I have never been on a safari. I plan to visit with my wife and 10 year old daughter and also possibly my parents. I was thinking of travelling around US thanksgiving holidays and hence late November. It seems to be the beginning of the rainy season there and warm and humid. Question gets asked so why Botswana for the first time and tbh I was thinking about it cause it seemed more secluded and combined different experiences including night safari, walking safari, mokoro, etc. We were looking at 6 night safari with Lion World at Eagle Island, Savute, Khwai river. https://www.lionworldtravel.com/safa...rning-traveler

Is November to dicey and too iffy with changing weather? Will there be any birding? I assume you still get to see most of the animals.

Are there any other places you recommend around that time of the year?

Thanks a lot.

I had an excellent safari in Botswana in November last year, which coincidentally was Thanksgiving week (I am a Brit, so it's not a meaningful holiday for me). November can be excellent value, and definitely worth considering. Yes, there's a risk of rain but it is a lot less expensive than high season so the risk is worth it.

You can do much better than that itinerary though, IMO. It looks a bit expensive for what it is, and two out of the 3 camps are in pretty busy areas. There are lots of special offers around for "green season". I'd contact a proper tailor made safari planner (I use Safari Specialists in Maun for Botswana). I would look into Kwando Safaris camps on their 5 Rivers special. WIlderness Safaris used to do good specials, but they seem to have stopped them this year (or at least changed the format and they don't look as good to me anymore). But there will be others too, I'm sure.

There will definitely be birding! There is always birding in Botswana, and November is an interesting time as all the summer migrants are arriving.

Thanks a lot stokeygirl. What areas did you visit in Botswana last November?

I will reach out to both of the local operators and will keep you posted.

I went to Chitabe and Little Mombo. But they were on a bit of a last minute special offer, and I think for this year would work out considerably more expensive than the itinerary you are looking at.

We spent 3+ weeks in Botswana in November. It was wonderful. A bit of rain on the rare occasion, but nothing that kept us from going out. Cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoons. We used all Wilderness Safari camps - Tubu Tree, Savuti, Chitabe Lediba, Xigera, Vumbura Plains. The birding was outstanding as were all the other sightings.

Photos here:

www.tonna.zenfolio.com

Thanks a lot TC. Amazing pictures. You seem to have done lots and lots of safaris. You went to South Africa and Botswana safaris during the same time? How was South Africa experience?

I have only been to Botswana in the continent of South Africa. I have not been to the country of South Africa. Three safaris.....(1) East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania (2) East Africa: Southern Tanzania (3) South Africa: Botswana/Okavango Delta.