- About Botswana
- Why Visit Botswana
- Places To Visit in Botswana
- When to go Botswana
- Botswana Travel Tip
- Botswana Tours & Safaris
Botswana’s Historical Background and Economic Overview
Botswana stands as a model of a successful democracy, a status it has maintained since gaining independence in 1966. It's a shining example of Africa's achievements. While historically associated with the San Bushmen, this nation, roughly the size of France, was initially settled by Iron Age African farmers, who laid the foundation for the present-day Tswana people. Later, it came under British colonial rule. Despite being somewhat overlooked during the colonial era, Botswana's transition to independence was remarkably peaceful, led by the highly esteemed Sir Seretse Khama. The pivotal discovery of extensive diamond deposits swiftly transformed the nation's fortunes.
Botswana’s People, Culture and Belief
Botswana is home to just over two million people, leading to a predominantly homogenous culture characterised by strong religious beliefs. The majority of the population is Christian and converses in Tswana, although English is widely spoken. In the vast Kalahari region, many San Bushmen continue to uphold their traditional way of life. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the population resides in the increasingly urbanised southeast, particularly in the continually growing capital city, Gaborone. This leaves large expanses of the country untamed and uninhabited.
Botswana’s Landscape and Wildlife
Botswana is closely associated with the vast Kalahari Desert, and much of its terrain is characterized by flat, arid expanses adorned with thorny acacia trees, extensive salt pans, and rolling grasslands. The northern region of Botswana receives the highest rainfall, hosting extensive woodlands and some of the world's most significant wetland ecosystems, including the Okavango Delta, the Linyanti Swamps, and the Chobe River. These areas support an abundance of wildlife. With a commitment to conservation that allocates over 17% of its land to protected areas and a comprehensive ban on hunting, Botswana has become a sanctuary for wildlife.
Specific regions such as Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, and the Moremi Game Reserve stand out as some of Africa’s premier destinations for game viewing. Botswana’s Kalahari parks, although wild and less developed, offer remarkable opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly during the early summer when local zebra migrations occur.
Botswana boasts numerous wildlife attractions, including the highest concentration of elephants in Africa, exceptional bird watching opportunities, a thriving population of predators, and the continent’s largest community of African wild dogs. The country’s lions are renowned for their size and prowess, capable of preying on large animals like hippos, buffalo, and even young elephants.
Botswana’s Capital City
Gaborone
Botswana’s Population
2.6 million
Botswana’s Currency
Pula
Botswana’s Language
English, Setswana and Ikalanga
Botswana’s Calling Code
+267
Botswana offers an experience that transcends the typical safari adventure. Its diverse landscapes, ranging from desert terrains to open grasslands, riverine forests, and papyrus-lined canals, provide a rich tapestry for both land and water safaris. Here, you can seamlessly blend luxury with adventure in some of the most remote corners of the world, all while being immersed in the enchanting sights and sounds of Africa that will create enduring memories.
At the heart of Botswana’s allure lies the Okavango Delta, widely regarded as one of the planet’s most coveted safari destinations. Travellers are drawn here to witness the world’s largest inland wetland, entirely ensconced within a desert. Chobe National Park, another sought-after location, boasts the highest concentrations of wild elephants in all of Africa.
With its diverse offerings of desert landscapes, deltas, rivers, iconic baobab trees, rare wildlife species like lechwe and sitatunga, exceptional bird watching opportunities, an annual zebra migration, and luxurious safari accommodations, Botswana truly has it all for the discerning traveller.
Unique Safari Adventures
Botswana's diverse landscapes offer a wide array of unique activities to cater to virtually anyone with an interest in the great outdoors. Whether it's your maiden voyage to Botswana or your tenth, this country's reputation for warmth and hospitality ensures there's always something exhilarating and novel to discover in one of Africa's most welcoming nations. From leisurely glides along the serene waterways of the Okavango Delta in traditional mokoros (often likened to the 'Venice of Safari') to the delightful opportunity to interact with a clan of Kalahari meerkats, Botswana vacations promise exceptional experiences that are unparalleled anywhere else in Africa.
Takebacks:
- Go on mokoro excursions and boat cruises – some of Africa’s best aquatic safari activities.
- Meet and interact with habituated meerkats.
- Enjoy quad bike (ATV) rides and desert sleepouts on Makgadikgadi Pans – one of the biggest salt flats on Earth.
