The deposit, balance and cancellation terms that local operators based in Botswana publish in their own booking terms, set side by side.
Which local safari operators in Botswana have the most flexible deposit and cancellation terms?
The 8 operators below publish a deposit or a cancellation policy; each card sets out the deposit, when the balance is due and the cancellation scale in the operator's own words, so the terms can be compared line by line.
Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table holds 245 companies with a head office in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe: the ones ChatGPT named on two or more days between 5 October and 1 November 2026 in answers to the safari questions Uncompromised Travel asks every day and the operators in those countries with 20 or more reviews on SafariBookings. Their websites were read on 2 November 2026, with their reviews on SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot. This page carries the operators in it for which a line from its own website, as read, can be quoted showing that it is based in Botswana and publishes a deposit or a cancellation policy: 8 operators. Where a website does not give its office, the office on its SafariBookings profile is used. Companies whose websites describe them as planners, agents or destination management companies, or do not say whether they run their own trips, are left out. Cards are in alphabetical order. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted. No company paid to be on this page.
Serviced mobile camping in Okavango, Moremi and Savuti
Based in
Maun, Botswana (gateway to the Okavango Delta).
How it runs trips
Private-style group trips priced by group size (2, 4, 6 or 8 pax).
Deposit
A 20% deposit secures the booking.
Parks
Okavango Delta, Moremi (Xakanaka), Khwai, Savuti, Chobe, Linyanti, Nxai Pans, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Victoria Falls day tours.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 3.1 out of 5 from 39 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Serviced camping safaris in Moremi, Khwai and Savuti
How it runs trips
Private and small group safaris plus tours with set departure dates.
Deposit
35% non-refundable deposit to confirm a booking (unless otherwise agreed in writing).
Balance due
Full amount due not less than 42 days before the safari starts; bookings within 42 days are payable in full on confirmation.
Cancellation
35% of total cost if cancelled 42 or more days before departure; 50% at 28-41 days; 75% at 14-27 days; 100% at less than 14 days. Cancellation must be in writing.
Parks
Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai Concession, Savuti, Chobe National Park and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are used on the itineraries.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 4.8 out of 5 from 90 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Private mobile camp in Botswana following the game
How it runs trips
Private only: 'With the camp and your guide to yourself' the safari is curated for your group.
Deposit
A booking deposit of 20%, which must be received before safari dates can be confirmed. The deposit is non refundable.
Balance due
Final payment due 90 days before safari departure date.
Cancellation
Booking deposit non refundable; 90 to 61 days before departure: 50% cancellation fee; 60 days to departure: 100% cancellation fee. Itinerary and costing may change for exceptional cost increases such as fuel surcharges, park fees or extreme currency fluctuations.
Payment methods
Bank wire transfer preferred; credit cards accepted with a 3% surcharge. Rates are quoted in US dollars.
Small-group mobile safaris through Botswana and Namibia
Deposit
A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm a booking.
Balance due
Final payment is due 6 weeks prior to departure.
Cancellation
If cancelled less than 6 weeks before departure: less than 41 days' notice 40% of total tour cost; less than 28 days 70%; less than 14 days 100%. Deposit non-refundable. If the company cancels, the full amount paid is refunded.
Parks
Botswana: Moremi Game Reserve (Xakanaxa, Khwai), Okavango Delta, Savuti, Chobe (floodplains and river), Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Passarge Valley, Piper Pan, Deception Valley), Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi (Baines Baobabs), Mabuasehube, Tsodilo Hills, Drotsky's/Shakawe.
Published price
2026 rates per person sharing, USD: 5 Day Luxury Delta (5 days, low and high USD 4 300); 5 Day Moremi (low USD 3 000, high USD 3 500); 7 Day Central Kalahari (low USD 4 450, high USD 4 900); 9 Day Classic (low USD 4 980, high USD 5 775); 11 Day Transfrontier Kalahari (low USD 7 200, high USD 7 700); 13 Day Botswana Explorer (low USD 6 650, high USD 7 650); 15 Day Circular (USD 8 950); 16 Day Namibian (USD 8 000, private on request); 20 Day combined (USD 10 850, private on request); combined 7 day Kalahari and 9 day Classic, 16 days (low USD 8 500, high USD 9 650).
Reviews
SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 3 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Botswana (a 'premier mobile safari company based in Botswana')
How it runs trips
Most journeys are private; also 'Fully private or small‑group departures' and 'Small Group Journeys' as shared departures.
Cancellation
Full refund if cancelled at least 30 days before the safari date; within 30 days 'a partial refund may apply depending on the circumstances' (no scale published).
Reviews
SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 38 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Participation or non-participation mobile camping for small groups
Deposit
A deposit of 35% (and where specified 50%) confirms a reservation; the terms also say the deposit is 35%-50% depending on the complexity of the itinerary, shown on the quote. Deposits are refundable within 14 days of payment if there are more than 60 days to travel.
Balance due
All reservations are to be prepaid no later than 60 days before travel unless otherwise specified; late payers may face a surcharge of up to 15% of the tour price.
Cancellation
More than 60 full days before the tour: 100% of the contracted rate refunded. 60 to 30 days: 50% refunded. 30 to 0 days: no refund. No-shows and early departures treated as 100% cancellation.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 4.9 out of 5 from 99 reviews; Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 44 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 30 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Mobile tented camping safaris with specialist guides
How it runs trips
Private safaris, exclusive to the guest, their travel partners and family.
