Discover Botswana
Botswana, a jewel in the heart of Southern Africa, offers an unparalleled safari experience for the adventurous traveler. Known for its pristine wilderness, this country boasts some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes, including the otherworldly Okavango Delta, the vast Kalahari Desert, and the wildlife-rich Chobe National Park. Botswana is a sanctuary for Africa’s most magnificent creatures, from the majestic elephants and big cats to countless bird species. Beyond its natural wonders, Botswana’s stable political environment and commitment to eco-tourism have made it a haven for conservation enthusiasts and those seeking an authentic, unspoiled wilderness experience. As a result, it’s no surprise that Botswana is often regarded as one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.
THE OKAVANGO DELTA
Botswana’s Okavango Delta listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, is known for its wildlife protection and management. Lying in-between the Moremi Game reserve, the delta covers an area of around 15000 sq kilometers, stretching the boundaries to the Kalahari Desert. The deltas of Okavango are basically the marshlands that are seasonally flooded with water during the months from March to July. The season coinciding with dry Botswana helps the wildlife to migrate to the delta flooded with the flood water maintaining an ecological balance. The diverse wildlife with endemic flora and fauna makes the region perfect for a safari tout at Okavango Deltas. The population of endangered species like the black and white rhino, African Dogs and the predators like cheetah and Lion can be spotted during the Okavango Delta safari. Being the center of attraction for its diverse ecological and geographical features, the deltas have added much to the tourism industry. The landscape and the entire ecology of Okavango delta flaunt the pictorial beauty that attracts the tourist, especially the photographers. One can find a number of accommodation options all from the resorts, campsites and lodges at Okavango Delta.
CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
The renowned Chobe National Park lies within Botswana’s Okavango Delta and covers four distinct eco-systems. Chobe National Park is home to over 120,000 African elephants, making it one of the top places on the planet to see these huge mammals in their natural environment. The best time of year to enjoy spectacular sightings of these gentle giants is during Botswana’s cooler, winter months (dry season) between May and September when enormous herds congregate on the banks of the Chobe River.
The unspoilt wilderness of Chobe National Park not only supports the world’s largest concentration of African elephants, but a multitude of buffalo and a remarkable and vast diversity of wildlife and birdlife. The Savuti Marsh in particular offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa all year round.
The Chobe National Park is also home to the beloved endangered African wild dogs, jackals, leopards, and various predators, to mention a few. The Savuti region of the Chobe National Park is notoriously known for brutal clashes between lions and hyenas as well as where powerful prides famously take down Africa’s biggest game like buffalo, giraffe and even elephants.
One can self-drive in Chobe National Park, which makes it a great park to visit for those on a road trip or on an African wildlife adventure and can also easily do a daytrip from Zimbabwe or Zambia. Alternatively there is a wide variety of accommodation options available.
MAKGADIKGADI SALT PANS
One of the largest salt pans in the world, Makgadikgadi was once a lake covering a vast 10,000 square kilometers of north-eastern Botswana. While the cracked and dry Makgadikgadi Salt Pans may not look like the type of environment that would attract a large population of wildlife, people will be pleasantly surprised when visiting this unique part of Botswana.
During summer, the desolate dry expanses of Makgadikgadi come to life with thriving grasslands, attracting a vast diversity of wildlife, including springbok, wildebeest and zebra followed closely by lion and cheetah. Shallow waters begin to flood over seemingly endless pans, drawing thousands of flamingos.
By far one of the top highlights of visiting the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans during Botswanan’s wet season is seeing Southern Africa’s largest zebra migration from the Boteti River. During the annual zebra migration visitors will have the opportunity to witness thousands of zebras move through Botswana’s Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Parks. The annual zebra migration is the second largest migration of wildlife in Africa.
NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK
Technically as part of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nxai Pan was created as an extension to expand the conservation area. Situated within Nxai Pan you’ll find the magnificent and highly sought-after wilderness and safari destination, the Nxai Pan National Park. While the spectacular scenery and vast landscapes is one of the area’s main draws, boasting remarkable sand dunes, towering baobab trees, and of course the salt pans themselves, Nxai Pan and Nxai Pan National Park has so much to offer.
During Botswana’s rainy season (from November to April), the lakebed becomes beautifully lush and green, playing host to an incredible variety of wildlife that migrate through the area. When flooded, the pans also offer exceptional birding and vast game-viewing opportunities. Another wet season highlight is the great annual zebra migration which sees thousands of zebras move through Botswana’s Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Parks. Although the Great Migration in the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is the most famous and biggest land migration in the world, Botswana’s zebra migration is actually the longest migration as well as the second largest migration of wildlife in Africa.
