Top Best 10 Things To Do In Botswana

Top Best 10 Things To Do In Botswana

Botswana is one of the most recognized safari locations in Africa because of its finest wilderness areas on the planet. As a safari location, we are going to look at top best 10 things to do in Botswana which makes it difficult for tourists to chose other destinations because to its huge areas of protected wilderness, beautiful scenery, and a wide diversity of species.

Botswana has a flat terrain and the Kalahari Desert covers the biggest part of the area. Her neighbors are Namibia to the west and north, Zimbabwe to the northeast, and South Africa to the south and southeast. The closest boundary between the two nations connects it to Zambia via the Kazungula Bridge.

The breathtaking Kalahari Desert and the lunar-like pans of Nxai and Makgadikgadi are located in Botswana’s south and east, respectively. On the other hand, the Okavango Delta and Chobe River habitat represent the beautiful marine worlds of the north and west, respectively.

The landscape in Botswana is so rich that there are countless things to do, see, and discover there. No matter how many times you visit Botswana, one of Africa’s outstanding safari destinations, there is always something new and thrilling to discover there. These are the top best 10 things to do in Botswana ;

1. Visiting the vast Makgadikgadi Pans

A large water body that once covered the massive salt flats of Botswana. Today, a few remote sites may be found in the Makgadikgadi, offering a frequently required break from contemporary life, a feeling of isolation, and the opportunity to experience a true wilderness.

It’s one of the rare locations where you are in fact locked off from the outside world and hear nothing but quietness. One of the most incredible things to do in Botswana is to pay a visit there, yet it’s not generally people’s preferred option. Go for a walk with the San Bushmen or ride a quad bike over the pans. There is also a great deal of nature, as you may see a variety of species.

Riding quad bikes over the desert is one of the most well-liked activities on the Makgadikgadi Pans and an excellent means to get to your meerkat friends. Once more, this can be arranged through lodges in the park or lodges in Gweta.

2. Safaris on the Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is the largest internal delta in the world, and the numerous waterways that cut through its thick plants are perfect for engine sailing. The sitatunga hippos, antelope, elephants and crocodiles are water-adapted animals, so the tour operator will turn off the engines when they are around.

One of the most peaceful activities you can do is riding in a mokoro. As you float along silently, your tour guide will indicate out lovely lily plants, small multicolored river frogs and and massive herons. Hippos need not fear—the poler gently strikes on the exterior of the mokoro to alert them that people are coming.

Traditional mokoro (canoes), which were once the only means of transportation through the Okavango Delta, were built from the hollowed-out trunks of sausage trees. Currently, practically all resorts utilize smaller, quicker, and more renewable plastic canoes. They are famously known as the “Venice of safaris” since it enables you to get close to wildlife and is the traditional “vehicle” for watching safari in the Okavango Delta

3. Do a Game Drive in Chobe with a Guide

We conduct quite a number of game drives as tour company with Professionals, and Botswana never fails to amaze. The tour operators are cheerful, and there are lots of wildlife. Going on a guided game drive is one of the thrilling activities to do in Botswana because it is a wildlife sanctuary. It’s basically as simple as targeting a pointed object at the country’s image and advancing in that location. In a more serious subject, explore Chobe to see the largest elephant populations on Earth and Moremi Game Reserve for an animal show if you want to see Botswana in all its wildlife-viewing beauty.

Elephants live in great numbers in Chobe National Park, presenting some of the best sites on earth to observe these massive creatures in their native habitat. Towards the peak of the Dry period, around August and October, massive herds assemble on the riverfront.

Chobe is an excellent park to visit for any individual on a highway trip or on limited funds because it is accessible by self-drive. You can also visit Chobe as a day adventure from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia. For the best views of elephants against the beautiful African sunset, book a sundowner water boat.

4. Visiting and learning the San Bushmen

The San are indigenous a hunter- peoples who are among the earliest races of Southern Africa and are connected with the Kalahari. Approximately 20,000 years ago, they mastered this difficult environment by developing their ability to endure skills across a period of time. Currently, you can find out information on anything from herbal remedies to legends relating to the origin of the universe or how elands acquired their lengthy horns. Even if their way of life is changing, they continue to practice their ancient traditions and knowledge

You can stroll with the Bushmen in the early morning hours in a number of locations throughout the Kalahari. Some of the mysteries of their land, such which roots of vegetables can act as reservoirs, which leaves create the greatest arrows, and the best ways to locate animals, will be taught to you.

Take the San on organized walking experiences as you discover more about their unusual culture, amazing hunting and observing abilities, and incredible understanding of both dangerous and healing herbs. What to do in Botswana if you want to get an insight into one of the world’s most ancient cultures.

5. Explore Moremi Game Reserve

In Moremi Game Reserve’s wet season (November to March), the landscape bursts into life as migratory birds join resident species. The flourishing vegetation becomes a hotbed for birdwatching, offering enthusiasts a diverse array of species to observe, from colorful waterfowl to melodious songbirds.

