Botswana Bucket List: 18 Epic Things to Do in Botswana
Botswana is without a doubt one of the most magnificent wilderness regions on the planet. The south and east of the region comprise the awe-inspiring Kalahari Desert, while Nxai and Makgadikgadi feature lunar-like basins. Conversely, the dazzling aquatic worlds of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River ecosystem are located in the north and west.
This variety of terrain facilitates a wide range of outdoor activities suitable for virtually anyone with an interest in the great outdoors. Whether it is your tenth or first visit to Botswana, one of the friendliest countries in Africa offers something new and thrilling to discover.
It is difficult to determine what to see and do in Botswana due to the prevalence of safari activities in virtually every corner of the country. Although our company was founded in 1998, we have been customizing Botswana safaris for thousands of travelers and traversing the length and breadth of Africa. We have narrowed down our favorite activities to do in Botswana to assist you in making a decision:
Embark on a memorable journey deep into Botswana
Botswana safaris are arguably among the most memorable experiences in Africa. A safari in Botswana is an experience to remember, with its attractions ranging from the wildcats of Chobe, the rivers, lagoons, marshes, and islands of the Okavango delta, and the black-maned lions that inhabit the Kalahari Desert. Moreover, all of this is possible while residing in some of the most opulent bush cabins.
Among the most well-known national parks and game reserves are the Okavango Delta, Chobe, and the Moremi Game Reserve. The stone engravings on Tsodilo Hills and the salt pans of Makgadikgadi are two additional well-liked destinations.
If you are uncertain about the optimal time to visit Botswana or the way to organize your trip to Africa, our destination specialists are available to provide assistance. Our Bespoke Safari Co specialists have compiled the following ten-point list of the most important things to do in Botswana; you should include this in your Botswana travel guide!
18 Epic Things to Do in Botswana
1. Quad Bike Riding | ATV Rides On The Pans
Experience the fleeting sensation of wind whistling through your hair as you come to a complete halt and are enveloped in immense expanses of silence and empty space. Experiencing the Salt Pans of Botswana by quad bike is undeniably an unforgettable experience.
Quad bicycling is an essential activity for visitors to the Salt Pans region of Botswana. It is ideally suited for this terrain, as there are no impediments or challenging slopes. Numerous camps in the vicinity of the Salt Pans provide quad biking excursions to Kubu Island, which may be overnight or day outings. Kubu Island is an exceptional geological formation that distinguishes this desolate and level terrain.
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the final remnants of an enormous saline lake that dried up thousands of years ago, leaving behind a lifeless and desolate salt crust. Because certain sections of the pans become flooded during the wet season, quad motorcycling at those sections is a seasonal activity.
This safari experience is unlike any other; you will venture into the immense emptiness of the pans. The horizon simply vanishes into the distant as nothingness. This expedition will transform your perception of space. On these pans, life is scarce, and it is rumored that there are times when only the sound of your blood circulating through your ears can be heard.
Preceding the initiation of your individual 4×4 quad cycle excursion, your guide will provide you with a safety briefing. You will race across the pale white-gray dunes in a single file that is well spaced apart. You will experience the exhilaration of speeding across the dunes without encountering any impediments.
An knowledgeable guide will provide you with additional information regarding the geological processes that gave rise to the salt pans. Additionally, the guide will aid in the quest for anthropological artifacts. During the Stone Age, early Homo sapiens made use of the enormous inland sea that existed in this region; evidence of their tools can be observed.
Additionally, one may be fortunate enough to spot a lion that has adapted to life in this arid region. Aardvarks and bat-eared foxes are examples of hardy creatures that have adapted to life on the edge of this harsh environment.
Best Suited For…
- Adventurous travellers
- Families
2. Meet The San Bushmen
The San, who are the first nations of Southern Africa, are indigenous hunter-gatherer communities that are synonymous with the Kalahari. Approximately 20,000 years ago, they overcame this treacherous terrain by refining their survival skills across generations. Presently, one can acquire knowledge encompassing medicinal plants, folklore concerning the origin of the eland’s protruding antlers, and the origins of the world.
Embark on guided walking expeditions alongside the San people and gain insights into their distinctive culture, remarkable hunting and tracking prowess, and extensive knowledge of venomous and medicinal plants. Follow these suggestions for activities in Botswana if you are interested in discovering more about the way of life of one of the world’s ancient civilizations.
