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

Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are all exceptional safari destinations in Southern Africa — but they shine in different ways. Many of our clients are trying to decide between them so we decided to show a three-way comparison between Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe for your next safari.

Botswanastands apart for the sheer diversity of its wilderness. Within one itinerary you can glide silently through Delta channels in a mokoro, track predators across the dry Savute Channel, and watch zebra migrations across the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Many lodges are beautifully designed and intimate, but the real luxury here is space. It’s a country defined by water in improbable places and wildlife moving across immense, open spaces.

Zambia feels intimate and elemental; the home of the original walking safaris. In South Luangwa, guides pause over a bent blade of grass as if it were a headline. In the Lower Zambezi, elephants wade chest-deep in the river while canoes drift past in respectful silence. The camps tend to be small and unfussy — often open to the bush, where hippos grunt through the night and the boundary between lodge and wilderness blurs.

Zimbabwe carries itself with quiet assurance, with those who know it often returning again and again. Hwange’s vast teak forests shelter enormous elephant herds. Mana Pools unfolds along the Zambezi River in painterly layers of winter light. Lake Kariba brings water-based safari into dramatic, wide-angled perspective. All underpinned by some of Africa’s most rigorous guide training – thoughtful, nuanced, and often extraordinary. There is a slightly classic feel to Zimbabwe’s safari camps; solid, welcoming, often family-owned. Less about spectacle, more about substance.

Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong. But understanding the nuances helps you find your ideal safari destination.

Why these three countries often compete for your attention: the similarities

When people start planning a safari in Southern Africa, they often end up comparing Botswana vs Zambia, Botswana vs Zimbabwe, or even Zambia vs Zimbabwe.

So before I focus on the differences, let’s briefly mention why they are comparable.

• Broadly the same climate – sub-tropical, with summer rainfall and a dry, sunny winter. This is the peak safari season, between June/July and October
• Same dramatic increase in heat in October
• All priced in US dollars
• All offer exceptional game-viewing
• A richer mix of safari activities than in either South Africa or East Africa (with game drives, bush walks, boating, fishing, canoeing or mokoros, and sometimes even horse-riding on offer,)
• All have easy access to Victoria Falls to add to the start or end of your safari
• Nearly all nights are on safari and so they’re “fully inclusive” of all meals, safari activities and common soft and alcohol drinks

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

So how do you choose?

The Differences

This chart shows my, somewhat subjective, comparison between Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

	Botswana	Zambia	Zimbabwe
Price	$$$$ (most expensive	$$$ (mid to upper)	$$$ (mid)
Getting there & Internal Travel	2 – Excellent access, mainly flights	3 – Flights only	1- Excellent access, Road & Flights
Terrain	1 – Beautiful & very varied	1-2 – Beautiful & varied	1-2 – Beautiful & varied
Guiding	2 – Superb	1-2 – Excellent	1 – Outstanding
Walking Safaris	3 – Varies by camp	1 – Exceptional, Multi-day options	1 – Exceptional
Wildlife Variety	1 – Diverse, special species	1-2 – Abundant	1-2 – Abundant, Rhino in southern Hwange
Insects	2 – Especially Summer	3 – Some Tsetse flies	2 – Especially Summer
Best For	Privacy Luxury Delta Scenery	Walking safaris Privacy Adventurous travellers	Walking safaris Great guiding Slightly more affordable

Botswana vs Zambia: The High-End Classic vs the Wild Heart

Botswana is synonymous with ultra-low density and beautifully positioned, quietly refined safari camps. The Okavango Delta, Savute and Linyanti are breathtaking. And the pricing reflects this.

• Expect exclusive camps, expert guiding, and a seasonal mix of land and water-based activities via boat or mokoro excursions through the glittering waterways.
• Distances are relatively small with camps are accessible by light aircraft into nearby airstrips, or even helicopters, creating seamless itineraries.

Zambia, by contrast, feels wilder and more intimate.

• It’s the birthplace of the walking safari, with guides who make every track, print, and sound come alive.
• Camps tend to be rustic-chic rather than opulent, giving that “Africa as it once was” atmosphere.
• Though the South Luangwa & Kafue offers mainly game drives and walks, the Lower Zambezi offers the same water and land mix of safari activities (as does Mana Pools in Zimbabwe)
• Flights between the parks can add cost, but even the smartest camp don’t reach Botswana’s peak prices.  
• Zambia is for travellers who value depth over gloss and are happiest when the bush feels close enough to touch.

Verdict: Choose Botswana if you value seamless luxury; choose Zambia if you crave earthy authenticity and expert-led walking safaris.

Botswana vs Zimbabwe: Polished Exclusivity vs Understated Character

Botswana shines for pristine ecosystems and the chance to see wildlife from water, land and sky. It’s the go-to for travellers seeking exclusivity. But nightly rates start around US$900–1,200 pp in peak season.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta remains one of the most distinctive safari ecosystems in Africa — and a key reason many travellers comparing Botswana vs Zambia safaris ultimately choose it.

Zimbabwe often surprises guests with its quality of its safaris.

• Guiding is world-class, thanks to some of the toughest training in Africa.
• Hwange National Park is often rated as one of the best parks for game-viewing. Whilst Mana Pools, and the Matusadona on Lake Kariba combine incredible wildlife with fewer crowds.
• Road access and regional air routes keep costs lower, and you can blend safari with time in more affordable options in Victoria Falls.

Verdict: For high-end privacy, Botswana leads. For expert guiding, scenic variety, and better value, Zimbabwe often wins hearts.

