Expeditions · Safari Duel · 2026
Wilderness vs Great Plains: which Botswana safari wins?
Two of the finest names in the Okavango — one built on concession scale and its own airline, the other on hard-edged conservation and low-density exclusivity. Here's the 10-second answer.
By Richard Jasinski · Updated July 2026 · Rates are indicative 2026, per person per night
The verdict, in one line
Wilderness wins on choice, scale and value — the widest range of camps and price points, plus its own flights. Great Plains wins on conservation pedigree and photographer-grade exclusivity, at a higher floor.
Choose Wilderness if…
- You want the widest choice and a real range of price points, from ~$800 to flagship Mombo
- Botswana concession scale matters — ~2 million hectares, the largest private footprint
- Seamless internal flights (Wilderness Air runs its own fleet)
- It's a first big safari and you want options
Choose Great Plains if…
- Conservation pedigree is the point — Rhinos Without Borders moved 87 rhinos to Botswana
- You're a photographer chasing low vehicle counts and big cats
- You want opulent, small, few-guest camps and budget isn't the constraint
- Duba Plains, Zarafa and Selinda are on your list
Both operators, priced right now
Real per-person prices from the current catalogue — compare camps and enquire on either.
Quick answers
Is Wilderness or Great Plains cheaper?
Wilderness, at the entry end — its range starts around $800 per person per night at the Adventures tier, where Great Plains sits higher, roughly $1,500 and up. At the flagship end the two converge, with Wilderness's Mombo reaching Great Plains territory.
Which is better for photographers?
Great Plains — it was founded by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and its camps are built around low vehicle density and big-cat access. Wilderness is also excellent and adds photographic hides near several Botswana camps.
Which has the stronger conservation record?
Both are serious. Great Plains co-founded Rhinos Without Borders, which translocated 87 rhinos from South Africa to Botswana. Wilderness protects roughly 6 million acres and runs the Wilderness Wildlife Trust across its whole footprint.
Can I combine both in one trip?
Yes — they hold different concessions, so a Botswana itinerary can pair a Wilderness camp with a Great Plains one. A specialist coordinates the inter-camp flights.
Which is better for a first safari?
Wilderness, usually — the breadth of camps and price points makes it easier to build a first trip, and its own airline smooths the logistics.
Does either own its lodges?
Both operate on long-term private concessions rather than owning the land outright — the arrangement that allows off-road and night driving national parks forbid.
Disclosure. Some links are affiliate links; Uncompromised Travel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rates are indicative 2026 ranges, per person per night — confirm at booking. Verdicts are independent of commercial relationships.