17 Top Activities to Experience in Botswana

Botswana is renowned for its stunning wilderness regions.

With the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park—alongside some luxurious lodges—it stands out as one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations. The country is also a unique haven for amateur anglers and birdwatching fans, offering exciting experiences for those interested in culture and outdoor adventures.

The expansive Kalahari Desert dominates much of Botswana, providing a distinctive backdrop for an African safari. While the desert may initially appear barren and uninhabited, its dry plains reveal remarkable treasures that create a magical travel experience: vast salt pans, temporary lakes, clusters of baobab trees, sociable meerkat colonies, ancient Neolithic sites reflecting a rich history, and the world's largest inland delta, a stunning oasis.

Though large portions of Botswana are desert, the miraculous presence of water truly distinguishes this nation. Nourished by rainfall from the mountainous regions of Angola, the life-sustaining annual floods give rise to beautiful river systems and rejuvenate the Okavango Delta, home to an incredibly diverse array of wildlife.

Whether you’re drawn to wildlife experiences or stunning desert landscapes, make sure to include these must-see activities in your Botswana itinerary.

1. Reserve a traditional Botswana safari

Botswana has mastered the art of safari adventures. Nearly half of the nation is dedicated to wilderness tourism, with national parks, wildlife conservancies, and game reserves making up over 40% of the country’s land.

Chobe National Park is the most accessible wilderness area, partly due to its location at the end of a paved highway and its proximity to Kasane Chobe Airport. It offers an effortlessly rewarding wildlife experience, boasting the highest concentration of elephants in the world, with approximately 126,000 present. The best way to explore Africa's elephant capital is by taking a boat cruise along the game-rich banks of the Chobe River.

Close by, Moremi Game Reserve spans one-third of the Okavango Delta. Established in 1963 by the Batawana people of Ngamiland, it was one of the first reserves in Africa created by local residents rather than colonial authorities. Most luxury lodges and camps are located in concession areas leased from the government, promoting a sustainable tourism strategy that emphasizes high-quality, low-volume visits. The prime reserves are situated in the Okavango Delta’s swamps, and visitors typically arrive via small bush planes from Maun.

The cost of reaching these remote destinations can significantly increase the price of a game-viewing experience, with accommodations ranging from a minimum of US$650 per person per night to as much as US$4,000. However, the lower number of visitors helps reduce the environmental impact on these pristine wildlife habitats. It also enhances the likelihood of exclusive sightings of lions, painted wolves, and other animals.

For an even more adventurous experience, look for the desert-adapted wildlife in the Kalahari, a vast wildlife park that opened its doors to the public in the late 1990s. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is home to black-maned lions, elegant oryx antelope, and playful ground squirrels, covering an astounding five million hectares (12.4 million acres).

The CKGR is also the traditional homeland of the San people, often referred to as bushmen in Botswana. The San historically led a nomadic lifestyle, hunting and gathering only what they needed from the desert. Visitors can still catch glimpses of this way of life when engaging with local communities.

Planning tip: For budget travelers, visiting during the green season is ideal. From November to March, Botswana's summer months, prices can decrease by up to 40%. This is also the period when many lodges waive single supplement fees, making it an attractive option for solo adventurers. Additionally, you can save by driving to select luxury accommodations in the southeastern delta, Khwai areas, CKGR, or Nxai Pan, or inquire about boating options between camps.

2. Experience the thrill of wild camping

For the adventurous who prefer not to splurge on luxury camps, consider renting a vehicle to access basic demarcated campsites scattered across the country. A fully equipped 4WD camper is necessary, and these are readily available for rent from companies in Botswana or South Africa (with many flights to Botswana connecting via Johannesburg) for around US$140 per day. These vehicles come equipped with all-terrain tires, recovery tools, and essential camping gear, including rooftop tents, chairs, cutlery, crockery, and even battery-powered fridges.

In Botswana's wildlife parks and camps, where most are unfenced, camping next to the Kalahari's wildlife immerses you in the raw wilderness. You might find yourself navigating around spotted hyenas on your way to the bathroom (if one is available) or waiting for hippos to return to the river after their nighttime foraging. While many campsites in the CKGR demand complete self-sufficiency, some in Savuti and Moremi Game Reserve offer amenities like flushing toilets and hot showers.

