Travelling is one of the ways to make memories, either on a trip, vacation or to visit one of the African safaris, and as you would expect, cost will have a huge impact on your plans. This is a significant factor especially when you consider one of the best-rated African countries for a luxury safari. Well, one recurring question you will come across on the net is “Why is Botswana safari expensive?”
Without a doubt, Africa is blessed with natural beauty both in the landscape and animals. Meanwhile, Botswana is no exception and it is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive African safari destinations known for its astounding diverse wildlife collection.
Botswana Safari: The Eden of Africa
This pristine Eastern region also has a diverse ecological mix from rivers to Delta, and desert that translates to breathtaking landscapes.
The Okavango Delta is one of the most premium safari destinations on earth. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists typically flock here to enjoy the best Botswana luxury safari in a beautiful and enormous inland wetland, enveloped by a vast desert where incredible wildlife performances have occurred for over sixty years.
The wildlife sightings are spectacular from the iconic Big Five, two species of hyena, to a large concentration of elephants and buffalos. The African wild dog is one of the rare species you encounter while on a Botswana safari. These fascinating mammals are sometimes found hunting in parks at the Chobe National Park. They are considered endangered as their number declines due to diseases, human intrusion on their land, and hunters killing them to safeguard their livestock.
Now you know why Botswana safari destinations are referred to as the Eden of Africa.
This exclusivity to intimately experience a wide variety of wildlife in their diverse natural habitats answers the nagging question “Why is Botswana safari expensive.”
Why Botswana’s Exclusive Tourism Strategy Drives Up Safari Costs
The tourism sector in Botswana adopted a model of low-volume and high-cost tourism systems that see fewer high-paying visitors. Safaris in this iconic wilderness are mainly secluded because most locations have limited accessibility. It inevitably creates a less intrusive encounter for the wildlife and an exclusive safari experience for the visitors making it a major reason why Botswana safari is expensive.
This limited tourism policy means a low density of tourists in the country. It ensures that game viewing is experienced through luxurious camps and lodges with access to private concessions. Botswana has possibly the best off-beaten path safari destinations. The diverse terrain has a lot of thrilling actions to entertain those with an interest in outdoor activities.
Using a traditional Mokoro, visitors can glide through the serene waterways in the Okavango Delta, known as one of Africa’s best aquatic safari activities. Or go game viewing on horseback, interact with the habituated endearing meerkats, and enjoy desert sleepouts on one of the biggest salt flats – Makgadikgadi Pans. Encountering a predator spectacle at the Moremi Game Reserve is almost certain and when you head to Chobe National Park you can witness the gigantic elephant herd.
These special features indigenous to Botswana collectively contribute to a significant increase in Botswana safari prices that ultimately affect the overall cost of your trip.
How Luxury Safari Lodges Drive Up Prices in Botswana
- Botswana offers some of the best luxury African safari camps and lodges with an expansive collection of exclusive accommodation options. While many of these camps are situated in remote locations, they still offer exquisite glamping experiences. They have exclusive facilities like spas, outdoor bathtubs, gyms, and private lounge pools. You can also have access to indoor wood-burning stoves and swimming pool pavilions when you visit the Kalahari Desert.
- Tourists looking for more privacy will enjoy their stay in properties at the private game reserves. These luxury safari lodges in Botswana provide you with exclusive game viewing adding excellent flexibility to your African safari itinerary. You also have multiple options for night game drives where guides can drive off the beaten path in search of remarkable wildlife encounters.
- Food is important to consider on any trip, especially an African safari in Botswana. Visitors with strict diet plans are not left out because, at an extra cost they can have access to a round-the-clock professional chef. This way, the focus will be on having a great experience without worrying about what to eat.
These top-notch amenities from the premium safari camps clearly contribute to the high cost of Botswana safari.
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Conservation Fees Effect on Botswana Safari
Botswana’s Safari sector is big on conservation and safe practices that support human and wildlife coexistence. A perfect example of low-impact tourism. About 40% of its land area has been dedicated to the conservation of game parks, nature reserves, and other wildlife conservation programs.
The country also embraces a variety of strict conservation initiatives that are sustained solely by donations. These forums support the management of wildlife and its conservation as part of the adopted tourism model in Botswana.
