“Ensuring a safe, respectful, and unforgettable safari experience for everyone.”
RESPONSIBLE WILDERNESS TRAVEL
Guidelines for an Authentic & Safe Botswana Safari
Botswana is renowned globally for its low-impact, high-conservation ecotourism philosophy. When you travel with Metu Adventures, you enter unfenced, authentic wilderness areas governed by the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). Adhering to these regulations protects our precious wildlife, preserves untouched habitats, and guarantees your personal safety.
1. General Conduct
Our safaris visit delicate ecosystems and remote wild tracts. Courteous, eco-conscious behavior is required from all travelers at all times.
Follow Guide Instructions: Always listen to and abide by directions given by your licensed professional safari guide.
Mutual Respect: Treat fellow travelers, camp staff, trackers, and local community members with kindness and respect.
Low Noise Levels: Keep noise to an absolute minimum, particularly around waterholes, animal sightings, and evening camps.
Zero Littering: Discarding rubbish of any kind is strictly forbidden. All trash must be placed in vehicle bins or packed out.
Leave No Trace: Botswana's wilderness is untouched. Take only memories and leave only gentle footprints.
2. Safety Regulations
Guest well-being is our utmost operational priority during game drives, boat cruises, mokoro trails, and transfers.
Stay Inside the Vehicle / Boat: Never disembark from a safari vehicle or vessel unless explicitly authorized by your guide.
No Standing During Encounters: Remain seated while observing dangerous game (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos).
Body Inside Silhouette: Keep hands, arms, heads, and camera lenses inside the vehicle silhouette to avoid breaking animal perceptions.
Life Jackets: Department of Water Affairs-approved life jackets must be worn on boat cruises and mokoro excursions when instructed.
Camp Pathway Protocol: Stick strictly to designated camp paths. Always use a flashlight/torch when moving around after dark.
3. Wildlife Interaction
Wild animals in Botswana roam entirely without boundary fences. Maintaining respectful physical boundaries is vital for animal welfare and human safety.
Never Feed Wildlife: Feeding animals is strictly illegal. It induces human-wildlife conflict and aggressive scavengers.
Respectful Viewing Distance: Your guide strictly observes park minimum distance rules to prevent disrupting feeding or breeding.
No Drones or Flash: Drones and flash photography are illegal in Botswana national parks without explicit written DWNP permits.
Do Not Provoke Animals: Shouting, whistling, banging vehicle panels, or clapping to make animals move is strictly prohibited.
Nocturnal Spotlighting: Night spotlighting uses diffused red/amber filters and must never be aimed directly into animal eyes.
4. Vehicle & Equipment
Our open 4x4 Land Cruisers and aluminum safari boats are purpose-built for rugged wilderness performance and maximum comfort.
Seat Belts on Public Roads: Seat belts must be fastened during higher-speed highway transit sections between parks.
Secure Heavy Equipment: Telephoto lenses, heavy camera bodies, and tripods must be stored securely in seat pouches or floor bags.
No Climbing on Vehicle Superstructure: Guests may not climb onto roll bars, bull bars, roof racks, or vehicle hoods.
Report Equipment Faults: If a seat fitting, charging port, or shade canopy requires attention, inform your driver-guide promptly.
Device Charging & Camp Lighting: Device charging is available directly in the safari vehicle during game drives and transit. Mobile camps are lit with traditional safari lamps and lanterns.
5. Camp Regulations
Unfenced mobile safari camps offer an unforgettable communion with nature, requiring simple, common-sense camp precautions.
Nighttime Escorts: Never leave your tent or walk beyond camp light lines unescorted between sunset and sunrise.
Keep Tents Fully Zipped: Both the insect mesh and heavy canvas flaps must be fully zipped shut whenever entering or exiting.
No Food in Tents: Under no circumstances may food, fruit, or sweet confectionery be stored inside guest sleeping tents.
Designated Smoking Zones: Smoking is strictly forbidden inside tents or vehicles and allowed only at the central campfire zone.
Mindful Water Use: Hot bush showers and eco-toilets are replenished on demand; please conserve water in arid reserves.
6. Booking & Cancellation
Clear, transparent reservation guidelines ensure your permits, private campsites, and wilderness logistics are secured without delays.
Deposit Requirement: A deposit is required upon reservation confirmation to secure statutory DWNP permits and campsites.
Park Fee Terms: Government concession and national park fees are payable according to statutory non-refundable terms.
Cancellation Schedule: Advance cancellations qualify for partial refunds according to our confirmed quotation agreement.
Balance Settlement: Tour balances must be settled in full prior to safari departure, or immediately for last-minute bookings.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance: All travelers are strongly required to hold personal travel, cancellation, and baggage insurance.
7. Medical & Emergency
Rigorous emergency protocols and wilderness first-aid certifications protect you across every expedition route.
Medical Disclosure: Please notify Metu Adventures of any pre-existing health conditions, severe allergies, or dietary needs.
Malaria Precautions: Northern Botswana (Chobe, Okavango Delta, Moremi) is a malaria zone; consult your physician regarding prophylaxis.
Certified Wilderness First Aid: All lead guides hold accredited wilderness first-responder certifications and carry fully stocked medical kits.
Emergency Air Evacuation: Dedicated medical evacuation cover (such as Okavango Air Rescue / Medevac) is strongly advised for all wilderness safaris.
Satellite Communications: Satellite telephones and long-range VHF radios are maintained on all remote mobile camping safaris.
Have Questions About Safari Regulations?
Our team in Kasane and Maun is on standby 24/7 to answer your questions, clarify park rules, or customize your Botswana safari.
