Your safari activities are often geared around dawn and dusk, the optimum time of day for game sightings and also the coolest time. This means that the heat of the day is usually at your leisure to relax and siesta back in camp.
Of course every lodge has a slightly different routine best suited to its activities on offer and whether it is located inside a National Park, but the below timeline can be used as a guideline on the type of routine to expect while on safari in Botswana.
05:00 – 6:30 am
Dependent on the time of year (determining sunrise and the weather/temperature) your wake up time will vary but usually takes place between 5:00 am and 06:30 am. Many camps and lodges offer hot tea and coffee in your room to help start your day. This early wake up might not feel like your idea of a holiday at the time…but trust us that these early morning activities are often the setting for your most thrilling wildlife sightings!
30 minutes later
Meet in the communal area with other guests for a light breakfast, usually consisting of cereals, yoghurts and rusks before heading out on safari.
07:00 am – 10:30 am
Morning safari activity, and the perfect time of day for game viewing as predators are active and it is not yet too hot. The light at this time of day is also beautiful, making for some perfect photograph opportunities.
10:30 am
Return to camp and have some time at leisure, perhaps freshen up or have a cold drink while excitedly remembering the morning’s adventures.
10:30 – 11:00 am
Brunch / Lunch is served, often consisting of either a full cooked breakfast or a cold lunch with side salads and bread.
12:00 – 15:30
Siesta. During the heat of the day, this is the perfect time to unwind, catch up on sleep, read a book or just take in the beautiful vistas.
15:30
Afternoon tea is a safari tradition in Botswana! Enjoy hot chocolate, tea and coffee or a cold drink alternative, with delicious cake. Some lodges put on an extravagant selection of both savoury and sweet options.
16:00 – 18:30/19:00
Head out on your afternoon activity. Again this is the perfect time of the day to see wildlife as the temperature has now cooled so the wildlife are more active.
If the lodge you are staying at is in a National Park then you will return to camp before sunset due to the restrictions in place. But if you are staying in a private concession then you can enjoy bush sundowners before night driving back to camp with a spotlight, on the lookout for nocturnal species.
19:00/19:30
Dinner is served back at camp after a busy day on safari. Finally, retire to your room before a restful sleep and a new day begins with new memories to be made.