Top Things to Do in Botswana
20 must-see attractions and experiences
Botswana is one of Africa's most pristine wilderness destinations, a country where roughly 40 percent of the land is protected as national parks, game reserves, and wildlife management areas. The Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and the vast Kalahari Desert form the backbone of an ecosystem that supports some of the continent's densest populations of elephants, lions, and wild dogs. Unlike many African safari destinations, Botswana has pursued a low-volume, high-value tourism model, meaning fewer vehicles on game drives and a more intimate encounter with the wild. For first-time visitors, Gaborone is the gateway city with its own set of cultural attractions, while the northern corridor -- Chobe, the Delta, and the Makgadikgadi Pans -- delivers the iconic safari experiences. The dry season from May to October concentrates wildlife around permanent water sources, making sightings remarkably reliable. Botswana's pula currency reflects the country's reverence for rain in a largely arid landscape, and the warmth of Batswana hospitality matches the generosity of the wilderness itself. Whether you arrive for a luxury fly-in safari or a self-drive camping expedition through the Kalahari, Botswana rewards travelers who come prepared for vast distances and unhurried days. The country's infrastructure is steadily improving, but this remains a destination where the journey itself -- long gravel roads, river crossings, and starlit nights -- is inseparable from the experience.
Don't Miss These
Our top picks for visitors to Botswana
Chobe National Park
Natural WondersBotswana's first national park spans 11,700 square kilometers along the Chobe River, hosting the largest continuous elephant population in Africa -- estimated at over 50,000 animals. The riverfront area offers extraordinary game viewing by boat and vehicle, with dense concentrations of buffalo, hippo, crocodile, and predators drawn to the permanent water.
Botswana · View on Map
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Natural WondersLocated just 10 kilometers south of Gaborone, Mokolodi provides an accessible introduction to Botswana's wildlife without the long journey north. The reserve shelters white rhino, giraffe, zebra, and various antelope species across its 30 square kilometers, and its education center runs conservation programs for local communities.
Gaborone BW, 2, 7R68+H8P Plot10/KO/01, Mokolodi, Botswana · View on Map
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Natural WondersThis massive transboundary park shared with South Africa covers 38,000 square kilometers of red Kalahari dunes and dry riverbeds. It is one of the finest places in Africa to observe large predators -- black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, and leopards -- against a stark, photogenic landscape of camel thorn trees and crimson sand.
Botswana · View on Map
Botswana Craft
Markets & ShoppingThis large marketplace and cultural complex in Gaborone brings together handmade baskets, textiles, pottery, and artwork from artisans across the country. The quality is notably higher than typical tourist markets, with many pieces representing traditional Tswana and San craft traditions passed through generations.
Plot 20716 Magochanyama, Gaborone, Botswana · View on Map
The Three Dikgosi Monument
Historic SitesThis striking bronze monument in central Gaborone commemorates the three chiefs -- Khama III, Sebele I, and Bathoen I -- who traveled to Britain in 1895 to prevent Cecil Rhodes from annexing their territories. The monument is a powerful symbol of Botswana's pre-independence diplomacy and the preservation of Tswana sovereignty.
9W44+2XJ, 4th Commercial, Gaborone, Botswana · View on Map
Kgale Hill Public Park
Outdoor ActivitiesRising 1,287 meters above Gaborone, Kgale Hill is the city's most popular hiking destination, offering panoramic views across the capital and surrounding bushveld. The trail to the summit is steep but manageable for reasonably fit hikers, and troops of baboons frequently patrol the lower slopes.
8V58+JQP, Gaborone, Botswana · View on Map
Helicopter Horizons
Outdoor ActivitiesOperating from Maun, Helicopter Horizons provides scenic flights over the Okavango Delta that reveal the full scale of this inland delta system -- the channels, floodplains, and island formations are only comprehensible from above. They also offer specialized photographic flights and charter transfers to remote safari camps.
Mathiba I Street, Maun, Botswana · View on Map
Sedudu Gate
Natural WondersThis northern entry point to Chobe National Park sits near the confluence of the Chobe River and provides immediate access to the park's most productive game-viewing area. The gate itself marks the beginning of the famous Chobe riverfront drive, where elephants routinely cross the road between bush and water.
