Summary of Top Attractions in Botswana
Botswana is a premier Southern African safari destination offering some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet, especially in and around the Chobe and Okavango Delta region. The Kalahari Desert with its San Bushman culture is another highlight of Botswana that deserves a spot on your travel itinerary. Below, you will find a list of the top attractions showcasing the country’s stunning wildlife and unique landscapes.
01. Chobe National Park
Address: Botswana
Chobe National Park lies in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and covers four distinct ecosystems. The Savuti Marsh, in particular, offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa year-round. Chobe boasts around 120,000 elephants, with the vast herds best seen from the water on a sunset river cruise. The optimal time to visit Chobe is between May and September, when the weather is drier and cooler. During this season, herds of zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe, and wildebeest congregate here. Accessibility by car makes visiting Chobe slightly less expensive compared to some of Botswana’s other parks, and a wide variety of accommodations cater to different budgets, including houseboat rentals.
02. Okavango Delta
Address: Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango River creates a unique inland water system as it cuts through the Kalahari Desert, providing sustenance to a vast variety of birds and animals. This safari destination allows for wildlife viewing, often from a traditional canoe, called mokoro. Each year the delta floods cover over 6,175 square miles/16,000 square kilometers, with the best wildlife spotting during the peak flood season from May to October when animals are concentrated on the delta islands. Numerous lodges and luxury safari camps offer various experiences, including walking safaris.
03. Tsodilo Hills
Address: Tsodilo Hills (World Heritage Site), Botswana
Tsodilo Hills serves as a spiritual outdoor art gallery, showcasing over 4,000 ancient San Bushmen rock paintings. These sites depict various scenes, including hunting and ritual dances. Some art dates back over 20,000 years, with archaeological findings indicating human habitation for up to 100,000 years. Believed by the San Bushmen to be the site of humanity’s creation and a resting place for spirits, Tsodilo Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can hike the three main hills with assistance from local guides, with basic campsite facilities and an informative museum available on-site.
04. Nxai Pan National Park
Address: Botswana
The Nxai Pan National Park is renowned for its stunning scenery, including sand dunes, towering baobab trees, and striking salt pans. When flooded, the area provides exceptional birding and game-viewing opportunities, attracting herds of zebra and wildebeest to the short grasses. The ideal visiting period is from December to April, with proximity to Chobe and the Okavango Delta making it a convenient addition to your itinerary. Accommodations consist of mobile camps, while nearby Makgadikgadi Pan camps are also highly regarded.
05. Tuli Block
Address: Pont Drift, Botswana
Phone: +27 31 761 3440
The Tuli Block is a wildlife-rich area bordering South Africa and Zimbabwe, formed at the convergence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers. Once private farmland, it has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary, encompassing several reserves such as Mashatu Game Reserve. This picturesque area features rivers, forests, and savannahs, ensuring wildlife sightings throughout the year, including large herds of elephants and a variety of predators. Thanks to its private land status, tourists can enjoy guided walking safaris and night drives, with accommodations ranging from luxurious lodges to comfortable camps.
06. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Address: Botswana
Phone: +267 391 3111
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast expanse home to salt pans, Kalahari sand dunes, and diverse wildlife, particularly during the rainy season. Although access can be challenging, particularly from the Botswana side, it is worth the effort for the stunning landscapes and animal encounters. Covering an area of about 14,670 square miles/38,000 square kilometers, the park results from the merger of Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. While you won’t find all of the Big Five, the park attracts a plethora of predators drawn to migrating herds of wildebeest and other antelope. Accommodation options are available within camps on the South African side.
07. Mokolodi Game Reserve
Address: Gaborone BW, 2, 7R68+H8P Plot10/KO/01, Mokolodi, Botswana
Phone: +267 316 1955
Mokolodi is conveniently located near Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, making it an ideal day trip destination. This private reserve focuses on conservation education, often hosting educational field trips for local school children. Mokolodi is known for its successful breeding programs protecting white rhinos from extinction in Botswana. Guests can partake in guided walks, game drives, and night drives, with simple chalets and camping facilities available for overnight stays.
08. Moremi Game Reserve
Address: Botswana
Phone: +267 391 3111
Moremi is a smaller reserve boasting a remarkably diverse wildlife population located in the eastern Okavango Delta, bordering Chobe National Park. With over 500 bird species, the area offers some of the best birdwatching experiences. The prime visiting months are July through October, with 4×4 safaris combined with water-based mokoro trips providing an excellent way to immerse yourself in its wildlife-rich environment. Apart from the Big Five, wild dogs and recently reintroduced black and white rhinos can often be spotted. Various camps exist within the park, with some exclusive to fly-in travelers.
09. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Tours
Address: 8WJQ+JW8, Baratani, Gaborone, Botswana
Inspired by Alexander McCall-Smith’s beloved series, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, tours in Gaborone bring to life the hometown of the protagonist, Precious Ramotswe. Visitors will explore film locations featured in the HBO series, with half-day tours primarily focusing on Gaborone, which includes iconic sites like Precious’ house on Zebra Drive and her office. Extended two-day tours venture out to Mokolodi and Machudi, the ancestral home of Precious, serving bush tea along the way.
10. Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Address: QP8C+62F, Paje, Botswana
Phone: +267 463 0713
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1992 to protect Botswana’s endangered rhinos and reintroduce wildlife, benefiting the local communities through tourism. The sanctuary, centered around the Serwe Pan in the Kalahari Desert, offers basic campgrounds and chalets for visitors. Activities include game drives and walks, allowing encounters with various wildlife in addition to rhinos, making it a fantastic option for those seeking an unforgettable self-drive safari experience.