Cancellation
The deposit is non-refundable if the booking is cancelled. If fees are paid 100%: 39 days prior to travel, 50% is forfeited; 15-21 days prior, 60% forfeited; 0-10 days prior, 100% forfeited. Bookings made within 40 days of travel require 100% payment. The scale gives no figure for 11 to 14 days or 22 to 38 days.
Payment methods
Payment by bank transfer; prices in USD.
Parks
Okavango Delta (including Xakanaxa), Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai, Savute (Chobe National Park) and the Chobe river front at Kasane.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 42 reviews; Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 8 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Expert-led mobile tented photo safaris in Botswana
Based in
Maun, Botswana (P O Box 834 Maun).
How it runs trips
Scheduled fixed departures in small groups of max 6 guests for 2027 (minimum 4 guests to run), plus customised private safaris for private groups, film crews and photo workshops.
Deposit
30% deposit due within 10 days of making the reservation; deposits are non-refundable.
Balance due
Balance due no later than 8 weeks before departure; bookings made within 8 weeks are paid in full immediately.
Cancellation
30% deposit non-refundable; more than 60 days before departure 50% of the remaining balance may be refunded; 31-59 days 25% may be refunded; 30 days or fewer no refund. Bank fees are deducted from refunds.
Payment methods
USD only: bank transfer or credit card (Visa or MasterCard), with a secure online payment link for cards; card fee 3.5%.
Parks
Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai region, Savute (Chobe National Park), Chobe Riverfront, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Nxai Pans and Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
6 of the 8 operators on this page say how they run trips (private, scheduled or overland); for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.
Bush Baby Calls: Private-style group trips priced by group size (2, 4, 6 or 8 pax).
Moonstroll Safaris: Private and small group safaris plus tours with set departure dates.
Peake Safaris: Private only: 'With the camp and your guide to yourself' the safari is curated for your group.
Reflect Africa Expedition: Most journeys are private; also 'Fully private or small‑group departures' and 'Small Group Journeys' as shared departures.
Travel Creations Botswana: Private safaris, exclusive to the guest, their travel partners and family.
Wild Focus Safaris: Scheduled fixed departures in small groups of max 6 guests for 2027 (minimum 4 guests to run), plus customised private safaris for private groups, film crews and photo workshops.
What do they say about children?
4 of the 8 operators on this page publish a child or family policy; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.
Peake Safaris: Children under 12 at time of travel: 1 child at 50% of the adult rate per two full paying guests; a second child 25% off.
Reflect Africa Expedition: Family safaris offered: 'family-friendly and can be customized to accommodate children of all ages'; kid-friendly activities and shorter drives.
Travel Creations Botswana: Family safaris are offered on several trip pages.
Wild Focus Safaris: Scheduled departures have a minimum age of 12 years; younger children are advised to book a private safari tailored to the family.
Botswana safari operator booking terms: the questions people ask
Which run private trips on your own dates?
6 of the 8 do: Bush Baby Calls, Moonstroll Safaris, Peake Safaris, Reflect Africa Expedition, Travel Creations Botswana and Wild Focus Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which run scheduled departures you can join?
3 of the 8 do: Moonstroll Safaris, Reflect Africa Expedition and Wild Focus Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which run mobile camping safaris?
All 8 run mobile camping safaris.
Which use vehicles of their own?
1 of the 8 does: Penduka Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which publish a child or family policy?
4 of the 8 do: Peake Safaris, Reflect Africa Expedition, Travel Creations Botswana and Wild Focus Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which publish a deposit?
7 of the 8 do: Bush Baby Calls, Moonstroll Safaris, Peake Safaris, Penduka Safaris, Sekanka Travel and Tours Safaris, Travel Creations Botswana and Wild Focus Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which name a tourism licence or trade association?
2 of the 8 do: Bush Baby Calls and Travel Creations Botswana. Each one's own website says so.
Which have guest reviews on SafariBookings, Google or Trustpilot?
6 of the 8 do: Bush Baby Calls, Moonstroll Safaris, Penduka Safaris, Reflect Africa Expedition, Sekanka Travel and Tours Safaris and Travel Creations Botswana. Each platform's rating and count are on the card, never added together.
Can I book these trips through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Each card has the company's own enquiry link.
How were these operators chosen?
Each one is an operator in the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table whose own website shows that it is based in Botswana and publishes a deposit or a cancellation policy. A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
How current are these facts?
Each company's website was read on 2 November 2026. Prices, departures and reviews change, so confirm them with the operator before you book.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be listed.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each operator published on its own website, read on 2 November 2026, with reviews per platform (SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot), from the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table. Operators whose websites would not open are not on this page. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company paid to appear or for its place. Prices are in the currency each company showed and were not converted. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 2 November 2026 · updated 2 November 2026
Cookie Settings
This website uses cookies
Cookie Settings
We use cookies to improve user experience. Choose what cookie categories you allow us to use. You can read more
about our Cookie Policy by clicking on Cookie Policy below.
These cookies enable strictly necessary cookies for security, language support and verification of identity.
These cookies can’t be disabled.
These cookies collect data to remember choices users make to improve and give a better
user experience. Disabling can cause some parts of the site to not work properly.
These cookies help us to understand how visitors interact with our website, help us measure and analyze traffic to improve our service.
These cookies help us to better deliver marketing content and customized ads.