Botswana is one of Africa’s top safari destinations — known for its untouched wilderness, thriving wildlife populations, remote luxury camps, and responsible conservation model that prioritizes low-impact, high-quality tourism. From the floodplains of the Okavango Delta to the elephant-filled Chobe River and the wide-open Kalahari landscapes, Botswana offers some of the most authentic safari experiences in Africa.
This one-page travel guide highlights the best places to visit, top wildlife experiences, recommended safari routes, and practical planning tips to help you design a Botswana trip that matches your interests, budget, and travel style.
Botswana’s safari destinations are known for low tourist numbers, pristine wilderness, and exceptional wildlife viewing. Each region offers a different kind of experience — from wetlands and river safaris to vast deserts and salt pans. These are the most popular places travelers include in a well-balanced Botswana itinerary.
One of the world’s most unique ecosystems — a vast inland delta where winding channels, floodplains, and islands attract elephants, lions, antelope, and incredible birdlife. Safaris here often include boat trips, mokoro canoe excursions, walking safaris, and remote luxury camps accessible by small aircraft.
Read more ↓Famous for having some of the largest elephant populations in Africa, especially along the Chobe Riverfront. Travelers come for game drives, river cruises, large herds of buffalo, and regular sightings of lions, hippos, crocodiles and diverse bird species. A great first-time safari destination.
Read more ↓Located within the Okavango ecosystem, Moremi combines woodland, floodplains, and open savanna — creating some of Southern Africa’s most productive wildlife habitats. Known for predators, wild dogs, birdlife, and classic safari scenery, it’s a favorite among experienced safari travelers and photographers.
Read more ↓A surreal and other-worldly landscape of endless white salt flats and open horizons. In the dry season, the pans feel vast and silent — perfect for stargazing and quad-bike expeditions. During the wet season, migrating zebras and flamingos create one of Africa’s most fascinating wildlife spectacles.
Read more ↓One of the largest protected wilderness areas in Africa — remote, wild, and sparsely populated. The Kalahari is known for desert-adapted lions, springbok, cheetahs, dramatic thundercloud skies in the green season, and a deep feeling of isolation that appeals to adventurous travelers.
Read more ↓Seasonal open grasslands that come alive after the rains, attracting wildlife and dramatic storm-season skies. Known for baobab trees, migrating zebra herds, and peaceful landscapes that contrast beautifully with the Delta and Chobe.
Read more ↓A sacred cultural and archaeological site featuring thousands of ancient San rock-art paintings. Often called the “Louvre of the Desert,” it offers deep cultural significance, storytelling, hiking trails, and spectacular hilltop views.
Read more ↓Botswana’s capital — a convenient arrival or departure base with restaurants, craft markets, cultural centers, and nearby nature reserves. Many travelers use Gaborone as a calm gateway before connecting onward to safari regions.
Read more ↓The Okavango Delta is Botswana’s most iconic safari destination — a vast inland wetland that floods seasonally, creating winding channels, lagoons, islands, and lush floodplains that attract elephants, antelope, hippos, predators, and exceptional birdlife. Safaris here feel remote, peaceful, and deeply connected to nature.
Many camps are only accessible by small aircraft, which helps preserve the wilderness and keeps visitor numbers low. Experiences range from water-based safaris to walking safaris, mokoro canoe trips, and game drives in nearby dry areas.
Chobe National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see elephants — especially along the Chobe Riverfront, where huge herds gather to drink and bathe. The combination of river cruises and open-vehicle game drives makes Chobe an excellent destination for first-time safari travelers and wildlife photographers.
The park is also home to lions, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, crocodiles, and a rich variety of birdlife. Many visitors base themselves in **Kasane**, which offers easy access to park gates and river safaris, and also connects conveniently to Victoria Falls & Zambia.
Moremi Game Reserve forms part of the eastern Okavango Delta and is widely regarded as one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in Southern Africa. The reserve combines floodplains, savannah, forests, lagoons and islands — creating diverse habitats that support an exceptional range of animals.
Moremi is known for regular sightings of lions, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes and antelope species. Because of its mix of habitats, game drives here feel varied and scenic, making it a favorite among experienced safari travelers and photographers.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are one of the largest salt pan systems in the world — a shimmering white desert of endless horizons, fossil lakebeds and surreal, dream-like scenery. During the dry season, the pans feel vast and otherworldly, while the wet season transforms parts of the area into shallow wetlands that attract migrating wildlife and birdlife.
This is one of Botswana’s most unique destinations — ideal for travelers who want something beyond a traditional safari. Activities may include quad biking across the open pans, stargazing under crystal-clear night skies, meeting habituated meerkats, and learning about local culture and desert ecology.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Africa — a vast, remote landscape of desert plains, fossil river valleys, golden grasses and endless skies. It offers a completely different safari feel compared to northern Botswana’s wetlands and river parks.
Wildlife is more spread out, but sightings can be incredibly rewarding — especially desert-adapted lions, cheetahs, oryx, springbok and brown hyena. The region is peaceful, wild, and ideal for travelers who want true remoteness and an authentic off-the-grid adventure.
Nxai Pan is a quiet and scenic safari area made up of fossil salt pans, open grass plains, scattered islands of acacia trees, and wide horizons. It offers a calmer and less crowded safari experience than many northern parks, with beautiful light and dramatic seasonal wildlife activity.
During the green season (Dec–March), migrating zebras arrive in large numbers, along with springbok, wildebeest, and predators such as lions and cheetahs. In the dry months, the landscape becomes stark and atmospheric — perfect for photography and peaceful game viewing.