Let’s highlight a few:
Botswana Predator Conservation Trust: This organization promotes sustainability by working to build capacity among local Batswana through intense training and applied conservation studies. These professionals become empowered and skilled conservationists who continually ensure effective management of the threatened and endangered species in their habitat.
It is important to know that Botswana conservation fees are notably a significant part of your trip cost. This is because the funds are crucial to aid anti-poaching efforts and wildlife preservation. Strict policies and regulations like these are responsible for the sustainability of Botswana safari and are part of the reasons why safari in Botswana is expensive.
Eco-Friendly Practices Effect on Botswana Safari
Botswana’s Safari sector is big on conservation and safe practices that support human and wildlife coexistence. A perfect example of low-impact tourism.
Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS): KCS is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental conservation in Botswana. Their focus is on local communities working towards the sustainable use of natural resources. Kalahari Conservation Society supports the eco-friendly safari policies in Botswana that contribute to wildlife conservation.
Elephants for Africa: Ivory poaching is a recurring threat to the elephants coupled with human encroachment on their habitats, which has led to conflicts with human settlements and loss of livestock. Elephants for Africa works towards understanding the social and ecological needs of the magnificent wildlife. This ultimately helps to promote a harmonious human-wildlife coexistence.
Eco-friendly practices contribute to Botswana safari expenses by ensuring that tourism supports sustainable initiatives, preserves natural habitats, and maintains the delicate balance between human activities and wildlife conservation. These practices often involve additional costs for implementing and maintaining environmentally responsible operations within safari experiences.
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The Impact of Remote Locations
An African safari in Botswana is classified as experiencing one of the hidden gems of Africa. The remoteness of most safari locations is part of what makes it a charming destination for this remarkable adventure. But we must understand that the farther away a location is the limited accessibility it has and the more it will cost to get there.
Visitors should know that a stopover in Johannesburg is imminent as there are hardly any direct flights between Botswana and other countries. Also, private charter flights are a popular means of getting to the safari parks. Aside from the swiftness, sometimes it is the only means because most roads are dirt tracks making lodges inaccessible by car. The logistics of commuting within these remote safari locations inescapably resolve why Botswana safari is expensive.
The operating costs in these strictly regulated and remote locations are also on the high side especially because of the eco-friendly practices adopted by safari accommodations. The lodges in turn invest heavily in the people and the local environment as a result, safari prices are usually higher when compared to anywhere else in Africa.
Okavango Delta is an uninhabited watery oasis in the northwestern region of Botswana with thousands of islands within the waterways. Accessing this paradise will cost visitors no less than US$150 per day. The all-inclusive fee covers your meals, accommodation, shuttle logistics to and from the Delta, and your game viewing. However, if you are willing to pay more, there are thrilling activities to suit different interests in this pristine African safari destination.
Botswana Safari Peak Period Effect on Cost
Different countries have their peak and off-peak seasons that control the prices of safari packages. When it comes to pricing, there are seasonal safari cost indicators tourists must consider as they plan for a Botswana Safari adventure.
Between May and October is the most expensive period to visit Botswana for a safari. This Dry Season is also considered the best time to visit for premium and uninterrupted wildlife sightings. This means the demand for safari in Botswana rises during this time which leads to an increase in the total safari cost.
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Visitors are highly encouraged to work within a comfortable budget while planning their African safari adventure. However, the financial commitment they are willing to make towards their safari expenses in Botswana is completely at their discretion. But know that booking a trip during the recommended peak safari time is detrimental to the best wildlife experience under the most desirable weather conditions.
Lastly, a worthy point to note is the high expertise of the tour companies and professional guides that run the safari sector in Botswana. They have a keen knowledge of the various abundant wildlife and their ecosystem, thereby ensuring the safety of humans and wildlife. These experts can seamlessly customize a suitable safari itinerary that piques different interests. Infusing storytelling alongside their impeccable tracking skills, they add substantial value to your African safari trip which ultimately justifies why Botswana safari is expensive.
We hope this blog post has provided you with a clearer understanding of why Botswana safaris are considered more expensive compared to other African safaris. For more insightful articles and tips on African safaris, be sure to visit our African Category.
