Botswana is a popular eco-safari destination in Africa and a favorite amongst travelers seeking a true wilderness experience. It’s diverse landscape makes it favorable to various wildlife species.
Botswana is home to four national parks and several game reserves that provide sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife. It is possible to sight the Big Five and enjoy unique experiences in Botswana.
Here are some of the top destinations in Botswana not to be missed.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park spans across 117 000 hectares and is home to the largest population of elephants, with the best sightings said to be along the Chobe River – the main source of water to the animals of the park. During a cruise along the river, travelers often sight elephants playing and bathing in the water. Chobe is renowned for being one of the best wildlife destinations in the world and comprises of four areas: Ngwenzumba Pans, Linyanti, Savute and the Chobe Riverfront. Other than elephants, Chobe is famed for having big herds of buffalo, large lion prides, and an incredible array of bird species. The Savuti Marsh is a bird watching paradise and where one can witness the zebra migration.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland river delta located in northern Botswana. It floods annually and attracts an abundance of wildlife. The Okavango is home to nearly 200 mammal species and over 500 species of birds. Although the Okavango Delta is home to the Big Five, you may struggle to spot rhino.
The Moremi Game Reserve forms part of the Okavango and offers both land and water-based safari activities. Mokoros are a tranquil way of exploring the channels of the Okavango, spotting various birds and animals that line the water’s edge.
Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is vast, spreading over three countries – Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The dry Central Kalahari Game Reserve is located in the heart of Botswana and offers a phenomenal game viewing experience, with lions seen and heard regularly. Other wildlife to be seen here includes giraffe, hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dog, leopard, wildebeest and kudu.
Activities offered in the reserve include game drives, walking safaris, bird watching and cultural tours.
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Located in north-eastern Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the largest in the world. The pans provide sanctuary to several animals, including lions, cheetah, leopard, hyena, giraffe, elephants and several antelope species. Predators are seen in big numbers during the wet season. There are as many as 255 species of birds with thousands of flamingos seen feeding in the shallows. Activities on offer in the Makgadikgadi National Park include game drives, bird watching, quad biking, a tour of the Gweta, bush walks, and visits with habituated meerkats.
