Places to discover

Best places to visit in Botswana

Botswana is a country worth getting to know. People go there mainly for safaris on the waters of the Okovango delta to see the lions at the Chobe national park, the unique scenery of the Kalahari Desert, or the breathtaking excursions to the Victoria Falls. Discovering the nature and wildlife of Botswana is an absolute must.

Boasting a large number of nature reserves and various ways of fighting against poaching, this country has been able to preserve its biodiversity, and practically overflows with elephants, lions, zebras and antelopes, as well as birds of all species...you won't know where to start! However don't worry: with the vast number of options, there's no need to visit every park to see everything. Take time to read reviews posted by travellers who are members of the Evaneos community, and take your pick of the many places and stop-offs mentioned.

Certain unmissable places off the beaten track are worth the diversion. Such is the case for the island of Kubu and the Makgadikgadi pans, or equally the Zambezi river which, as well as its waterfalls and cascades, offering the opportunity for various high-adrenaline sports for those interested.

If you want to discover what Botswana has to offer besides its natural spaces, go ahead and visit the cities on your itinerary. Whether at Kasane, Maun, or in the capital, Gaborone (pronounced 'rhabooroon'), and whether you're on your own or in a group, with friends or family, go for walks, stroll around, or simply go and meet people! Botswana is one of the most politically and economically stable African countries, and its inhabitants are welcoming and interested in meeting you. You may be surprised by the influence of the Western world in the architecture, clothing styles or shopping centres of Gaborone. You'll certainly find familiar landmarks there.

The only thing left for you to do is write your itinerary! On your marks, get set...go!

Kalahari

5

The immense desert covers almost half of Botswana and crosses both the Namibian and South African borders. Most tourists cross it little by little, stopping at bush camps along the way.

Moremi

5

Moremi Game Reserve is a protected zone in the western Okavango Delta,which includes, among other things, the major island of the delta, Chief's Island and the Moremi language. It spans close to 5000km², of which only 30% is dry land.

Delta de l'Okavango

5

The Okavango Delta is the largest wetland in Botswana and where the Kalahari's animals come to drink.

Zambeze

5

The Zambezi River is the 4th most important in the continent, behind the Nile, the Congo and the Niger. It stretches 2750 km from Zambia to the Indian Ocean, passing through Victoria Falls. Downstream, you can go rafting from Livingstone.

chief island

5

Chief's Island is the main island in the Okavango Delta. It's 70km long and 15km wide and includes the private Moremi Game reserve, where you can go on a wildlife spotting safari.

Chobe National Park

5

This 11,700km2 park is named after the River Chobe, which crosses the reserve. It stretches from the Victoria Falls to the Okavango Delta. It's famous for its elephant population - more than 50,000 live here, the largest concentration in the world!

Kubu

4

Located in the Makgadikgadi Pan in northern Botswana, Kubu Island is a holy place for the Khoe people, on which you can stay in a camp is run by a local community. It has been classed as a national monument.

Khwai

4

Khwai is a village situated on the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve. It's the perfect base camp from which to explore the northern part of the Okavango Delta. A number of luxury lodges can be found along the banks of River Khwai.

Bwabwata

4

The Bwabwata National Park is on the edge of the Caprivi Strip in Nambia. Established in 2007, it stretches across 6,300km2 and is bordered by Rivers Okavango and Cuando. Its abundant wildlife can be more easily observed close to water sources.

Maun

3

Maun is mainly a transit town for safaris.

Nxai Pan

3

Nxai Pan National Park is a salt pan - a fossilised salt lake that's only flooded during the rainy season. Its border's on the north side of the road linking Nata to Maun, as opposed to its sister park, the Makgadikgadi Pan, which is to the south of the road.

Zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Magkadikgadi

3

Makgadikgadi Pans is a salt pan, meaning a fossilised salt lake that's only flooded during the rainy season. Its border is on the southern part of the road linking Nata to Maun, as opposed to its sister park, the Nxai Pans National Park , which is to the north of the road.

Kasane

3

Kasane is a city with nearly 10,000 inhabitants, located in the north of Botswana. It is very close to the "4 corners of Africa", the border crosses with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia, located close to Victoria Falls.

Popa

3

The Popa Falls are located on the Okavango River, in Bwabwata National Park, on the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. They're more like rapids and people stop here to observe the hippopotamuses.