- Go game viewing on horseback.
- Learn about the life of one of the oldest cultures on Earth – meet the San Bushmen of the Kalahari.
- Get a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta on helicopter and balloon safaris.
Experience Incredible Game Viewing All Year Round
Thanks to its temperate climate and abundant wildlife in iconic destinations like the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park, Botswana vacations provide outstanding safari adventures year-round. For every first-time visitor, the iconic Big 5 (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard) takes the spotlight as a must-see on a Botswana safari. In addition, rare and extraordinary wildlife such as wild dogs, brown hyenas, lechwe, and sitatunga create truly unique encounters. To witness Botswana in all its splendid game-viewing glory, a journey to Chobe reveals vast herds of colossal elephants, while Savuti and Moremi promise mesmerising predator displays.
Takebacks:
- Track the Big 5 in the Okavango Delta’s Moremi Game Reserve.
- See our planet’s biggest elephant herds on a Chobe safari.
- Encounter Savuti’s powerful lion prides – famous for taking down big animals like buffalo, giraffes and even elephants.
- Enjoy excellent leopard sightings in Moremi.
- Spot rare and unusual animals like wild dog, brown hyena, sable, red lechwe and sitatunga.
Explore the Finest Safari Lodges & Camps in Africa
Despite being nestled on remote islands in the heart of the Okavango Delta, some camps redefine ``glamping`` with amenities like spas, gyms, outdoor bathtubs, and private plunge pools. You may even find swimming pool pavilions and in-room wood-burning stoves in the midst of the Kalahari! Consistently ranked as one of Africa's premier luxury safari destinations, Botswana offers an array of exclusive lodges and camps for discerning travellers seeking privacy.
Properties located in private game reserves offer incredible flexibility for activities on luxury Botswana safaris, allowing guides to venture off the beaten path in search of wildlife, offering night game drives, and even providing guided walking safaris. Botswana’s private game reserves safeguard some of the last great wildlife wildernesses on Earth and host only a handful of intimate camps, most of which are accessible solely by light aircraft or boat.
Takebacks:
- Stay at some of the most luxurious safari camps in Africa.
- Enjoy off-road game viewing, night drives, and walking safaris – exclusive to camps in private game reserves.
- Discover secluded lodges situated on small islands in the Okavango Delta.
Tread the Paths of Unknown Destinations
From the evergreen labyrinth of the Okavango Delta to the sweeping savannah of the enigmatic Savuti and the remote expanses of the Makgadikgadi salt flats, Botswana vacations offer the ultimate off-the-grid safari adventures. The Okavango Delta, holding an almost mythical status, stands at the heart of Botswana's safari allure and is best explored by boat or mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe propelled through shallow waters by skilled pole-pushers. The Makgadikgadi Pans, remnants of a vast ancient lake that once covered an area larger than Switzerland, now form a colossal and near-desolate landscape dotted with fossils and frequented by inquisitive meerkats and elusive brown hyenas. Then, there are the boundless expanses of the Kalahari, providing an incredible escape from the modern world.
It’s where you can meet the San Bushmen, one of the earliest cultures of Southern Africa, celebrated for their centuries-old adaptation to this challenging environment.
- Explore the Okavango Delta’s myriad of waterways under the watchful eyes of kingfishers and fish eagles.
- Be awestruck by the seemingly endless space of the Makgadikgadi Pans – the photographic opportunities are exceptional.
- Discover the mysterious Savuti area, home to a mercurial water channel and notoriously large lion prides and hyena clans.
- Journey to remote corners of the Kalahari to witness Botswana’s zebra migration, the longest terrestrial wildlife migration in Africa.
Easy Logistics & Convenient Add-Ons
With dedicated airports serving the Okavango Delta and Chobe regions, Botswana vacations offer quick and convenient air transfers. Many private game reserves have airstrips, making arrival by light aircraft effortless. Thanks to regular flights and accessibility to other extraordinary destinations like South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, it's simple to enhance your Botswana vacation. Extending your journey to visit beautiful Cape Town, the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, or Namibia's ancient desert landscapes is easily achievable.
Takebacks:
- Seamless Air Transfers Connecting Botswana’s Safari Havens.
- Private Game Reserves Boasting Dedicated Airstrips.
- Effortlessly Enhance Your Botswana Adventure with Visits to South Africa, Zimbabwe, or Namibia.
