Botswana Vs Zimbabwe Safari: Which Is Better?

Introduction:

With several opulent camps and lodges and a low-impact tourism policy that restricts the number of visitors staying in conservation zones, Botswana is popular for high-end safaris. You guessed it, they are somewhat expensive for this reason.

However, Zimbabwe is less expensive and offers more game and stunning wilderness areas together with a low visitor density. Several of Zimbabwe’s parks, like Hwange, include reasonably priced accommodation choices, like as campsites and self-catering cottages inside the park, and are very simple to explore on your own (even in a two-wheel drive car). 

The goal of this article is to help you decide if you should start with a Botswana safari or a Zimbabwe safari.

Wildlife And Safari Experience:

Both countries have unique experiences of nature that they can give you. Here they are:

 

Botswana

Botswana has some of the highest game concentrations in Africa. What’s even better is that the country does not see a lot of tourism activity which can give you an authentic and exclusive experience. The luxury and eco-friendly camps would just be icing on the cake. You can spot the big five in the Moremi Game Reserve and the private concessions. The ecosystems are diverse, and you will see a lot of wildlife from the wetlands to the Kalahari Desert. The wildlife includes birds as well.

 

Zimbabwe

The safaris can be quite an experience for you thanks to the highly knowledgeable guides. Walking safaris, particularly in the Mana Pools National Park, can offer opportunities to see the endangered African wild dogs and the big five. You must have seen elephants standing on their hind legs in documentaries. Well, you can see them doing that in Hwange National Park which is home to over 40,000 tuskers.

The Activities

You can engage yourself in a range of activities such as game drives, rafting in the rivers, and more in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Let’s have a look:

 

Botswana

A safari in Botswana calls for a mokoro ride through the Okavango Delta that puts you in the lap of nature and, therefore, the wildlife. A mokoro is a dugout boat. 4×4 game drives also have night drives in their repertoire. Those are more goosebumps-inducing than daytime safaris, we’re telling you. Mingling with the locals will give you knowledge about the traditions and culture of the people of Botswana. Other activities include birdwatching, helicopter sightseeing, bushwalks, and more.

 

Zimbabwe

The knowledge of the guide will make you lose yourself in the walking safari. Forget the chaos of regular city life in the tranquility of the Zambezi River, a place you cannot miss if you plan to experience wildlife, not to mention the beautiful sunsets. If you want adrenaline-pumping adventures, why not try bungee jumping from the majestic Victoria Falls? White water rafting is also a part of the adventure itinerary for this river.

Accommodation:

Here we highlight the accommodations you can enjoy in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

 

Botswana

Some of Africa’s most exquisite resorts may be found in Botswana, where amenities range from hammered copper baths placed on your deck to yoga marquees erected beside tented swimming pools in the Kalahari Desert. Lodges in the Okavango Delta are made of natural materials like wood and thatch, which can be removed entirely if necessary. One lodge resembles the shape of the pangolin, an endangered animal. The government forbids the construction of any permanent structures in the delta.

 

Zimbabwe

Accommodations in Zimbabwe are very diverse. Some are ultra-luxurious with breathtaking views and every imaginable luxury, including spas, tennis courts, jacuzzis, and 

wine cellars and others are just under-canvas tented camps with bucket showers and lanterns.

You may also rent a houseboat on Lake Kariba from Mana Pools. For an even more wholesome experience, you can rent the entire boat for your friends and family.

The Cost:

As you already know, a Botswana safari is a little high-end and not as pocket-friendly as a Zimbabwe safari. In this section, we analyze roughly how much you have to potentially pay for a safari in either country.

 

Botswana

The average cost of a Botswana safari can range from $250 for basic camping to over $2,500 for luxury lodging. The breakdown is represented in the table below.

Type Of Stay	Private (Per Day)	Group (Per Day)
Basic Camping	$250	$200
Budget Accommodation	$250	$225
Mid-Range Stays	$600	$450
Luxury Experiences	$1,200	$1,000
Ultra-Luxury	$2,500	–

 

Children who are below the age of 8 are allowed free entrance and those who are between 8 and 18 get a 50% discount.

 

Zimbabwe

A budget safari starts at about $150, a mid-range safari at $300, and a luxury safari at $1,000 or more per person per day. Although most visitors come here on luxury safaris, more affordable options are available for those on a tighter budget. You may want to give the rainy season between November and March the skip because many camps close during this time. 

The following table represents the cost breakdown for basic camping, budget accommodation, mid-range accommodation, luxury accommodation, and ultra-luxury safaris in Zimbabwe:

 

Type Of Stay	Private (Per Day)	Group (Per Day)
Basic Camping	$225	$200
Budget Accommodation	$250	$225
Mid-Range Stays	$375	$275
Luxury Experiences	$550	$525
Ultra-Luxury	$1,085	–

Best Time To Visit:

Botswana

Botswana is best visited during the dry season from May to October. This is when you can expect sunny, warm days (between 22 and 35 degrees Celsius) and cool evenings. Additionally, the Okavango Delta’s water levels are at their peak during this time, forming rivers and channels in Botswana.

Traveling during the green season (November to April) is highly recommended if you don’t mind the occasional rainfall. There are fewer tourists and cheaper prices, lush greenery enhances the view, and animals raise their young.

 

Zimbabwe

The time between July and October is the best for game viewing in Zimbabwe. It is when the natural waterholes dry up and the herds come together at the man-made waterholes, rivers, and lakes.

November to March is a good time to venture off the usual path and discover the nation’s rich cultural past. Birdwatchers can make the most of this time because they will find plenty of birdwatchers.

You can watch the Victoria Falls in full flood in April and the temperature stays warm throughout the year, ranging from 21°C to 35°C.

Conclusion:

Choosing between Botswana and Zimbabwe comes down to what you are looking for from the trip. Both countries offer incredible wildlife viewing experiences. If you want a luxurious, exclusive safari experience that prioritizes environmental preservation and eco-friendly methods, go with Botswana. If you want to combine wildlife, adventure, and cultural experiences, go with Zimbabwe. It’s perfect for people seeking a variety of experiences, such as visits to historical sites and walking safaris.