Botswana

Botswana protects some of Africa's wildest country, from the flooded channels of the Okavango Delta to the elephant-filled Chobe riverfront.

The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an inland delta where the Okavango River spreads out across the Kalahari. Safaris here are quiet and varied: game drives, walking safaris and mokoro (dug-out canoe) trips, depending on the camp and the water levels.

Chobe National Park, in the north, has one of Africa's largest elephant populations and is at its best on boat cruises along the Chobe River in the dry season. Moremi Game Reserve and the Savuti area add strong predator viewing.

Botswana follows a low-volume, high-value approach to tourism, with fewer camps and higher nightly rates than many other safari countries. That keeps the wilderness feeling private, and it also means Botswana suits travellers with a larger budget.