A Botswana safari offers incredible diversity, from expansive wetlands to meandering rivers, showcasing the country’s rich biodiversity in the lush northern woodlands, as well as the surprising rewards of the Kalahari’s game-filled grasslands and sun-soaked salt pans. While each destination offers unique experiences and a multitude of things to do in Botswana, combining these captivating places is effortlessly arranged, thanks to light aircraft charters that serve each region, often providing awe-inspiring bird’s-eye views of the wildlife.
Okavango Delta: The Enchanting Emerald Oasis
Situated within the vibrant crimson Kalahari, the Okavango Delta takes centre stage in most Botswana wildlife adventures. As one of the world's most mesmerising natural wonders, this emerald paradise boasts intricate channels, sprawling floodplains, and dense woodlands teeming with Botswana's diverse animal population. An Okavango Delta safari promises exhilarating experiences, offering a variety of activities such as game drives, nature walks, boat rides, and canoe safaris. Much of the Okavango Delta is protected by the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, while privately managed conservation concessions oversee the remaining areas.
Chobe National Park: Abode of Elephants and Predators
For a Botswana safari featuring elephants, visit Chobe National Park, known for its heavyweight big game. The best time to explore this reserve is between June and October when vast herds congregate along the Chobe River. In the southern region of Chobe lies Savuti, a raw and wild landscape famous for dramatic encounters between lions and hyenas, offering an unforgettable Chobe safari experience.
The Kalahari: Unique Parks and Thriving Wildlife
Contrary to the common perception of a sandy desert, Botswana's three Kalahari parks are characterised by lush wooded grasslands and seasonally flooded pans. These unique parks are home to an astonishing array of Botswana's wildlife, providing seasoned travellers with a distinct experience. A Kalahari safari can be seamlessly combined with visits to the Chobe and Okavango Delta, creating a well-rounded Botswana adventure.
Linyanti, Selinda, and Kwando: Exclusive Wetland Reserves
For an Okavango Delta-style adventure with a touch of exclusivity, consider a visit to the incredibly private reserves of Linyanti, Selinda, and Kwando. Nestled along the Caprivi Strip, these untamed wetlands recently opened up to visitors, promising a tranquil and unforgettable Botswana safari experience. With breathtaking accommodations like the otherworldly Linyati Bush Camp and superb game viewing, especially during the dry season from June to October, these reserves offer the ultimate wildlife adventure.
Tuli Block: Botswana's Hidden Gem
Hidden in eastern Botswana, the Tuli Block is one of the country's best-kept secrets. Offering a safari experience distinct from the rest of the nation, the Tuli Block surrounds the Limpopo River. It boasts a striking landscape of dramatic rocky terrain, colossal baobab trees, and free-roaming elephants protected by private reserves. The Tuli Block is an ideal destination for one of the best things to do in Botswana: a night drive in search of nocturnal inhabitants, including the elusive leopard, aardvark, and caracal.
The optimal period to explore Botswana is during the dry winter months spanning from May to October, a time when wildlife sightings are at their zenith. As these months progress, animals become increasingly concentrated around water sources due to the parched conditions. Many experts consider the cooler period from June to August to be the prime window for luxury safaris in Botswana. During this time, the weather is ideal for game drives, and the risk of malaria is at its lowest.
Determining the best time to visit Botswana largely hinges on the kind of experience you desire. The wildlife in Botswana typically scatters during the rainy season from January to April. Nonetheless, a few destinations such as Chobe’s Savuti region and the Kalahari provide excellent opportunities for summer game viewing. These areas lie on the migratory routes of various animals, notably zebras, enhancing the allure of visiting during the wetter months.
In January, Botswana experiences unpredictable heavy rainfall. While not the most popular time to visit, it offers lower prices and excellent opportunities to take advantage of safari specials. Birdwatching is exceptional in January, showcasing diverse species in both numbers and variety.
February is the wettest month, transforming the landscape into a lush, green paradise, especially in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Breeding season for local antelope begins in this reserve, providing the chance to witness newborns taking their first steps. February also offers a wide variety of bird species.
March brings a drop in temperature and consistent rainfall. It is renowned as the best time for landscape photography, with the vibrant green terrain resulting from the heavy summer rains.
