Explore Botswana
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Nestled in the heart of southern Africa, Botswana stands as one of the continent's most remarkable conservation success stories. With nearly 40% of its land dedicated to national parks and wildlife reserves, this landlocked nation offers travelers an unparalleled safari experience characterized by exclusive lodges, low-impact tourism policies, and some of Africa's highest concentrations of wildlife. From the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta—a lush wetland paradise in the middle of the Kalahari Desert—to the elephant-rich floodplains of Chobe National Park, Botswana represents Africa at its most wild and untamed.
Beyond its spectacular natural attractions, Botswana boasts a stable democracy, friendly people, and a commitment to sustainable tourism that sets it apart from many destinations. Visitors can witness ancient San Bushmen traditions in the Kalahari, explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Makgadikgadi salt pans, or glide through lily-covered waterways in traditional mokoro canoes. With excellent infrastructure despite its remote wilderness areas, Botswana offers the perfect balance of adventure and comfort for those seeking an authentic African experience without compromising on ethical travel values.
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Northwestern Botswana
- Mokoro canoe safaris
- Seasonal flooding creating a unique ecosystem
- Exceptional birdwatching with over 400 species
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's most extraordinary wilderness areas—a 15,000 square kilometer inland delta where the Okavango River fans out into the Kalahari sands, creating a lush paradise of waterways, islands, and floodplains. This UNESCO World Heritage site supports an astonishing diversity of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, lions, and rare species like the sitatunga antelope. Visitors can experience this watery wonderland via traditional mokoro canoes, guided walking safaris, or from luxury lodges perched on private islands.
Northern Botswana
- Highest elephant concentration in Africa
- Spectacular riverfront game viewing
- Boat safaris on the Chobe River
Chobe National Park, Botswana's first national park, is renowned for hosting the world's largest elephant population, with herds sometimes numbering in the hundreds. The Chobe Riverfront offers one of Africa's most intense wildlife experiences, particularly during the dry season when animals congregate along the water's edge. Besides elephants, visitors can spot buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and numerous predators. The park's unique position allows for both land-based game drives and water-based safaris, offering photographers dramatic riverside scenes of wildlife against stunning sunset backdrops.
Northeastern Botswana
- Vast salt flats
- Zebra and wildebeest migration
- Meerkats and unique desert-adapted wildlife
The Makgadikgadi Pans form one of the world's largest salt flat complexes, a surreal landscape of shimmering white expanses that transform dramatically with the seasons. During the wet season, shallow water attracts thousands of flamingos and triggers one of Africa's less-known but spectacular wildlife migrations, as zebras and wildebeests journey to fresh grazing grounds. In the dry season, the cracked, lunar-like surface creates otherworldly photography opportunities. Visitors can interact with habituated meerkat colonies, track unique desert wildlife with San Bushmen guides, and experience the profound silence and star-filled skies of this remarkable ecosystem.
Eastern Okavango Delta, Botswana
- Big Five wildlife viewing
- Diverse habitats from woodlands to floodplains
- Self-drive safari opportunities
Covering much of the eastern Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve represents the accessible heart of this famed ecosystem. Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, this reserve was established to protect the delta from uncontrolled hunting and cattle encroachment. Today, it offers perhaps the most reliable Big Five wildlife viewing in Botswana, with particularly strong populations of African wild dogs, lions, and leopards. The mosaic of habitats—from mopane woodlands to open floodplains and papyrus-fringed waterways—supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife in a relatively compact area, making it ideal for both guided luxury safaris and self-drive adventurers.
Central Botswana
- Vast wilderness experience
- Black-maned Kalahari lions
- San Bushmen cultural interactions
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of Africa's most remote and challenging safari destinations—a vast wilderness larger than Switzerland. Once home exclusively to the San Bushmen, this immense reserve transforms from an arid semi-desert during the dry season to a wildlife haven after summer rains, when the plains erupt with grasses attracting large herds of springbok, gemsbok, and their predators. The Kalahari's lions, with their distinctive black manes, are particularly sought-after by wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors can experience the profound silence of this ancient landscape, learn tracking skills from San guides, and witness spectacular night skies unspoiled by light pollution in one of Africa's truly wild places.
