Botswana, the land of vast landscapes, shimmering salt pans, and elusive big cats, has more to offer than just khaki-clad tourists with binoculars. Let’s dive into the 10 best things to do in Botswana on your next visit
Mokolodi Nature Reserve: Where Rhinos and Giraffes Play Hide-and-Seek
Picture this: You’re cruising through the African savanna, the sun kissing your skin, and suddenly, a giraffe peeks out from behind an acacia tree. Welcome to Mokolodi Nature Reserve, where wildlife isn’t just a spectator sport—it’s a full-contact game.
Why Go? Because here, you’re not just a tourist; you’re a wildlife detective. Track rhinos on foot, decipher elephant footprints, and learn to speak “giraffe” (it’s all about the neck angles). Plus, the reserve’s eco-friendly lodges let you snooze under the stars, with the occasional lion’s roar as your lullaby.
Insider Tip: The sundowner safari is like happy hour in the wild. Sip your G&T while watching the sun dip below the horizon, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the elusive pangolin doing its ninja moves.
Contact: Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Off Lobatse Road, South East, Botswana.
Three Dikgosi Monument: Where History Meets Modern Art
Botswana isn’t just about wildlife; it’s also a melting pot of cultures and stories. Case in point: the Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone. Imagine three towering bronze figures—Kgosi Khama III, Kgosi Bathoen I, and Kgosi Sebele I—holding court in the heart of the city.
Why Go? Because history isn’t boring here; it’s a 3D movie. These chiefs led their people through wars, droughts, and political upheavals. And now, they’re immortalized in metal, gazing into the future like wise grandpas. Plus, the monument’s sleek lines and abstract forms make it Instagram-worthy.
Insider Tip: Visit during sunset—the golden light turns the bronze into liquid fire. And if you whisper your dreams to the chiefs, who knows? Maybe they’ll grant you a little extra luck.
Location: Three Dikgosi Monument, Gaborone, Botswana
Okavango Delta: Paddle Your Way to Paradise
Forget roads; in Botswana, the real highways are waterways. And the Okavango Delta is the ultimate aquatic adventure. Imagine gliding in a traditional mokoro (a dugout canoe) through a maze of reeds, with hippos peeking out like grumpy neighbors.
Why Go? Because this is nature’s water ballet. Spot elephants bathing, listen to the symphony of frogs, and watch the sun paint the sky in hues of pink and orange. And when night falls, camp on a secluded island, with nothing but the stars above and the delta’s secrets below.
Insider Tip: Pack mosquito repellent and your best crocodile impersonation. You never know when it’ll come in handy.
Location: Okavango Delta, Northern Botswana
Kalahari Desert: Where Stars Are the Real Celebrities
Imagine a place where the Milky Way isn’t just a chocolate bar—it’s a cosmic masterpiece. Welcome to the Kalahari Desert, where the night sky puts on a show that’d make Broadway jealous.
Why Go? Because stargazing here is like attending an A-list party. Lay back on the warm sand, sip your Amarula (a local liqueur), and let the constellations twirl above you. The Southern Cross winks, Orion flexes his belt, and the Magellanic Clouds throw an intergalactic afterparty.
Insider Tip: Bring a telescope or just your naked eyes—the Kalahari’s celestial couture needs no filter.
Location: Kalahari Desert, Central and Southern Botswana.
Chobe National Park: The Elephant Parade You Didn’t Know You Needed
Sure, you’ve seen elephants in zoos, but have you witnessed a pachyderm parade? Head to Chobe National Park, where these gentle giants strut their stuff like runway models. Picture this: a herd of elephants, their trunks swaying like palm trees in a breeze, crossing the Chobe River at sunset.
Why Go? Because elephants here don’t just pose for selfies; they live their best lives. Watch them splash, play, and occasionally photobomb your safari pics. And when the sun dips below the horizon, the river turns into a golden mirror, reflecting the whole majestic scene.
Insider Tip: Book a sunset boat cruise for front-row seats to the elephant catwalk. And don’t forget to compliment their ear flaps—they’re the latest trend in elephant fashion.