Tsodilo Hills is one of Botswana’s most culturally significant places — a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to thousands of ancient rock paintings, spiritual landscapes, and long-standing San traditions.
Often called the “Louvre of the Desert,” the site contains more than 4,500 rock art paintings spread across four hills, some believed to be over 1,000 years old. Local guides share the stories, symbolism, and spiritual meaning connected to the paintings and landscape.
Gaborone is Botswana’s calm and modern capital city — often used as a convenient arrival or departure point for travelers. While not a safari destination itself, it offers a relaxed atmosphere, local culture, dining, and good logistics before or after your trip.
Many travelers spend a night here at the beginning or end of their journey to rest, adjust travel schedules, or connect onward to safari destinations such as Chobe, Moremi, or the Okavango Delta.
Botswana is one of Africa’s best safari destinations — offering a mix of wildlife encounters, remote wilderness, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes. Here are the most popular experiences travelers enjoy.
These suggested routes give you an idea of how a Botswana safari trip can be structured. Every itinerary can be adjusted depending on your interests, travel dates, and budget level. Tell us your preferences and we’ll help refine the route for you.
| Trip Length | Route Idea | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 Days | Chobe (river cruises + game drives) → Optional short Okavango Delta add-on | First-time safari travelers or short holiday trips |
| 7–9 Days | Chobe → Okavango Delta → Moremi Game Reserve | Classic Botswana wildlife circuit — great balance of land + water safari |
| 9–12 Days | Okavango Delta → Moremi → Makgadikgadi / Nxai Pan | Travelers who want safari plus dramatic landscapes and remote scenery |
| 12–14 Days | Chobe → Okavango → Moremi → Central Kalahari (or Salt Pans extension) | Full Botswana wilderness experience — ideal for photographers and adventure travelers |
Trips can be arranged in a mix of lodge stays, tented camps, or mobile safaris. Travel can be done by road, 4x4 safari vehicle, or light aircraft transfers depending on distance and season.
Botswana is a year-round safari destination, but the experience changes depending on the season and region. Most travelers prefer the dry season for easy wildlife viewing, while the green season offers beautiful scenery and quieter parks.
Planning tip: If your top priority is wildlife density and reliable sightings, choose the dry season. If you prefer beautiful scenery, fewer crowds, and better value, the green season can be an excellent choice.
Botswana is one of Africa’s best–managed safari destinations, with excellent conservation, protected wilderness areas, and high-quality lodges. These practical tips will help you plan a smoother and more comfortable trip.
Local insight: Botswana focuses on low-impact, high-quality tourism — meaning fewer crowds, pristine wilderness, and a premium safari experience.
It depends on how many regions you want to include. For a strong safari experience, 7–10 days is ideal. If you want multiple destinations such as Chobe, Okavango Delta, and Moremi, aim for 10–14 days for better pacing and game viewing.
A classic first-time route is Chobe → Okavango Delta. This combines boat safaris, game drives, and delta wildlife. Travelers who want a deeper safari usually add Moremi Game Reserve.
Yes — Botswana is one of Africa’s leading luxury safari destinations. Many camps are small, exclusive, and located inside private concessions, offering excellent guiding, comfort, and privacy.
Botswana focuses on low-impact tourism, so mid-range and luxury trips are more common. Budget options exist through mobile safaris, scheduled group tours, or lodge + camping combinations.
The best safari season is during the dry months of June to October, when wildlife gathers around water sources. Green season (December–March) is quieter, with lush scenery and birdlife.
Yes — Botswana safaris are almost always guided. Professional guides enhance wildlife spotting, safety, and overall experience, especially in remote safari regions.
Yes — many travelers combine Chobe National Park with Victoria Falls via Kasane or Livingstone. It works smoothly as a 2-country safari itinerary.
Botswana is considered one of Africa’s safest and most stable safari destinations. Most trips are guided and lodge-based, with excellent tourism infrastructure.
Entry requirements for Botswana depend on your nationality, length of stay, and visit purpose. Below is an overview to help you prepare your trip. Always confirm with your nearest Botswana embassy or consulate before traveling, as regulations may change.
Citizens of many countries can visit Botswana visa-free for tourism for stays of up to 90 days per year.
Visa-exempt travelers include most visitors from:
If your country is visa-exempt, immigration officers may still ask for:
Travelers from some countries must apply for a visa in advance through a Botswana embassy, consulate, or authorized application center.
Common nationalities that require a visa include:
(This list is not exhaustive — travelers should verify their status before arrival.)
Botswana does not generally offer visa on arrival. Travelers who require a visa must obtain it before entering the country.
In some regions, Botswana allows electronic submission through local embassies or immigration portals. Processing typically takes:
Applicants may be asked to provide:
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required only if you are arriving from, or transiting through, a Yellow Fever risk country.
Botswana has strict rules for children traveling to prevent child trafficking.
Standard tourist entry allows up to 90 days per calendar year. Extensions may be requested at a local immigration office.
Visa rules can change without notice. Travelers should always verify requirements with an official Botswana diplomatic office or immigration authority before traveling.
Our trusted local travel partners can provide invitation letters, itinerary confirmation, and entry assistance when booking a tour through Africa Things To Do.
Contact Us for Visa Support →Share your travel dates, number of travelers, and interests (luxury safari, mokoro rides, photography), and we’ll help you plan a smooth and memorable Botswana experience.
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