If you’ve been trying to hunt down the best safari in Africa, look no further! I’ve done hours and hours of research on this so you don’t have to. Probably the most research I’ve ever done for a trip. After years of travel, nothing has come close to the experience we had with Wilderness in Botswana. From the landscapes to the wildlife to the food, and especially the people—we left absolutely blown away.
Because of how much I’m about to rave about this company, I wanted to clarify that this post isn’t sponsored lol. We just had such an amazing time that I had to write about it.
Why Botswana
Deciding where to do a safari in Africa can be stressful but Botswana is one of the best safari locations — and for good reason. The country has a strong focus on conservation and low-impact tourism, which means fewer vehicles, more space, and a better experience for both animals and people. Whether you’re boating through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (dugout canoe) or tracking lions through grasslands, you’ll truly feel like you’re in the wild—which isn’t the case for a lot of safari locations.
It’s also an incredible place to see big cats—lions, leopards, and cheetahs are frequently spotted, especially in private concessions like those Wilderness operates in. Another huge highlight: the chance to see African wild dogs, one of the most endangered and insane predators on the continent.
You’ll see tons of wildlife—cats, elephants, hippos, buffalo, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, antelope, hyenas, crocs, and countless bird species. The variety is amazing, making Botswana a perfect safari destination as long as you’re not set on seeing rhinos, which are much harder to spot here and better seen in countries like South Africa or Namibia.
Why Wilderness: The Best Safari in Africa
Wilderness has safari camps all across Africa, but we focused our trip in Botswana—specifically the Okavango Delta. Every camp felt so different in vibe and landscape, which made the whole experience even more special.
One of the things that really stood out was their strict three-vehicle limit at wildlife sightings. This made every encounter feel intimate and respectful —not like a traffic jam around a lion, which can happen on more commercialized safaris. It’s small touches like that that make a huge difference. You never feel like you’re at a zoo or intruding on nature. It all felt incredibly wild.
The staff at every camp were so kind, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. From the guides to the kitchen teams, everyone we met was amazing. And speaking of the food: UNREAL. We didn’t have a single bad meal. From fresh, thoughtful dishes to perfectly timed sundowner snacks, it consistently exceeded expectations. The rooms were way bigger than we expected, with huge porches (some with plunge pools), great views, and even Wi-Fi. You’re still fully in the wild, but it’s far from roughing it.
Looking for the best safari in Africa? Here are the camps we visited—and loved.
Savuti Camp – Linyanti Reserve
Savuti has this wild, remote feel to it that we loved. The Savuti Channel runs alongside the camp—it dries up and flows unpredictably, which makes for a really interesting landscape and a lot of wildlife activity.
Game drives here were action-packed. We saw lions and cubs on the move, big elephant herds, and plenty of hippos—especially loud at night. The rooms were big, comfortable, and had great views. When the channel has water, they can also take you out on a boat, which adds a cool perspective to the area.
One of the coolest parts of Savuti was that on Monday nights, they do a cultural evening. The team performs traditional songs and dances and everyone joins in. And afterward, everyone—guests and guides—sits down together for a big family-style dinner by the fire. It felt laid-back and genuine, not forced at all. Just a really fun, communal way to end the day and connect with everyone in camp.
Tubu Tree Camp – Jao Reserve, Okavango Delta
Tubu Tree had a super relaxed vibe and felt a little more off-the-radar in the best way. It’s built up on wooden walkways above the floodplains, so you’ve got great views in every direction. The whole camp was renovated recently, so everything felt clean, modern, and really well put together without trying too hard.
The bar and pool areas are beautiful, looking straight out over the water, and the common spaces had some board games to entertain ourselves in between game drives.
There’s a nice balance of land and water activities—game drives, walking safaris, mokoro rides when the water levels are right. It never felt rigid or scheduled—you just talk to your guide about what you’re up for and go from there.
Qorokwe Camp – Private Concession, Okavango Delta
Qorokwe had a more modern, polished feel but still felt very connected to the wild. It’s in a private concession, so we barely saw any other vehicles while we were out—which makes a huge difference when you’re tracking big animals or just want to sit and watch something without a crowd.
This is where we saw some of the most intense wildlife. One evening we came across a pride of 19 lions, wild dogs hunting, massive buffalo herds—it was a lot. The guides here were super sharp and clearly knew the area inside and out.
The rooms were sleek and spacious, with a small plunge pool on the deck and views of hippos playing in the water that made you never want to leave the porch. You could also book massages right on your deck, which honestly felt like a bit of a luxury steal considering the price—very worth it.
Inside the main area, they had some board games for downtime, and the atmosphere in camp was really comfortable—easy to hang out, chat with other guests, or just do your own thing. Boat safaris are also an option here if the water levels are right, and like everything else, it’s easy to arrange on the fly with your guide.
Planning for the Best Safari in Africa
With Wilderness, you don’t have to lift a finger. They make everything incredibly easy—organizing all your flights (including the fun little bush planes between camps), getting you where you need to be without any stress, and setting you up in camps that balance being out in the middle of nowhere with real comfort.
Days start early—like 5:30am early—but it’s totally worth it. You grab a quick breakfast around 6, then head out on your morning game drive at 6:30. Midway through, you’ll stop for a tea and coffee break out in the bush. We didn’t realize how much we’d look forward to that—good coffee, biscuits, and wild animals nearby.
You’re usually back at camp around 10 or 11, have brunch, and then chill until high tea around 3:30pm. Then it’s back out for the evening drive at 4. Just before sunset, the guide will find a good spot to pull over for sundowners—basically happy hour in the middle of the bush. Drinks, snacks, and one of the best views you’ll ever see. You’re back by 7 or 8 for dinner, and then it’s either bed or a nightcap by the fire.
All three camps also offer boat safaris depending on water levels—either in a mokoro (a traditional canoe) or motorboat. If you want to do one, just ask your guide. It’s a quieter, more peaceful way to see things, especially great for birds and riverbank wildlife.
Whether you’re into birdwatching, big cats, or just want to slow down and watch the sun set over the delta with a gin and tonic in hand—there’s a camp (or three) for you.
Final Thoughts
This was one of the best trips we’ve ever done. The wildlife was unreal, but what really made it stand out was how smooth and easy everything was. Great guides, great food, beautiful camps, and every little detail handled without us having to think twice.
If you’re looking for the best safari in Africa that feels immersive but still comfortable, and want to hit more than one area without the hassle—this setup is hard to beat!
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