70 Best Places to Visit in Botswana

Botswana stands as Africa’s premier safari destination, boasting mind-blowing wildlife, cinematic landscapes, and pristine wilderness areas. From the emerald waterways of the Okavango Delta to the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, this southern African gem offers unforgettable experiences for every traveler. Before embarking on your Botswana adventure, ensure you’re prepared with reliable connectivity (an Egypt eSIM works perfectly throughout southern Africa) and secure the best deals on flights and accommodations to make the most of your journey through this extraordinary country.

1. Okavango Delta

Known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari,” the Okavango Delta is undoubtedly Botswana’s crown jewel and one of the world’s most extraordinary wilderness areas. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the planet’s largest inland delta, covering approximately 20,000 square kilometers. The delta forms when summer rains in the Angolan highlands flow down the Okavango River, fanning out across the Kalahari Desert to create a labyrinth of channels, lagoons, and islands.

Wildlife viewing here is exceptional year-round, with particularly high concentrations during the dry season (May to October). Expect to encounter elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, and over 500 bird species. The delta is also home to endangered African wild dogs and the rare sitatunga antelope.

For the ultimate delta experience, take a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) ride through the shallow waterways. A local poler will guide you silently past grazing red lechwe antelope and elephants taking refreshing dips. For a different perspective, consider a scenic helicopter flight or join a walking safari led by experienced guides.

Best time to visit: May to September for peak wildlife viewing when animals concentrate around permanent water sources.

2. Chobe National Park

Botswana’s first national park, Chobe is renowned for hosting Africa’s largest elephant population, with an estimated 120,000 of these magnificent creatures. The park’s northeastern corner along the Chobe River offers some of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife viewing, particularly during the dry season when enormous herds gather at the riverfront.

Beyond elephants, Chobe is home to large buffalo herds, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and abundant birdlife. The park features several distinct ecosystems, from the lush riverfront to the Savuti Marsh and Linyanti wetlands.

A sunset boat cruise along the Chobe River is an absolute must, offering close encounters with elephants, hippos, and crocodiles in magical golden light. Game drives are equally rewarding, particularly in the Savuti area, famous for its predator action and unique elephant-hunting lions.

Best time to visit: Dry season (May to October) for exceptional wildlife viewing along the riverfront.

3. Moremi Game Reserve

Covering the eastern third of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve offers an unparalleled combination of wetland and dry savannah habitats. This was the first reserve in Africa established by local residents, created in 1963 by the BaTawana people to protect their traditional hunting grounds.

The reserve’s crown jewel is Chief’s Island, a wildlife paradise home to all of Africa’s iconic species. Game drives here regularly encounter lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos (making it a Big Five destination), along with cheetahs, wild dogs, and numerous antelope species.

Moremi is particularly accessible for self-drive safaris, though luxury lodges and mobile safari operators also offer exceptional guided experiences. The diverse landscapes range from mopane woodland and acacia forests to seasonal floodplains and permanent lagoons.

Best time to visit: Year-round, though July to October offers peak wildlife viewing.

4. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Africa’s second-largest game reserve (after Tanzania’s Selous) covers a staggering 52,800 square kilometers of semi-arid wilderness. This vast, remote landscape transforms dramatically with the seasons – from a harsh, challenging environment during the dry months to a verdant paradise after summer rains.

The Central Kalahari is famous for its desert-adapted wildlife, including the legendary black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, brown hyenas, and large herds of springbok and gemsbok (oryx). After summer rains (December-March), the plains erupt with fresh grasses, attracting large herbivore concentrations and their predators.

This was also the ancestral home of the San Bushmen, whose ancient hunting and gathering lifestyle can still be experienced through cultural interactions at certain camps. The reserve’s stark beauty, spectacular night skies, and profound sense of wilderness make it a favorite among seasoned safari travelers.

Best time to visit: Green season (December-April) for wildlife concentrations or dry season (May-October) for stargazing and a true desert experience.

5. Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans form one of the world’s largest salt flat systems, the remnants of an ancient superlake that once covered much of northern Botswana. This otherworldly landscape offers some of Africa’s most unique safari experiences and photographic opportunities.

During the dry season, the pans transform into a lunar-like landscape of cracked white earth stretching to the horizon. This is the time for unique activities like quad biking across the salt crust, sleeping under the stars, and visiting iconic baobab trees like Baines’ Baobabs.

