Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe – which safari destination is best?

Many of our clients are deciding between these three world class safari destinations in Southern Africa. So we thought it would be useful to show a three-way comparison between Botswana versus Zambia versus Zimbabwe for your safari. This is part of our occasional series when we compare one safari region or country to a “competing” one. (In terms of competing for your attention, and ultimately your tourism spend.) These countries have a lot in common for visitors. And so it is sometimes tricky for people to identify which one they are most interested in.

So it tends to be a case that the strongest brand (usually Botswana) that gets the lion’s share.

The Similarities

So before I focus on the differences between Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe, let’s briefly mention why they are comparable.

• Broadly the same climate – sub-tropical, with summer rainfall and a dry winter.
• Same peak safari season, basically being the dry and warm ‘winter’ season peaking between July to October
• Same extreme heat in October
• All priced in US dollars
• All offer excellent game-viewing
• A broader range of safari activities on offer than in either South Africa or East Africa (with game drives, bush walks, boating, fishing, canoeing or mokoros, sometimes even horse-riding on offer)
• All have easy access to Victoria Falls to add to the start, or end, of your safari holiday
• Nearly all nights are on safari and so “fully inclusive” of all meals, safari activities and a wide selection of soft and alcohol drinks

With all the above in common, no wonder it’s difficult to tell your Linyanti from your Lower Zambezi or your South Luangwa from your Savute…

Now to the Differences

This chart shows my ‘quick and dirty’ comparison between Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe – which naturally is somewhat subjective.

	Botswana	Zambia	Zimbabwe
Price	3	2	1
Ease of Travelling & Getting there	2	3	1
Terrain	1	1	1-2
Guiding	2	2	1
Walking Safaris	3	1	1-2
Climate	1-2	2	2
Insects	2	3	2
Security	1	2	2

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Now let me explain my reasoning:

Price – Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe

None of these are inexpensive safari destinations. (Actually that doesn’t really exist.) But some are definitely more expensive than others. Botswana is the most expensive safari destination in Africa (on average), with very little that can be called ”affordable”. See our blog on the cost of a Botswana safari for what to expect.

Zambian camps tend to be less expensive. But the cost of the charter flights does tend to add to the overall cost.

Zimbabwe is the least expensive, even when using charter flights. And you have the option of road transfers between Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park and Hwange which can help to bring down the cost. Plus plenty of inexpensive places to stay in Victoria Falls town.

Ease of travelling

Both Botswana and Zimbabwe are well-connected to South Africa. Victoria Falls has direct flights from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger and Nairobi. Plus good connections into Harare. Botswana has direct flight from Cape Town to Maun, and from Johannesburg to Maun and Kasane.

Zambia – as a whole – is less well-connected. The exception is the Airlink regional flight from the Kruger into Livingstone.

Once in the countries, Zimbabwe can be accessed by road and scheduled charter flights. Botswana is mainly scheduled charter flights but the distances are small enough to allow mobile safaris. Zambia is an exclusively fly-in destination only, as the roads are shocking.

Terrain and Specific animals

Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe all have several game reserves which offer both beautiful and varied terrain. Which naturally leads to an enjoyable safari experience. Botswana has to be the most diverse, with the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, Linyanti Swamps, Chobe and the Makgadikgadi Pans. And we haven’t even factored in Mashatu Game Reserve (Tuli Block) in the far south. The unique landscape of the Okavango Delta does offer some unique antelope species not easily seen elsewhere such as Tessebe and Lechwe.

Zimbabwe comes a close second, with Mana Pools on the Zambezi River, Lake Kariba, Hwange and Matobo all offering very different landscapes. Plus the delights of Victoria Falls thrown in…

Zambia’s excellent reserves are predominantly savanna plains and woodland, though the very scenic Lower Zambezi is on the northern banks of the Zambezi River.

Guiding

All Southern African guides tend to be well-trained with a focus on the guiding aspect, rather than simply driving from sighting to sighting (as can be the case with some East African camps).

However Zimbabwe, with its very strict guide exams, still has an edge here. Their speciality being approaching big game on foot.

Walking Safaris

Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe all offer walking safaris. But these are much more prevalent and encouraged in both Zimbabwe and Zambia. In my experience the guides are more comfortable taking their clients closer to the wildlife as well. This will suit some people. But may be too much for people who are more fearful.

Overall it is a much wilder experience in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Climate – Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe

This is a tricky one to judge as one man’s perfect climate is another man’s hell. All broadly share the same climate. But Zambia (and the Mana Pools of Zimbabwe) seems to get the most heat in October. But the plus side is that it rarely gets cold in the winter evenings. Whereas Hwange in Zimbabwe and the Kalahari in Botswana can get positively nippy in the dry winter months of June to August!

Insects

All are hot and humid in summer and so bugs will always be a fact of life on a safari then. There is greater mosquito activity in Zambia and the riverine parts of Zimbabwe than in Botswana, with its lower population density.

Tetse flies are also a factor in parts of South Luangwa in Zambia. These are harmless in the long run but some people (including me) are quite allergic to the bites with a definite rash for a few days. Not a big thing but worth considering if you know you are affected.

Security

There are no big security issues with any of these countries. Botswana has been a stable, relatively successful economy for several decades. In contrast Zimbabwe has had a chequered history in the last two decades and is still struggling economically. But this doesnt impact on the safari regions.

Conclusion: Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe head to head

As you can see, between Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, there is no one country that wins out. Which one will suit you best depends on what you value most.

My aim was to bring to your attention that if you are considering Botswana, then you may like to look at Zambia and Zimbabwe as well.

But if you have already been to one country, they are sufficiently different to plan a second safari visit to one of the others.

Other Comparison Articles:

Stellenbosch versus Franschhoek

Knysna versus Plettenberg Bay

Timbavati versus Sabi Sands

Livingstone (Zambia) versus Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

East Africa versus Southern Africa

Uganda versus Rwanda for gorilla tracking

This “Botswana versus Zambia versus Zimbabwe” article was written by Safari Specialists Cedarberg Africa

Cedarberg Africa is a specialist tour operator for Southern and East Africa. We focus on upmarket tailormade safaris for discerning and inquiring people. We have visited all three of these destinations several times, so we can chat to you about a possible trip from personal experience, weighing up the different options, to plan a trip that is just right for you.

Contact us if you would like to starting planning a safari with us!