Botswana is one of the hidden gems of the African continent, a true paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. Its vast Kalahari Desert offers a serene landscape that is unlike anything else in the world, while also providing many opportunities to come face-to-face with exotic animals such as wild dogs and rhinos.
Also located in Botswana is the spectacular Okavango Delta, an immense area of swamps and lagoons where hippos, elephants, lions, zebras, and more can all be spotted. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous safari or just taking some time to appreciate its natural beauty, Botswana has something for everyone.
For those wanting to embark on an unforgettable journey into natural splendor, In this blog post, I share with you some of the best places to visit in Botswana.
What The Best Places to See in Botswana?
Here are ten recommended places to visit in Botswana to help you plan your travels:
1. Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a major highlight of any trip to Africa. Found in the Kalahari Desert, this world’s largest inland delta covers around 20,000 sq km (7700 sq miles) and is filled with vibrant wildlife, including the Big Five- lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards. The delta’s shallow waterways can be navigated in traditional mokoro, (a canoe steered by Botswanan gondoliers that have been navigating them for generations).
Gazing into the shimmering landscape as you float along quietly, there is so much to discover, from dainty jacana birds perched on lily pads; majestic splashing elephants taking a dip; to endangered wild dogs hunting through the reed maze. This wetwater wilderness provides an unforgettable experience of exploring in its Amazon-like habitats teeming with life.
Accommodation at the Okavango Delta follows Botswana’s exclusive high-end model with beautiful lodges dotted on most islands offering tranquil views of this special ecosystem and its inhabitants. Above all it’s the wildlife watching that really makes one’s experience unique here –from boat rides to guided walks – each activity allows for a new perspective and adventure to be had.
2. Moremi Game Reserve
Bordering the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is an area of incredible natural beauty and abundant wildlife, yet it’s often overlooked thanks to Botswana’s larger game reserves. Here you can explore mopane woodland, dry savannahs and a range of seasonal floodplains while scanning for wildlife from lion prides feasting in open plains to sneaky-camouflaged leopards sleeping in trees. Chief’s Island is considered a highlight here with its grazing herds of red lechwe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and of course the prides of big cats which have made Moremi their home.
Whilst there are numerous luxurious lodges available for the glamorous travellers amongst us, Moremi also has plenty of community-run campsites dotted across its grounds should you choose to ‘rough it’. To truly experience life here however one should take a guided tour and explore all that this reserve has to offer – towering palms with dazzling birds singing overhead, reed-fringed lagoons swarming with hippo families and formidable crocodiles lurking below the surface; nature walks so peaceful you may hear nothing but your own breath… Truly this reserve is not one to miss.
3. Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park in Botswana is one of Africa’s top national parks and offers an amazing safari experience for budget-minded travelers. Located in the northeastern corner of the park and easily accessible from Kasane by road, visitors can take advantage of the array of accommodations to suit all budgets including gas stations and grocery stores. Chobe offers a diversity of wildlife including elephants, big cats, buffalo, giraffe and zebra which make it ideal for first time safari-goers. Additionally, tours are available along the banks of Chobe River with incredible views from sunset cruises where you can witness a vast amount of wildlife interacting around the watering hole.
For those wanting to venture off from the beaten path, head southwest towards Savuti Channel where lions prides frequently roam. This area has recently received water making it more attractive to animals that are coming back to graze grasslands near this long-dry river channel. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous drive through 4WD or just simply want to observe nature in its most beautiful habitat; Chobe National Park has something for everyone at an economical cost making this safari unforgettable.
4. Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana is an incredibly special desertscape which offers an unforgettable experience. Covered by the world’s largest network of salt pans, this stark landscape is primarily composed of white dust and soil – a striking contrast to the palm-fringed lagoons, grassy savannahs and dense bushveld found elsewhere in the country. Although its desolate terrain may appear almost lifeless at times, it is this very environment that provides some of Africa’s best stargazing experiences; thanks to zero light pollution, visitors can marvel at the night sky’s captivating display of stars.
Visitors to Makgadikgadi have plenty to explore too. In the dry season (April to September), horseback rides or quad biking tours let you explore the panorama’s remote corners while tracking big game like zebra, wildebeest, lion, cheetah and hyena along the Boteti River westwards. There is also plenty for avian enthusiasts. Thousands of flamingos flock each year to Sua Pan where visitors commonly encounter friendly gangs of meerkats roaming aboveground. So if you’re looking for somewhere out-of-this-world to visit, Makgadikgadi Pans is the ideal destination.
5. Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is the perfect destination for those looking for a truly unique safari. Covering an area the size of France and stretching across Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, this semi-arid expanse is home to an array of desert wildlife; including meerkats, cheetahs, wildebeest, and giraffes.
What makes the Kalahari Desert unique for visiting is its varied landscapes – from rolling red sand dunes to vast dry salt pans – and the wide range of activities available. You can explore these majestic scenes on a 4×4 safari or take a guided tour on foot through the desert to learn about its traditional inhabitants and history. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not take part in a Kalahari horseback safari?
Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable safari adventure or just want to get away from it all, the Kalahari Desert is the perfect destination for your trip to Botswana in 2024.
6. Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Kalahari Desert is the perfect destination for those looking for a truly unique safari. Covering an area the size of France and stretching across Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, this semi-arid expanse is home to an array of desert wildlife; including meerkats, cheetahs, wildebeest, and giraffes.
What makes the Kalahari Desert unique for visiting is its varied landscapes – from rolling red sand dunes to vast dry salt pans – and the wide range of activities available. You can explore these majestic scenes on a 4×4 safari or take a guided tour on foot through the desert to learn about its traditional inhabitants and history. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not take part in a Kalahari horseback safari?
Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable safari adventure or just want to get away from it all, the Kalahari Desert is the perfect destination for your trip to Botswana in 2024.