Guidelines for Cultural Awareness
- When greeting locals, it's customary to do so with both hands or with the right hand while supporting your right forearm with your left hand as a sign of respect. Greetings are important in Botswana culture and should never be rushed.
- Ask permission before photographing local people, especially in rural villages or among San communities. Some may believe photographs capture their spirit, while others may simply prefer privacy.
- Dress modestly, particularly when visiting villages or attending community events. Women should avoid very short shorts or skirts and revealing tops, while men should avoid going shirtless outside of resort areas.
- Observe the 'Botswana time' concept, which is more relaxed than Western punctuality. Business and services may not operate strictly according to posted schedules, so patience is essential for enjoying your travels in the country.
- When invited to a home, it's considered polite to bring a small gift for the host. Remove your shoes before entering someone's home, and if food is served, wait for the host to begin eating or invite you to start before you begin.
Suggestions for Evening Activities
- Experience a traditional 'boma dinner' under the stars at lodges like Chobe Game Lodge or Camp Okavango, featuring local cuisine, storytelling, and sometimes traditional dance performances around an open fire.
- Visit the No. 1 Ladies' Opera House in Gaborone, inspired by Alexander McCall Smith's famous book series, which hosts various musical performances, plays, and cultural events throughout the year.
- Join a night game drive in private concessions around Chobe or the Okavango Delta to spot nocturnal animals like aardvarks, bush babies, and hunting predators with the aid of spotlights and expert guides.
- Enjoy sundowners and live jazz at the Grand Palm Hotel's Kalahari Bar in Gaborone, a sophisticated venue popular with both locals and visitors for its craft cocktails and ambient atmosphere.
- Participate in stargazing sessions in the Makgadikgadi Pans or Central Kalahari, where the absence of light pollution reveals spectacular celestial displays, often guided by astronomers who explain both Western and traditional African star lore.
Customer Feedback
Sophia Müller
Our mokoro excursion in the Okavango Delta was life-changing. Gliding silently through lily-covered channels while elephants drank at the water's edge—pure magic! Our guide Thomas shared incredible knowledge about the ecosystem. The luxury tent camp exceeded all expectations with impeccable service and gourmet meals in the middle of nowhere.
Journeyed from Munich, Germany
Hiroshi Tanaka
Chobe National Park offered the most spectacular wildlife photography opportunities I've ever experienced. The elephant herds crossing the Chobe River at sunset created unforgettable images. I'd recommend booking a specialized photography safari boat rather than the standard tours. Only downside was the crowds at some river viewpoints during peak hours.
Journeyed from Osaka, Japan
Olivia Chen
Spending three nights under the stars in the Makgadikgadi Pans was otherworldly. The salt flats stretch endlessly, creating a surreal landscape unlike anywhere else. Meeting the meerkats who've been habituated to human presence was delightful—they used us as lookout posts! Jack's Camp provided the perfect blend of 1940s safari nostalgia with modern luxuries.
Journeyed from Sydney, Australia
Miguel Fernandez
Central Kalahari was impressively wild but visit timing is crucial. We went during late dry season when wildlife was scarce and temperatures unbearable (45°C/113°F daily). The San Bushmen walking experience was fascinating, but overall I'd recommend the green season instead. Deception Valley Lodge offered excellent service despite challenging conditions.
Journeyed from Barcelona, Spain
Aisha Okafor
Moremi Game Reserve delivered beyond expectations! Within two days, we spotted all Big Five including a leopard in a sausage tree and a pride of lions with cubs. The diversity of landscapes was stunning—from mopane woodlands to flood plains. Our guide from Machaba Camp tracked fresh wild dog prints to their den where we watched 12 puppies playing. Absolute highlight of our African travels!
Journeyed from Toronto, Canada