Zambia vs Zimbabwe: Wild Encounters vs Authentic Safari Hospitality

Comparing Zambia vs Zimbabwe tends to be a little trickier with a similar price point, wildlife terrain and climate. It often comes down to style and guiding philosophy rather than wildlife itself.

• Zambia’s South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi offer superb walking safaris and river-based adventures.
• Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools and Hwange are equally rewarding but ever so slightly easier to combine logistically with Victoria Falls.
• Broadly speaking Zimbabwe offers more classic safari camps whilst Zambia tends to have more tented bush camps (but both have a mix).

Verdict: Zambia is slightly more “out there” and adventurous; Zimbabwe blends wild beauty with a little more infrastructure and exceptional guiding.

Lets dive in a little deeper:

Price – Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe

None of these are inexpensive safari destinations. (Actually that doesn’t really exist.) Botswana is the most expensive safari destination in Africa (on average), with very few lodges that can be called ”affordable”. Its safari season also now includes June (which used to be a shoulder season month)

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 broadly similar in price to Zambia. But you have the option of road transfers between Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Park and also Hwange National Park (however it’s at least 3 hours) which can help reduce the cost. Plus many more boutique guesthouses to stay in Victoria Falls town on the Zimbabwe side.

Climate, Seasons & Best Times to Go

All three countries share a dry winter season (May–October) when wildlife & game-viewing is at its best.

But some camps and parks are effectively closed/off limits due to summer flooding (Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, plus Lower Zambezi, Busanga Plains of Kafue and parts of the South Luangwa in Zambia).

Zambia and Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) are hottest in October: great for predator sightings but very warm for comfort.

The Okavango Delta, the Central Kalahari and Makgadigadi all in Botswana can get surprisingly cold on mid-winter nights (June and July). As can Hwange National Park in Zim.

Green Season (Nov–March) brings lush beauty, migratory birds, slightly tougher game-viewing but also much lower prices.

Ease of Getting There & Getting Around

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. Though there is an Airlink regional flight from the Kruger National Park into Livingstone (for Victoria Falls) and also now a Cape Town to Lusaka flight.

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 as an alternative. 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.

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, Sitatunga and Red lechwe.

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

But then Zambia is then a close third after that! Its excellent game reserves are predominantly savanna plains and woodland rivers in South Luangwa and Kafue, though the very scenic Lower Zambezi offers a similar terrain to the Mana Pools on the northern banks of the Zambezi River.

The less accessible Liuwa Plains stands apart for its dramatic second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa, unfolding across wide, treeless grasslands that feel worlds away from Zambia’s more wooded riverine parks. See more on African Parks in Liuwa Plains

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 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.

Insect Life

All are malaria areas, so precautions are essential. But there’s greater mosquito activity in Zambia and the riverine parts of Zimbabwe than in Botswana, with its lower population density.

All are hot and humid in summer and so bugs will be a fact of life on a summer safari.

Tetsi flies are a factor in parts of South Luangwa and Kafue in Zambia. These are harmless in the long run. But some people (yours truly) are quite allergic to the bites with a rash for a few days. Not a huge thing but worth factoring in.

Security

All three are considered safe safari destinations, so no real differences there.

Zimbabwe’s economic challenges don’t affect the main safari areas, which remain peaceful and well-run.

Botswana is politically and economically stable.

Zambia is welcoming and friendly with a calm political climate.

How to Choose the Right Country for You?

If you only know of one of these countries, my aim was to introduce you to its close alternatives. And to show that – if you have already been to one – they’re sufficiently different to plan a second safari visit to one of the others.

Ask yourself:

1. Do I prioritise exclusivity or authenticity?
   • Go for Botswana for polished comfort, or Zambia/Zimbabwe for immersive connection.
2. How important is walking or adventure?
   • Zambia and Zimbabwe lead the way here. (Though there are options in Botswana)

My own take? Having travelled several times through all three countries, I genuinely love them all. But if I’m honest, my heart is a little more engaged in Zimbabwe and Zambia:  there’s something about their guiding heritage, their walking safari traditions and slightly wilder feel that’s particularly special to me.

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

Three Iconic Countries. One Personalised Safari

Our team has visited every park mentioned here: from canoeing in the Lower Zambezi, walking up to wild dog in Hwange, or enjoying Botswana’s shimmering Okavango delta by mokoro.

1. Tell us what you love — whether you crave remote wilderness, water-based wonder, or walking immersion.
2. We’ll match you to the right safari itinerary lodges – across Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe; many personally visited by our team
3. Set off with confidence — travelling with Cedarberg Africa means expert planning, genuine experience, and local support throughout. We are with you from the first chat to the final campfire.

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“Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe” was written by Kate of Safari Specialists Cedarberg Africa

Kate co-founded Cedarberg Africa in 1995 with her sister Ginny and has lived in South Africa for over 30 years. She has travelled extensively through Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe; returning many times to revisit camps and compare experiences first-hand. Her knowledge helps clients understand the subtle differences that turn a great safari into the right safari. When she’s not out exploring, she’s hiking in the Cederberg Mountains or on the Whale Coast and dreaming up her next African journey.

Cedarberg Africa is a specialist tour operator for Southern and East Africa. We focus on upmarket tailormade safaris for discerning and inquiring people. We can chat to you about a possible trip from personal experience, weighing up the differences between Botswana vs Zambia vs Zimbabwe comparison, to plan a trip that is just right for you.

Contact us if you’d like to start planning a safari with us!