Group tours in Botswana

The best time to travel for a Botswana group tour depends on which experiences you want to put first.

In general, the dry season from May to October is recommended for safaris. In these months, scarce water draws animals to the remaining waterholes, which increases your chances of spectacular wildlife viewing.

The climate is pleasantly dry, with warm daytime temperatures and cool nights – ideal for comfortable safaris and restful evenings. The Okavango Delta is also at its fullest then; you can find out why in our blog When is the best time to travel to the Okavango Delta.

The rainy season from November to March has a charm all of its own. The Kalahari Desert bursts into bloom. The animals are less concentrated than in the dry season, but the natural spectacle is incomparable and the landscape is photogenic.

If you would like to enjoy the best of both seasons in Botswana, you can also choose the transitional months of April or November. This time combines pleasant temperatures with fewer tourists and changing landscapes. Photographers in particular appreciate these months, as the light is softer.

In addition, the transitional periods have the advantage that accommodation is less fully booked – and sometimes cheaper. Safaris often take place in smaller groups, are more relaxed and allow personal attention from experienced guides.

Ultimately, though, it hardly matters which time of year you travel: Botswana fascinates all year round with unspoilt wilderness and unforgettable wildlife encounters that make every round trip a unique experience.

Contact our travel experts for advice on the ideal time to travel for Botswana round trips.

As a stable and safe destination with well-developed tourist regions, Botswana generally offers suitable conditions for families.

At the same time, you should bear in mind that safaris here are comparatively expensive and therefore not suitable for every family situation.

In addition, some lodges have a minimum age for children, which can affect your trip planning.

Group tours are only suitable for families to a limited extent. Together with our experienced guides, we take great care over planning, accommodation and transport, but group tours require a certain amount of travel experience and maturity from children.

The pace of travel is set by the group and cannot always be adjusted flexibly.

For families with younger children or children who find long driving distances tiring, we therefore recommend a private trip.

Here, your guide can respond even more individually to your children's needs, while you sit back and enjoy the time as a family.

Contact us to find out whether Botswana is the right destination for your family.

The ideal length of a round trip through Botswana depends greatly on which regions you want to visit. The experiences you want to put first also play a role.

For a classic safari such as Botswana – Explore the Wild, you should allow at least 10 to 15 days. In that time you can experience the variety of landscapes in areas as different as the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari.

Extended game drives allow you to experience the wildlife intensively without feeling rushed.

Even a side trip to Victoria Falls is possible – for example on the 15-day group tour Botswana Adventure. There is also plenty of time for cultural encounters with the San.

The length of your trip only affects the intensity and variety of what you experience. From adventurous camping safaris lasting several weeks to shorter tours with stays in luxury lodges: at Elefant-Tours you will find Botswana round trips for every taste and of varying scope.

Botswana is a country where time and space play a special role. Whatever the length, every group tour offers unique insights into the wilderness, the wildlife and the culture.

In Botswana we offer different types of group tours that vary in comfort, intensity and the kind of experience.

They all have one thing in common: exclusive nature experiences, varied activities – from game drives to boat trips and mokoro excursions – and the guidance of outstandingly trained guides.

Regardless of group size, we place great importance on a personal atmosphere and individual care from our experienced team on the ground.

Adventure camping

On our classic camping tours – such as the Botswana Highlights Tour – you spend the night in simple tents in the middle of nature. The camps are set up by our team, and you travel from camp to camp through some of Botswana's wildest landscapes.

This travel style is particularly close to nature and intense; ideal for guests looking for an authentic adventure.

Comfort camping

If you want to combine a high degree of closeness to nature with more comfort, we recommend our comfort camping safaris.

These are also mobile safaris, but with considerably more comfortable tents and facilities than adventure camping.

An outstanding example is our Botswana – The Great Northern Route tour, on which you stay in spacious tents with proper beds and a private bathroom.

This type of safari is perfect if you love adventure and enjoy sharing your experiences with like-minded people – without giving up comfort.

Mini-group tour

For guests who place particular value on comfort and exclusivity, our mini-group tours – such as Fascinating Botswana – are just right.

You travel in a Land Cruiser and stay in high-quality lodges and comfortable tented camps.

With a maximum of 7 participants, the guides of our local sister company can look after the wishes of every guest intensively and respond even more flexibly to special sightings or interests.

The small group size also gives every guest a window seat from which to experience Botswana's natural spectacle. This personal, relaxed atmosphere makes for unforgettable moments in some of Botswana's most beautiful regions.

Overland truck tours

On these trips you travel with a larger group in an overland truck and cover longer distances – for example on a 24-day tour from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.

Overland tours suit guests who like to meet lots of people, enjoy a lively group dynamic and see the journey itself as an important part of the adventure.

Whichever type of group tour you choose, Botswana guarantees intense experiences on every level. Would you like to find out more and find the travel style that suits you? Contact us – our travel experts will be happy to advise you.

The group size on a Botswana safari varies depending on the tour and travel style. In all cases, the groups are put together to offer a pleasant balance between a shared atmosphere and a personal experience of nature.

At Elefant-Tours, mini-groups have a maximum of 7 participants. This group size has proven its worth, as it guarantees a certain amount of flexibility as well as a window seat in the Land Cruiser.

