Botswana has some of the best travel destination spots on the African continent. Running the length and breadth of the country are places that are either wet or dry such as the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari desert.
Wherever you choose out of these best places, it is sure to make your experience unforgettable. In no particular order, make sure you pass through these places before leaving the Southern African country.
Best Places To Vist In Botswana That Will Fascinate You
1. Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Considering that the Kalahari desert takes up 80% of the country’s landscape, one is likely to cross the desert while in Botswana. Interestingly, even the Kalahari has a few wonders of its own including the central Kalahari desert reserve located in the heart of this vast flatland. The game reserve is home to wildlife such as giraffes, elephants, rhinoceros, and meerkats.
In recent years, diamond mining has also launched close to the reserve. Though these mining operations are not open tourist spots, it adds to the controversy around the resettlement of the San people from the Kalahari.
Apart from this, animals found in such a natural habitat make a visit to the arid land a must for anyone planning a trip to Botswana.
2. Makgadikgadi Pan National Park
This is made up of large salt pans said to be an ancient lake that dried out. However, what is left of this ancient lake is dry land in the dry season. Notably, this changes as soon as the rains start. The water fills up the pans and gives birth to the lush vegetation that attracts animals such as wild birds and zebras. Also, one can observe the curvature of the earth while in this park.
The beauty of this park is not lost as it has been captured in music videos like Taylor Swift’s Wildest Dreams.
For those trying to witness one of the largest zebra migrations in the world, you better book a trip to Makgadikgadi National Park.
3. Okavango Delta
One of the best places to visit in Botswana is the floodplains of the Okavango Delta. Aside from being the world’s largest inland delta, it is a spectacular wonder of nature made up of water in the desert. It is also a unique place to watch animals in their natural habitat. Any visit to these areas promises you views of the big 5 animals of the continent, as well as other wildlife. While it is advisable to visit between May and August when speedboats and mokoro can be used to access the area, safari visits go on year-round.
The area boasts more than 500 bird species, especially during the December to March season. Due to its uniqueness, in 2014, the site was added as the 1000th UNESCO heritage site. Also, its beauty makes it one of the 7 natural wonders of Africa.
4. Chobe National Park
What is outstanding about this lush safari destination is its abundant swamps, floodplains, and woodland which make it the third largest park in Botswana. While on a visit, you are sure to view a lot of animals and birds. This park also boasts of having the largest concentration of elephants in the world.
Aside from being located within the Okavango Delta, there is a river named Chobe that flows through the park. As a result, the floodwaters make it retain its lush vegetation.
For those planning to visit other beautiful scenery like Victoria Falls which is a day’s trip away, Chobe Park is a good stopover. Among its many perks, one can use either a boat cruise or game drive to view the animals in the park
5. Tsodilo Hills
Standing at 1489 m above sea level, it is the highest point in the country. Any visitor to Botswana is sure to experience a sense of history through the rock art of the San people that has been preserved in these hills over the years. These sacred hills are said to have an account of human activities dating back 100,000 years.
The presence of these remains is important to this group of people who consider the hills to be the area of the creation of man. As you would find, the hills got the moniker, Louvre of the desert due to the high concentration of rock art. Some of the paintings depict ritual dance, hunting scenes, and animals.
Although there are about 4500 paintings that cover years of history, the age of the paintings is still speculated. Due to the importance of this cultural relic to one of Botswana’s oldest tribes, the San, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
6. Kubu Island
A visit to Botswana without visiting Kubu Island is quite incomplete due to the serenity of this tourist attraction. Formerly known as Lekhubu, the area is a dry granite rock island located in the Makgadikgadik pan area of the country.
Other attractions to this Island are the large baobab trees and scenic views of the setting sun that it provides. Like other landmarks, Kubu Island is a nationally protected monument.
7. Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Despite its name, this game reserve is home to many animals including the zebra, giraffe, and springbok as well as the white and black rhino. The game reserve was founded in 1992 as a community project to protect the endangered rhinos in the area. At the time, the local community had plans to reintroduce wildlife into the area which would in turn boost economic activities.
Thankfully, the reserve which sits on 8585 hectares of land in the Kalahari sand veld has become one of the best spots for any safari trip. A visit to this sanctuary leaves an unforgettable gratitude shown by a community to safe animals.
8. Moremi Game Reserve
Though it is a small park located in the heart of the Okavango Delta, it is a charming spot to view animals. With over 500 species of birds, the Moremi game reserve is the idle spot for bird watchers.
The size of this park has nothing on the wide range of animals to be found in the area including the big 5. This must-visit wildlife reserve also allows for self-drive safaris.
9. Nata Bird Sanctuary
Like the Khama rhino reserve, the Nata Bird sanctuary is also a community project located in the Sowa Pan. This reserve has provided a home for more than 165 bird species since 1993 when it opened.
The sanctuary is also a spot for annual bird migrations from other parts of the continent. Notable among the birds in this sanctuary is the great white pelican and pink-backed pelican. This spot is a must-visit for an unforgettable bird-watching experience.
See Also: 10 Safest African Countries In 2023
10. Gaborone
One of the favorite spots to stop by on a visit to Botswana is the capital, Gaborone located in the southeastern part of the country. Aside from being an administrative center, Gaborone is a diamond hub for cutting.
However, visiting the capital is a way of using one stone to kill many birds by visiting the Gaborone game reserve and the national museum. The game reserve is a public viewing area for wildlife located in that nation’s capital. Despite its small size, it is one of the busiest in the country.
Also of interest is the diverse museum which also serves as an art gallery. The museum offers a rich collection of the country’s heritage.
