loading spinner
Botswana

The Best of Botswana: An In-Depth Safari Experience

Program No. 22424RJ
Venture into the Botswanan wilderness to witness elephants, lions, leopards and more, as a local expert teaches you about Botswana’s four unique ecosystems and their cultures.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Mar 9 - Mar 22, 2024
Starting at
10,249
Apr 4 - Apr 17, 2024
Starting at
10,249
Apr 18 - May 1, 2024
Starting at
10,249
Oct 21 - Nov 3, 2024
Starting at
10,249
Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2024
Starting at
10,249
Nov 2 - Nov 15, 2024
Starting at
10,249
Feb 27 - Mar 12, 2025
Starting at
9,299
Apr 3 - Apr 16, 2025
Starting at
10,899
Apr 11 - Apr 24, 2025
Starting at
10,899
Apr 17 - Apr 30, 2025
Starting at
10,899
Oct 20 - Nov 2, 2025
Starting at
10,899
Oct 25 - Nov 7, 2025
Starting at
10,899
Oct 30 - Nov 12, 2025
Starting at
10,899
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Mar 9 - Mar 22, 2024
Starting at
12,189
Apr 4 - Apr 17, 2024
Starting at
12,189
Apr 18 - May 1, 2024
Starting at
12,189
Filling Fast!
Oct 21 - Nov 3, 2024
Starting at
12,189
Filling Fast!
Oct 26 - Nov 8, 2024
Starting at
12,189
Filling Fast!
Nov 2 - Nov 15, 2024
Starting at
12,189
Filling Fast!
Feb 27 - Mar 12, 2025
Starting at
11,559
Filling Fast!
Apr 3 - Apr 16, 2025
Starting at
13,829
Filling Fast!
Apr 11 - Apr 24, 2025
Starting at
13,829
Filling Fast!
Apr 17 - Apr 30, 2025
Starting at
13,829
Filling Fast!
Oct 20 - Nov 2, 2025
Starting at
13,829
Filling Fast!
Oct 25 - Nov 7, 2025
Starting at
13,829
Filling Fast!
Oct 30 - Nov 12, 2025
Starting at
13,829

At a Glance

Join Road Scholar experts to discover the extraordinary wildlife of Botswana in its four highly contrasting but equally stunning ecosystems — riverine, savanna, delta and desert. Home to the world’s largest concentration of elephant as well as many rare species like lions, leopards and wild dogs, Botswana is a safari paradise. Travel from the verdant Okavango Delta to the ancient Kalahari Desert and the famed Chobe National Park, where great rivers meet and elephants roam freely. When you’re not exploring the Botswanan wilderness, take excursions to local villages to learn firsthand about their fascinating cultural practices and remarkable survival skills.

Extend Your Adventure

This program offers an optional program extension.

Extension: Victoria Falls

Thrill in the beauty of Victoria Falls as you explore Southern Africa’s natural wonders. Gain insight into the work of Dr. David Livingstone, as well as the elephant species.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Minimal walking. Participants must be able to endure bumpy rides in four-wheel drive vehicles for up to four hours. Elevations up to 5,575 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Get up close to some of the most incredible creatures on the planet with expert naturalists..
  • Explore the wonderfully diverse flora and fauna in Botswana’s four unique ecosystems.
  • Experience authentic Botswana culture on excursions to local villages to meet students and residents.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Keith Chisnall
A local of northern Zimbabwe, Keith Chisnall relishes in showing the bush culture to travelers from around the world. As a child, Keith learned the medicinal value of bush plants, how to track animals, tribal customs and the indigenous flora and fauna, and his knowledge has only grown since then. He’s worked as an engineer, salesman and detective, but his most meaningful work has been in leading educational adventures. After over 20 years of experience leading groups in “Big Five” territory, you can rely on Keith to explain every aspect and every detail of the wilderness!

