The Top 8 Things To Do In Botswana
Located in Southern Africa, Botswana is a diverse country known for its national parks, unique African culture, and heritage exhibitions.
If you’re looking for a luxury safari vacation, exploring this country’s magical landscapes is the perfect way to do so.
Here are some of the best things to do in Botswana to create a memorable experience.
1. River Cruise on the Chobe River
One of the most popular activities for visitors to participate in on their Botswana vacation is a day trip on the Chobe River.
Chobe River day trips offer some of Africa’s best opportunities to see wildlife. You get to take charge of your river safari. There’re no time constraints or roaring engines to disturb the peace on the historic river.
Another option is to take a ride on the houseboat. The houseboat’s upper deck gives an excellent vantage point from which to observe Chobe National Park’s wildlife as it floats along the Chobe River.
The park houses over 80,000 elephants and is a great place to spot hippos, waterfowl, buffalos, crocodiles, and puku. You’ll find over 500 bird species in this marsh, making it a photographer’s dream.
The onboard cash bar features a selection of refreshing beverages for purchase. Furthermore, every houseboat has at least a small boat.
You may use the small boats to go on whatever excursions strike your fantasy. You can go to watch four-meter-long crocodiles or a phenomenal hippo fight.
After taking in the local fauna, test your skills at tiger fishing or go on a pictorial safari to capture Africa’s grandeur. Whatever activities you choose to partake in are customized to cater to your specific interests.
The dry months of May to October are the best time to visit if you’re hoping to see the most species along the riverbanks. If you’re interested in bird watching, the green season from November to April is the best. But if you’re looking only to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and spectacular sunsets, you can visit any time of the year.
2. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Botswana’s landscapes are captivating, but nothing compares to a morning hot air balloon safari. Okavango Delta is the most popular location for a hot air balloon ride in Botswana. Most tourists often regard Okavango Delta as one of Africa’s most pristine natural environments.
Even when it’s dry, it’s a sight to behold, but when it floods, the delta takes on a new level of enchantment. You can watch zebras, lions, tigers, leopards, and baboons during this period. It is also a popular destination for bird watchers. When the delta’s water levels go up, there’s more wildlife concentration on the high ground creating a better viewing angle.
Your hot air balloon tour starts before sunrise when the sun’s rays are still visible. As you float lazily above Okavango’s vistas, you get a spectacular look at Botswana’s beautiful wildlife and scenery. You’ll have one hour in the air to take in the exciting views and sounds of a hot air balloon excursion.
3. Helicopter Photo Safari
Aerial sightseeing of Botswana’s rich ecosystems is a unique opportunity. You’ll enjoy the clear waters of the Okavango winding banks and different wildlife species in the wetland’s dense vegetation. The view here is excellent for taking pictures from above.
The breathtaking vistas in Northern Botswana will let you appreciate how isolated the country’s unspoiled regions are. The tour is a great way to learn about a new culture and interact with people whose daily routines haven’t evolved much in centuries.
A local guide will receive you and share exciting facts about the locals’ religious practices, rituals, artistic expressions, fishing, hunting, and gathering. If you love aerial photography, documenting local culture, or capturing breathtaking landscapes, you’ll find this tour ideal.
You can also embark on a half-day safari to see the ancient Tsodilo hillsides in Northwest Botswana. You’ll also witness artifacts dating back 100,000 years. The area is home to one of the world’s greatest medieval artworks collections.
4. See the Meerkats in Makgadikgadi
The Makgadikgadi Pans provide visitors with a unique opportunity to enjoy a morning in the company of a native meerkat colony. Because humans aren’t a threat to them, meerkats will continue foraging in the grassland for scorpions and other delectable bites.
The successful taming of these little desert creatures relies heavily on the commitment of a full-time meerkat man, who monitors the pack daily and assists visitors in locating them. The guide drives you to the nesting zone in the early morning before the birds can emerge from their dens.
