Top 5 reasons to visit Botswana

Botswana is one of Africa’s leading safari destinations, offering a variety of thrilling wildlife experiences across its diverse ecosystems, combined with stays in stunning luxury safari camps and lodges.

From canoeing in the Okavango Delta to touring Africa’s elephant capital, discover our top five reasons to visit Botswana.

1. Explore the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta 

The UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. It spans 6,000 square kilometres and triples in size during seasonal floods. You can spot all of the Big Five, like elephants and lions, alongside endangered wild dogs and rhinos. 500 bird species also make it their home.

There are many ways to explore the Okavango Delta. Traverse its winding waterways in a kayak or traditional mokoro canoe. See the great plains from above in a helicopter, ride across the landscape on horseback or spot wildlife with an expert guide on a game drive.

2. Stay in luxury tented camps 

As one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, Botswana has the continent’s finest tented camps offering first-class service, exceptional food and great guiding. Among our favourites is Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans. Founded by explorer Jack Bousfield in the 1960s, the vintage tents are decked in sumptuous rugs and 1940s furniture. 

Selinda Camp is one of Botswana’s most private camps. Start each morning spotting hippos and elephants from your private plunge pool, before heading out in search of lions. Luxury comes with canvas for a real connection to the wild and the sounds of the bush as you drift off to sleep.

3. Experience the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans 

The Makgadikgad Salt Pans are roughly the size of Portugal and are among the largest salt flats in the world. This vast, lunar-like landscape offers a unique safari experience in Botswana. You can explore them on quad bikes, horseback, game drives, or bush walks with local San Bushmen guides, one of the oldest indigenous populations on the planet.

Meerkat encounters are one of the most special wildlife experiences here. As for game viewing, the dry season keeps animals concentrated around permanent water sources. During the rainy season, the lush vegetation attracts wildebeest and zebra alongside lions, cheetahs and hyenas. It sets the stage for some thrilling predator-prey interactions. 

4. Discover varied landscapes and safaris

From the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi Pans, no two days on safari are the same, thanks to Botswana’s rich mix of landscapes and ecosystems. One day might involve soaring over sun-baked plains in a helicopter, the next could see you tiger fishing in the Zambezi or spotting vast herds of elephants in Chobe National Park. 

It’s not all fast-paced action. You might even spend the afternoon soaking in a private pool while hippos wallow in the river below. The sheer variety is what sets Botswana apart. If you’re seeking contrast, adventure and wildlife in one trip, add it to your bucket list.

5. It’s the elephant capital of Africa  

Botswana is home to the largest concentration of elephants in the world. An estimated 130,000 African elephants live here, with most found in Northern Botswana, including Chobe, Linyanti and the Okavango Delta.

Chobe National Park is the best place to see them year-round, thanks to the perennial Chobe River that flows through it. Herds can be up to 100 strong, and you can watch them cooling off in the water from a river cruise or trudging through open grasslands on a game drive. Seeing these giants in the wild is awe-inspiring, so if you’re an elephant enthusiast, we recommend spending a couple of nights here.