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Lisa Reed
Lisa Reed was born in Zimbabwe, spent her school years in South Africa, and now lives in Botswana. She has worked or visited most Southern and East African safari destinations, and has managed safari camps on her own and with others since being in Botswana. Lisa has a natural affinity with adults and children, and enjoys passing on her years of experience and knowledge to the next generation. She has been leading safaris for Road Scholar for more than 15 years.
Profile Image of Keith Chisnall
Keith Chisnall View biography
A local of northern Zimbabwe, Keith Chisnall relishes in showing the bush culture to travelers from around the world. As a child, Keith learned the medicinal value of bush plants, how to track animals, tribal customs and the indigenous flora and fauna, and his knowledge has only grown since then. He’s worked as an engineer, salesman and detective, but his most meaningful work has been in leading educational adventures. After over 20 years of experience leading groups in “Big Five” territory, you can rely on Keith to explain every aspect and every detail of the wilderness!
Profile Image of Sam Mushandu
Sam Mushandu View biography
Sam was born in a small village in southeast Zimbabwe. Growing up in the village gave him an appreciation for nature, particularly during holidays when he would herd his family’s cattle in the bush. Sam attended Bulawayo Commercial College and is an award-winning safari educator. He has lead learning safaris throughout southern Africa, including top destinations like Hwange and Kafue National Parks. Sam lives with his wife and family in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and enjoys history and fishing. (Be prepared to hear some fishing stories!)
Profile Image of Onx Manga
Onx Manga was born in Maun, Botswana, the jumping off point for most safari destinations, and was drawn to the safari industry from an early age. He worked at Khwai River Lodge in Moremi Game Reserve and then became assistant camp manager at Savute Elephant Camp in Chobe National Park. He later worked at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge before returning to Botswana and the bush. Onx is a brilliant combination of real-life experience and studied learning. He is dedicated to nature and its conservation.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Last Elephants
by Colin Bell & Don Pinnock
African savanna elephants--among the most magnificent and beloved of our fellow mammals--are an extraordinary, social, and intelligent species. The Last Elephants, an homage to these animals and a clarion call for their preservation, is based upon a shocking finding: savanna elephant populations across Africa are being decimated, with two to three murdered every hour for their ivory. Without action, these elephants soon will vanish from our world. They are a species in imminent danger of extinction, and it is up to us to save them.
Whatever You Do, Don't Run
by Peter Allison
Allison spins captivating tales of wildlife, camps and the life of a safari guide into a hilarious, slyly informative introduction to Botswana.
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent
by Dipo Faloyin
So often, Africa has been depicted simplistically as a uniform land of famines and safaris, poverty and strife, stripped of all nuance. This book offers stories that bring to life Africa’s rich diversity, communities, and histories.
The Big Conservation Lie
by John Mbaria, Mordecai Ogada
This book takes the reader through Kenya’s conservation ‘industry’ and the players therein with all their prejudices, weaknesses and commitment to causes. It is a call to indigenous Africans to claim their place at the table where the management of their natural resources is being discussed, and invites well-meaning donors to look beyond the romantic images and detect the possible role of their money in the disenfranchisement of a people.
Saturday Is for Funerals
by Unity Dow
In the year 2000, the World Health Organization estimated that 85 percent of fifteen-year-olds in Botswana would eventually die of AIDS. In this book, we learn why that won’t happen.
Botswana Map
by Reise Know How
A detailed map of Botswana at a scale of 1:1,000,000. Unfolded size: 27 x 39 inches.
Newman's Birds of Southern Africa
by Kenneth Newman
This commemorative 10th edition celebrates the late author with a fully revised and updated version. Edits were done by his daughter, Vanessa Newman, to reflect the latest research, taxonomy and common names.
Botswana, the Bradt Safari Guide
by Marcelle Bienvenu (Contributor), Chris McIntyre
With comprehensive coverage of history, flora, fauna and practicalities, this fourth edition presents Okavango, Chobe, the Kalahari and other popular destinations in detail.
Wildlife of Southern Africa
by Martin B. Withers
This Princeton Pocket Guide, featuring 400 color photographs by Withers and co-author David Hosking, covers all the birds, mammals, lizards and insects you are likely to encounter.
A Natural History Guide to the Arid Kalahari
by Gus and Margie Mills
The landscapes and vegetation, the antelope, the hyenas, cats and other carnivores, the birds and the smaller creatures... all are included in this comprehensive guide. Plus: Tips and advice for getting the most out of your visit to the arid Kalahari. Not only is A Natural History Guide to the Arid Kalahari a wonderful guide to one of the most intriguing nature destinations in Africa, but you can read it like a book.
The Healing Land
by Rubert Isaacson
The author travels to the dry grasslands of southern Africa in search of the legendary Kalahari Bushmen and finds evidence of shamans, powerful religious rituals, tribal hunting practices, and much, much more.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.