Which country is better for an African safari, Botswana or South Africa? The only right response is that both has benefits and they are both fantastic. Two of Africa’s top safari destinations are Botswana and South Africa, but each provides a unique safari experience. When determining which is superior, there are several things to take into account. Continue reading for a thorough discussion of your options to help you choose the ideal safari.

Observing Wildlife

South African Wildlife Viewing

South Africa is most likely the greatest place to visit if you want to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). On a single safari, you can view all five of these famous animals in a variety of parks, reserves, and private conservancies.

Madikwe Game Reserve, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, and the bordering reserves of Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Nature Reserve are among the parks and reserves that are home to the Big Five.

Botswana Wildlife Viewing

There aren’t many rhinos in Botswana compared to South Africa. The sole populations are a tiny and extremely elusive group of rhinos in Khama Rhino Sanctuary (where rhino sightings are frequent) and Moremi Game Reserve and the neighboring Okavango Delta.

But when it comes to wildlife safaris in general, Botswana might just be superior to South Africa (unless you count marine animals). The Okavango Delta and its environs are some of the best places in Africa to watch African wild dogs, and the Delta’s diversity of antelopes—which includes sitatunga, red lechwe, sable, roan, and many more—has few competitors outside of it. Within a half-day’s drive of the Kalahari, where dry-country specialties like gemsbok are frequently sighted, you can also observe a variety of wetland species.

Scenery

Botswana and South Africa are both stunning nations, although they have quite different landscapes. Two of Africa’s most distinctive landscapes are found in Botswana: the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. There is nothing like the Delta in South Africa; it is a mystical realm of greens and blues, with waterways and islands that appear to be specially designed habitats for a diverse range of creatures. About 70% of Botswana is also covered by the Kalahari Desert, which is home to sand dunes, golden grasslands, and the largest salt pan network in the world in the north.

Though not as much as in Botswana, the Kalahari extends into northern South Africa. Mountains and seashore are things that Botswana lacks and that South Africa has in spades. The highest peak in Botswana is only 1,494 meters (4,902 feet) above sea level. In contrast, South Africa is home to the striking and breathtakingly gorgeous Drakensberg Mountains. The breathtaking coastline is also characterized by drama; the Western Cape, in particular, makes a magnificent safari backdrop.

Accommodations

In terms of lodging, Botswana and South Africa are not all that different. South Africa offers a wider range of lodging options over a larger geographic area. World-class lodges and tented camps can be found in Botswana, frequently in isolated areas, and offer varying degrees of luxury to accommodate most tourists. Nowhere compares to the exclusive, fly-in isolation of the hotels and tented camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, even if South Africa offers luxurious metropolitan, seaside, and wine-country options.

Thanks to the reasonably priced rest camps located throughout South Africa’s national parks, the country shines in terms of the variety of options available to self-drivers and budget tourists.

Prices

At the upper end of the safari market, you will find comparable options in the Botswana vs. South Africa battle. Both nations provide top-notch safari accommodations and operators, making them excellent options if money is no object.

Without a question, South Africa offers a significantly greater selection if you’re searching for a mid-range or low-cost safari. This is partially due to the size of South Africa and its safari sector, but it is also a result of Botswana’s long-standing decision to give priority to a high-end, low-density safari tourism strategy. Botswana offers a limited selection of mid-range and low-cost safari alternatives, some of which may be confined to self-drive or mobile camping.

Climate and the Ideal Time to Go

South Africa and Botswana both provide great weather for safari travel. Both have lengthy dry seasons. It runs from April to October in Botswana and from May to September in the majority of South Africa. Cape Town has a distinct rhythm and is most vibrant between October and April.

The remainder of the year could see rain in both nations. The rains may be hardly more than an afternoon sprinkle in a large portion of South Africa. January and February are arguably the worst months to visit Botswana because of the possibility of intense rains.

If you’re a birder, the question of when to go can be quite different. From Europe and other parts of Africa, migratory birds flock to Botswana and South Africa in November and stay until April.

How to Get There

Numerous airlines from all over the world arrive in Johannesburg, which serves as the main airline hub for southern Africa. For safari tourists, this makes South Africa quite accessible. South Africa must take first place as the more accessible of the two if you’re driving from Johannesburg around the entire nation. After all, aside from South Africa and possibly a few other nearby nations, there aren’t many direct flights into Botswana.

Nevertheless, the flight from Johannesburg to Maun is not any more expensive or takes any longer than the flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town or many other South African towns.