You can’t beat a Botswana safari for its heady mix of wildlife, pristine wilderness, and remarkable beauty. The country’s low-volume, high-value approach to tourism keeps it uncrowded and unspoiled; its lodges are lavish and its adventures unique.
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You can cruise the Chobe River among massive elephant herds, glide through the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), quad bike across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, or spot the Big Five in Moremi Game Reserve.
In the Okavango Delta, fly over the wetlands in a light aircraft, track predators on walking safaris, or stay at luxury fly-in lodges on remote islands. You can take a day trip to Chobe National Park, which has the highest number of elephants in the world, from Victoria Falls.
You can sleep under the stars in the stark lunar landscapes of the Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans, and in the Kalahari Desert you can spot black-maned Kalahari lions and learn about ancient San Bushmen culture.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 10 unique experiences you can have in the stunning country of Botswana.
1. Go on a Luxury Safari in the Okavango Delta
Stay in high-end lodges or exclusive tented camps with luxurious amenities and personalised service in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Activities include private game drives, guided walks, and boat safaris where you’ll get to see a wide variety of wildlife.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a distinctive water-based safari. Guided by expert polers who stand in the stern, you can navigate the shallow, reed-filled channels in a mokoro for an intimate view of the delta and its wildlife, such as tiny reed frogs, hippos, and crocodiles.
Though they are available year-round at lodges where there’s permanent water, the peak experience occurs during the dry season (June to October), when the floodwaters come in, and the delta is at its fullest.
2. Book an Aerial Safari
To appreciate the vast scale of the Okavango Delta or the Makgadikgadi Pans, take a scenic flight, helicopter ride, or hot air balloon flight. Flights from Maun over the Okavango Delta reveal the intricate labyrinth of palm islands and ancient elephant trails.
Helicopter trips over the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans highlight the stark contrast between white salt and green vegetation, while over Moremi Game Reserve you get unparalleled wildlife sightings, from herds of antelope and elephants to a range of predators.
A hot air balloon over the Okavango Delta as the sun rises is a serene and magical experience as you watch the animals wake up. On landing, you’ll be treated to a Champagne breakfast in the bush, the perfect end to your sunrise adventure.
Hot air ballooning is seasonal, typically available from April to September. These activities offer a bird’s-eye view of Africa’s most charismatic creatures, including giraffes and buffalo herds.
3. Discover the Tsodilo Hills Rock Art
Located in remote northwestern Botswana, the Tsodilo Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to more than 4,500 ancient rock paintings. Known as The “Louvre of the Desert”, the site is sacred to local people, who believe it’s where the world was created.
Go on a guided walking trail with a member of the local Bushman community to see some of the hundreds of panels showing animals and humans, some dating back 40,000 years.
The rock art is accessible year-round, but the cooler winter months (May to August) are the most comfortable for hiking through the rugged hills.
4. Ride a Quad Bike Across the Salt Pans
Few adventures are as adrenaline-filled as quad biking across the vast Makgadikgadi Pans. They give a sense of absolute freedom across otherworldly landscapes of white salt crust.
It’s most popular during the dry season, when the pans are hard and traversable. While you’re here, visit the habituated meerkats, which are known to use human observers as lookouts.
You can also sleep overnight directly on the pans under the Milky Way – the sheer brilliance of the stars will take your breath away.
5. Cruise the Chobe River in Style
Experience the beauty of Chobe National Park from the comfort of a luxurious riverboat, whether it’s an afternoon trip or an overnight adventure on a houseboat, featuring amenities such as gourmet dining, a bar, and plenty of comfort.
Chobe is famous for its large herds of elephants, and a boat cruise on the river provides an up-close encounter with these majestic creatures, along with the other wildlife you’ll spot along the riverbanks.
These cruises are excellent year-round, though the dry season offers spectacular sights of elephants swimming across the river. It’s a tranquil alternative to vehicle-based safaris, often featuring sunset views and photographic opportunities.
6. Step Out on an Exclusive Walking Safari
Led by experienced and expert guides, walking safaris in Botswana offer a more intimate exploration of the environment, allowing you to appreciate the smaller details of the country’s ecosystems. You’ll learn about tracking wildlife, interpreting animal behaviour, identifying medicinal plants and recognising bird calls while exploring the bush on foot.
Walking safaris are possible in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and private concessions, always with a trained and armed guide.
They’re best during the dry winter months (June to August) when vegetation is thin, making wildlife easier to spot, and the weather is more comfortable for hiking.
7. Ride a Horse Through the Wilderness
Because wild animals often don’t perceive horses as a threat, riders can generally get much closer to them than on foot or in a car. Horse riding safaris are possible in the Makgadikgadi Pans, Northern Tuli Game Reserve, and the Okavango Delta and range from short rides to multi-day expeditions.
You can go on a horse-riding safari year-round, but specific locations may vary by season based on water levels. It’s one of Botswana’s most exclusive and expensive activities because of its specialised nature.
8. Watch the Zebra Migration
Thousands of zebras migrate annually between the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi, and Nxai Pan. It’s the fifth-largest land migration in Africa by head count at about 20,000 zebras, but it’s the continent’s longest land migration route at more than 1,000km round trip.
The best time to witness this spectacle is during the green or wet season. The herds typically arrive in the pans from December to January and depart between March and April for the long trek back to the river.
This period also attracts diverse birdlife, including flamingos that gather in shallow pools created by the rains. It’s a humbling reminder of the vast scale and wonder of the animal kingdom.
9. Learn about Botswana’s Culture
You can book interesting cultural experiences throughout Botswana, including visiting local communities in the Kalahari, Ghanzi, and village tours near Maun or Kasane. Walking with the San Bushmen offers a rare look at a way of life that’s been unchanged for millennia. They demonstrate their legendary tracking skills and deep knowledge of medicinal plants.
Such cultural visits can be done year-round. You can also visit community projects, such as the Shorobe Basket Co-operative, where local women weave traditional crafts to support their communities. It provides a vital human connection beyond wildlife viewing.
10. Stay in a Mobile Tented Camp
For an adventurous yet luxurious safari experience, consider a stay at a mobile tented camp in Botswana. These high-end camps move to different locations based on wildlife movements and are usually set up in remote areas for peak exclusivity.
Private chefs, personalised service, and expert safari guides deliver a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness areas.
Botswana offers a diverse range of activities that go beyond traditional safaris, focusing on its unique ecosystems, such as the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert.
These unique experiences represent the pinnacle of adventurous travel in Botswana. They blend the thrill of an African safari with the luxury and comfort of world-class accommodations.