The most sought-after self-drive camping route takes you through Botswana's renowned wildlife hotspots on a two-week journey, connecting Baines' Baobabs in Nxai Pan National Park with Third Bridge in Moremi Game Reserve, before heading north to Savuti and the Chobe River in Chobe National Park.

3. Embrace San culture through a nature walk

The San people have inhabited the Kalahari for over 50,000 years, so any visit to this desert region should include time to learn about their ancient knowledge. Sadly, they were displaced from their ancestral land in the central Kalahari, and they are recognized as the original inhabitants of southern Africa. Nature walks led by experienced trackers provide culturally sensitive perspectives on the traditional bushman lifestyle.

Engaging with their traditions helps preserve this rapidly fading culture. Responsible tours can be found through lodges like Tau Pan Camp, Nxai Pan Camp, and Jack's Camp. Alternatively, consider visiting Grassland Safari Lodge, where you can also track rhinos.

4. Make a stop at a modern San art gallery in D'kar

A vibrant community initiative in D'kar, near Ghanzi, offers a unique perspective on Botswana's oldest culture. The Kuru Art Project features striking prints and colorful paintings that depict the lives of the Naro San people. Visitors can tour rural art studios and discover artworks celebrating nature, wildlife, and traditional beliefs. Be sure to check out the small museum next door to the art project.

5. Canoe your way across the Okavango Delta

In many parts of Africa, safaris are typically conducted in noisy 4WD vehicles, but Botswana offers a more tranquil way to connect with nature. The Okavango Delta, celebrated as Botswana's crown jewel, is best explored aboard a traditional mokoro canoe, providing a peaceful way to experience this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.

The delta's earliest inhabitants navigated its wild waterways using these flat-bottomed boats, standing at the rear and propelling themselves with a long pole. Today, modern visitors enjoy this same method, guided by certified professional polers who navigate routes cleared by grazing hippos and elephants.

Most luxury lodges in the Okavango provide canoeing experiences, allowing you to sit just above the water's surface and absorb the tranquil scenery. You'll glide alongside vibrant water lilies, charming Angolan painted reed frogs, and aquatic lechwe antelopes. This is how the Okavango Delta has been cherished for centuries. Budget travelers can also partake in day trips or overnight camping from Maun through the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust. You can inquire directly at their office or arrange through hostels like Old Bridge Backpackers or Delta Rain.

Planning tip: Try to plan your visit around the Nkashi Classic, an annual time-trial mokoro race to determine the fastest poler in the Okavango Delta. Established by the Botswana Wild Bird Trust in 2018, the competition in Maun features four categories: female, male, veteran (age 55 and over, any gender), and doubles (two polers).

6. Take a scenic flight to admire the Delta from above

To truly grasp the vastness of the expansive swamps that form the Okavango Delta, you need to take to the skies. From a small Cessna plane or a helicopter with the doors off, the winding channels come alive in their full splendor. The delta is adorned with lagoons painted in shades of emerald, olive, pea, lime, and every imaginable green, while herds of elephants and buffalo traverse the landscape.

The Okavango Delta Maun Airport serves as the central hub for scenic flight operators, with options available from companies like Mack Air and Helicopter Horizons, which you can book directly at their offices.

7. Experience a walking (and tasting) tour in Maun

A gateway to the safari world, Maun is the base for many travelers eager to discover Botswana's wild northern regions. Take the time for an engaging guided walking tour with Your Botswana Experience to explore the modern side of Maun. The tour begins at the town market, where you'll find essentials like cattle bells, water tap locks, palm-leaf baskets, and hefty cast-iron cooking pots being actively traded.

Your guides will share insights into the traditional uses of the items found in the market, and you'll have the chance to try your hand at basket-weaving, quickly realizing why it can take up to two weeks to create one of these intricate pieces. Afterwards, indulge in local delicacies such as tswi, a water lily stew made from tuber-like roots harvested from the Okavango waters, paired with magwinya, a deep-fried, donut-like bread roll.

