The 6 Best Safari Camps in Botswana

Beautiful Botswana

Botswana’s beauty has to be experienced by being closer to nature and what better way to do that is to be camping. That is why Drive South Africa has created the 6 Best Safari Camps in Botswana.

For all the nature lovers and adventure seekers, these 6 Safari Camps in Botswana will certainly put a smile on your face while getting you a lot more excited to enjoy a wonderful trip to Botswana. 

Remember to have a safe trip as well as to enjoy things at your own pace by having the freedom of having a self-drive safari experience in Botswana. 

Have a pick from your favourite camp and go for a visit to a beautiful Botswana Safari. 

We have reached out to many prestigious camps in Botswana and asked them these 5 questions

1. What makes your camp unique?

2. Are there any 4×4 trails in the areas?

3. What activities do you have at your camp?

4. What unique animals hang around the camp?

5. Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

1. Machaba Safari Camp

What makes Machaba Camp Unique

Machaba Camp is a family-friendly camp run by a family. Shaun, Elcke & their kids Nala & Khan have been running Machaba Camp since the opening in 2013. The hospitality is unsurpassed & people arrive as guests but leave as part of the Machaba family.

The river view is stunning & the tented accommodation makes you feel connected to the African bush. If you ever dreamt of being in Africa, the Machaba tents will definitely bring out the explorer in you.

Machaba Safari Tented Luxury

4×4 Trails

The area is a sandy 4×4 area – there are water crossings, thick sandy ridges and basically, all roads are off-road.

There are however no designated 4×4 trails.

Animal Viewing from Camp at Machaba Safari

Activities at the Camp

Nature walks
Game drives (day & night)

Animals around the Camp

The river Khwai runs in front of the camp. This river is a water source for many animals. We have a resident pod of hippos.  Elephants dot the riverine landscape in the winter months. Wild dogs use the camp as part of their hunting grounds. Lions and leopard are regular visitors to the camp as well.

Relaxing Animal Viewing

Is a 4×4 needed

Yes, a 4×4 is needed to get to the camp.

2. Meno A Kwena

Meno a Kwena Luxury Tented Rooms

What makes your camp unique?

Meno’s location is what makes it unique. It is a hidden gem that is perched on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River in Botswana. Meno overlooks the Makgadikgadi Pans, National Park, guests can watch the wildlife at the river from the comfort of their private veranda. One of the wildlife highlights is experiencing the zebra migration that is present for much of the year.

Are there any 4X4 trails in the areas?

Unfortunately, there are no 4×4 trails in the area, but there is a lot of tranquil scenery.

What activities do you have at your camp?

 Game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, complete with bush picnics and chilled drinks – Cultural safaris and walks with the ancient Bushmen – Cruise along the Boteti River by boat (water levels permitting) – Sleep-out under the stars in the heart of the Makgadikgadi – View the wildlife at the river from the floating game-viewing hide

Animal Viewing from Meno a Kwena

What unique animals hang around the camp?

Zebras, wildebeests, antelopes and elephants are seen frequently. However, if you are lucky, you might see some of the predators

Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

A 4×4 is not necessary to get to Meno a Kwena which makes it very accessible.

Views on Views at Meno a Kwena

3. Mma Dinare 

MMa Dinara

What makes your camp unique?

Mma Dinare is an absolutely stunning choice that has views of the Gomoti River and floodplains which help by having different activities all year round such as excellent game viewing. The camps are set in a 67,000-acre concession and have been planned to blend in with the riverine forest’s natural surroundings. Game watching is possible from your private deck or lounge area in one of the nine spacious tents overlooking the Gomoti River floodplains.

Camp Animal Viewing

Are there any 4×4 trails in the areas?

Yes, there are plenty!

What activities do you have at your camp? 

Game Drives
Off-Road Sightings
Makoro Trip
Guided Walks

What unique animals hang around the camp?

Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Kudu, Impala, Tsessebe, Hippo, Crocodile, Genet, Honey Badger, and a slew of other Plains animals Roan, Sable, and Eland are rare antelope breeds.

Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

At Mma Dinare the guests fly in and will then proceed with a game drive to camp.

4. Pom Pom Camp

Air View Pom Pom

What makes your camp unique?

The Pom Pom is unique because there is a Seasonal lagoon in front of the camp, stunning mokoro when the water level is high enough. Pom Pom Camp in the Delta is just another gem in Botswana’s crown. In front of the camp’s lagoon, which is surrounded by miles of reeds, hippo grunt and frolic.

Are there any 4×4 trails in the areas?

Unfortunately, there are no 4×4 trails in the area

What activities do you have at your camp?

Year-round game drives (day, night, offroad) and walking safaris

Mokoro, fishing, and boat cruises are available seasonally. Every activity is accompanied by a guide and a tracker.

Extra charge for a helicopter-mokoro excursion.

Pom Pom Nature

What unique animals hang around the camp?

Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Kudu, Impala, Tsessebe, Hippo, Crocodile, Genet, Honey Badger, and a slew of other Plains animals Roan, Sable, and Eland are rare antelope breeds.

Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

At Pom Pom camp the guests fly in and will then proceed with a game drive to camp.

Pom Pom Camp Animal Viewing

5. Gunns Camp

Gunns Camp Luxuary

What makes your camp unique?

The Gunns Camp has walking safaris year-round and proximity to chief’s island. Gunn’s Camp, which overlooks the iconic Chief’s Island and borders the Moremi Game Reserve, is one of the only few luxurious, vintage safari camps left. Gunn’s Camp manages a perfect balance of comfort while enjoying the sights and sounds of the wilderness, set under leafy palms and African Ebony to blend naturally with its unusual surroundings.

Are there any 4×4 trails in the areas?

There are no 4×4 trails in the Gunns Camp.

What activities do you have at your camp?

Guided Walks all year round 
Safaris
Mokoro Trip

Bedside Animal Viewing

What unique animals hang around the camp?

The river system attracts a diverse range of wildlife. Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Kudu, Impala, Tsessebe, Hippo, Crocodile, Genet, Honey Badger, and a variety of Plains Game are all common. Rare antelope breeds such as Roan, Sable, and Eland, which are not commonly found in the Okavango, can be found here.

Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

A 4×4 is not needed due to flying into the Camp from the airstrip.

Mokoro Trip

6. Little Mombo

Little Mombo

What makes your camp unique?

Arguably the best big game viewing in all of Africa – known as “the Place of Plenty” Bountiful hunting ground for large pride of lion and star-struck leopards. It is an opulent safari camp in the very heart of the Delta

Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

Located just off the northern tip of Chief’s Island, the largest landmass in the Okavango, Mombo is considered the most fertile area in the Delta, with its mix of habitats attracting large herds followed by numbers and varieties of predators, Wilderness Safaris reserves exclusive traverse rights in the area.

Are there any 4×4 trails in the areas?

There are no self-drive trails in the area, but rather private game drive routes.

Luxury Camping

What activities do you have at your camp?

Morning and evening game drives
Guided Stargazing-with a Lazer pointer
Comfortable winter safaris 
Helicopter Tours

What unique animals hang around the camp?

The possibilities are endless.

Little Mombo Sun Set

Do you need a 4×4 to get to the Camp?

You can only access the camp by light aircraft. No self-driving permitted on the private concession.

Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and we hope that you have enjoyed it as well as learned a little bit from the best camps in Botswana. We hope that this post inspires you to drive to Botswana and have the time of your life.

Feel free to share this post with friends and family who are busy planning a trip to Botswana for inspiration for your perfect Botswana Safari. 

If you are excited and want to learn more about Botswana Lodges here is a useful link for you to keep reading.