The semi-arid climate of Botswana is typical of southern Africa. Despite being hot and dry for most of the year, there is a rainy season that lasts throughout the summer. Rainfall is frequently sporadic, unpredictable, and very localized.
Rainfall in Botswana occurs primarily between December and March when the minimum daily temperatures are often in the low 20s. There will be days that are sunny and bright, days that have afternoon thunderstorms, and days that are simply grey.
In general, the months of April and May in Botswana are magnificent, with sunny skies and greenery everywhere. In the Kalahari during these months, nighttime temperatures begin to decline. Temperatures in and around the Okavango region are typically more moderate and less severe than those in the Kalahari's dry regions. In dry locations, nighttime temperatures from June to August can drop near freezing, but during the day, when the sky is typically clear and blue, it warms up quickly. Most safari regions are currently in their "peak season," when animals concentrate around the few water sources that are still available because most of the terrain is dry.
most of the terrain is dry. The weather continues to warm up in September and October, drying up the landscape and increasing the concentration of wildlife. This is the best time for big game safaris – although October can feel hot, with maximum temperatures sometimes approaching 40°C.
November is difficult to predict, as it can sometimes be a continuation of October’s heat, whilst sometimes it is cooled by the first rains; it is always an interesting month. The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe are Botswana’s most popular parks. The best time to visit them is from May to September, during the Dry season and winter, resulting in more moderate temperatures. In addition, the Okavango is flooded from June to October. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks. See below to learn when to visit which park.

• Binoculars
• All toiletries and personal medications (there are no chemists in the woods).
• Sunglasses, a sunhat, and sunscreen
• Winter gloves during winter visits.
• A camera, batteries, and lots of film for taking pictures and videos.
• A sleeping bag and pillow (not necessary on a luxury safari).
• A pair of sturdy walking boots, sandals, and strops.
• A reliable flashlight with extra batteries and a bulb
• Towel
• Any book on African Wildlife to make the trip more engaging(not a necessity)

Upon confirmation of a reservation, a 30% non-refundable deposit is required with the remaining balance payable six weeks before travel. Bush Sands tours and safaris maintains the whole deposit and will also charge the following cancellation fee if a reservation is canceled less than six weeks before the safari begins:

• Notice less than 42 days before the event incurs a 20% fee of the total costs.
• Notice less than 28 days before the event incurs a 40% fee of the total costs.
• Notice less than 21 days before the event incurs a 50% charge of the total costs.
• Notice less than 7 days before the event incurs an 80% charge of the total costs.

We strongly advise purchasing cancellation insurance to cover these costs in case a cancellation is required. The entire amount paid by the customer will be returned if Bush Sands Tours and Safaris must cancel the safari before the scheduled departure date.
It is imperative that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover loss of deposit in case of illness and personal accident. Malaria tablets.
Please check with your Health Department or Travel Agency before you leave.

You will not have access to phone service or the internet in some locations while on a mobile safari. This is one of the delights of a true safari since you can completely unwind without being tied to the outside world and enjoy the sounds of Africa.

Of course we do if you allow us the more time to create the food for you, we do ask that you let your agent or us know about any dietary needs or allergies you have when you book. The more notice you can give us the better as items cannot be sent out once the safari departs Maun, but we will always try to accommodate all dietary requirements if given notice.

Most passport holders will not require a visa; US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand plus others are all able to obtain 3-month visas upon entry into Botswana at the border or airports. Please use the following link for details of which countries either do or do not require visas: www.botswanaembassy.org which also includes the guidelines for completing the visa application should you be required to have one. **Please note that visa requirements are the responsibility of the traveler.

Yes, as long as you follow the safety instructions from your guide which include not taking food into the tent and zipping your tent up properly. With all the instructions followed, then the tents will be safe from any intruders

On our travel days we have an early start, pack our bags, and leave camp to have breakfast somewhere spectacular. Following breakfast, we game-drive towards our next camp, stopping for tea/coffee and cookies and later for a relaxing lunch under a shady grove of trees. Invariably lunch finds us within a short distance of our camp, and we arrive at the camp to find our crew has once again erected the camp at our new destination. There is time for a shower before afternoon tea and then it is time to begin our exploration of the area.
Please note that this is a rough outline of a travel day and events change from safari to safari depending on the distribution of game, distance between camps, conditions of the roads and the decision of your guide etc. Travel times are a rough indication of the driving time from one camp to another and do not include time taken for breaks and wildlife viewing.

On scheduled departures our maximum number of guests is 7 and we guarantee to run a departure with a minimum of 3 guests. For private tailor-made departures, the group size will depend upon the availability of guides and vehicles over the requested dates.

These guidelines on tipping are strictly for your information, tipping is optional, and the amount is entirely up to you, but these are the ‘industry standards’:

• Guides: USD 10.00 per person per day
• Safari Chef: USD 5.00 per person per day
• General Staff: USD 5.00 per person per day

Obviously, nothing can be guaranteed on a safari, which is one of the pleasures as you spend time tracking and looking for some of the elusive animals, but the itineraries all describe the animals that you can hope to see in different areas.