Detour: Embark on a horseback tour of Maun. Shorter rides stay within the confines of the reserve at Thamo Telele, where you can encounter zebras, wildebeests, impalas, gemsbok, and a friendly herd of 20 giraffes. Longer excursions lead you through traditional cattle posts and along the serene Thamalakane River, offering glimpses of hippos and crocodiles before pausing for a picnic lunch.

8. Spend a night on the salt pans after an exhilarating quad biking adventure

The Makgadikgadi Pans boast a vast network of expansive salt flats, so large they can be seen from space. Exploring this stunning white landscape on a quad bike with a guide is the most thrilling way to appreciate its enormity, as you race for miles toward the horizon without ever reaching it. Many conclude their journey by sleeping under the stars in complete solitude—if you thought the Makgadikgadi was vast during the day, wait until you see the Milky Way arching above you at night.

Planning tip: If a stay at the iconic Jack's Camp (the first lodge established in this harsh landscape) is beyond your budget, consider the charming village of Gweta as a base for more affordable excursions with Planet Baobab or Gweta Lodge.

9. Go fishing for the African tiger

While real tigers don't roam Africa, you can find a fierce fish named after the big cat in the upper reaches of the Okavango Delta. A short drive along a tarred yet pothole-ridden road from Maun leads you to this area known as the 'Panhandle'—the upper section of the Delta where the main river flows south before branching into various streams. Though this region may lack the abundance of big game found in the lower Delta's swampy floodplains, it is equally enchanting.

Even novice anglers will enjoy fishing here. When caught, the spirited tiger fish leap from the water in spectacular acrobatics before being safely released back into their habitat.

Planning tip: The 'barbel run' is the prime time for catching tiger fish; this feeding frenzy happens when water levels drop post-winter floods, driving small baitfish out from their safe havens in the papyrus beds into the waiting mouths of barbels (catfish) and tiger fish. The timing varies with flood levels, but this run usually occurs from September to October.

10. Discover sacred stories in the rock art of the Tsodilo Hills

Though Unesco-listed, the Tsodilo Hills remain off the typical tourist path, safeguarding over 4,000 ancient rock paintings made by Botswana's earliest inhabitants, the San. Archaeological findings and stone tools here trace the site's history back to 500 CE, with the well-preserved artwork vividly illustrating customs from a time when humans and animals coexisted. Access to this sacred site is permitted only with a trained guide, who will reveal the mysteries of the stones.

Guides can be found at the information center and do not require prior booking; simply arrive and choose from the four available walking trails. The most popular and shortest path is the Rhino Route, leading to stunning rock art featuring rhinos, penguins, and whales. For a more strenuous adventure, you can ascend to Botswana's highest point at 1,489m (4,885ft) via the Male Hill Route.

11. Encounter the Makgadikgadi meerkats

Habitual colonies of meerkats inhabit the edges of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, digging tunnels in the golden grasslands. These creatures, while wild, are quite accustomed to humans, and each colony has a designated caretaker. Rise early, and you may find these inquisitive little beings climbing onto your head for a better view, keeping watch for any lurking predators! Tours to meet these charming animals can be arranged through Planet Baobab, Gweta Lodge, or the operators of San Camp, Jack's Camp, or Camp Kalahari.

12. Embark on a 4WD journey to Kubu Island

Emerging like the backs of kubu (hippos) basking in water, Kubu Island aptly names the rocky outcrops that break the flat expanse of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Managed by the Gaing O Community Trust, a campsite nestled among the baobabs offers stunning vistas of the vast, creamy white salt pan landscape.

This immense area was once filled with the waters of the Okavango Delta, drawing human settlers attracted by its resources. Scattered remnants of stone walls and pottery shards, dating back to 1200 CE, can still be seen across the terrain.

Prepare to be self-sufficient for this adventure by bringing along all essentials, including water, firewood, fuel, and toilet paper. The best approach is via the village of Letlhakane, where you’ll face a lower risk of getting stuck in the Makgadikgadi mud.

