Botswana is one of southern Africa’s costlier wildlife destinations, but industry stakeholders believe its exclusivity and diversity still warrant the high price tag.

Botswana has long-espoused a low-impact, high-yield tourism model, which, while protecting its environment, has resulted in a reputation as the most expensive safari destination in southern Africa.

The country has shied away from development on a large scale, favouring small safari lodges and camps in remote locations. This has limited the number of tourists at any time, and impacted minimally on its resources. The tactic has also driven demand and prices up, and earned Botswana a label for exclusivity.

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It is this very exclusivity that tour operators cite as one of the characteristics that sets Botswana apart. But perhaps the country would not get away with its high prices if it didn’t combine this feature with phenomenal wildlife diversity.

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An African Anthology promotes two camps in Botswana – Elephant Valley Lodge in the Kasane Forest, which is part of Chobe National Park, and Kadizora Lodge in the Okavango Delta. Director Chris Anagnostellis, comments: “The unique offering Botswana has within its borders lends itself to an exclusive and ‘bucket list’ type of experience, ranging from a desert experience in the Kalahari, the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the unique and diverse Okavango Delta, the vast Savuti to the Chobe region with its opportunity to view game from boats on the Chobe River.

“The diversity of the country has resulted in ‘circuits’ being introduced, where travellers can enjoy a combination of these offerings. The diversity is fantastic; imagine being able to do a circuit viewing different species and varieties of game from one day to the next.”

Support for his sentiments comes from Charles van Rensburg, Botswana Operations Manager for Wilderness Safaris, which operates a range of ecotourism camps in Linyanti, the Okavango Delta and Central Kalahari. “Camps seldom exceed 16 beds and are located in truly magnificent and remote areas, meaning that food and other goods must be flown or trucked in. Owing to these locations Wilderness Safaris’ guests are guaranteed an unmatched wildlife experience when traversing in concession areas and rarely see another game vehicle during drives. This type of exclusivity has a strong appeal for safari enthusiasts who want to reconnect to nature,” he says.

The jewel in Botswana’s crown is, of course, the Okavango Delta, also a Unesco World Heritage Site. Its maze of water channels introduces a facet that neighbouring wildlife destinations do not afford in such a big way, namely water-based game viewing. “Unlike other safari destinations in Africa,” says Rob Dixon, Senior Marketing and Digital Manager for Sanctuary Retreats, “Botswana offers a combination of land and water safaris. Mokoro [dugout canoes] excursions provide a unique adventure along the waterways of the Okavango Delta and are special feature of safaris in Botswana.”

Anagnostellis believes that Botswana’s high price tag does not always hold true and that some shopping around does uncover competitive rates. “Over the last few years there has been a dramatic increase of lodges in certain areas, which has resulted in prices actually coming down, or more affordable options entering the market. An example of this is the Chobe region, where there is a multitude of lodges, hotels, bed and breakfasts, backpacker and camping accommodation. This has resulted in different price options,” he remarks.

In agreement, too, is Brett Thomson, MD of Sun Destinations.  “A lot of the high-end safari options in Botswana are exceptionally expensive. However, if you take the time to look deeper there are quite a few camps and local mobile safari operators that offer exceptional value.” He names two of his products as examples – Afrika Ecco, “which offers affordable adventure-filled safaris”, and John Chase Safaris, which “takes guests on an old-world safari to some of Botswana’s most iconic destinations”.

Nicky Dance, Manager of Sense of Africa’s Botswana office, concurs that there are affordable options on offer for the more adventurous traveller that are often overlooked. But in general, she believes, the Botswana product must be appreciated for its exclusivity, high-standard hospitality establishments and excellent guiding.

Tour operators hold the view that Botswana’s stable democracy, thriving economy and welcoming population are further attractions to tourists. Additionally, the country’s conservation measures are widely upheld. For example, last year Wilderness Safaris facilitated the largest ever cross-border translocation of Black rhino – 1% of the global population – into Botswana, in partnership with the Botswana, South African and Zimbabwean governments.

Said Wilderness Safaris in a recent statement: “Botswana continues to step up its efforts in the fight against wildlife crime, with the Botswana Defence Force upgrading its Mission Statement to declare the protection of the country’s wildlife as its ‘main mission’.” Last year the country’s Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism secured budget from parliament towards the recruiting, equipping and training of a 50-man specialist rhino squad to protect Botswana’s rhino, indicating this commitment.