Botswana has a huge variety of options for walking safaris, whether visitors are looking for short walks from their camps or longer immersive multi-day trips in southern Africa.
A short flight from Gaborone to any of Botswana’s incredible national parks will take guests closer to immersing themselves in the wild on a walking safari, getting closer to the incredible wildlife and surrounding landscapes.
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Why go on a walking safari in Botswana?
Walking safaris offer guests a different perspective on the magic and awe of an African safari. In the company of trained park rangers and professional guides, visitors can access special areas which are not typically open to the public.
This includes walk-in areas such as vehicle-free zones in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park and other unique opportunities to see wildlife on foot across remote bush lands on mobile safaris, as well as meeting local tribes for some additional cultural engagement.
Visitors can also enjoy the peace and tranquillity a walking safari brings, surrounded by wildlife and nature, without any engine revving disturbances.
Tours can also be customised per the guest’s preferences for particular animals including leopards, elephants and more on the pristine lands.
What will I see on a Botswana walking safari?
The main focus of a walking safari experience is to embark on slow paced, guided walks exploring different wildlife and big game species and landscapes in the bush.
Depending on the type of walking safari, visitors may see elephants and lions up close in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana or on a week-long walking tour of Moremi Game Reserve, home to cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.
Guests can also opt to explore the wildlife rich Linyanti Swamp or the beautiful Khutse Game Reserve.
In the Savuti Channel, visitors can explore the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills as well as endless dead trees in the Dead Forest.
Visitors can also have the choice of going on both walking and Jeep safaris or a combination of the two.
When to go on a walking safari in Botswana?
Walking safaris are possible in Botswana throughout the year. Where to walk in any given month is more nuanced as Botswana is a huge country and its sheer size means that its climate varies considerably within it, as well as year on year.
As a rule the long dry season lasts from June to October across the country – rainfall is rare and this is generally considered the best time for a walking safari in most areas.
Cost of a walking safari in Botswana?
The price of a walking safari package is difficult to estimate given costs can vary depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and how secluded it is, locations travelled to, activities selected and add-ons selected.
Walking guides for such safaris can start from USD $40 per person for short walks to $4,000 for a multi-day overnight trip.
Sample Botswana walking safari itineraries
A multi-day walk through the game-rich Okavango Delta offers visitors a very different off-piste safari experience exploring the quieter areas of this park over several days in specially designated wilderness zones where game-driving is not allowed.
Walking is tightly regulated and is always conducted by experienced and knowledgeable armed guides.
Sample 4-day Okavango Delta walking safari itinerary:
| Days | Sights | Stay |
| Day 1 | Maun airport pickup & transfer to lodge. Mokoro trip & sundowners overlooking a lagoon. | Lodge, Okavango Delta |
| Days 2-3 | Morning start following the fresh tracks and wildlife which guides your trail path. Stop for lunch in the shade of a giant ebony or sausage tree and a siesta on bedrolls set up in the shade. Day 3: Walk back to base camp. Fly-camp consists of large mosquito nets surrounding your bedrolls set up around a campfire. A bush toilet and shower are erected nearby, dinner is a campfire barbeque | Lodge & Camp, Okavango Delta |
| Day 4 | Hearty breakfast and a short walk or mokoro excursion. Drive back to the vet fence and on to Maun in time for your homeward flight, or transfer on to a safari camp. |
FAQs
What will I see on a walking safari in Botswana?
Visitors will see Botswana’s incredible wildlife and safari plains up close & personal including leopards and elephants in areas typically restricted for safari vehicles, all in a quiet and intimate environment.
How much does a Botswana walking safari cost?
Prices range from $40 to $4,000 per person depending on the number of hours/days selected and add-ons chosen.
When to go on a walking safari in Botswana?
A Botswana walking safari can be done all year round. The dry season from June to October is the best time of year for a walking safari in Botswana.