The wet season is a pivotal time for breeding and nesting activities. Birds take advantage of increased food sources to engage in courtship displays and nest-building. This period provides a unique opportunity to witness the intimate moments of avian life, capturing the vibrancy of breeding plumage against the backdrop of the lush surroundings.

Exploring Moremi during the wet season immerses visitors in a sensory adventure. The green landscape not only attracts birds but also enhances the safari experience, offering natural camouflage for wildlife. Guided drives and mokoro excursions weave through the verdant channels, creating a memorable journey that goes beyond birdwatching, encompassing the richness of Moremi’s flora and fauna.

6. Experience the Rock Paintings at the Tsodilo Hills

Visit the Tsodilo Hills, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO, in the northernmost part of Botswana, next to the Namibian boundary, to view some of the greatest treasures of rock art in the history of mankind. The location, which has more than various works of art, is held in esteem by the locals who think that the place was once occupied by their ancestors.

The African continent is home to several pieces of rock art that serve as traces of ancient cultures and populations. The stone art, which shows ritual costumes, hunting, and creatures, is believed to be from the era known as the Stone Age, which is believed to have started roughly 3.4 million years ago in the 19th century. This holy site is an essential tourism destination in Botswana for historical buffs.

7. Star gazing

Spending the night in one of Botswana’s incredible star beds is one of the things not to miss out on a visit. In a cozy, outdoor bed in the bush, drift off to the sounds of chortling elephants, chattering hyenas, and the far-away roaring of lions with just a mesh net between you and a never-ending sky of stars.

Others are housed in natural, bird-nest-like structures above the ground, while some are just constructed in charmingly candle-lit waterways. Even some of them possess beautiful tree houses with private restrooms and flowing water. This is an excellently lovely touch to a vacation or getaway with a spouse is sleeping under the stars. Ask the tour guide to take you away from the brightly lit interior of your resort so you may spend some time taking in the stars in all their beauty if you don’t feel like spending the night outside.

In Botswana, the evening sky offers a unique display with a confusing collection of stars. When there is no visible interference or dust here, the amazing star system really glows. In all honesty, you should be able to see the stars well wherever outside of cities like Kasane and Maun. But for assured cosmic elegance, consider the Kalahari because the skies there will almost certainly be clear.

8. Camping outside

Camping is an excellent chance to reconnect with nature and explore more of the environment. It’s among the most well-liked activities in Botswana since it offers a genuine, reasonable, and pleasant safari experience. In place of lodging in lodges, you make frequent trips by road or air to different locations while staying in a number of tented camps in secluded modifications, national parks, and game reserves.

Camping in Botswana provides a genuine and enjoyable safari experience, allowing you to reconnect with nature and explore the environment. Instead of staying in lodges, you can embark on road or air trips to various locations and stay in secluded tented camps within national parks and game reserves. It is a popular activity in Botswana, offering an authentic and affordable adventure.

Camping in Botswana offers a unique and immersive safari experience, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and discover the surrounding landscapes. By opting for tented camps within national parks and game reserves, travelers can enjoy a secluded and authentic stay, away from traditional lodges. With road or air trips to different locations, camping in Botswana provides an affordable and genuine adventure opportunity.

Despite being far away, all the essential creature pleasures, including relaxing baths, power outlets, and tasty food, are still present. Additionally, you experience a unique sense of closeness to nature because wild creatures, including the rare spotted hyena or leopard, frequently pass by the camp.

9. Bird watching

For the finest birdwatching in Botswana, visit in the summer. These are the times when migrant birds arrive and mix with the locals in an area known as “ticks.” Some of these birds include black egrets (who catch fish by drawing them through the shadows created by wrapping the surface of the water using their feathers), oxpeckers, African fish eagles, giant eagle owls (which is frequently seen, strangely, laying on the the soil), pied kingfishers and many more.

The greater and lesser flamingo, kalahari robin, Hartlaub’s babbler, and lesser kestrel are just a few of the many species that call Lake Ngami home. Some of these birds are common, but others are endangered. The lake is among the most fascinating sights to view in Botswana, apart from its potential for birds, due to its frequent vanishing.

Following the time that David Livingstone saw it, it disappeared, then at the completion of the nineteenth century, it reappeared again. There are many birds present regardless of whether it’s dry out, however when it’s completely filled, it’s a birder’s paradise.

Many visitors who come to Botswana for a safari say they are not interested in bird watching. And then they encounter the enjoyable difficulty of identifying the Pel’s hunting owl in that far-off tree or attempting to capture the ideal image of a fish eagle taking off. They change their tune following a single safari to Botswana, home to nearly 550 species, and start acting like twitchers right away.

10. Have a wonderful time with the Meerkats

If you want to spend time with some of the cutest creatures on this earth, head to the Makgadikgadi Pan National Park in the Kalahari Desert. The greatest places to watch habituated meerkats are near the lovely and luxury Jack’s Camp and the similarly beautiful San Camp on the edge of the Ntwetwe Salt Pan.