Best Suited For…
- Cultural tourists
- Active and adventurous travellers
3. Guided Game Drives
We go on MANY game excursions as Africa Safari Experts, and Botswana never ceases to amaze. There are an abundance of animals and enthusiastic guides. Botswana is a wildlife sanctuary, and one of the most thrilling activities here is a guided game drive. It is virtually equivalent to aiming a projectile at the country’s map and proceeding in that direction. In a more serious vein, for a comprehensive game viewing experience in Botswana, visit Chobe to witness the largest elephant populations on the planet and Moremi Game Reserve to observe predators in action.
Best Suited For…
- First-time safari travellers
- Wildlife enthusiasts
Self Drive Safari For Dummies – Moremi Game Reserve
4. Aquatic Safaris In The Delta
Historically, traditional mekoro (canoes) traversed the Okavango Delta by being constructed from sausage tree trunks that had been hollowed out. At nearly all lodges today, lighter, quicker, and more eco-friendly fiberglass canoes are utilized. A ride in a mokoro is one of the most serene experiences you will ever have: you are poled along quietly, and your guide will point out beautiful lilies, tiny painted reed frogs and goliath herons. Concern not, hippos; the poler subtly touches the mokoro’s side to alert them that human beings are approaching. It provides the ideal “vehicle” for viewing wildlife in the Okavango Delta and brings you closer to the creatures in “the Venice of safari.”
The Okavango Delta, which traverses its dense reeds in hundreds of channels, is the largest inland delta in the world. It is an ideal location for motor boating. While your guide will reduce the rpm of the engines when approaching water-adapted fauna such as sitatunga antelope, hippo, crocodiles, and elephants, power boating enables you to explore more remote regions of the Delta and travel further from your lodge.
Best Suited For…
- First-time safari travellers
- Adventurous travellers
5. Take In The Views From Top Lodges & Camps
Botswana offers an abundance of breathtaking vistas, including the Chobe floodplain, Savuti wetland, and Okavango Delta. In this region, which is relatively level for the most part of the year, the sky appears bluer and higher, the clouds are denser, and the sunlight is more nourishing. Wide-angle lenses are recommended for capturing Botswana’s breathtaking landscapes.
Best Suited For…
- Honeymooners
- Discerning travellers
- Photographers
6. Go Birding
Prior to their Botswana safari, numerous customers declare that they have no interest in birds. They are then presented with the enjoyable challenge of attempting to identify a Pel’s fishing owl in the distant tree or capturing the exact moment a fish eagle takes off. Following a single excursion to Botswana, which is home to 550 species, they have abruptly changed their melody and are now twitching.
From November to March during the summer, Botswana is at its most bird-friendly. Migrants and locals congregate at this location, which is teeming with “ticks”: pied kingfishers, oxpeckers, black egrets (which hunt fish by luring them into the darkness created by feather covering the water), African fish eagles, giant eagle owls (which are peculiarly found perched on the ground), exquisite carmine bee-eaters, ground hornbills (which served as the inspiration for Zazou from The Lion King), jewel-like malachite kingfishers, and the most challenging to photograph
Best Suited For…
- Birdwatchers
- Wildlife enthusiasts
- Photographers
7. Enjoy The Best Predator Sightings
As more vegetation grows, so do antelope. In areas frequented by deer, zebra, and other water-seeking animals, one may also encounter some of the largest crocodiles in Africa. Capable of remaining stationary for extended periods, they induce a deceptive sense of security in their prey prior to launching a lightning-fast assault. For photographers, it is worth noting that crocs lack any discernible motion indicator and possess an uncanny ability to perform a thrilling action just as one is sipping water or changing a lens. You will be kept on your toes. The dense vegetation and deep waters of the riverbanks in Chobe are ideal crocodile habitat.
Not only do the predators’ movements in Botswana occur in impressive groups, but their magnitude is as well. Chobe’s Savuti region is home to the renowned Marsh Pride, whose lions are among the largest in Africa. Prolonged periods of arduous hunting in dense marshland and deep water have honed their prowess to the point where they are capable of dispatching elephants. Lions are intriguing even when they are not hunting, which typically occurs late at night when you are most likely in bed.
Leopard sightings are a common occurrence in Moremi Game Reserve, where the big cat action persists. Remarkably, this is the sole area of the Okavango Delta that has been officially designated as a World Heritage Site.