Small groups are slightly larger, with up to 12 participants. Each vehicle offers comfortable seating with plenty of legroom. Here every guest has enough space to take photos and observe wildlife without feeling cramped.

Small groups enable the guides to respond to the interests and questions of the participants. A family-like atmosphere also develops, in which it is easy to make new contacts and share experiences.

At the same time, the safari remains intense and personal. You feel like a genuine part of nature rather than travelling in an anonymous tour group.

Larger groups of more than 12 participants are only found at Elefant-Tours on the overland tours. These usually last several weeks and lead through several countries.

Here, the journey is the destination, and the relaxed atmosphere is ideal for solo travellers who don't want to do without company.

In summary: whether large or small, a Botswana group tour is organised so that comfort, safety and authentic experiences go hand in hand.

Botswana offers a wide range of accommodation, from simple but well-equipped camps to luxury lodges with every comfort. The range varies depending on the route, travel style and budget.

Tented camps consist of permanently pitched tents with proper beds, mosquito nets and a private bathroom. They combine the campfire romance of a camp with comfort.

You spend the night in the middle of nature, listen to the sounds of the wilderness and still enjoy safe and cosy accommodation. In terms of comfort and service, tented camps do not differ from lodges – the only difference lies in how they are built.

By comparison, safari lodges – which are often located in the middle of the National Parks – offer permanent buildings and classic architecture.

Both tented camps and lodges can be simply or luxuriously furnished. Many have private terraces, pools and sweeping views of nature.

Wildlife viewing is often included, as from here your gaze sweeps directly across the savannah or even to a nearby waterhole where wild animals regularly gather.

In addition, most lodges and tented camps serve regional and international cuisine, often stylishly under the open sky.

For those with a taste for adventure, there are mobile camps that are set up in changing locations. This way you experience Botswana in a particularly authentic way.

There are two variants: our comfort camping trips, on which you stay in comfortable, spacious tents with your own bathroom, and our adventure camping trips, on which you stay in simple dome tents very close to nature.

With the exception of the mobile camping safaris, most Elefant-Tours group tours stay in lodges or tented camps. They all have one thing in common: their setting amid spectacular natural scenery and very close to Africa's fascinating wildlife.

We also always make sure that the chosen accommodation combines local charm with comfort. This creates the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation on our group tours in Botswana.

Meals on a group tour in Botswana depend on the type of accommodation and the type of trip.

In general, the meals listed in the detailed itinerary are included in the trip price, so you don't have to worry about daily meals.

On a comfort camping safari you will be spoiled by a professional cook – perfect for anyone who wants simple but authentic food.

Most lodge safaris include full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Here you can expect both regional specialities and international dishes.

In general, we can also ensure very good and suitable meals for guests with allergies or special diets – such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.

Please inform your travel expert early about your needs.

He or she can also explain exactly how the meals are arranged on your chosen trip and what you can look forward to. This way we make sure you are well looked after at all times along the way.

There are different travel styles in Botswana. They differ first of all in whether you travel on a group tour with people from all over the world or on a private trip with friends and family.

On private trips you travel either by light aircraft as a fly-in safari, or by Land Cruiser 4×4 with the vehicle and your guide entirely to yourselves.

A popular and somewhat more expensive option is, for example, fly-in safaris, such as the 10-day tailor-made tour Stylish Botswana. Here you save valuable time by covering longer distances between the National Parks by light aircraft.

You also reach remote regions this way and enjoy spectacular views from the air, for example when flying over the Okavango Delta.

You can also have our travel experts put together a completely individual private safari in a 4×4 vehicle – or choose a tailor-made combination of fly-in and 4×4 safari.

With private safaris the possibilities are almost limitless: route, trip length, accommodation and activities are designed entirely according to your wishes and interests, so that you experience Botswana in the way that suits you personally.

Self-drive round trips without a guide are also possible. However, because of Botswana's topography and infrastructure, these are only suitable for experienced drivers with sufficient off-road experience.

Some remote regions of Botswana cannot be reached as a self-driver. Feel free to talk to our travel experts – we will advise you thoroughly and recommend safe and sensible alternatives for your trip planning.

The cost of a Botswana group tour depends on various factors – including season, trip length and level of comfort. On average, you should expect prices of between 2,000 and 5,000 euros per person for a two-week safari.

The key factors for the price are above all the type of accommodation, the chosen route and the means of transport. Round trips with nights in lodges or tented camps are generally more expensive than camping safaris, but offer more comfort.

The time of travel also plays a big role: in the high season – during the dry season from June to October – wildlife viewing is particularly intense. That means demand rises – and prices with it.

In the low season group tours are usually cheaper. At the same time it is quieter and the safaris feel more authentic, as you can enjoy the wildlife in greater peace.

The price generally includes all accommodation, meals, game drives, National Park fees and the guidance of an experienced guide. International flights, optional activities such as boat trips and personal expenses are usually not included.

Botswana is a high-end safari destination that is considered rather expensive compared with other countries in southern Africa. The investment pays off, however, as the country offers exclusive and unique experiences at the highest level.

The choice is huge, ranging from simple and relatively inexpensive camping safaris to luxury offers that meet every demand. Contact our travel experts to find out more about the available Botswana group tours and their prices.