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A group of smiling travelers on a Botswana safari with two rhinoceroses resting in the dry wilderness landscape behind them.
Botswana

The Best of Botswana: An In-Depth Safari Experience

Program No. 22424RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
14 days
Program Begins
Johannesburg
Program Concludes
Kalahari Desert
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
33 ( 11B, 6BR, 5L, 11D )
Activity Level
From
10,099
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. Explore the Botswanan wilderness by vehicle, boat and on foot for the ultimate African safari adventure.
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.
  • Discover some of the amazing desert survival skills of the ancient San (Bushmen) culture.
See Related Programs
Small GroupAnimals & Wildlife
General Notes
Please refer to the “Travel Information” section on the Road Scholar website, the start/end dates in your first informational packet or contact the provider if you plan on booking your own flights for correct arrival and departure dates. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
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.
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!)
Growing up, Honest Siyawareva spent much of his life in close proximity to nature, thanks to his family’s passion. Fulfilling his family legacy — his father and uncle were both professional nature leaders — in 2014, Honest qualified as a professional nature leader in Zimbabwe, the only person to pass the extremely onerous examinations that year. Working for Wilderness Safaris in Zimbabwe, he has split his time between camps in Hwange National Park and Mana Pools National Park.
Mark Geraghty was born in Ndola, Northern Zambia where his father was stationed in the British Army. He grew up in Zambia, until his family moved to Harare, Zimbabwe. Not only has Mark traveled extensively throughout Southern Africa, but he has also spent time in Kenya and the Congo. His marriage into a prominent Zimbabwean family sparked an interest in Africa’s early history, specifically the “Scramble for Africa.” Mark is a passionate storyteller with a piercing insight and great sense of humor.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Learn About Activity Levels
Walking up to 1 mile per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over mixed terrain, including flat, sandy paths. Standing up to 1 hour per day. Program will require approximately 12 miles of walking over 12 days. Elevations up to 5,575 feet. Participants should be prepared to navigate stairs with and without handrails and be comfortable getting on and off 4x4 safari vehicles and safari boats. Game drives in safari vehicles can be bumpy, lasting up to 4 hours, and boat rides last up to 3 hours; stamina and flexibility are required. Due to extensive use of 4-wheel drive vehicles requiring a large step to get on and off, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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