Holidays to Botswana: A List of Some of the Best Destinations for Botswana Safari Tours
Holidays to Botswana: the wildlife, the unbelievably beautiful landscapes, the sheer thrill. No matter how many times we visit the land of the Tswana, it never fails to mesmerize us. And we know we’re not alone in this.
You see, Botswana is perfection epitomized; a place where stunningly diverse wildlife roams surreal landscapes. A place where jaw-dropping deserts, striking salt pans, and dazzling water worlds co-exist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
We want you to adore Botswana as much as we do, and that is why we’ve created this list of some of the most captivating destinations for Botswana safari tours.
Where to Reach Us
Unfortunately, we do not plan Botswana safaris, but we have access to some of the best safari providers in Botswana. Call or WhatsApp us at +254-704-532-105 or email us at safarioffers@kenyasafariholidays.uk, safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com, or james@ajkenyasafaris.com and we’ll be more than happy to connect you with these travel experts.
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Where to Go for a Truly Unforgettable Botswana Safari Tour
Okavango Delta- tick. Chobe National Park- tick. Moremi Game Reserve- tick. But where else should you go for a truly exciting Botswana safari holiday? We have all the exciting deets.
Chobe National Park
The very first thing you’ll notice about the Chobe National Park is its stunning landscape. The sandy terrain. The lush floodplains. The dense mopane trees. And the slow, almost poetic flow of the dazzling Chobe River.
And then there’s the wildlife- the wild, abundant wildlife of the Chobe National Park. There is a staggering amount of it including huge elephant herds whose numbers are only matched by the massive lion prides.
You’ll also discover mind-spinning amounts of zebras, impalas, warthogs, wildebeests, giraffes, and big cats such as leopards, lions, wild dogs, and cheetahs.
Third on the list is the birds. Experts claim that over 450 bird species live in the Chobe National Park and boy are they a thrill to watch. Watch out for storks, herons, hamerkops, swallows, and eagles.
Things to do in the Chobe National Park
So what do you do when you are in one of the most fascinating parks in the world? A lot actually. Like taking a boat ride down the Chobe River, exploring the landscape on a game drive, or learning about the region’s culture on a village tour.
Chobe National Park also offers exceptional photographic opportunities, guided walks, sundowners, and night game drives.
Where to Stay
Chobe National Park is home to a remarkable variety of luxury tented camps including the Ghoha Hills Savuti, Ngoma Safari Lodge, and the Savuti National Park.
There’s also a wide range of budget-tented camps to choose from including the Chobe Bush Lodge and the River View Lodge.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Modest is not a word that exists in the CKGR’s vocabulary. For one, it is Africa’s largest protected area, and for another, it is the largest sand basin in the world. It is also the second-largest game reserve in the world and one of the most biodiverse landscapes in Southern Africa.
It’s wildlife? Also remarkable for sure! Why?
Well, the reserve is home to the largest species of Panthera Leo- the black-maned lion- and impressive amounts of threatened animal species like the Brown Hyena and birds of prey.
It is also famed for its huge population of meerkats and for hosting the last remaining hunting bushmen- the san bushmen.
Things to do in the CKGR
You’ve got options when it comes to the CKGR. From wildlife viewing to stargazing, game drives, nature walks, bush men interactions, quad biking, horseback riding, and bird watching.
The Okavango Delta
It’s an unspoken rule- you cannot go on a Botswana safari and not visit the Okavango Delta. See, Okavango Delta is one of Mother Nature’s finest works and it seems that the rest of the world agrees because as well as being one of the seven wonders of Africa, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
So what’s so special about the Okavango Delta?
The first is the fact that the Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. The second? Has to be its landscape for sure. It is spectacular (the landscape), characterized by crystal clear channels and lagoons, lush floodplains, reeded islands, waterlogged oases, and the overpowering Okavango Delta.
The third, and most obvious, is its wildlife. The Okavango Delta is home to over 130 mammal species, 480 bird species, and countless fish and reptile species.
Some of its proud occupants include white and black rhinos, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, and huge herds of buffaloes.
Things to do in the Okavango Delta
Some popular activities in the Okavango Delta include; game drives, traditional dugout canoe rides, bush walks, bird watching, and bush dining
You can also go on a photography safari around the Okavango Delta or enjoy a sunset boat cruise.
