Things To Do In Botswana

Things To Do In Botswana

Africa is synonymous with vast landscapes, nomadic tribes and wildlife safaris. But few places on the continent can offer the same variety of things to do as Botswana.
Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland) is a landlocked country of 2 million people bordered by South Afraica, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Seventy percent of Botswana's territory is taken up by the Kalahari, one of the most famous deserts in Africa.  Botswana is also home to the largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango; great safari at the Chode National Park; and one of the world's largest salt pans--the Makgadikgadi Pans.

These ecological features are complimented by grasslands, savanahs and the modern capital city, Gaborone, which is responsible for much of Botswana's impressive GDP (one of the highest per capita on the continent).

Wild and unspoiled, Botswana is also home to the ancient San people, free roaming lions, and an incredible eco-system. It is one of the world's last true wilderness areas. Here are the best 5 things to do.

1. The Okavango Delta
A mokoro is a dugout canoe made from the local sausage tree. This traditional boat is the method of transportation which takes you into the heart of the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is massive inland expanse of swamp and water.  It is formed by the waters of the Okavango River, which drain into the Delta until they can be evaporated back into the atmosphere or consumed by hungry animals and plants. 

The Delta reaches a maximum area of about 15,000 square kilometres each March - June -- once the summer rainfall from the Angolan Highlands has completed its 1,000 kilometre journey.

2. Chobe National Park
Next to the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the town of Kasane in the northeast corner of Botswana is renowned for some fascinating things to do and it offers unrivalled safari options in what can often appear as a microcosm of Africa.

Although the town itself is largely quiet and uneventful, there is the odd occasion when a stray lioness will make her way to the edge of Kasane by mistake and naturally, such an event is a cause for panic amongst the locals who have long respected the fearsome king of the jungle by keeping their distance.

While this may not happen all too often, it still emphasizes the exposed nature of the area and the abundance of wildlife. Begin your adventure in Kasane with a safari along the Chobe River, a wide expanse of water infested with hippo, crocodile and some of the largest herd of elephants in Africa.

3. Makgadikgadi Pans
One of the largest salt pans in the world, Makgadikgadi was once a lake covering an enormous 10,000km² of North Eastern Botswana, although for thousands of years since it has been the same dry and inhospitable terrain it is today.

Traveling from Maun in the east you will pass through the Nxai Pan National Park, an endless landscape known for having a healthy lion population, while from the other direction you are mostly likely to encounter swamps in the wet season and some spectacular Baobab trees which the locals believe to hold the spirits of their ancestors.

Even though there are several entry points from which to reach the Makgadikgadi Pans, the best town to use as a base is the small town of Gweta.

4. Tsodilo Hills
Little known and less visited than most parts of the country, Tsodilo Hills is located in an isolated pocket of Botswana to the west of the Okavango Delta and close to the Namibian border.

Rising dramatically out of the earth, the majestic rock formations in Tsodili are not only a rare in this part of the world but they are also an entirely awe-inspiring sight.

Separated into three hills, it is said that each enormous rock is a representation of the mother, father and child. Captivating and mysterious, the local San people who live in this area have long referred to Tsodilo Hills as magical and a resting place place for the spirits of their ancestors.

Adding to the intrigue of the area, there are also many ancient San rock paintings in the area which illustrate how local tribes have inhabited the area for thousands of years.

5. A roadtrip across Botswana
There are many more things to do in terms of safari and wilderness experiences in Botswana, but a roadtrip across the country can often be just as fueled with adventure and a variety of unique experiences.

Starting just below the Okavango Delta, drive east along the Trans Kalahari Highway where the city of Maun disappears in the rearview mirror and a mirage shimmers on the open road up ahead.

While these roads may appear straight and uneventful and the surrounding plains unassuming, this is a real African wilderness with a fascinating eco-system and an abundance of wildlife.