Botswana

Travel to Botswana

A pair of lionesses with a lion cub in the central Kalahari

Travel to Botswana

Botswana is a well-regarded safari destination in Africa, known for its expansive and untamed wilderness. This land-locked country offers vast open spaces that attract those seeking a close encounter with nature. Key highlights include the Okavango Delta in the northwest, famous for its unique ecosystem, and Chobe National Park, home to the highest density of elephants in Africa.

Heading south, the landscape transforms into the semi-arid Kalahari Desert. Here, vast stretches of land are dotted with small villages and farmland. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest game reserves globally, is known for its remote and pristine beauty. This reserve hosts a variety of wildlife adapted to arid conditions, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests, as well as smaller mammals like bat-eared foxes and honey badgers.

East-southeast of the delta, the Nxai and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer opportunities for walking, horse riding, and quad-biking safaris. This area is also notable for the seasonal migration that occurs after the rains, when zebra, wildebeest, and antelope come to feed on the newly sprouted grasses. For adventurers, Kubu Island is a must-visit. Composed of ancient granite rock formations, this island rises abruptly from the flat expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pan, providing a striking contrast to the surrounding landscape.

In the southeastern part of Botswana, bordering South Africa and Zimbabwe, lies the Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block. This private reserve is recognized for its diverse wildlife and varied landscapes.

For those interested in people and history, Tsodilo Hills offers a unique and sacred site that is home to the San people. The hills contain one of the densest concentrations of rock art in the world, with some artworks dating back over 100,000 years.

Botswana's blend of unspoiled wilderness, diverse wildlife, and dedication to conservation makes it a distinctive destination for those looking for an immersive African safari experience.

Start planning your tailor-made safari holiday

MAKE A REQUEST

Must Visit in Botswana

Botswana, the land of the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari and the Chobe River!

Probably one of the most unique photographic safari destinations in the world!

Okavango Delta

The delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest inland delta in the world. Its unique ecosystem supports a vast array of wildlife and plant species, offering a distinctive safari experience: water-based activities such as mokoro excursions or motorboat safaris.

Moremi Game Reserve

Nestled in the heart of the Okavango Delta, this reserve is a wildlife haven featuring lush floodplains, dense woodlands and abundant fauna, offering an immersive and diverse safari experience. It's also home for some of the endangered species like the African wild dog.

Chobe National Park

Located in the northern part of the country near the Okavango Delta, this park is known for massive elephant herds, diverse ecosystems, breathtaking landscapes and the iconic Chobe River offering unforgettable river cruises and the ultimate African safari adventure.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Africa's second-largest game reserve is a vast and remote place characterized by expansive grasslands, unique desert-adapted wildlife, and a sense of untouched solitude. It is also significant for its indigenous inhabitants, the San people, also known as Bushmen.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

This National Park features the otherworldly expanse of the Makgadikgadi salt pans, offering a surreal landscape, rare wildlife encounters and unique activities, giving visitors a chance to experience the raw wilderness of Botswana's desert interior.

Nxai Pan National Park

Being part of Botswana's expansive Makgadikgadi Pans complex, it is characterized by vast salt pans, iconic baobab trees, and seasonal wildlife migrations, providing a captivating desert safari experience. Enjoy game drives, historical tours and nature walks around the park.

Mashatu & Tuli Wilderness

Mashatu, meaning 'land of the giants', is home to large herds of elephants. Situated in the eastern part of Botswana, it offers a unique and diverse safari experience with rugged landscapes, ancient rock formations, rich biodiversity, and iconic wildlife encounters.

Mabuasehube & Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Located within Botswana's Gemsbok National Park, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, together form vast and arid wilderness revealing breathtaking red dunes, sparse vegetation, and extraordinary desert-adapted wildlife.

Kubu Island

Situated in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, it is a remarkable granite outcrop surrounded by the expansive salt flats, featuring ancient baobab trees and serving as a cultural and geological landmark in the stark and surreal desert landscape.

Tsodilo Hills

Located in northwest Botswana and consisting of rock art, rock shelters, depressions, and caves, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its historical and spiritual significance, providing a unique archaeological and cultural experience amidst the striking granite hills.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

This sanctuary is a community-based wildlife project and conservation area, covering large part of Kalahari sandveld, dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered white rhinoceros and offering visitors the opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Nata Bird Sanctuary

This community-managed project located in northern Botswana near the town of Nata is a vital wetland habitat renowned for its diverse birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans, providing a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts and photographers.

Botswana in Video

Nothing documents a destination better than a short video and Botswana's wilderness wonders are illustrated well in this one.

Take a look at our Inspiration Africa YouTube Channel where you will find many travel related videos about Africa; don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to be kept up to date with new posts.

Must Do in Botswana

Each destination offers its own experiences and here are some "must do" activities to experience in Botswana!

EXPLORE ALL OUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

Best Time to visit Botswana

The best time to visit Botswana depends on the type of experience you seek, as the country experiences distinct seasons. Generally, the two primary seasons are the dry season and the wet season.

Dry season, from May to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources, making them easier to spot. The skies are generally clear, providing excellent conditions for photography and scenic flights. It's also the best time to visit the Okavango Delta because water levels are high, and wildlife is concentrated on the islands.

In wet season, from November to April, the landscape is lush and green, creating a stunning contrast to the dry season. It is fantastic for birdwatching, with many resident and migratory species active. Some wildlife species give birth during this time, leading to opportunities to see young animals. The wet season is considered as the low season, so there are fewer visitors and you can enjoy the exclusivity of some privacy.

Receive our travel inspirations in your mailbox

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Botswana Travel Tips

Since we specialize in tailor-made travel experiences, every itinerary we create comes with personalized travel tips tailored to the specific destinations and activities planned. These tips are carefully curated to align with the type of trip you envision and the reality of the locations you will visit. Should you need general travel advice for the Botswana, please feel free to reach out to us via the "Contact Us" button.

Where to Stay in Botswana?

Botswana offers a diverse range of accommodation options, from mobile safaris to luxury lodges and glamping-style packages.

Given the premium pricing, making the right choice is crucial.

Our mission is to assist you in selecting the options that best suit your preferences, while also encouraging you to explore new and exciting possibilities.