5 of the Best Places to Visit in Botswana

5 OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BOTSWANA

The landlocked African country of Botswana is a land of untamed wilderness. Home to uniquely beautiful landscapes and dramatic natural contrasts, the real draw of this country is its wildlife.

Botswana’s huge wetlands, wide rivers and tangled woodlands are havens of biodiversity. From the sprawling savannahs with their migrating wildlife to the sun-baked salt pans, Botswana offers a unique, authentic safari experience.

Here’s our pick of the top 5 places to visit in Botswana.

1. Okavango Delta

Cutting through the centre of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is arguably one of the most beautiful places to visit in Africa. This huge expanse of water, studded with emerald-green islands and reed banks is teeming with wildlife. With an incredible variety of birdlife, as well as elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffe, hippopotamus and crocodile, this has all the ingredients for a unique safari experience. Visitors can go on game drives, nature walks or boat rides, but the most authentic experience is by mokoro – a canoe dug from a large tree.

2. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

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The second largest game reserve in the world, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is as big as Belgium and a lot more interesting. Its striking landscape comprises shimmering salt pans, fossilised riverbeds and semi-arid grasslands, but it’s the density of game and waterholes that draws the crowds to this predators’ paradise. Among the highlights are the black-maned lions, vast herds of antelope and the December springbok birthing season. The neighbouring Kalahari Desert with its terracotta dunes is a must-visit destination if you’re in the area.

3. Chobe National Park

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The second largest park in Botswana, Chobe covers a diverse landscape with four different eco-systems. But if there’s one thing that draws the crowds here, it’s the elephants. Yup, Chobe is the heavyweight of the game reserves with 70,000 of them crowding the banks of the Chobe River during the long, dry season. However, it’s not just elephants. Chobe is the setting for some memorable clashes between lions and hyenas, and the setting for a spectacular summer zebra migration.

4. Moremi Game Reserve

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Without doubt, one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, the Moremi Game Reserve is small but perfectly formed, with a high density and variety of wildlife. Situated at the heart of the Okavango Delta, this pristine wilderness is a haven for birdwatchers with over 500 species ranging from wetland birds to forest dwellers. You can also catch the big five here, along with giraffe, cheetah, wild dogs and the full range of antelope.

5. Makgadikgadi Pans

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Located in a dry savannah in northeastern Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest salt pans in the world. The remains of a gigantic lake that dried up thousands of years ago, the salt-encrusted pans are flat, arid and have an unearthly beauty.

In the dry season, animals gather here to drink while hippos wallow in the water, and when the rains come, the area springs into life as the pans fill with water, attracting a myriad of birdlife and triggering an unforgettable migration of wildebeest and zebra.

To find out more about the safari experiences we offer in Botswana, contact us today and fill out our contact form.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel

5 of the Best Places to Visit in Botswana