On my first trip to Botswana, I did a guided walking safari with David Foot Safaris. I explored the African bush on foot and camped under the stars. A walking safari in Botswana is the ultimate adventure, where the only thing between you and the wildlife is your camera!

The Ultimate Botswana Travel Guide

David Foot Safaris also offers 4×4 and horse safaris in Botswana. Plus, they can plan a private safari for you anywhere in southern and east Africa! So this company can be a one-stop-shop for all your safari needs.

Here’s what you need to know for a walking safari in Botswana!

About David Foot Safaris

David Foot Safaris is locally owned and operated by David and his family. So you’ll be speaking and emailing directly with “The Feet” family, who will go above and beyond to ensure your experience is personal and authentic.

Born and raised in Africa, David is an expert guide who has worked all over east and southern Africa. David will oversee your trip from start to finish and make sure your safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

David shared his knowledge, insights, and expertise with my group on our journey together. He taught me more about Africa’s history, culture, and wildlife in three days than I’d learned in my entire life.

I will ABSOLUTELY be using David Food Safaris again!

Botswana Safaris

David Food Safaris offers three types of trips in Botswana.

1. Walking Safari in the Okavango Delta. You’ll spend three nights camping in the African bush. There’s no set itinerary, and the camp’s location depends on water levels and wildlife movements. You can also opt for a private walking safari if you want to spend more than three nights with David.

2. Horse Safari. Beginners and expert riders can opt for a riding safari through the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, or along the Thamalakane River. You can also combine these areas on a longer “Desert & Delta” trip.

3. 4×4 Mobile Safari. On this private, tailor-made safari, David will escort you through different parts of the country, and you’ll camp along the way. This safari can combine walking, boating, and game drives.

Private Safaris

While David Foot Safaris is based in Botswana, they can plan and guide you through other countries. David has visited all the major national parks of east and southern Africa and many lesser-known areas, so he knows where the real gems are!

David will create a personalized, custom safari itinerary with you, and his team will take care of your entire trip from start to finish.

Where You’ll Stay

On my walking safari, I slept in a private walk-in tent with a comfortable cot and bedding. Our mobile camp included bucket showers, a campfire circle, a dining pavilion, outhouses, and an open bar that never closes.

The camp staff was INCREDIBLE, and the traditional meals they prepared for us were delicious. Your walking safari is all-inclusive, but please tip your guide and camp staff!

This will be your accommodation on a 4×4 mobile safari. Some riding safaris also use this type of accommodation, while some riding itineraries include staying a safari lodges.

If you book a private safari, you can choose a range of accommodations – from camping in the bush to enjoying the most luxurious safari lodges in Africa. So there are options for every budget and preference.

Planning an Ethical Safari

Like all African safari destinations, Botswana is a fragile ecosystem of local populations and endangered wildlife. So you need to plan an ethical trip to Botswana.

How To Have an Ethical African Safari

Using David Foot Safaris is one of the best ways to have a responsible safari experience. They’ll ensure you use local guides and operators, stay in environmentally-friendly accommodations, and only have ethical animal encounters.

What To Pack

Less is more when you’re packing for a safari, so be selective and strategic. But also remember that when you’re on safari, you can’t just go to a shopping center if you forget something. Some safari lodges have stores, but they will be for souvenirs, not travel items you might have forgotten.

Pro Tips: Choose comfort above all else! If you are taking a bush flight, there will be strict limitations on the size and type of bag you can bring, so double-check these requirements. Stick with neutral colors and avoid dark colors because they’ll attract flies and make you very visible to wildlife. If you’re on a walking or riding safari, avoid white clothes because they’ll get VERY dirty VERY quickly and make you stand out for wildlife.

Here’s my safari packing list:

1-2 Sun hats. Make sure they have a neck strap to keep them from blowing away and that they’re not a heavy material that will make you sweat.

Light scarf to protect your neck from the sun, cover your face when it’s dusty, and cushion your neck from a camera strap.

Sunglasses.

Binoculars. Most lodges won’t have enough extras for every guest.

Socks & Underwear. Bring more than you think you’ll need. You get dirty and sweaty on safari, so you’ll want to constantly change your socks and undies to feel fresh and clean. Many safari lodges have laundry services, but they usually won’t wash underwear for cultural reasons.

Sports Bras. Bring the most supportive sports bras you own. Game drives are VERY bumpy, so you want to bring bras that will give you the comfort and support you’ll need.

You’ll want layers in the mornings and evenings that you can take off when it gets warmer in the afternoons.

2-3 Cargo Pants.

2-3 Layering T-Shirts.

1-2 Long Sleeve Shirts.

Cargo Jacket.

Beanie & Gloves.

1-2 Pairs of Shorts.

Fleece Jacket.

Comfy Pants – a pair of leggings or sweatpants.

Dinner Dress & Cardigan.

Romper, Midi, or Tunic Dress. These are great for looking nicer in the evenings or layering with a cargo jacket and boots for a game drive.

Swimsuit and Kimono or Cover-Up.

Boots. You will wear boots 95% of the time on your safari, and you don’t want to use up luggage space with more than one pair. So bring your comfiest most broken-in pair of boots, and wear them on the plane to save packing space. If you buy new boots for your safari, get them at least a couple of months before your trip to have plenty of time to break them in.

Portable Charger & Spare Batters. You don’t want your phone, GoPro, or Camera to die on you when you’re out looking for wildlife.

Reusable Water Bottle.

Camera Bag.

Backpack.

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This article about a walking safari in Botswana is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post about a walking safari in Botswana are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about a walking safari in Botswana are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this article about a walking safari in Botswana.