544V+C98, Upper Rd, Kasane, Botswana · View on Map
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Natural WondersThe Makgadikgadi salt pans are the remnants of an ancient super-lake, forming one of the largest salt flats in the world. During the wet season (November to April), zebra and wildebeest migrations numbering in the tens of thousands sweep across the grasslands, while the dry season transforms the pans into an otherworldly white expanse.
Botswana · View on Map
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Natural WondersAt 52,800 square kilometers, the Central Kalahari is one of the world's largest game reserves, offering a raw, unmediated wilderness experience. The Deception Valley and Passarge Valley areas support surprising concentrations of gemsbok, springbok, brown hyena, and Kalahari lions adapted to survive in this arid environment.
JVX7+F65, Botswana · View on Map
Cultural Experiences
Botswana's cultural attractions reflect both its Tswana heritage and its multicultural communities. From the ISKCON Temple's community meals to the spiritual significance of sites like Matsieng Footprints, visitors gain insight into a society that values peace, community, and the stewardship of land.
ISKCON Temple
Cultural ExperiencesThe International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple in Gaborone is a spiritual center and cultural landmark, featuring traditional Hindu architecture amid Botswana's predominantly Christian landscape. The temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and serves free vegetarian meals on Sundays, offering a window into the country's small but established Indian community.
18686 Masokwe, Gaborone, Botswana · View on Map
Natural Wonders
Botswana's natural heritage is staggering in scale and diversity, from the water-rich Chobe riverfront to the salt-white Makgadikgadi Pans and the red dunes of the Kalahari. The country's commitment to large-scale conservation means these ecosystems remain remarkably intact, supporting some of Africa's healthiest wildlife populations.
Jwana Private Game Park
Natural WondersSituated near Jwaneng in southern Botswana, this private reserve was established by the Debswana Diamond Company and offers game viewing in a fenced environment that protects species including white rhino, giraffe, and eland. The park provides a controlled but authentic wildlife experience in a region otherwise dominated by diamond mining.
Botswana · View on Map
Nxai Pan National Park
Natural WondersConnected to the Makgadikgadi system, Nxai Pan is a fossil lakebed that comes alive during the rainy season when thousands of zebra, wildebeest, and springbok arrive to graze on the fresh grasslands. The park is also home to Baines' Baobabs, a cluster of ancient trees immortalized by the explorer-artist Thomas Baines in 1862.
Botswana · View on Map
Baines Baobabs
Natural WondersThis cluster of seven ancient baobab trees in Nxai Pan National Park has been a landmark since Thomas Baines painted them in 1862 -- remarkably, the trees appear virtually unchanged from his original watercolor. Standing alone on the edge of a salt pan, they create one of Botswana's most iconic and photographed natural compositions.
VQQ9+4JX, Kudia Kam, Botswana · View on Map
Limpopo-Lipadi Wildlife and Wilderness Reserve
Natural WondersThis community-managed reserve in the Tuli Block of eastern Botswana protects a rugged landscape of sandstone formations, baobab woodlands, and the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. The reserve supports elephant, leopard, hyena, and over 350 bird species, with a strong emphasis on community-based conservation.
Eastern Botswana/Tuli Block, Botswana, Botswana, Tsetsebjwe, Botswana · View on Map
Gaborone Game Reserve
Natural WondersThis small urban reserve on the edge of Gaborone protects 600 hectares of bushveld habitat, sheltering warthog, impala, kudu, ostrich, and a variety of smaller mammals. Established in 1988, it is both a recreational area for residents and an educational resource for school groups.
9X62+854, Game Reserve Rd, Gaborone, Botswana · View on Map
Chobe National Park Stretch Point
Natural WondersThis specific viewpoint along the Chobe riverfront has an elevated vantage over a wide bend in the river where elephants, buffalo, and hippo frequently congregate. The stretch of road approaching this point is considered one of the most reliable game-viewing corridors in all of Chobe.
