Selinda Reserve Safari Tours
The Selinda Reserve, encompassing 129,500 hectares and featuring the Selinda Spillway, extensive marshes, riverine woods, and expansive savannahs, supports a flourishing animal population in this secluded paradise in northern Botswana. This is undoubtedly motivated by its involvement in the Great Plains Conservation initiative, which seeks to reconcile business, wildlife conservation, and local community engagement and enhancement.
Hordes of elephants and buffalo congregate along the banks of the spillway. Trees shelter slumbering leopards, while lions, hyenas, and cheetahs survey the grasslands that may harbor their next prey. Wildlife interactions peak during the dry season as the reserve’s inhabitants vie for enduring water supplies. The wet season revitalizes the vegetation and draws a diverse range of avian species, with over 300 documented in the reserve.
The limited number of camps in the reserve provides tourists with an intimate and unique safari experience, complemented with night drives that may reveal wild cats, honey badgers, or springhares. Off-roading is authorized in the area, ideal for tracking predators, especially packs of the endangered wild dog. Selinda Reserve is readily accessible through the Maun and Kasane airports, which offer direct flights from Johannesburg and Gaborone.
Selinda Reserve Tours and Safaris
Hotels and Lodges in Selinda Reserve
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What is the best time to visit Botswana?
Botswana is a year-round destination, with each season presenting distinct wildlife chances and activities. The optimal period to visit Botswana is during the dry season, from June to October, when the Okavango Delta is fully flooded, allowing for water-based activities such as mokoro tours. Some lodges possess a permanent water source on or near the premises, facilitating year-round water-based game observation.
Botswana experiences three distinct seasons: arid, wet, and intermediate. Each possesses unique attractions and caveats, providing a distinct Botswana safari experience.
– Green or Low Season: November to March – Shoulder or Mid-Season: April to May – Dry or Peak Season: June to October
January to February — Green Season (Off-Peak Season)
In Botswana, summer signifies the arrival of rain. A season of abundance when all organisms, from beetles to baobabs, exhibit vitality. Sweltering, humid days produce magnificent thunderstorms from anvil-shaped clouds that bombard the ground and saturate the atmosphere. Ironically, despite the daily inundation, the Okavango Delta diminishes to one-third of its size, and with ample surface water and grazing available, the animals vanish into the dense vegetation that envelops this old inland seafloor.
Wildlife observations can be erratic; still, the green season is the optimal period for birdwatching, as migratory and breeding species significantly alter the environment. Numerous safari hotels in Botswana are situated along to permanent water channels, allowing for the quintessential Botswana water safari experience. In the absence of spectators, the tempo is significantly more subdued, if such a notion is conceivable. If you possess a somewhat fatalistic attitude towards your game viewing and prioritize the experience, you will value our exceptional low season rates and promotions for Botswana.
March – Green Season (Low Period)
Game viewing enhances from March as the precipitation diminishes and species migrates to more accessible dry season habitats. The vegetation remains dense, and the days are hot and humid, albeit less severe than earlier in the year. March serves as an optimal period to secure last-minute promotions, facilitating the move from low to mid-season prices.
April to May – Mid Shoulder Season
Autumn signifies the conclusion of the rainy season. April and May are optimal months to visit Botswana, as rates are reduced and tourist numbers are lower compared to peak season, while the wildlife viewing experience remains satisfactory, albeit with some variability.
The floodwaters attain maximum flow in the panhandle of the Okavango Delta by the end of May. The days are temperate, evenings are brisk, and precipitation has nearly ceased. The vegetation remains lush and dense; nevertheless, the drinking holes are beginning to deplete, prompting species to migrate towards more permanent sources like Moremi, Okavango, and Chobe. Green season promotions are no longer available; nonetheless, rates remain lower than those during the high season from June to October.
June to August – Peak Season
By June, the Okavango River experiences peak flooding, coinciding with the height of winter. Anticipate sweltering, arid days and frigid Kalahari nights. The animals will not get any rainfall for the next six months, resulting in diminished vegetation until the optimal period for game viewing arrives. Additionally, the temperature is too low for mosquitoes, resulting in their minimal presence.
With water scarce and the vegetation sparse, your wildlife observation is optimal. Anticipate regular observations of elephants, buffalo, and antelope congregating around the last water sources, where competition is intense. Land-only camps, as well as those in the Okavango Delta, Moremi, and other private reserves, provide exceptional game drives and are often situated near a permanent water supply.
September to October – Peak Season
The optimal period to visit Botswana for a Big 5 safari is toward the conclusion of the nation’s arid winter season. September and October are the warmest and driest months of the year, and following an extended, arid winter, food and water become critically limited, compelling wildlife to congregate in increasing numbers around available feeding and watering sources. This is an optimal season to visit Chobe, where one may observe substantial herds of elephants along the river. The optimal period to visit the Linyanti, Kwando, and Selinda reserves is now.
November – Commencement of Green Season (Low)
This month is characterized by unpredictability, potentially being either wet or dry, contingent upon the timing of precipitation. Nonetheless, it will remain exceedingly hot. November is arid, facilitating optimal game observation at watering holes where animals gather. Wildlife observation remains favorable. Nevertheless, there may be a reduced number of animals congregated in a single location. Commencement of green season promotions.