The shoulder season in April and May is an ideal time to visit Botswana. By April, heavy rainfall has mostly ceased, leaving the landscape still lush. Impala breeding season commences in April, and the nights cool down, creating perfect weather for evening sundowners and armchair safaris.
May marks the start of the dry winter season, offering excellent game viewing, mild and dry weather, and fewer crowds in camps and safari parks. Savuti region excels in wildlife sightings, with large numbers of buffalo and zebra. Elephants return to the Linyati Chobe River System in May.
June is another great month for a Botswana visit. Late June kicks off the peak season, and booking in advance is advisable. While the climate is excellent for outdoor activities, evenings can be chilly, particularly in the Kalahari, where temperatures can drop below freezing after dark.
July marks the beginning of peak season. It’s an ideal time to visit the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park, where wildlife sightings are abundant along the water channels. July offers numerous activities in Botswana and abundant wildlife.
August is very dry, making it a popular time for game parks. Water levels in the Okavango Delta are high, providing the best game viewing along the waterways. The catfish run begins in the northwest panhandle, a significant water source for the Okavango.
In September, hundreds of elephants gather at the Chobe and Linyati Rivers, relying on this water source. The warm days, thin, dry vegetation, and cooler mornings create excellent conditions for wildlife viewing, especially predators.
October features the hottest temperatures but remains a popular month for a Botswana safari. The Chobe River is famous for thirsty herds of elephants along its banks, and clear skies offer stunning landscapes.
November ushers in the spring season with soaring temperatures and returning rain clouds. Migrant bird life reappears, and the landscape comes alive with newborn wildlife as predators circle.
December marks the start of the summer season. Grazing lands recover, and greenery becomes abundant. Botswana’s three Kalahari parks are at their prime in early summer.
Botswana Travel Advice
Get the most reliable and current travel advice directly from experts at Reimagining Travel before you embark on your Botswana journey.
Currency: Pula, with US dollars also widely accepted at lodges and hotels across the country.
Transaction: Most major hotels provide foreign exchange services, ATMs and traveller’s cheques are generally accepted at shops, lodges, and travel agencies. Credit cards are welcome at hotels, lodges, shops, and restaurants, with the exception of Diners and American Express at some establishments.
Recommended: Customary for lodge staff and guides during your Botswana safari, but the gratuity amount varies based on the staff member’s role and your group’s size.
Others: In urban restaurants and bars, it is common to offer a 10% tip when a service charge is not included.
Average Summer Temperatures: 18°C to 38°C
Average Winter Temperatures: 6°C to 27°C
Rainy Season: October/November to March/April
Regular/Everyday: Practicality is essential when packing for a Botswana safari. In the summer, daytime temperatures can soar above 40°C, so it’s best to opt for shorts and t-shirts. You should also have a longer shirt for sun protection if you’re prone to sunburn. Choose clothing in neutral colours (avoid white) and wear lightweight long-sleeved attire at night and early mornings to guard against mosquitoes.
Specific: During cooler months, layering is the best approach. Days remain warm and sunny, but nighttime temperatures can approach freezing. Be sure to include a thick fleece or jacket for early morning and evening game drives, which can be quite chilly.
Did you know that you can book your flights through Reimagining Travel? For further information and answers to frequently asked questions, please contact one of our Travel Experts.
Botswana’s main international airport, Sir Seretse Khama in Gaborone, can be reached from Johannesburg. However, most safari-bound travellers choose to fly directly to either of the following two airports:
Maun: Daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town provide easy access to the Okavango Delta’s gateway airport. You’ll transfer to light charter aircraft for your Delta flight.
Kasane: Fly to Chobe’s gateway from Johannesburg, Gaborone, or Maun. From there, you’ll travel by road to lodges in the Chobe River area or by smaller aircraft for safaris in Savute or Linyanti. Victoria Falls is located less than 100 km away by road.
Charter flights on small aircraft are the standard mode of transportation within Botswana, with transfers and game drives often conducted in open-sided 4X4 vehicles. Motor boats and mokoros (dug-out canoes) are common for transfers and game viewing in the Okavango Delta.
All visitors to Botswana must hold a passport valid for at least six months from the initial travel date. However, citizens of EU countries, most Commonwealth nations, the USA, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel, and Norway do not require visas. Upon arrival, you will receive a 30-day entrance stamp. For those planning to continue their travels to Botswana’s neighbouring countries, visas for Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe can be obtained in Gaborone.
