With numbers strictly regulated, visitors are able to get away from crowds and enjoy one of the highest ratios of wildlife to humans anywhere. Botswana's combination of great game, uncrowded reserves, excellent small camps and the use of open vehicles for day and night game viewing is difficult to beat.

The most productive wildlife areas are all in the far north of the country - and because each region has a distinct character, a well-rounded wildlife safari should include a few days in these areas, along with a few days in the Makgdikgadi Pans or Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Take a look at a sample trip that makes the best of Botswana's wilderness, using authentic camps

The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world, this 15,000km watery wilderness in the desert has created a unique and fascinating ecosystem that is well worth exploring. The Moremi Game Reserve dominates the Okavango, surrounded by an extensive network of private concessions that offer exclusive game-viewing safaris. Sublimely photogenic, the wildlife here rarely disappoints. The centre of the delta is a labyrinth maze of reed-lined channels separating countless islands and to cruise through these soundlessly in a mokoro (dug-out canoe), sitting inches above the waterline allows you to feel part of the environment. The mammal count here is generally less than in the drier country surrounding the Delta and so ideally spend time in both "wet" and "dry" camps.

Linyati, Selinda & Kwando are situated north east of the Okavango Delta, these three concession areas are home to many elephant, buffalo, lion, wild dog, lechwe, sitatunga, hippo and giraffe. As with the private reserves around the Okavango, concessions offer more exclusive safaris that are possible in the busier national parks (Moremi and Chobe) and walking, night-drives and off-road driving are permitted.

Chobe National Park is famous for its massive herds of huge elephants, prides of lion and many buffalo - Chobe has arguably become overly-popular due to it's accessibility (particularly from the relatively nearby Victoria Falls) and this is the one place in Botswana that you could easily run in to crowds and large impersonal lodges. That said there are still some gems and areas such as Savuti that are very definitely worth considering.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are large prehistoric lakes almost entirely devoid of human habitation, all the more impressive as they cover an area the size of Portugal. The pans are now barren salt flats fringed with grasslands and isolated "islands" of palm trees and ancient baobabs. The wildlife here is both limited and ephemeral and it is more about wilderness than wildlife although spending time with a family of habituated meerkats is definitely a top wildlife-viewing experience.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is reached by a tiny number of visitors every year and offers the ultimate remote safari. Black-maned lions, plentiful cheetah and good populations of dry-land specials such as meerkats, brown hyena, caracal and oryx are among the many highlights.

Botswana long ago headed down a path of low tourist numbers and top-quality camps. The level of comfort and stratospheric oppulence at few of these places can be startling, as is the price tag, however they're also sited in some of the most game-rich areas you can find anywhere with wildlife-documentary quality interaction, particularly between predators being, witnessed with extraordinary regularity - and the level of exclusivity in terms of not seeing other vehicles is truly remarkable.

At the other end of the scale adventure is definitely alive and well on a private expeditionary mobile safari and one of the beauties of Botswana is that it is possible to combine both experiences on the same safari.

No amount of rose petals or personal butlers will make up for the smells and sounds you'll experience with a few nights under canvas in the African wild.  With a group of friends or your family this is one experience that's hard to beat.

In Botswana we use either light or luxury mobile camps to provide an unforgettable safari experience. In either case the essence is the same - the focus is on intelligent simplicity; great wildlife viewing, experienced guides and access to some of Botswana's best wildlife areas from private camp sites in the middle of nowhere. Expect great food and simple but comfortable accommodation.

Like Marmite the best experiences are probably not for everyone.  One size fits all usually means that one size doesn't fit anyone properly. So these mobile camps won't be everyone's cup of tea. But if the idea of totally private camps, gradually moving to explore a wild unspoilt area in the company of an experienced guide appeals, then think about using one of these camps for at least part of your safari in Botswana. 

In some camps, it is in fact the only way you can explore, while others offer mokoro trips as the seasonal changes in water levels allow.  As a completely different experience to your dusty game drive, it should be top of the to-do list when visiting the Okavango.

The gentle splashing of the paddles and the water moving against the hull are all you hear at first.  Then, as your senses tune in, you start to notice the call of the kingfisher balancing on a bendy reed over the channel.  The sunlight skips across the ripples and warms your back as you pause to watch a family of elephant come to drink.  This is the ultimate in peace and quiet.

Travelling by canoe through the Okavango Delta is slow by nature, and you can’t dash over to see an animal spotted in the distance.  However, you’ll find that a surprising number of birds and animals congregate around the islands, lagoons and reed beds of the Delta.  You just have to quietly glide by and keep your eyes peeled.