Botswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is home to the world’s largest congregation of elephants, and its wildlife parks are teeming with lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, and other large mammals. It’s hard not to fall in love with Botswana after taking a safari adventure there.
People in Botswana, who are known for their kindness and hospitality, are proud of their country’s natural beauty and wildlife and are very welcoming to visitors. They have rich cultures and traditions and are passionate about their music and dance.
Botswana’s Maitisong Festival is the most celebrated where people enjoy traditional music, performing arts, and spectacular events. The festival is a celebration of the country’s culture and heritage, which attract visitors from all over the world.
Aside from its colorful culture, Botswana is an excellent place to go on safari with its abundant wildlife and collection of landscapes. Each safari has its unique ecosystem and offers different opportunities to see wildlife up close. The country has some of the best game parks in Africa, and it is one of the few places where you can see all of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo.
The best time to travel for a safari is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During these months, animals congregate around the waterholes and are easier to spot.
Here are some of the best places to go on safari in Botswana:
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a world-renowned safari destination and one of the best places to see wildlife in Botswana. The Okavango River flows into the desert, creating a lush oasis teeming with wildlife. You can explore the delta by boat or through a traditional dugout canoe called a mokoro.
Local communities manage the land in the Okavango Delta, and they have developed a sustainable tourism model that benefits the environment and the community. The locals own the lodges in this area and employ local guides who know the area well.
The discovery of the Okavango Delta takes you through the heart of the Kalahari Desert and provides an intimate experience with the wildlife that inhabits this arid landscape. The Okavango Delta is home to lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and many other animals.
What to see: The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. The annual flooding from the Okavango River creates a unique and diverse ecosystem home to native plants and wildlife.
Where to stay: There are a variety of lodges and campsites you can find in the Okavango Delta. Top accommodations include The Waterfront, Maun, Acacia Cottage, and Mankwe Camping.
Moremi Game Reserve
The Moremi Game Reserve is the oldest protected area in the Okavango Delta and one of the best places to go on safari in Botswana. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos. It also has stunning landscapes, from wetlands to woodlands. The most famous attraction it offers is the Moremi Tree, which is a tree that grows in the middle of the river.
The Moremi Game Reserve was created in 1963 by the local community to protect the area’s wildlife and habitats. The government and the community managing the reserve have been successfully maintaining its pristine condition.
What to see: The Moremi Game Reserve is often called the Garden of Eden because of its paradise-like setting. Imagine waking up in the middle of the African bush to the sound of lions roaring and elephants trumpeting and then seeing a perfectly stunning view of the savannah, lagoons, and the green forest.
Where to stay: You will need to stay overnight to enjoy the game reserve fully. Several practical and prestige accommodations surround this game reserve; one of the best choices include Camp Moremi, Camp Xakanaxa, Little Sable, and many more.
Chobe National Park
The Chobe National Park is Botswana’s second-largest game reserve and one of the best places to see elephants. This magical place has the world’s largest concentration of elephants and they often congregate near the Chobe River. You’ll be able to see these magnificent animals up close on a boat safari where you can explore the Chobe River and its tributaries. Another attraction in the park is the Linyanti Swamp, which is a haven for wildlife during the dry season.
The Chobe National Park was established in 1967 and covers an area of 10,566 square kilometers. Aside from elephants, the park is also home to lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and many more. During the development of this park, the government relocated the local community to make way for the animals.
What to see: Since the Chobe National Park is located near the Zambezi River, you’ll be able to see a more breathtaking landscape than what you would find in the Okavango Delta. The river runs through the middle of the park and is lined with lush vegetation. You can also find a variety of animals, including lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and many more.
Where to stay: The best place to stay when visiting the Chobe National Park is the unique houseboats that line the river. These houseboats offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you can explore the Chobe River and its tributaries. Other accommodations in the park include lodges, campsites, and hotels. Top choices include The Chobe Game Lodge, Cresta Mowana Safari Resort, and Kasane Riverside Lodge.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest in Botswana. It is in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and is one of the best places to see the country’s diverse wildlife. The reserve is also home to the San people or Bushmen, who have lived in the Kalahari Desert for thousands of years. They are indigenous people who have a deep connection to the land and a prehistoric knowledge of the area. The Bushmen’s rich history adds to the significance of this reserve.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve was established in 1961 and covers an area of 52,800 square kilometers. It inhabits a variety of animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and many more. The vast landscape offers endless horizons and dry savannah.
What to see: The Kalahari Desert is a vast, empty landscape punctuated by oases and wildlife. The reserve is known for its birdwatching opportunities, a chance to see several bird species such as the Kori bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world. It is also one of the best places to see the Big Five but meerkat is the most popular in the area.
