In this article read about 6 Best Things To Do In Botswana . Botswana’s parks and reserves are known for their incredible and diverse landscapes, which make the country a fantastic and rewarding safari destination. The sparkling waterways and emerald floodplains of the Okavango Delta can be found in the north. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a rarely visited but incredible sandy wilderness, dominates the country’s heart. Then there’s Chobe National Park, where tens of thousands of elephants can be found. When I was 21, I went on a budget overland camping trip to Botswana. I loved it back then, and I still do. Botswana has never disappointed me as I’ve gotten older (much older) and visited more and more.
Let me tell you a little bit more about this fantastic destination and give you a few pointers to help you decide where to go on your Botswana safari.
Also, if this is your first time visiting the continent, be sure to look into these Best Things To Do In Botswana for best first-time visitor destinations as well as the best safari parks to visit
1. National Park of Chobe
Chobe National Park is Botswana’s second largest park, covering four distinct ecosystems ranging from swamps to floodplains and woodlands to savannahs. A diverse range of wildlife and birds can be found in the park. But if there’s one thing that brings people here, it’s the elephants. Chobe has approximately 120,000 elephants, which are best seen from the water on a sunset cruise, in my opinion. The Chobe River, which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia. Inspired the park’s name, with green wetlands on the Namibian bank contrasting with the river’s dark waters and the sandbanks of Chobe National Park on the other. If you want to go somewhere right now, remember that the world is changing . So travel the world, book a Botswana trip . Live your best life today.
Most visitors to Chobe will arrive in Kasane
Which has a wide range of accommodation options and easy access to the park’s eastern side. Alternatively, Savuti, in Chobe’s far western corner, is a year-round destination known for high concentrations of game, particularly big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs).
While not technically part of Chobe National Park, the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, located to the park’s west, is a private reserve catering to the slightly more ‘well-heeled’ adventurous traveller. The concession covers 308,000 acres and is fed by the Kwando River, ensuring plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly with its many lion prides. Linyanti Bush Camp is without a doubt the best place to stay in this area, with lions chasing buffalo through the camp in the middle of the night, and the same lions competing for the ‘romantic attention’ of a female the next day. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Chobe is best visited between May and September, when the weather is dryer and cooler. Chobe is easily accessible by car, making it less expensive than some of Botswana’s other parks. There is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets.
2. Okavango Delta
The Okavango River cuts through the heart of the Kalahari Desert, creating a one-of-a-kind inland water system that supports a diverse range of birds and animals. The Delta, the thousandth UNESCO World Heritage Site, is formed at the end of the Kalahari Desert where the Okavango River meets the Great Plains. The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta, an oasis of islands, wildlife, and lush green vegetation in the heart of the harsh Kalahari desert. The delta floods every year, covering over 6,175 square miles, and this vast expanse of water, dotted with emerald-green islands and incredible wildlife, is a once-in-a-lifetime safari destination.
A mokoro
A traditional canoe carved from a single large tree — is one of the most authentic ways to experience the Delta. Gliding down a river on a mokoro provides a sense of peace and relaxation that few other activities can match. Furthermore, wildlife is more concentrated on the islands during peak flood season, which is ironically during the May-October dry season, and you have the perfect vantage point from your mokoro. My first trip to Botswana included a three-day mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
3. Khwai Reservation
Khwai is a 500,000-acre oasis on the outskirts of the Okavango Delta. Nestled between Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. On our most recent visit, we discovered a hyena den and a wild dog den. Both complete with babies — two incredibly special encounters that I will never forget. Khwai is one of Botswana’s best places to see wild dogs and other predators.
The Khwai Community Concession is owned and operated by the local community. With camps and lodges renting the right to operate in this incredible location. This means that visitors who come here understand that their tourist dollars directly benefit the community. An important concept for the survival of any conservation area.
African Bush Camps has two fantastic lodges to choose from here. And depending on your budget and desires, I’d recommend either or both!
4. Tsodilo Hills
Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises abruptly from the earth in northwest Kalahari. This is an outdoor art gallery with over 4,000 ancient San Bushmen rock paintings, shelters, and caves. Over 4,500 cave drawings depicting hunting scenes, dancing rituals, and wild animals have been discovered in over 200 locations. Some of the rock art is over 30,000 years old. And archaeologists believe people have lived in the area for up to 100,000 years. The San Bushmen believe that this sacred area is where man was created and where the spirits of the dead rest.
The three main hills can be hiked with the assistance of local guides. Winter is the best time to visit because summer can be extremely hot.
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5. The National Parks of Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan
The name is a mouthful, but the location is beautiful and well worth a visit. And its location in northeastern Botswana makes it easy to combine. With a trip to Chobe National Park or the Okavango Delta. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the world’s largest salt pans, covering over 18,000 square miles. The salt-encrusted pans are flat and arid, and the skyline seems endless. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the remnants of a massive lake that drained thousands of years ago. The wildlife is especially diverse during the dry season. When animals travel for miles to the Boteti River, which is the only source of water for a long distance.
Although technically part of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Nxai Pan National Park was established to expand the conservation area. And is now a separate national park and wildlife reserve. Nxai Pan is a 25-square-mile fossil lakebed with beautiful sand dunes, towering baobab trees, and, of course, salt pans. During the rainy season. Which lasts from November to April, the lakebed becomes lush and green. Attracting a variety of migrating wildlife. If possible, combine a visit to Nxai Pans with a viewing of the world’s longest zebra migration. Which runs from Namibia to Nxai Pan and covers over 620 miles. This is best experienced at the stylish bush camp Migration Expeditions.
6. Transfrontier Park Kgalagadi
Kgalagadi is the continent’s first Transfrontier Peace Park, shared by Botswana and South Africa. This is a wonderful park to visit during the summer months. With 14,670 square miles of land, salt pans, sand dunes, and an array of wildlife during the rainy season (January–April). The park, which straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana, is difficult to reach, particularly from the Botswana side. You’ll need a 4×4 and the ability to camp independently.