Moremi Game Reserve
On the eastern side of the Okavango Delta lies the Moremi Game Reserve a stunning protected area that makes up 40% of the Okavango. Thanks to its stunning landscapes and excellent game-viewing opportunities, the reserve has been dubbed the ‘Garden of Eden’ and we’re here for it.
Here, you’ll uncover all of the Big Five as well as mind-blowing populations of impalas, blue wildebeests, hippos, giraffes, elephants, impalas, wild dogs, and the red lechwe.
Did we mention that the Moremi landscape is absolute goals? Yes? We’ll say it again louder for the people in the back. The landscape is magical! From its lush floodplains and lagoons to its dense forests, and golden grasslands.
Things to do in the Moremi Game Reserve
- Bird watching- Moremi Game Reserve is home to over 500 bird species
- Fishing
- Game viewing
- Walking safaris
- Elephant interactions
- Traditional canoe rides
- A fly-in safari
Victoria Falls
Botswana safaris don’t get better than Victoria Falls, a spectacular 355 ft waterfall credited as being the world’s tallest. The fall is amazing in every sense, from its thunderous roar and breathtakingly beautiful views to its remarkable wildlife species. Here, you get to behold an incredible variety of animals including over 40,000 elephants, bushbucks, lions, Vervet monkeys, warthogs, rhinos, buffaloes, baboons, giraffes, antelopes, and the zebra.
You’re also likely to spot a few birds of prey including the famous African Fish Eagle, sacred ibis, and African skimmers.
Those who enjoy fishing will also be delighted to know that the Zambezi River, on which Victoria Falls is found, is filled with hundreds of fish species, including the famous Tigerfish.
Visit Botswana: Things to do at Victoria Falls
- A fly-in safari with a light aircraft
- White water rafting
- Guided walks
- A sunset boat cruise
- Explore the Zambezi River on foot
Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are perfect for those looking for a unique, out-of-this-world Botswana safari experience. The pan is the world’s largest and is a part of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
In the dry season, the pans transform into a surreal moonscape, with endless dunes and vast salt flats that stretch as far as the eye can see. It is a sight to behold, one that forms an excellent background for wildlife viewing.
Speaking of which, Makgadikgadi is home to various desert-adapted animals, including the brown hyena and the aardwolf. In the wet season, the pans transform into a lush saltwater lake, which draws thousands of zebras from the Boteti River.
Things to do in Makgadikgadi Pans
- Game drives
- Quad biking
- Sand walking safaris
- Hot air ballooning Visiting cultures villages Bird watching.
- Bird watching
- Cultural interactions with the zu/ ‘hoasi Bushmen
Kalahari Desert
Botswana holidays to the Kalahari promise breathtaking landscapes, mind-blowing wildlife encounters, and off-the-beaten-track safari experiences.
See, the Kalahari is home to various game reserves, including the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. These parks protect insane amounts of wildlife, including the springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, kudu, steenbok, duiker, and desert-adapted species like the meerkats, cape fox, and brown hyena.
The Kalahari landscape is also incredibly amazing, from its vast plains and endless dunes to its savannah woodlands, saltpans, and pans.
Things to do in the Kalahari
If you do find yourself going on a Botswana safari to the Kalahari, make sure to try out the following activities:
- Game drives
- Cultural visits to the Bushmen village
- Sandboarding
- Meerkat safaris
- Bird watching
Where to Stay: Our Top Pick
Botswana holidays spent at the Otjimbondona Kalahari are timeless, transformative, and worth their weight in the gold. The aforementioned is a luxury tented camp located in Kalahari’s CKGR.
The lodge nestles among sand dunes and offers incredible views of the Kalahari’s vast plains. It is appropriate for those on a family safari, small group safari, and larger group safari.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a wild oasis tucked away in the Kalahari Desert, just outside of Botswana’s capital city- Gaborone.
The sanctuary was established in 1992 with the aim of conserving and protecting Botswana’s white rhinoceros population, which was at risk of extinction.
Today, Khama Rhino Sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife including, the white and black rhinos, antelopes, warthogs, and birds.
Things to Do at Khama Rhino Sanctuary
- Game Drives
- Rhino Tracking Walks
- Cultural Interactions with the Local Community
- Sunset Viewing Platforms
- Bird Watching.
Where to Stay: Our Top Pick
The Tshukudu Bush Lodge is a luxurious accommodation that boasts nine luxury chalets and one family suite, all of which offer stunning views of the Kalahari.
Botswana safaris to this lodge never miss the mark, as visitors are treated to views beyond belief and services that surpass the unexpected.