Botswana Birding Tours
From the iconic Okavango Delta, to the simply magnificent Chobe National Park, Botswana is a dream birding and wildlife destination
In regions like the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, dry savannahs dominate, while the north showcases tropical woodlands in places like the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. The country’s southwest features windblown sand dunes transitioning between the Kalahari and Namib-Karoo zones, notably in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Though lacking endemic species, Botswana hosts near-endemic varieties like the Short-clawed Lark and significant populations of globally threatened birds such as the Wattled Crane and Slaty Egret. Notable birding sites include Sowa Pan, a saline lake attracting flamingos during flooding periods, and the diverse habitats of the Kalahari sandveld ecosystem, home to species like the Arrow-marked Babbler and Bateleur.
Botswana’s premier safari lodges, including those near the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, offer unparalleled experiences in the heart of its wilderness and makes our Botswana birding tours even more special.
Our Botswana Birding Tours
Tailor-made Botswana Birding Tours
At Wild Birding, we make custom tailor-made Botswana birding tours just for you. We don’t do predetermined trips. Instead, we plan every part of your tour based on what you want to see and do.
Botswana has incredible birding spots, from the iconic Okavango Delta in Moremi Game Reserve to the outstanding Chobe National Park. Our team are birding experts and we use our knowledge to create a birding safari that’s perfect for you.
On top of that, our local tour guides are the best! They are from Botswana, are super passionate, and know a ton about their indigenous avifauna.
So please call us or send us an email. Let’s chat about an epic Botswana birdwatching holiday designed just the way you want it!
Reasons to go on a Tailor-made Birdwatching Tour in Botswana
• Select the exact dates that suit your schedule.
• Choose the ideal time of year for your birding adventure.
• Travel alongside your preferred companions – be it family, friends, or fellow birders.
• Set your pace – whether fast or brisk.
•Customise within your personal budget, from luxurious to budget accommodations or a mix.
• Craft a tour that matches your specific interests – whether intense birding, leisurely exploration, photography, culture, music, wine, botany, butterflies, herpetology, geology, diving, hiking, and beyond.
• Our team is here to cater to your interests and ensure a fulfilling birding holiday.
Need help? Get in touch.
Set Departure Group Botswana Birding Tours
If you’re interested in a birding adventure in Kenya but prefer a pre-planned itinerary, our Scheduled Group Birding Tours might be just what you’re looking for. We’ve carefully crafted these group tours to cater to various birding interests and time constraints.
One of the advantages of our group tours is that they’re generally more budget-friendly as you cut the costs with others. They also provide a great opportunity to connect with like-minded birders and create unforgettable shared experiences.
Rest assured, we keep our groups small and intimate, with a maximum of 6 participants per tour. This ensures that you’ll enjoy a personalised experience and receive plenty of individual attention from your highly skilled and knowledgeable Tour Leader.
If you’re ready to join a Botswana birding safari with a group of fellow enthusiasts, we encourage you to explore our selection of Scheduled Group Birding Tours. We’re confident you’ll find an option that suits your preferences perfectly.
Please refer to our ‘Birding Calendar’ below for tour schedules, dates, and fixed prices.
Good To Know
Country
Botswana
Visa Requirements
Visa not required for most countries
Languages spoken
English widely spoken
Currency used
Botswanan Pula (BWP) - USD, GBP & EUR widely accepted
Area (km2)
581,730 km2
Bird Species: 537
Subscribe to Wild Birding Limited Newsletter to receive a FREE updated checklist of Botswana
Error: Contact form not found.
When to visit
The high season in Botswana spans from May to October, peaking in October. This dry period enables overland travel, particularly in areas prone to flooding at other times of the year. Big game and other wildlife congregate around permanent water sources, enhancing wildlife viewing due to the shorter grass. Moreover, there are fewer mosquitoes and insects compared to the rainy season.
However, the rainy season, which extends from November to March, offers prime opportunities for birding as birds display their vibrant breeding plumage. The heaviest rains typically fall in January and February, requiring more boat travel in the Okavango Delta. Yet, even during this period, rainfall is sporadic, often arriving in the late afternoons. Central Botswana, notably the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, holds appeal primarily during the rainy season. Outside this period, the area remains hot and desolate, with limited bird or game animal sightings except near permanent water sources.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are accessible by land during the dry season, showcasing a somewhat desolate yet intriguing landscape. However, the rainy season unveils a spectacular sight: approximately 30,000 flamingos, best viewed from the air. Surrounding areas adjacent to permanent water sources flourish during the dry season, offering glimpses of grassland birds.
For avid birders, the optimal months in Botswana are November, December, and March, which our Botswana birding tours tend to run in. These months experience less rainfall than January and February, providing exceptional birdwatching opportunities amidst stunning landscapes.
What to bring with you?
In Botswana’s generally warm climate, packing appropriate clothing is essential. Opt for light-colored shorts, trousers, and shirts for comfort. However, be prepared for colder temperatures, especially during the winter months (May to August) when night temperatures can drop to around 5 degrees Celsius – bringing a warm jacket is advisable. Mosquito repellent is crucial to ward off insect bites, and taking anti-malarial tablets is highly recommended. Equipment such as high-quality binoculars tailored for birdwatching is essential, and if you have a good working camera and lens, please bring it with you!
A comprehensive field guide specific to the country’s birds, such as “Field Guide to Birds of Greater Southern Africa” by John Fanshawe & Terry Stevenson is an excellent resource for this region.
*As a special bonus, when you book a Botswana birding tour with us lasting more than 14 days, we’ll send you a complimentary new field guide to help you make the most of your birding holiday!
Weather & Climate
Botswana experiences a semi-arid climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season, which occurs from May to October, is characterised by warm, sunny days and cool nights. Daytime temperatures during this period typically range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F), while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 5°C (41°F), especially in the Kalahari Desert region. This season is generally considered the best time for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around diminishing water sources.
The wet season, or summer, spans from November to April. During this time, Botswana experiences higher temperatures, with daytime averages ranging from 30°C to 40°C (86°F to 104°F). The wet season is characterised by occasional heavy rainfall, mostly in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. The rains are more frequent in the northern parts of the country, with the Okavango Delta receiving the highest rainfall. The increased precipitation during this season leads to lush vegetation growth and the dispersion of wildlife across the landscape. It’s important to note that while the wet season can be hot and humid, it is also a time of spectacular birdwatching opportunities, as many migratory species arrive in the region.
Sustainability
At Wild Birding, we are committed to ensuring that every birding holiday we create has a positive impact on both bird conservation efforts and the local communities in the areas we visit. As a demonstration of this commitment, we have developed a carbon scoring and offsetting framework specifically designed for tailor-made holidays.
We encourage our clients to request a carbon score for their individual trips, allowing them to understand and mitigate the environmental impact of their travel. By offering this service, we aim to promote sustainable tourism practices and raise awareness about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint.
Our dedication to responsible ecotourism has been recognised through several prestigious ecotourism awards, further validating our approach to sustainable birding adventures.
When you choose Wild Birding for your Botswana birding holiday, you can be confident that your journey will not only be an unforgettable experience but also one that contributes to the protection of Kenya’s incredible birdlife and supports the well-being of local communities.
Contact us.
Check availability
Our Botswana Birding Tours