Where to stay: The Central Kalahari Game Reserve has many lodges or campsites located within the area. You can choose from different accommodations, depending on your budget and preferences. Some of the best places to stay are Kgalagadi Lodge, Kalahari Tented Camp, and Deception Valley Lodge.
Savuti National Park
The Savuti National Park is known for its large assembly of predators. It is the perfect place to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitat. The park is also home to elephants, hippos, and many more. The landscape consists of savannah grasslands and riverine forests.
The Savuti National Park is located in the northern part of Botswana where zebra migrations happen annually. Many documentaries have been filmed in this national park because of the predator density. The Savuti National Park covers an area of 5,600 square kilometers and was once at the bottom of a huge lake. The Savuti Channel dried up in the 1980s, which caused the wildlife to suffer. However, the animals have adapted and now thrive in the area.
What to see: The Savuti National Park hosts the largest concentration of predators in Botswana. You can see lions, leopards, cheetahs, and many more altogether. The best time to see the animals is during the zebra migration when they gather around the waterholes.
Where to stay: Many economical and luxurious lodges would give you a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience. Some locally recommended places are Camp Moremi, Camp Okavango, and Linyanti Tented Camp.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is known to have one of the largest salt pans in the world. It is a vast and arid landscape filled with fascinating wildlife. The San people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years, have left their mark on the place leaving behind interesting rock art. Prehistorically, the Makgadikgadi Pans were once a lake that was part of the Lake Makgadikgadi system. The climate changed and the lake dried up, leaving behind the pans we see today.
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is an excellent place to see a variety of animals including lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and much more roaming around its area of 3,900 square kilometers. The park provides endless opportunities for wildlife watching where they congregate during the dry season.
What to see: Aside from the opportunity to see the animals, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a solemn place to see the night sky. The pans provide a glamorous canvas for stargazing primarily because of their lack of light pollution.
Where to stay: The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park has several accommodation options for visitors. You can choose from camping, glamping, or staying in a lodge. Some of the best places to stay in the park include San Camp, Planet Baobab, and Meno A Kwena.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast area of land spanning three countries: Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is the first transfrontier park in Africa and is also known for its large population of predators. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a great place to see the animals in their natural habitat and also to appreciate the beauty of the African landscape. During the dry season, the animals congregate around the waterholes which makes the place excellent for wildlife watching.
The most beautiful sceneries in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are its red dunes and dry river beds, which are both a photographer’s dream. It pleases the eye with its contrast of colors from the red dunes, and the blue sky, to the green vegetation.
What to see: As mentioned earlier, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is known for its large population of predators. You can observe lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other predators in the national park. Another highlight would be the morning and sunset drives available in Twee Rivieren, Nossob, Mata-Mata, and the Kalahari Tented Camp.
Where to stay: There are exciting accommodation options in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park depending on your style and budget. You can choose to camp in the wilderness, stay in a lodge, or even rent a chalet. Some of the most recommended places to stay are Urikaruus Wilderness Camp, Bitterpan Wilderness Camp, and Grootkolk Wilderness Camp.
Mashatu Game Reserve
The Mashatu Game Reserve is a private game reserve located in the Tuli Block of eastern Botswana. It is prominent for its large population of elephants and for being one of the best places in Africa to see wild dogs. The landscape of the Mashatu Game Reserve is a mix of savannah and riverine forest, which provides a beautiful backdrop for safari-goers.
The best time to visit the Mashatu Game Reserve is during the dry season from May to October. This is when the animals congregate around the waterholes, making wildlife watching easier and more enjoyable. You’ll be able to remember, not just the place, but the feeling of tranquility along with the reserve’s birdsong and the natural sound of the animals rustling in the bushes.
What to see: Aside from its large population of elephants, the Mashatu Game Reserve has its own resident African wild dogs, which are a sight to behold. You can also see a variety of other animals such as lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and many more. The Mashatu Game Reserve promises a different safari experience with close contact with the fascinating wildlife specifically elephants that are more accustomed to human presence.
Where to stay: The Mashatu Game Reserve has luxury lodges that will make your stay even more memorable. Some of the best places to stay in the reserve include Mashatu Tent Camp, Tarkuni Lodge, and Tuli Safari Lodge.
The Land of the Giants
The Land of the Giants is a nickname for the country of Botswana because of its large size. Botswana is nearly four times the size of the United Kingdom and is one of the largest countries in Africa. Despite its large size, Botswana has a population of only 2 million people, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
Botswana guarantees a different safari experience with its large tracts of unspoiled wilderness. If you’re looking for an adventure and want to see some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, Botswana should be at the top of your list.