December – Low Green Season
Summer and the rainy season commence dramatically with crackling thunderstorms releasing their accumulated winter energy. Botswana’s terrain transitions from various hues of brown to several colors of green during lambing season, resulting in the presence of young animals around their mothers. December is the optimal month for avian observation. December, a period of fresh beginnings and natural plenty, may not provide optimal game viewing; but, it does present the lowest rates, fewer tourists, and springboks awkwardly practicing the pronk.
What is the cost of a safari in Botswana?
The cost of a Botswana safari varies from approximately $400 to $4,000 each day. Thus, you require our services, Africa’s premier safari organization, to optimize your Botswana safari experience within your time and financial constraints. Several key elements influence the overall cost of your customized Botswana safari itinerary.
– A period characterized by significant fluctuations in accommodation prices between low and high seasons.
– Category of lodging.
– Extend your stay to take advantage of exceptional offers by including more nights into your itinerary.
– The cost increases in direct correlation with the remoteness of your destination. A premier safari lodge in the Okavango Delta will attract funds more easily than a premier safari lodge on the Chobe River.
– Your selection of safari activities, which may vary from complimentary wildlife drives to extravagant balloon safaris that deplete savings.
What distinguishes Botswana safaris?
Safaris in Botswana are exceptional for numerous reasons, making it impractical to enumerate them all. Botswana is constantly regarded by enthusiasts as Africa’s premier safari destination, featuring three distinct game reserves in close proximity, all of which are among the largest and most wildlife-rich globally.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park, delineated by the expansive Chobe River to the north and extensive forest savannah to the south, boasts the highest density of elephants globally and serves as our premier destination for an authentic Botswana safari. Extensive populations of antelope, zebra, and other herbivores draw the interest of Africa’s renowned predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. To ensure you observe all desired wildlife, your safari in Botswana should consistently encompass multiple nights in the Chobe region.
The Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari, encompassing one of the largest national parks globally, showcases vast acacia-studded plains, glistening salt pans, and significant wildlife activity. This represents quintessential Botswana and African beauty, characterized by vast skies and profound solitude, providing ample justification for visiting this semi-arid terrain.
Okavango Delta
Botswana’s pride is the world’s largest inland delta. An extensive network of scenic rivers fluctuates with the annual precipitation, sustaining a diverse array of Botswana’s remarkable species in substantial quantities and high densities. A safari in Botswana is fundamentally deficient without an excursion to the Okavango Delta.
What is the method to reach Botswana?
Although it is possible to rent a vehicle to navigate Botswana, this is not the optimal choice. Distances are extensive, and numerous safari hotels are so isolated that they can only be reached by air, boat, or specialized 4×4 safari vehicles.
Traveling to Botswana by air from Johannesburg or Cape Town in South Africa is significantly more convenient, expedient, and cost-effective, with arrivals at Maun for the Okavango Delta or Kasane for entry to Chobe National Park. In Botswana, safari lodges have access to landing strips, and light planes are the predominant means of inter-lodge transportation.
An alternative and well-regarded method to reach Botswana is through Victoria Falls, which is accessible by a brief vehicle transfer or fly to Chobe. Victoria Falls is adequately accessible from South Africa via direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Is the Okavango Delta devoid of malaria?
The Okavango Delta is situated in a malaria-endemic region. It is perfectly feasible to enjoy a safe, worry-free holiday in Botswana with the range of preventive antimalarial medications available. You may enhance the security of your travel by adhering to these straightforward tips:
Tip 1 – Deter the Mosquitoes
The female mosquito that transmits malaria is a discreet flyer and, although she feeds at any time, she is predominantly active at dusk and dawn. Utilize repellant on exposed skin and don loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and trousers during the evening and morning hours. All of our Botswana safari lodges are equipped with screened windows, doors, and mosquito nets to ensure a tranquil night.
Recommendation 2 – Administer Your Anti-Malaria Medication
The fundamental measure to safeguard oneself from malaria is the use of prophylactics. Consult your physician before to administering the medication to ascertain the appropriate type and dosage for your body.
Tip 3 – Monitor Symptoms and Complete Your Medication Regimen
Upon seeing any flu-like symptoms (after excluding COVID-19), it is imperative to request a malaria test to ensure safety and facilitate early detection, as malaria responds well to prompt treatment. Furthermore, do not discontinue your medication until the prescribed course is finished.
It is imperative to acknowledge that we are not medical professionals or specialists in infectious illnesses; always see your physician on malaria prophylaxis many weeks before to traveling to a malaria-endemic region.
What is the historical background of Botswana?
The contemporary history of Botswana exemplifies the effective utilization of fortuitous circumstances. The nation has profited from an abundant natural resource endowment, effective governance, and an exceptionally low population density, exemplifying a unique post-colonial success in Africa. Unlike some of its regional counterparts, Botswana has seen over fifty years of continuous peace, consistent economic growth, and advanced environmental conservation.
Botswana ranks among the greatest diamond producers globally, generating annual revenues in the tens of billions of dollars. Mining has enabled the development of contemporary infrastructure, including a paved roadway traversing the wide expanse of The Kalahari. Tourism and agriculture contribute significantly to the GDP, guaranteeing one of the highest living levels on the continent.
In Botswana, the boundless expanse leaves the most profound impact, regardless of your location. Botswana, characterized by a population density of roughly three individuals per square km, is distinguished for its natural wonders. Along the renowned riverfront of Chobe National Park, some of Africa’s largest elephant herds traverse freely with uncommon antelope species.