to go without some other luxuries.
Your mode of travelling will most probably be by bus or open safari vehicle.
On a Luxury 2-day Safari in Botswana, you will probably stay at a luxury lodge.
Most of the time, the accommodation will be of the best quality, with private bathrooms and all possible comforts. You’ll eat gourmet food and be spoiled in many ways.Â
For a 2-day safari you will basically only need to pack the following:
When you plan your trip, think about what exactly it is you want to see on your 2-day trip. Botswana has many different attractions, so make sure you pick one that fits your needs.
Botswana can be hot and sticky, so pack carefully and bring only what you need since you will travel long distances.
Bring a camera with you to capture your memories.
If you want to go on a safari in Botswana, the first thing you should do is find a good tour operator.
You need to discuss your needs and wishes in depth and know exactly what you’re paying for. A short safari will still be expensive, so you should be able to get all of your questions answered.
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Make sure you know what you want to get out of your trip. Is it the animals or the scenery that you want to see the most?Â
During a 2-day safari in Botswana you will most probably visit
a game park where you can enjoy one or two game drives and perhaps a safari
walk.
On a 2-day safari in Botswana you may only be able to visit the
country’s famous Chobe National Park or the Okavango Delta.
You can expect accommodation options that range from basic
camping to luxurious safari lodges, depending on what you can afford.
It can take from a few hours to a whole day to travel
between the popular tourism destinations in Botswana.
No, a 2-day safari in Botswana is not really feasible. It
will only allow you to visit one or two of the country’s iconic attractions.
Due to vast distances, you should ideally spend at least 7 days to explore most
of the tourist attractions.