533P+F59, Serondela, Botswana · View on Map
Outdoor Activities
From hiking Kgale Hill at dawn to quad biking through the Mokolodi bush, Botswana has active pursuits that complement the more contemplative safari experience. The terrain around Gaborone is well-suited to day hikes and adventure sports.
Boetelo Sun Valley, Notwane
Outdoor ActivitiesThis recreational area along the Notwane River near Gaborone offers picnic grounds, walking trails, and a welcome green escape from the capital's expanding urban footprint. The riverine woodland supports birdlife including kingfishers and bee-eaters, making it a popular weekend destination for Gaborone residents.
6RRX+JH9, Gaborone, Botswana · View on Map
Afro-Trek
Outdoor ActivitiesThis Gaborone-based adventure outfitter organizes quad biking, hiking, and cultural excursions in the hills and valleys surrounding the capital. Their guided quad bike trails through the Mokolodi area provide an adrenaline-fueled alternative to traditional game drives, covering terrain inaccessible to standard vehicles.
2FXG+3R3, Lekawen Drift, Botswana · View on Map
Historic Sites
Botswana's historical landmarks tell the story of a nation that achieved independence through diplomacy rather than conflict. The Three Dikgosi Monument and Matsieng Footprints connect visitors to the country's political and spiritual origins.
Matsieng Footprints
Historic SitesThese ancient rock engravings near Pilanesberg village, roughly 30 kilometers east of Gaborone, are believed by the Batswana to mark the spot where humanity first emerged from the earth. The footprints -- both human and animal -- are carved into exposed sandstone and represent one of Botswana's most important archaeological and spiritual sites.
Rasesa, Botswana · View on Map
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
May to October (dry season) for wildlife viewing, as animals concentrate around permanent water sources; November to March (green season) for bird watching, lower prices, and the Makgadikgadi zebra migration.
Booking Advice
Book safari lodges and camps 6-12 months in advance for peak dry season (July-September). Self-drive campsites in national parks can be reserved through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks website, but popular sites like Ihaha in Chobe fill up months ahead.
Save Money
Self-drive camping through parks like Chobe, Makgadikgadi, and the Central Kalahari costs a fraction of fly-in lodge safaris. Stock up on supplies in Maun or Kasane and pay park fees in advance online to avoid queues at gates.
Local Etiquette
Greet people with 'Dumela' (hello) before any conversation -- jumping straight to business is considered rude. When visiting rural communities, ask permission before photographing people. Dress modestly outside tourist areas, when visiting villages or cultural sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
what to see in botswana
The Okavango Delta is Botswana's most famous attraction, where you can explore waterways by mokoro (traditional canoe) and see elephants, hippos, and diverse birdlife. Chobe National Park has one of Africa's largest elephant populations, while the Makgadikgadi Pans offer stark salt flats and opportunities to see zebra migrations. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve provides a remote wilderness experience with excellent predator sightings, particularly during the rainy season.
botswana tourist
Botswana welcomes around 2 million tourists annually and focuses on low-volume, high-value tourism to preserve its wilderness areas. Most visitors come for safari experiences between May and October (dry season), when wildlife congregates around water sources. You'll need a valid passport, and many nationalities receive a free 90-day visa on arrival, though we recommend checking current requirements for your specific country before traveling.
botswana tour packages
Tour packages in Botswana typically range from mobile camping safaris (around $250-400 per person per day) to luxury lodge experiences ($600-1,500+ per person per day), usually including accommodations, meals, park fees, and game drives. Popular itineraries combine the Okavango Delta with Chobe National Park over 7-10 days, often starting from Maun or Kasane. We recommend booking through established operators who handle logistics like park permits and transportation, as self-driving in remote areas requires significant preparation and 4x4 experience.
places to visit in botswana
Beyond the Okavango Delta and Chobe, consider Moremi Game Reserve for excellent year-round game viewing, the Tsodilo Hills for ancient rock art (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Kalahari Desert for unique landscapes and San Bushmen cultural experiences. Kasane and Maun serve as gateway towns with amenities, while the Tuli Block in eastern Botswana offers a more accessible safari option with dramatic rock formations along the Limpopo River.
Book Your Experiences
Guided tours, tickets, and activities in Botswana