Detour: Obtain a permit from Makumutu Safari Lodge and head to Orapa Game Park for a chance to spot rhinos and visit the Adrian Gale Diamond Museum. This museum showcases the pivotal era of gem discovery in Botswana, telling the story of its diamonds from the depths of the earth to their status as cherished heirlooms, displayed through exceptional exhibits across five halls.

13. Discover Gaborone alongside a local

At first glance, Botswana's capital, Gaborone, may seem lacking in attractions beyond a few statues and shopping malls, making it an uncommon stop for first-time visitors. However, an enriching tour with the female-led Happy Soul Adventures unveils the multifaceted lives of its residents.

Cycle through the neighboring villages along picturesque dirt roads, immersing yourself in the pastoral scenery and engaging with local communities through pottery-making, cooking traditional dishes, or enjoying karaoke in Gaborone’s bars.

Planning tip: If you're a fan of Mma Ramotswe from the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, consider experiencing Gaborone through a literary perspective on the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Tour offered by Heritage Adventures Botswana. Highlights include stops at 'Zebra Way' and the Anglican Church where Trevor Mwamba served.

14. Experience the remarkable zebra migration at Nxai Pan

Botswana's national animal, the zebra, can be seen in their thousands after nourishing rains flood Nxai Pan National Park from December to March each year. These herds embark on a challenging trek from the Chobe region in search of lush grasses, creating a striking monochrome spectacle on a safari to this less-frequented park.

Detour: If you prefer not to travel during the rainy season from January to March, consider visiting the Boteti River, which is teeming with zebras and wildebeests during the dry months.

15. Go on a walking safari to track rhinos

Tracking rhinos is an unforgettable way to encounter one of the Big Five. The government reintroduced 138 white rhinos to northern Botswana from 1967 to 1986, but an aerial survey in the early 1990s revealed an 80% population decline, mainly due to poaching. To protect the remaining rhinos, they were relocated to safer areas, including the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Serowe and Mokolodi Game Reserve in Gaborone.

You can book walking safaris directly at Mokolodi or Khama sanctuary, but be prepared for a full morning of adventure. Locating a rhino on foot can take anywhere from 20 minutes to five hours, with the guidance of two skilled field experts. These compact reserves also host giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and kudus, so you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife during your walking safari.

16. Drift beneath the world's only quadripoint

There's only one spot on Earth where four countries meet, though it’s more of a theoretical point than a tangible travel destination. The Kazungula Bridge, which opened in May 2021, links Botswana with Zambia and Zimbabwe while overlooking Namibia. For geography enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and travel buffs, this is the perfect place to check off the quadripoint from your list.

You can book boat trips to the junction of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers from most riverfront lodgings, including Chobe Safari Lodge. Don't forget your binoculars to catch sight of the vibrant kingfishers and colorful bee-eaters along the way.

17. Explore an elephant-friendly brewery

The Okavango Craft Brewery was created with a focus on human-wildlife harmony, crafting distinctive, award-winning beers that are worth trying. It’s the first microbrewery in northern Botswana and collaborates with the local NGO Ecoexist, which helps farmers in the Okavango Panhandle.

Millet grain is considered a climate-smart crop that needs less rainfall, and the brewery purchases it at a premium to support small-scale farmers. In exchange, these farmers adopt elephant-friendly practices promoted by Ecoexist, such as using chili pepper smoke to deter elephants and planting crops away from elephant pathways.

At the Okavango Craft Brewery, the elephant-friendly millet is meticulously malted and incorporated into every creation, from IPAs to ice cream infused with draught. Don’t miss the mokoro, a tasting paddle featuring a selection of Irish-style stouts, pale ales, and lagers to discover your favorite. These unique brews can also be found in some cafes and luxury lodges in Maun. Keep an eye on social media for events like live music and conservation discussions.

Detour: Located just an hour’s drive north of Maun, Elephant Havens is dedicated to providing sanctuary for orphaned elephants. Through habitat preservation, community engagement, and the emergency rescue of distressed baby elephants, this facility offers care and companionship until they can be safely returned to the wild. Visiting hours are from 9–10 a.m. and 4–5 p.m., seven days a week, synchronized with feeding times.