Okavango Delta
Explore this vast inland delta by traditional canoe or safari vehicle, among the continent's richest wildlife wetlands and most scenic waterways.
Botswana
Renowned for its exclusive safaris, Botswana offers landscapes of raw beauty, from the lush Okavango Delta to the arid expanses of the Kalahari. This sparsely populated country favors low-impact tourism, ideal for observing abundant wildlife in pristine spaces.
Why visit Botswana?
Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, a vast wetland and World Heritage site teeming with wildlife. The Kalahari Desert covers much of the territory, offering arid landscapes and a different kind of safari experience. The country favors low-density tourism, promoting immersive stays close to nature.
What to discover in Botswana?
The Okavango Delta, formed by the waters of the river of the same name as they disperse into the Kalahari Desert, is one of the world's largest inland wetlands and a true wildlife sanctuary. Its channels and islets shelter elephants, hippos, lions and abundant birdlife, best observed by boat or on land-based safaris led by experienced local guides. Moremi Game Reserve, at the heart of the delta, and Chobe National Park, known for its enormous elephant herds, rank among the country's flagship destinations.
Further south, the Kalahari Desert and the transfrontier Kgalagadi park reveal arid landscapes home to adapted wildlife and San communities, keepers of an ancestral way of life passed down through generations. Botswana favors a low-impact tourism model, with a limited number of often high-end lodges, offering intimate stays close to the wilderness, away from the crowds found at many other safari destinations across the African continent and beyond.
Cities to visit in Botswana
Featured destinations appear first.
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Botswana in pictures
Botswana highlights
A few iconic experiences to make the most of your trip to Botswana.
Chobe National Park
Observe one of Africa's largest elephant concentrations, along with buffalo and hippos, along the Chobe River, by boat or vehicle.
Moremi Game Reserve
Tour this reserve known for its varied landscapes of forests, marshes and savannas, and its abundant wildlife year-round for visitors to enjoy.
Kalahari Desert
Discover the arid expanses of the Kalahari, home to adapted wildlife and the ancestral traditions of San communities passed down through generations.
Bush plane safari
Fly over the Okavango Delta for a unique aerial view of its channels, islets and herds of wild animals roaming below.
Immersive lodges
Stay at remote camps deep in nature, designed for tourism respectful of the environment and wildlife, far from the crowds.
Practical information
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Area
- about 581,730 km²
- Population
- about 2.6 million
- Languages
- English (official), Setswana (national)
- Currency
- Botswana pula (BWP)
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Climate
- Semi-arid, desert in the south
- Best season
- May to September
Frequently asked questions about Botswana
What is the best time for a safari in Botswana?
The dry season, from May to September, is ideal: animals gather around remaining waterholes, making them easier to spot, particularly in the Okavango Delta and the surrounding reserves during these dry months.
Is Botswana an expensive destination?
The country favors low-density, high-end tourism with a limited number of lodges, which often makes it pricier than other safari destinations in the region, though it offers a more exclusive experience.
Do I need a visa to visit Botswana?
Many nationalities can enter visa-free for short tourist stays, but it's best to check the requirements for your passport before departing, as well as the maximum length of stay allowed.
How do you get around the Okavango Delta?
Access is usually via Maun, by light aircraft or 4x4 vehicle, followed by traditional canoe or motorboat to explore the delta's channels and observe the surrounding wildlife up close in its habitat.
What wildlife can be seen in Botswana?
The country holds one of Africa's largest elephant populations, along with lions, hippos, buffalo and rich birdlife, especially around the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, both renowned safari destinations.
Is Botswana suitable for a first safari?
Yes, its well-preserved reserves and organized tourism make it a suitable destination, though its high-end positioning is best suited to travelers with a comfortable travel budget and a taste for exclusive experiences.
Plan your trip to Botswana
Day-by-day itinerary, budget, bookings and packing in a single app.