Location: Chobe National Park, Northern Botswana.
Tsodilo Hills: The Art Gallery Carved by Ancient Hands
Botswana isn’t just about wildlife and landscapes; it’s also a canvas for ancient artists. Enter the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s been a creative hotspot for over 100,000 years. Imagine rock paintings that predate the iPhone by a few millennia.
Why Go? Because these aren’t your average doodles; they’re time capsules. The hills whisper stories of shamans, hunters, and cosmic beings. And the best part? You can hike to the rock shelters and see these masterpieces up close. It’s like stepping into a gallery where the artists are long gone, but their art still dances on the walls.
Insider Tip: Bring your inner archaeologist and decode the symbols. Who knows? Maybe you’ll crack the ancient equivalent of a meme.
Location: Tsodilo Hills, Northwestern Botswana.
Makgadikgadi Pans: Where the Earth Plays Dress-Up
Imagine a place where the ground isn’t just solid—it’s a shapeshifter. Welcome to the Makgadikgadi Pans, a surreal landscape that defies logic. Picture vast salt flats stretching to infinity, mirages dancing on the horizon, and the occasional lonely baobab tree standing like a forgotten sentinel.
Why Go? Because this is Mother Earth’s runway show. During the dry season, the pans crack open, revealing hexagonal patterns that look like a giant’s chessboard. And when the rains come, the pans transform into a mirror maze, reflecting the sky, the stars, and your own bewildered face.
Insider Tip: Visit during the zombie apocalypse (okay, not really). But seriously, the annual migration of wildebeests and zebras turns the pans into a wildlife disco. Bring your dancing shoes and join the party.
Location: Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Botswana.
San Bushman Experience: The Original Safari Guides
Sure, you can hire a fancy guide with a khaki hat, but why not learn from the masters themselves? The San Bushmen, also known as the Basarwa, are the OG safari experts. They’ve been tracking animals, reading the stars, and surviving in the Kalahari for thousands of years.
Why Go? Because this isn’t your typical safari; it’s a knowledge transfer. Walk with the San as they teach you to read animal footprints, identify edible plants, and mimic the call of a honey badger (trust me, it’s a party trick). Plus, their click language is cooler than any GPS.
Insider Tip: Bring a notebook; you’re about to get a crash course in wilderness survival. And don’t be surprised if you end up with a San nickname—mine’s “Dances with Elephants.”
Location: Anywhere in the Kalahari where the San call home.
Kubu Island: The Stonehenge of Botswana
Forget Druids; in Botswana, we have baobabs. And on Kubu Island, these ancient trees stand like sentinels, guarding a secret. Imagine a rocky outcrop in the middle of the Makgadikgadi Pans, with baobabs perched like wise old wizards.
Why Go? Because this is where time stands still. The baobabs have witnessed empires rise and fall, dinosaurs do the cha-cha, and humans evolve from knuckle-draggers to selfie-takers. Climb to the top of Kubu Island, feel the wind in your hair, and ponder the mysteries of the universe.
Insider Tip: Bring a picnic; the baobabs love a good gossip session. And if you hear them whispering, it’s probably just the wind. Or maybe it’s the ghost of a T. rex.
Location: Kubu Island, Makgadikgadi Pans.
Gcwihaba Caves: Where Bats Throw a Party
You’ve heard of bat caves, but have you heard of Gcwihaba Caves? These limestone caverns are like the VIP section of Club Bat. Imagine stalactites hanging like chandeliers, stalagmites rising like ancient skyscrapers, and thousands of bats doing their best impression of a rave.
Why Go? Because this is the ultimate underground adventure. Crawl through narrow passages, squeeze between rock formations, and marvel at the glow-in-the-dark crystals. And when the bats swoop overhead, it’s like being in a gothic cathedral with a bat choir.
Insider Tip: Bring a headlamp and your best Batman voice. You never know when you’ll need to negotiate with the cave trolls (just kidding, there are no trolls—only bats).
Location: Gcwihaba Caves, Northwestern Botswana.
