Lion watching on safari in incredible Botswana

Experience the watery wonderland of the Okavango Delta in Botswana and encounter herds of elephant and buffalo along the Chobe river banks while you lose yourself in our magical Botswana Safari Experience.

Chobe National Park is located in Botswana’s North West District, with the Chobe River forming the Park’s northern border. It is flanked in the south west by the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, and by the Chobe forest, which runs parallel to the Zimbabwe border in the east.

Nestled in Botswana’s lush Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest inland water systems), the Belmond Eagle Island Camp has undergone total refurbishment whilst still retaining its original features and feel. Each deluxe tented room has its own plunge pool and private deck overlooking the stunning scenery. No other lodge in Africa offers such a water-focused safari experience with activities including motorboat safaris, barge cruises and mekoro (local canoe) safaris.

Our Botswana safaris include two game drives per day, one first thing in the morning and one in the late afternoon when the animals venture out to watering holes. The Okavango Delta supports large concentrations of animals on both a permanent and seasonal basis. In addition to large animals such as bush elephant, buffalo, hippo, wildebeest, giraffe, crocodile, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino and zebra, there are over 400 species of birds and 71 recorded species of fish. We can also arrange magnificent additions such as a scenic helicopter sightseeing tour over the Delta, or indulge in a bush picnic, a traditional cooking demonstration, a specialist walking safari, stargazing or simply listen to enthralling storytelling around the campfire.

Take a charter flight out to Chobe National Park.Situated at the very heart of a wildlife reserve, Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge is authentic and truly wild: the perfect place to feel the pulse of Botswana. This lodge has just twelve luxurious rooms raised on wooden platforms with private decks that are perfect for game viewing.

Chobe National Park has an impressive 4,150 square miles of wilderness and a very varied environment resulting in a magnificent array of wildlife, particularly its elephant and buffalo populations. The grounds of the lodge are open to wildlife so you will be escorted by a guide between your tent and the main area at night. We recommend enjoying the spectacle of teh plains from the easy chairs or hammocks on your private deck.

Lions roam freely around Botswana so you’re in for numerous chances of incredible sightings on safari here! The best lion sightings in Botswana are in the Chobe National Park, and sightings in the northern Okavango Delta are also spectacular, even though lions don’t necessarily need regular water access. The lions have learnt to thrive there – mainly due to the large buffalo population.

Spotting a lion in the wild stands out as a singular, heart-thumping experience. When you realise how close you are sitting to animals so majestic and powerful, your heart will pound and your stomach will flip – but it’s fantastic! You might spot a couple lounging beneath a tree, or a mother and baby on a stroll across the plains. You may even be lucky enough to watch a lion in pursuit of its prey!

Botswana is not only about the lions though. Keep your eyes peeled for giraffes, rhinos, buffalos, elephants, leopards and hundreds of magnificent bird species. Whatever you see, it will definitely stay with you for a lifetime.