Narrowing down the most beautiful places in Botswana is no easy feat, but we love a challenge. From boundless deserts and rugged marshlands to dazzling salt pans and wild wetlands, the country’s landscapes are truly spectacular. Whether you trundle across the Kalahari’s sandy stretches on a game drive or drift along the Okavango Delta’s flowing waterways on a boating safari, you’re sure to spot some seriously cool wildlife species along the way. Ready to kickstart your African adventure? Read on for our roundup of some of Botswana’s bucket-list-worthy spots…
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
- Chobe National Park
- Tuli Block
- Okavango Delta
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
First up on our list of the most beautiful places in Botswana is the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Africa’s second-largest reserve). As its name suggests, the national park sits bang in the middle of Botswana in the vast Kalahari Desert, which covers almost 70% of the country. Landscape-wise, expect sandy plains, sunlit grasslands and glistening salt pans. Stay in the centre of the park to see springboks, leopards and cheetahs, or head north to Deception Valley to spot zebras, lions and hyenas. The valley is at its best during the wet season (December to March). Temporary waterholes attract hungry herbivores and predators alike – making for some seriously good photo opportunities.
Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
Sticking with the theme of vast open spaces, the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans are next on our list of the most beautiful places in Botswana. These ancient salt pans are part of the Kalahari Basin and remain sunbaked and deserted during the dry season (April to October). Quad bike across the lunar-like landscape to explore the arid basins or enjoy an evening of surreal stargazing free from light pollution. For wildlife spotting, visit during the green season (November to March), when the parched salt pans transform into blooming, water-filled plains, attracting flamingos, wildebeest and zebras.
Chobe National Park
For diverse scenery and an epic cast of wildlife species to match, look no further than Chobe National Park in the country’s northeastern corner. The park is home to the highest concentration of elephants in Africa and along the leafy banks of the Chobe River you can watch as these magnificent mammals gather in their thousands. You can also spot lions and hippos (head to the Linyanti marshes) and witness packs of hyenas and prides of lions patrol the grassy plains in the remote Savuti region.
Image by Coke Bartrina/Nuria Val
Tuli Block
A trip to Botswana isn’t complete without a visit to the rugged Tuli Block, one of Botswana’s best-kept secrets. The narrow stretch of land is nestled between Zimbabwe to the north and South Africa to the south, extending along the Limpopo River. The open terrain here – picture rocky grasslands dotted with towering baobab trees – makes for a great safari experience. Grab your camera to capture the big-ticket species (we’re talking lions, leopards and cheetahs), and keep your binoculars close by for the chance to spot various bird species (like sparrowhawks, eagles and owls). With wildlife enthusiasts covered, history buffs can visit the caves of the Limpopo Valley to see ancient paintings and rock art – this is evidence of the San people who lived in the Tuli Block thousands of years ago.
Okavango Delta
Last but by no means least on our list of the most beautiful places in Botswana is the Okavango Delta, one of the top safari spots in Africa. The UNESCO World Heritage site is a true oasis with shimmering waterways, lush islands and green marshlands. Jump in a mokoro (a traditional canoe) and cruise through the wetlands where (fingers crossed) you’ll encounter splashing elephants and hungry hippos. To up the ante, hop in a 4x4 for a private game drive in the Mopane Peninsula – also known as the Mopane Tongue – to spot the Big Five. Or, to fully appreciate the sweeping beauty of the Delta, take to the skies on a scenic flight above the landscape’s meandering rivers and patchwork marshes.
Written by Amy Larsen