One could even be exceptionally fortunate enough to observe lion cubs or leopards in the process of acclimating to the outside world. Lions are the most sociable felines, and their playful interaction can easily engross one.
Best Suited For…
- First-time safari travellers
- Wildlife enthusiasts
- Photographers
8. Track The Big 5 In The Okavango Delta
The Big Five (rhinoceros, elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes) are the primary attractions for novice safari-goers in Botswana. More likely than not, you will encounter each one in Botswana, with a particular emphasis on Moremi and the Okavango Delta. Sadly, rhinos are threatened with extinction; however, innovative conservation initiatives are extending the lives of these magnificent species, which have endured for millennia.
Best Suited For…
- First-time safari travellers
- Wildlife enthusiasts
9. Hang Out With Meerkats
Meerkats, despite their adorable and endearing appearance, are fearless survivors with an incredible social structure and surveillance system. They quickly become accustomed to humans and, in fact, start using us as expedient lookout posts due to their extreme courage. Meerkats prefer barren, arid environments to burrow. For one of the most family-friendly things to do in Botswana, travel to the Kalahari.
Best Suited For…
- Families with children
- First-time safari travellers
10. Spot Rare & Unusual Wildlife
Although the Big Five are rightfully regarded as the heavyweights of Africa, lesser, more elusive species should also be on your itinerary when visiting Botswana. Wild dogs have been brought back from the verge of extinction as a result of effective conservation efforts; the Moremi Game Reserve is home to a number of breeding groups of these extraordinary canids.
While approaching Chobe National Park, be on the lookout for sizable herds of grizzled waterbuck. They are exquisite antelope with large white rings adorning their buttocks; it is considered impolite to make lighthearted remarks comparing them to toilet seats. A relatively uncommon antelope is the lovely sable, which can be identified by its male’s glossy black pelt and half-moon horns. Similar in appearance to roan antelope, sables are elusive creatures with white muzzles and considerably more erect antlers.
The Delta is the most favorable location to observe two uncommon antelope species: the extremely timid sitatunga and the bounding red lechwe. In fact, locating a sitatunga is more difficult than locating a leopard.
An additional timid and difficult-to-locate species is the African wild cat. African feral cats, which are larger than domesticated felines but possess the same remarkable qualities, are quick runners. They prefer open grassland; Savuti or Linyanti may be suitable locations.
Oryx, among the most fashionable antelopes in Africa, prefer semiarid regions such as the Kalahari. As the number of ‘rings’ on a male’s antlers increases, his age also increases. Be on the lookout for additional desert-adapted animals such as brown hyenas, aardvarks, honey badgers, and bat-eared foxes while in the Kalahari.
Best Suited For…
- Wildlife enthusiasts
11. Game Viewing On Horseback
Safaris atop horses are among the most coveted things to do in Botswana and are only advised for seasoned riders. You and your horse can enjoy cantering through pristine floodplains in pursuit of sitatunga, lechwe, and zebra, the horse’s equine relative. Your horse will become accustomed to the game. Riders with less experience need not be disheartened; numerous lodges provide easy outings designed specifically for novices.
Best Suited For…
- Riders of all levels
- Active and adventurous travellers
Safari at Macatoo – Botswana
12. Hot-Air Balloon Safari Over The Delta
One of the marvels of ballooning is that it provides an accurate perspective of the Okavango’s size. Flying over it in a light aircraft is one thing; floating serenely above its oxbow lakes while observing the hippos, elephants, and buffaloes below is an entirely different experience. It is undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences and the finest things to do in Botswana for a honeymoon.
Best Suited For…
- First-time safari travellers
- Honeymooners
13. Sleep Under The Stars
Botswana at night presents its own spectacle: an overwhelming constellation constellation. Without any light or air pollution, the magnificent Milky Way truly shines here. In all honesty, astronomy is possible out of the cities as well, including Maun and Kasane. Consider the Kalahari, however, for dependable cosmic splendor, and for good reason: the heavens are likely to be devoid of clouds.
