Choosing between a Tanzania or Botswana safari is like deciding between two equally breathtaking treasures. Each has incredible qualities that make it almost impossible to choose. However, we are here to help you narrow down the choice between a Tanzania or Botswana safari.
An overview
Both Tanzania and Botswana have shared attributes. For instance, they both offer superb opportunities to observe a plethora of wildlife in their natural habitats. Moreover, both countries have expansive landscapes, with Botswana being 1.6 times the size of Germany and Tanzania 2.6 times larger. Both nations are known for their stable governance, and well-established tourism infrastructure, ensuring visitors’ safe and reliable travel experience.
What are the differences? Tanzania’s mountains, equatorial location, and Swahili coastline along the Indian Ocean offer a unique combination of safari, mountain trekking, and beach holiday, plus cultural experiences when visiting ancient African cities. On the other hand, Botswana is a landlocked country, bordering the easily accessible South Africa. It provides a distinct wilderness adventure into the Okavango Delta, desert areas and Victoria Falls in neighboring Zambia or Zimbabwe .
We have already identified one key difference. If you want to combine a safari with a tropical beach retreat or hiking trip, Tanzania is your destination. On the other hand, if you are looking for a safari in the heart of the Okavango Delta, then Botswana is the place for you.
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Types of travel in Tanzania and Botswana
The types of travel within both countries have many similarities and one main difference. Similarities include the opportunity to enjoy guided safaris with exceptional guides.
You can select a private or group safari with extraordinary guides in Tanzania and Botswana. Opting for a guided tour means someone else manages the vehicle, drives long distances, navigates, and gets you to your accommodation on time. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and benefit from the knowledge of experienced driver-guides about the natural world.
Private safaris are ideal for honeymooners, families, or individuals with special interests such as birdwatching or photography, as they offer complete flexibility over travel dates, destinations, and companions. On the other hand, group safaris have scheduled dates and itineraries, allowing you to share the cost of a safari with like-minded people.
Both group as well as private guided safaris are possible in Botswana and Tanzania.
The main difference is that self-driving safaris are only recommended in Botswana. Therefore, exploring Botswana on a self-driving safari is for you if you are independent and have good navigational and off-road driving skills. In this blog, we share our thoughts on why we don’t recommend doing a self-drive tour in Tanzania.
Types of accommodations
Botswana and Tanzania offer world-class safari accommodation, including lodges and mobile camping experiences. The mobile camping option is surprisingly luxurious, with comfortable beds, mattresses, and hot showers.
When it comes to booking accommodation, neither destination is cheap. However, one difference may influence your choice of whether to go to Botswana or Tanzania. In Botswana, the focus is on high-end accommodation as a conscious decision to limit visitor numbers traveling to fragile ecosystems. In Tanzania, various accommodation standards allow visitors to go on a safari on a slightly smaller budget. Therefore, if you want to experience a safari at a somewhat lower cost, Tanzania is the place for you.
Wildlife experience – is wildlife viewing better in Tanzania or Botswana?
Both countries are home to a diverse range of wildlife. Tanzania is best known for the wildebeest migration and offers the chance to enjoy a cross-border safari into Kenya. At the same time, Botswana’s main attraction is the inland Okavango Delta, making it a unique destination. However, in both countries, there is much more wildlife to see, as you can discover below.
Best places for safaris in Tanzania vs Botswana
Reading our overview of where to go in Tanzania and Botswana is a great starting point for finding the best places to go, but here is a brief snapshot to help you.
Tanzania safaris are divided into three main circuits. The popular Northern Circuit includes Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti National Park, which is famous for the wildebeest migration. The more remote Southern Circuit features UNESCO-grade parks such as Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park. The Western Circuit offers fly-in destinations to parks where time has stood still, including Katavi National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, and Gombe Stream National Park.
The most popular parks in Botswana are in the north, where you can combine the world-famous Okavango Delta with Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Tsodilo Hills, and Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zambia or Zimbabwe. Central Botswana is home to Nxai Pan National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and the incredible Central Kalahari Game Reserve. In contrast, safaris to the south will take you to the remote Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Safari vehicles – which vehicles are used in Botswana and Tanzania?
Safari vehicles are designed for safety and comfort and provide charging points for your devices.
In Botswana, safari vehicles are usually open, meaning they do not have normal doors and windows, allowing for a unique experience in the elements. Our sister-company Botswana-Experience is an exception: In Botswana, we use closed Land Cruisers. Open vehicles are exciting to experience but can be uncomfortable on long journeys from point A to point B.
In Tanzania, safari vehicles are usually closed. Moreover, minibuses are used on safari by some operators, offering a budget experience with high passenger numbers and reduced visibility. Our safaris are limited to seven guests, and a window seat in a Toyota Land Cruiser is guaranteed. We do not use minibuses.
Cost of a Tanzania or Botswana safari
In general, a safari to both destinations is not cheap. For this reason, a safari is considered a magical experience, and its romantic appeal means that safaris are used to celebrate life’s special moments.
Both destinations are more expensive than other trips you have been on because you have to fly in and then travel vast distances to remote locations to stay in accommodation in the middle of nature. Botswana focuses on offering high-end accommodations, whereas Tanzania has a much broader range of accommodations, allowing you to enjoy a safari on a slightly smaller budget.
Adding on unique experiences such as balloon safaris, boat safaris, walking safaris or breakfasts in the bush will also impact the final price. The feedback we get from our guests: It’s been more than worth it! Moreover, daily entry fees into national parks can add up at both destinations. However, considering that these park fees are used to conserve the beautiful wilderness areas where safaris take place, spending this money will probably feel easier.
Carefully selecting the standard of accommodation and timing your visit are two effective ways to save money. Travelling during the shoulder or low seasons can reduce accommodation costs in both destinations. Learn more about the low and high seasons in Tanzania and Botswana. Additionally, consider diversifying your accommodation experience by alternating between high-end and more budget camps and lodges.
Best Time to visit – Tanzania vs Botswana
Botswana and Tanzania have similar periods when it is the best time to visit:
The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, from June to October. During this time, the drying landscapes force wildlife to congregate near remaining water sources. The combination of a high concentration of wildlife with sparse vegetation makes it easier to spot wildlife. However, higher prices apply during the high season. The shoulder seasons are from November to December, when the short rains occur, and January to February, another short dry period. During these months, the weather should not affect your safari, and due to fewer visitors, you’ll enjoy a serene experience. March to May is when the long rains transpire when rainfall occurs almost daily, and as a result, it is the low season.
Two of our favourite safaris in Tanzania:
Best of Tanzania
Places Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Karatu, Ngorongoro Crater
from 2,800 USD per person sharing
Tanzania in Style
Places Tarangire National Park, Karatu, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
from 3,890 USD (based on 7 persons)
The best time to visit Botswana is from June to September, the high season. This period falls within the dry season from May to October. It is a fantastic period to visit the parks and reserves throughout Botswana. Moreover, the dry season is paradoxically the best time to visit the Okavango Delta because water levels are at their highest. The rainy season occurs from November to April, resulting in a low season lasting from December to April. Despite the chance of rain, it is a beautiful time to see the central and southern parks in a state of verdant green. But it is not the best time to enjoy water-based activities in the Delta, because water levels are low.
Accessibility
When planning a Tanzania or Botswana safari, remember that flights to both countries often involve one or more stops, making either country just as easy to reach as the other. However, here are some tips to consider when planning your flights:
For Tanzania:
- If you plan to visit the northern parks, choose Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha.
- If visiting the southern parks, fly to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam.
- Zanzibar also has an international airport: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ).
For Botswana:
- When flying into Botswana, choose Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK) airports, as they are the main starting points for most safaris.
- Direct flights to Botswana are rare, so a stopover in South Africa is common. We recommend catching a connecting flight at O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
Other experiences – things to do in Tanzania and Botswana
Tanzania and Botswana offer unique experiences for people with special interests, such as photography and birdwatching. Each destination has its own distinct experiences to create lasting memories.
Tanzania, along with the Zanzibar archipelago, is considered one of the most romantic destinations on the planet. Here, you can conclude an authentic safari with a romantic beach getaway at various beachside accommodations on the tropical beaches of Zanzibar. A balloon safari, a magical experience, will add to your romantic Tanzania trip. In Zanzibar, you can visit the ancient African town of Stone Town and take a Spice Tour. There are also opportunities to explore nearby Pemba and Mafia Islands, making Tanzania a popular honeymoon destination. Additionally, Tanzania offers the chance to trek Mount Kilimanjaro in six to nine days or enjoy the more remote 4-day Mount Meru trek.
On the other hand, Botswana offers unique ways to experience wildlife. Mokoro safaris allow you to glide along the surface of the Okavango Delta in a traditional Mokoro, a small dug-out canoe propelled forward by a guide pushing off the bottom with a long pole. A Mokoro safari provides an up-close experience with animal and birdlife, making it a perfect experience for a Botswana honeymoon. Boat safaris on the Okavango Delta and Chobe River are another unique way to create lasting memories. Walking safaris offer the chance to discover the animal, bird, and plant life that is culturally important to local people, as well as the unique opportunity to meet the San people of the Kalahari.
As you can see, Botswana offers diverse safari activities. On the other hand, Tanzania offers mountain climbing and beach holidays, additionally to classic safaris.
Concluding advice
We hope we have helped you decide whether to go on safari in Tanzania or Botswana.
In summary, Botswana offers diverse safari activities, especially water-based and walking safaris. Additionally, the famous Okavango Delta is a unique experience only to be had in Botswana. Prices for accommodations are intentionally higher than in other safari destinations. This means, you can enjoy exclusivity but have to come with a higher budget.
Tanzania offers a broader range of holiday experiences: Additionally to the classic Big Five safari, you can go mountain trekking and enjoy a tropical beach holiday. There is a broader price range for accommodations, including more budget options. Therefore, you may be able to book a less expensive trip in Tanzania.
Have you ever dreamed of going on a Tanzania or Botswana safari? In that case, we are happy to arrange a no-obligation conversation with one of the country experts who can provide further advice. With offices in both countries, we have an excellent track record and years of experience, and we look forward to helping you make your dream safari come true.
Author: Colin Javens
