What are you looking for?

Zambia vs Botswana

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

When choosing between a safari in Zambia or Botswana, it’s clear that both are incredibly protected and have outstanding wildlife and national parks. Still, each is tailored to a very different style of traveler.

Botswana is possibly the best self-drive safari destination in Southern Africa, with decent connecting roads, plentiful wildlife, plenty of inexpensive campsites, and an effective bureaucracy that makes camp and national park bookings pretty simple with a bit of practice.

A Botswana Safari can also be considered one of the most luxurious safari destinations in Africa, with many first-rate luxury lodges, most especially in and around the Okavango Delta. Though a Botswana safari caters to both confident self-drive 4×4 explorers and well-heeled safari-goers, quality mid-range and more affordable luxury accommodation can be difficult to come by.

Safari-goers observe a juvenile lion, credit: Chiawa Camp | Zambia Vs Botswana
Safari-goers observe a juvenile lion, credit: Chiawa Camp | Zambia Vs Botswana

When comparing Zambia vs. Botswana in this category, a Zambia safari has much more to offer, with outstanding luxury experiences that are often half the price of comparable lodges in Botswana and private, exclusive-use houses and smaller eco-lodges that provide great value, especially for families and larger groups.

Zambia’s poorer-quality highways and more difficult-to-access wilderness areas make self-drive travelers’ lives much more difficult. Many who accept the conditions are rewarded with some of Africa’s finest nature and desert views, but self-drive visitors are few and far between.

When comparing Zambia vs. Botswana, this low-density exclusivity separates a Zambian safari as the perfect location for a luxury safari experience that won’t break the bank.

But it’s Zambia’s two ‘most unique’ attractions that are also its most famous. Both are shared along the border with Zimbabwe, and both are the biggest of their kind in the world. In full flood, Victoria Falls boasts Earth’s largest sheet of falling water, and downstream, Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made dam by volume.

Both offer superb adventurous and more sedate activities as well, from white water rafting, bungee jumping, and skydiving to canoe safaris, fishing, and houseboat cruises.

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

960 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Planning the trip with Bianca was a pleasure - she was patient and helpful and provided prompt answers to all our questions. The trip itself was remarkable, offering a wide variety of locations and experiences to make our exposure to Africa and safaris a..."

Barbara S., United States•18 Aug 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Safari Bookings review

"An outstanding safari through Discover Africa- from the organisation and attentiveness, Thanks Vihann, to the sublime wildlife viewing and stunning sunsets this was Africa as you imagine it. Okavango is stunning and pristine form the air and the camps fabul..."

Paul, United Kingdom•22 Jul 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Was just awesome, pre-service to service and after-service, just great. At the lodge, the staff had a special birthday party for my son who turned 16. The drives were awesome too...."

Priyum Koonjul, Canada•08 Jul 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We had a wonderful safari experience, and Justin from Discover Africa made everything seamless from start to finish. Communication before the trip was clear and helpful, and we felt well supported throughout. Some truly special moments including the fant..."

Tim Curtis, Netherlands•18 Feb 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I had a great trip organised by Chrizaan. Everything went very smoothly including all of the pickups, flights and accommodation. I visited Namibia and loved seeing the dunes, springboks and oryx. I also visited the Okavango Delta and saw so many anim..."

Leanne Harrison, South Africa•03 Feb 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Cayleigh planned the perfect safari for us! The safari and tour following were exactly what we wanted. Rockfig was an amazing luxury experience that allowed us to see the big 5 and so much more. Our trip with Discover Africa was worth every penny!"

Alan Kane, United States•01 Dec 2025•

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.