An unforgettable experience in Botswana is spending the night in one of the country’s magnificent star beds. Away in the distance, surrounded solely by a mosquito net and an infinite canopy of stars, drift off to the distant calls of lion, hyenas, and chortling hippos. A’star-bed’ is precisely what its name implies: a cozy, wilderness-based bed set up in the open air. While some are crafted in picturesque riverbeds illuminated by romantic candlelight, others are elevated on rustic platforms resembling bird’s nests above the trees. Certain accommodations are situated within opulent tree houses that feature en suite toilets and running water. Visit Botswana’s private reserves or the Makgadikgadi Pans for an extraordinary night in the wilderness or stargazing, respectively. Including this activity in your itinerary for a honeymoon safari in Botswana would be highly recommended.
Best Suited For…
- Adventurous travellers
- Honeymooners
- Couples
14. Sunset Cruises On The Chobe River
Chobe National Park’s northernmost tributary, the Chobe River, frequently marks the conclusion of Botswana excursions. Moreover, what a conclusion! A sunset cruise is the traditional method to end the day, during which one may observe fish eagles, crocodiles, hippos, an assortment of birds, and even water monitors from the vessel. One advantageous aspect of game observing from a boat is the provision of distinctive vantage points for wildlife photography. However, the most spectacular spectacle is invariably the migration of elephant families between banks.
As the group crosses with patience, the commander conducts a depth assessment, looks for submerged logs and rocks, and ultimately selects the safest course of action. Consistently positioned in the center of the group, the infants frequently engage in frantic paddling with their tiny legs when the water becomes too deep. It is among the most humbling experiences one could have in Botswana.
Best Suited For…
- First-time safari travellers
- Families
- Photographers
15. Measure Yourself Against A Baobab
Baobabs are referred to in local Tswana folklore as “the tree God created in wrath.” Evidently, he became displeased with the baobab and hurled it from the heavens, where it landed erratically on Earth with its “roots” in the air; this earned it the additional appellation “the upside-down tree.” Baobabs are remarkable in that their enormous trunks retain a great deal of moisture and elephants frequently use their canines to scrape the bark for it. Nevertheless, the baobabs endure the hydration efforts of these pachyderms.
There are numerous extraordinary baobabs in the Makgadikgadi region, but Baines’ Baobabs in Nxai Pan National Park are the most worthwhile to visit. The Sleeping Sisters, a cluster of seven truncated baobabs, were immortalized in the paintings of Thomas Baines, a British landscape artist appointed by the Royal Geographic Society in 1862 to depict this phenomenon.
Best Suited For…
- Families
- Photographers
16. Yoga In The Desert
Although safari camps have gained notoriety for being all about dining when not observing wildlife, an increasing number of them are beginning to offer active activities. Yoga serves as an exceptional method to decelerate and grant one’s mental presence the opportunity to deeply communicate with the serene environment. At Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi, where a dedicated yoga pavilion overlooks the sun, one can pay homage to the sun.
Best Suited For…
- Active travellers
- Mindful travellers
17. Mobile Camping Expedition
Camping on a mobile device is an excellent way to return to the fundamentals and explore more of the wilderness. It has gained significant popularity as a safari activity in Botswana owing to its authentic nature, reasonable cost, and comfortable surroundings. You remain in a series of tented camps situated in private concessions, national parks, and game reserves, relocating to a new location every few days via air or road. While one may forego amenities such as a swimming pool, air conditioning, spa treatments, and Wi-Fi, essential creature comforts including hot showers, charging stations, and delectable cuisine remain uninterrupted. Additionally, you acquire an unparalleled proximity to nature; elephants, honey badgers, ground squirrels, and even the rare spotted hyena or leopard are not uncommon in the vicinity of your camp.
Best Suited For…
- Intrepid travellers
- Families
18. Green Season Safari
The currency of Tswana, the ‘pula’, derives its name from the word ‘rain’, a symbol of the country’s profound reliance on precipitation. Rain is essential for life, and Botswana experiences one of the most fertile rainy seasons globally: between November and April, the vegetation becomes verdant, the atmosphere is devoid of dust particles, avian species proliferate, and juvenile fauna (as well as predators) proliferate. Consult with your Africa Safari Expert regarding the reasons why traveling to Botswana during the Low/Green Season is often financially advantageous (rates are significantly reduced at this time of year).
Best Suited For…
- Thrifty travellers
- Photographers
Botswana’s green safaris
Ready To Start Planning Your Botswana Safari?
Engage in conversation with an individual who has been there. Contact one of our Africa Safari Experts for assistance in planning a trip to Botswana that precisely matches your interests and objectives: