I went to Botswana for the first time last November — my first time in Africa altogether — and it’s safe to say I’m hooked. Chobe first, for the elephants and the river, then into the Okavango Delta for Sandibe and Xaranna, then Belmond Eagle Island Lodge on the water. I’m going back this November (Yes, it’s that incredible that I’m going back!) for the Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge before continuing to Kenya.

Planning a Botswana Safari involves many moving parts; it’s not as simple because of the logistics and transportation. So this piece is the version of the conversation I have with almost every client before they book Botswana — the questions that come up every single time, answered the way I’d actually answer them based on my experience.