Okavango Delta vs. Chobe: Which Botswana Safari Is Right for You?

…you want the safari Botswana is famous for. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an inland delta where floodwaters from the Angolan highlands spread across the Kalahari, peaking in the dry winter months. Camps sit in private concessions and Moremi Game Reserve, reached only by light aircraft, so you share sightings with very few vehicles.

The appeal is variety: glide by mokoro through papyrus channels in the morning, track lions on a game drive in the afternoon, and take a guided walk where the concession allows. Water levels vary by camp and by year, so pair a water-based camp with a land-based one to get both experiences.

…elephants top your list, or you’re working with less time or budget. Chobe National Park’s riverfront hosts some of Africa’s largest elephant gatherings in the dry season, and a boat safari on the Chobe River puts you at water level with bathing herds, hippos and crocodiles. Kasane, the gateway town, is a short drive from Victoria Falls.

The riverfront can be busy, especially with day visitors, so choose a lodge with its own boats, or head deeper into Chobe’s Savuti region or the private Linyanti concessions for a wilder feel. Chobe’s lodges also cover a wider price range than the delta’s fly-in camps.

Yes, and it’s the classic Botswana route. A common plan starts at Victoria Falls, crosses to Kasane for two or three nights on the Chobe River, then flies by light aircraft into the delta for four or more nights, leaving via Maun.

Light aircraft enforce strict luggage limits, often 15–20 kg (33–44 lb) including hand luggage, in soft-sided bags, so pack accordingly; our safari packing list has the details. Our Botswana guide covers seasons and costs.