The wet season brings an astonishing transformation as shallow water attracts thousands of flamingos and triggers Africa’s second-largest zebra migration. The fringes of the pans support fascinating wildlife including meerkats, brown hyenas, and aardvarks.

Luxury camps in the region offer extraordinary experiences including walking with habituated meerkats, interacting with San Bushmen, and horseback safaris across the pans.

Best time to visit: Dry season (May-October) for salt pan activities or green season (December-March) for the zebra migration and flamingos.

Essential Travel Tips for Botswana

6. Tuli Block

The Tuli Block in eastern Botswana offers a dramatically different landscape from the country’s more famous destinations. This hidden gem features spectacular rocky outcrops, sandstone ridges, baobab-studded plains, and the meandering Limpopo River forming the border with South Africa.

The Northern Tuli Game Reserve (including the renowned Mashatu Game Reserve) offers exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly for elephants, lions, and leopards. The area is also known for its unusual safari activities, including mountain biking safaris and horseback riding adventures through the wilderness.

History buffs will appreciate the region’s archaeological sites, including ancient rock art and evidence of early human settlements. The Tuli Block’s proximity to South Africa makes it more accessible than some of Botswana’s remote northern reserves.

Best time to visit: Year-round, with excellent game viewing in all seasons.

7. Tsodilo Hills

Rising mysteriously from the northwestern Kalahari, the Tsodilo Hills are Botswana’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most significant archaeological treasures. These four main rock formations, known locally as the “Male,” “Female,” “Child,” and “Unidentified,” have been revered by the San people for thousands of years.

The hills contain over 4,500 rock paintings dating back at least 20,000 years, representing one of the world’s highest concentrations of rock art. These paintings depict animals, hunting scenes, and ritual dances, providing fascinating insights into ancient San culture and spirituality.

Guided tours with local San guides offer the most enriching experience, combining archaeological information with traditional knowledge and folklore. The hills also offer beautiful hiking opportunities with panoramic views across the Kalahari.

Best time to visit: May to September when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for hiking.

8. Nxai Pan National Park

Adjacent to the Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan National Park offers a distinctive ecosystem centered around a fossil lakebed that transforms dramatically with the seasons. The park is famous for its iconic Baines’ Baobabs, a cluster of seven ancient trees immortalized in paintings by explorer Thomas Baines in 1862.

During the rainy season (December-April), the pan transforms into a verdant grassland that attracts large herds of zebra and wildebeest as part of the second-largest terrestrial migration in Africa. Predators including lions, cheetahs, and jackals follow these herds, creating excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

The park’s unique landscape features scattered islands of acacia trees that provide shade for lions and other wildlife. A visit to Nxai Pan combines well with the Makgadikgadi Pans for a comprehensive salt pan experience.

Best time to visit: January-April for the zebra migration and lush landscapes.

9. Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Located near Serowe in eastern Botswana, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary represents one of Africa’s conservation success stories. This community-based wildlife project was established in 1992 to protect the critically endangered rhinoceros and has since become a haven for both white and black rhino populations.

Spanning 8,500 hectares of Kalahari sandveld, the sanctuary offers visitors the rare opportunity to see rhinos in the wild, often at close range. Beyond rhinos, the reserve protects over 30 other animal species and more than 230 bird species around its series of waterholes.

Activities include game drives, rhino tracking experiences, and guided walks. The sanctuary’s accessibility (just 25km from Serowe) and affordable accommodation options make it an excellent addition to any Botswana itinerary, especially for families and those on a tighter budget.

Best time to visit: Year-round, with excellent rhino viewing opportunities in all seasons.

More Incredible Places to Visit in Botswana

Planning Your Botswana Adventure

Botswana offers an unparalleled safari experience with its commitment to low-impact tourism, pristine wilderness areas, and extraordinary wildlife concentrations. Whether you’re drawn to the watery paradise of the Okavango Delta, the elephant herds of Chobe, or the stark beauty of the Kalahari, this remarkable country promises unforgettable adventures.

As you prepare for your journey, remember that Botswana’s remote locations require careful planning. Ensure you have reliable connectivity with an Egypt eSIM that works throughout southern Africa, and secure the best possible deals on flights and accommodations to maximize your safari budget.