Because meerkats are so used to humans, if you lie flat on the surface of the earth, they can climb above you and make use of you as a viewpoint because thats how fantasticing they are.

Despite their charming and cuddly appearance, meerkats are brave suricates with an incredible community and lookout system. Since they are fearless, they get accustomed to humans and begin using them as convenient lookout towers! One of the greatest family-friendly things to do in Botswana is to visit the Kalahari, where meerkats prefer less wet, sandy conditions for making tunnels.

Other Activities in Botswana

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

Hot air balloon safaris in Botswana offer a magical and serene way to experience the country’s diverse landscapes. Floating gently above the Okavango Delta or the vast expanses of the Makgadikgadi Pans, travelers can witness stunning sunrises or sunsets, capturing breathtaking views of wildlife and the intricate network of water channels.

The silence of the balloon flight allows for an intimate connection with nature, providing a unique perspective on the beauty and vastness of Botswana. It’s a peaceful and awe-inspiring adventure that offers a bird’s-eye view of the country’s pristine wilderness.

Horseback Riding

For an exhilarating and up-close encounter with Botswana’s wildlife, horseback safaris provide a unique and intimate experience. Riding through the untouched landscapes of the Okavango Delta or the Kalahari Desert in places like the Tuli Block, travelers can approach animals quietly, often getting closer to wildlife than traditional game drives allow.

This mode of exploration adds an element of excitement and a different pace to the safari experience, allowing riders to connect with nature on a more personal level. Many lodges and operators offer guided horseback safaris, ensuring a safe and memorable adventure for both experienced and novice riders.

Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan National Park, part of the Makgadikgadi Pans complex, is a unique destination in Botswana. The park is renowned for its vast salt pans, acacia woodlands, and the iconic Baines’ Baobabs. During the wet season, the pans transform into a grassy expanse attracting large herds of zebra and wildebeest.

The landscape, dotted with ancient baobab trees, provides a striking backdrop for wildlife photography. Nxai Pan is also a prime location for spotting predators, such as lions and cheetahs, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a diverse and off-the-beaten-path safari experience.

Kasane Hot Springs

Kasane Hot Springs offers a rejuvenating break amidst the natural beauty of northern Botswana. Located near the Chobe National Park, these thermal springs provide a relaxing oasis for travelers. The warm mineral-rich waters create a soothing experience, and visitors can enjoy a dip while surrounded by the region’s lush vegetation.

The Kasane Hot Springs serve as a tranquil retreat after a day of wildlife exploration, offering a unique combination of relaxation and nature appreciation. Whether soaking in the pools or lounging in the shade of the surrounding trees, the hot springs provide a serene escape in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness.

Visiting the National Museum and Art Gallery

Located in the capital city, Gaborone, the National Museum and Art Gallery offers a captivating journey through Botswana’s history, culture, and artistic expression. The museum showcases archaeological exhibits, ethnographic displays, and historical artifacts that provide insight into the country’s rich heritage.

Additionally, the art gallery features contemporary works by Botswana’s artists, offering a glimpse into the vibrant and evolving cultural scene. Visitors can explore the diverse aspects of Botswana’s identity, from its ancient roots to its modern artistic expressions, making the National Museum and Art Gallery a cultural hub that enriches the understanding of this dynamic African nation.

Animals in Botswana

African Elephant

Botswana is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, and these majestic creatures play a significant role in the country’s ecosystems. The Chobe National Park, in particular, is renowned for its dense elephant concentrations along the Chobe River. The elephants’ seasonal migrations and their interactions with other wildlife make them a charismatic and iconic species in Botswana’s wildlife conservation efforts.

African Lion

The African lion, a symbol of strength and pride, thrives in Botswana’s national parks and reserves, including Moremi Game Reserve and Savuti Marsh. Lions form social groups called prides, and their presence contributes to the balance of the ecosystem by controlling herbivore populations. Witnessing a pride on the hunt or a lioness caring for her cubs is a captivating experience for visitors exploring the diverse landscapes of Botswana.

African Buffalo

The African buffalo, also known as the Cape buffalo, is one of the “Big Five” and a formidable herbivore found in various regions of Botswana, such as Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. These massive creatures travel in large herds, relying on collective strength to deter predators. Their impressive horns and unpredictable behavior make them both a challenge and a fascination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Leopard

The elusive and solitary leopard is another of Botswana’s captivating big cats. Thriving in diverse habitats, including the dense vegetation of the Okavango Delta and the arid landscapes of the Kalahari, leopards are skilled climbers and formidable hunters. Spotting a leopard draped across the branches of a tree or stealthily stalking its prey is a thrilling and memorable sight during a safari in Botswana.

African Wild Dog

The African wild dog, also known as the painted dog, is an endangered carnivore found in Botswana’s wilderness areas, including Moremi Game Reserve and the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. Recognized by their unique coat patterns, wild dogs are highly social animals that hunt cooperatively in packs. Unfortunately, they face various threats, and observing these rare and charismatic predators in their natural habitat is a testament to the importance of conservation efforts in Botswana.

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