As the sun rises, they warily peek out of their dens on a low sandy slope. Once they determine it’s safe to climb up, they scurry to the highest peaks of the hillside to look for potential threats and food sources.
At some point, the entire colony, including the young birds, begins chattering and wrestling while tourists sit or kneel among them. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get close to the social and resilient desert creatures.
5. Mokoro in the Okavango Delta
A mokoro is a Tswana word for dugout canoe. The Okavango Delta residents rely on mokoro for transportation and fishing because of their suitability for the narrow, winding rivers and lagoons throughout the region.
You’ll witness a canoe built with fiberglass instead of the typical ebony and African sausage trees.
The ideal time for a mokoro trip is between July and August because water levels in the Okavango Delta fluctuate significantly over the seasons. A mokoro adventure is considered a risk-free activity when the water levels are at maximum.
The purpose of a mokoro cruise through the Okavango is to relax and take in the stunning natural scenery. Your guide will explain the intricate workings of the delta and how it sustains one of the world’s largest wildlife populations.
Birdwatchers enjoy going on these tours because it’s the only opportunity to get close to some of Africa’s most stunning bird species, like the malachite kingfisher.
6. Fishing in the Delta
The Okavango Delta is easily accessible and has many fishing opportunities. You can expect to find numerous types of fish here, including:
Tigerfish
Barbel
Carp
It’s possible to have a productive afternoon fishing on a lagoon in the Okavango Delta. But when you return a few months later, you’ll find the water is gone. The authorities restrict fishing between January and February for breeding purposes.
Select dams in the Central, North-Eastern, and Southern Botswana are open to anglers. Whether using live bait or artificial lures, the anglers do sport fishing on a catch-and-release basis. In August, millions of small fish swim from the refuge of the narrow riverbanks into the major channels.
7. Quad Biking in the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is home to some of the most pristine wilderness in the world. The desert’s sandy terrain makes it perfect for off-roading on quad bikes. You will be able to see wildlife, such as zebras, elephants, and jackals.
Anyone looking for a serious adrenaline rush should put quad-riding on their list of things to do in Botswana. You can enjoy some much-needed alone time when riding around Makgadikgadi’s desolate lunar landscape.
After a long day of riding, you can relax by spreading out on soft bedrolls. The multi-day activities may incorporate visits to Chapman’s baobab and Kubu Island.
The best time to visit for quad biking is during the dry season. At this time, neither flooding nor thick undergrowth will slow you down as you sprint from one turn to the next along the routes.
8. Birding
Botswana is home to over 500 bird species. You will face the exciting challenge of discovering the Pel’s fishing owl in that far-off tree. You can also attempt to capture the perfect photo of a fish eagle taking off.
The best time to plan a Botswana vacation is during the warmer months of November to March. During this time, migratory birds join the year-round residents. The ideal places to go birding in Botswana are Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta since they have all-season water sources nearby.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is also a fantastic destination for birdwatchers. The park provides a sanctuary to more than 170 bird species. A boat tour along the Chobe River or the Okavango Delta permits you to watch waterbird species like the African Jacana and Southern Carmine Bee-eaters.
Every year, various waterbird species make their way to known breeding grounds to lay their eggs and nurture their chicks. You frequently see waterbirds in lagoons with tree-filled islands or dense reed mats. The best time to watch waterbirds is between August and November when there are high temperatures and low water levels.
Final Thoughts
Botswana possesses one of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. It’s an incredible wildlife sanctuary and home to many bird species. With so many sceneries to explore, there’s something for any outdoor enthusiast. If you’re not outdoorsy, there are other ways to enjoy the gorgeous country.
The locals are also welcoming and accommodating to all visitors. However, it might not be easy to narrow your options for things to do in Botswana as there are so many unique things to experience. We hope our list of the best things to do in Botswana will help you decide what activities to engage in your coming tour in Africa.
If you need assistance with planning a Botswana vacation, or a trip to Zimbabwe, Zambia, or Rwanda, get in touch with our team here at Sundowner Safaris and we will help you plan an unforgettable trip.