MOREMI GAME RESERVE
Covering one third of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, bordering on the Chobe National Park, the Moremi Game Reserve, also known as the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, is a small reserve which is home to a dense concentration and vast diversity of African wildlife. This undoubtedly makes the Moremi Game Reserve one of the top tourist attractions in Botswana for any wildlife enthusiast.
Known for its exceptional and abundant wildlife, Moremi Game Reserve and adjoining private land concessions in the Okavango provide the perfect environment in which to see endangered Wild Dogs and other rare wildlife species in their natural habitat. Some of these rare species include, the Black-maned Kalahari Lion, Sitatunga, Puku and Red Lechwe antelope, Brown Hyena, the African Skimmer and Aardvark.
The Moremi Game Reserve is also regarded as one of the best reserves to spot the renowned African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) thanks to the recent re-introduction of both black and white rhino into the area. If you’re an avid bird lover, you are in for quite a treat as Moremi Game Reserve’s birdlife is truly unrivalled with over 500 species to admire.
July through to October is the best time to visit this amazing part of Botswana, with 4×4 safaris combined with water-based traditional mokoro trips being the best and most unique way to see the abundant wildlife and birdlife the Moremi Game Reserve has to offer.
KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
Boasting sand dunes, salt pans, and a thriving diversity of wildlife, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the best parks to visit in Botswana during the rainy summer months (November – April). Regarded as one of the largest parks in Botswana, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park covers an estimated area of 14,670 square miles/ 38,000 square kilometers. Its size is largely due to the fact that it encompasses two previously separate parks: The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and Gemsbok National Park in Botswana.
While you won’t find the entire African Big 5 here, migrating herds of wildebeest and other antelope attract large numbers of predators and raptors – resulting in some pretty spectacular sightings. The protected area that makes up the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is unfenced, which allows the wildlife to follow their ancient migration routes.
If you’re a keen adventurer and wildlife enthusiast looking to experience an off-the-beaten-path African adventure, visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park should undoubtedly be on your safari bucket-list. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is not easy to get to, especially from the Botswana side. You’ll need a 4×4 and the ability to camp self-sufficiently if you’re eager to explore and experience this majestic piece of Botswana wilderness.
THE KALAHARI
Botswana’s three Kalahari parks, namely Nxai Pan National Park, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, are a far cry from the common image of a sandy wasteland many might be expecting. Instead, the Kalahari boasts beautiful, wooded grasslands and seasonally flooded pans which are home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife. As the Kalahari and its vivid landscapes are vastly different to Botswana’s more popular destinations, it is the ideal destination for seasoned traveller’s looking for a unique and authentic African safari experience.
Besides classic Kalahari wildlife such as zebra, wildebeest, oryx, eland, springbok and giraffe, Botswana’s three renowned Kalahari parks have a reputation for its vast predator activity. When visiting the Kalahari, wildlife lovers are likely to encounter black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetah, black-backed jackal, brown and spotted hyena, leopard, and rare and endangered wild dog sightings. A Kalahari safari also gives you the opportunity to see several of Africa’s smaller and more elusive animals such as the wild cat, porcupine, aardwolf, meerkat, and honey badgers.
Birdlife in the Kalahari is surprisingly exceptional, especially during Botswana’s rainy summer months between December and April. Avid birders can enjoy incredible sightings of flamingos, secretary birds, martial eagles, great white pelicans, and giant eagle owls.
KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY
Established in 1992, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary was set-up in an effort to help save Botswana’s endangered rhinos from extinction as well as to re-introduce wildlife into the area so that the local community could benefit from tourism. To this day the Khama Rhino Sanctuary plays a vital role in the conservation of one of the most endangered species in the world. Both white and black rhino can be found at the Rhino Sanctuary. In addition to rhinos, the sanctuary is home to several endangered and rare species as well as a variety of wildlife, including the beloved Wild Dog, caracal, aardvark, leopard, cheetah, elephant and more.
The 4,300-hectare reserve is located about 25km outside of Serowe and is heavily patrolled by the Botswana Defence Force to ensure the rhinos remain protected at all times. The sanctuary is centered around the Serwe Pan – a large grass-covered depression with several natural water holes in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana.
If you are self-driving to Botswana’s northern game reserves, it’s a great idea to stop at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and witness these magnificent and critically endangered species first-hand. While you’re in the park you can also opt to enjoy a walking safari, game drive, or track a rhino on foot with a guide.
