Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. The country is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Botswana covers an area of 581,730 square kilometers and has a population of about 2.3 million people. The capital and largest city are Gaborone. Botswana is a relatively safe and stable country in Africa and has a growing economy. The country is also known for its wildlife and adventure activities. Here are the top 10 best places to visit in Botswana:

Number 10. Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park covers four distinct ecosystems within Botswana’s Okavango Delta. In particular, the Savuti Marsh is home to some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The Chobe National Park is home to approximately 120,000 elephants. On a sundown river cruise, you can best see the park’s massive herds from the water. When the weather is drier and cooler, Chobe is best visited between May and September. Here, zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffes, and wildebeest gather in herds. Due to its accessibility by car, Chobe is less expensive than some of Botswana’s other parks. You can find accommodations to suit any budget. Renting a houseboat is also an option.

Number 9. Okavango Delta

An inland water system created by the Okavango River runs through the center of the Kalahari Desert, supporting a wide variety of birds and animals. Safaris in the Okavango Delta are unique because you can view much of the wildlife from a traditional canoe, or mokoro. Each year, the delta floods cover over 6,175 square miles/ 16,000 square kilometers. Wildlife is best seen during the peak flood season (which occurs during the dry season of May-October). During this time, wildlife is more concentrated on the delta islands, making it easier to spot them. Luxury safari camps and lodges offer walking safaris and/or island camping trips.

Number 8. Tsodilo Hills

Located in the Tsodilo Hills, the gallery displays more than 4,000 ancient San Bushman rock paintings. In total, there are around 400 sites featuring hunting scenes, ritual dances, and typical safari animals. As far back as 100,000 years ago, archaeologists have found rock art dating back more than 20,000 years. San Bushmen believe that the first creation occurred here and that the dead rest here. With the assistance of local guides, visitors can hike the three main hills. On-site, there is a small but informative museum and a basic campsite.

Number 7. Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Khama Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1992 in order to reintroduce wildlife to the area and save Botswana’s endangered rhinoceros. School kids from nearby communities and Francistown, Botswana’s second-largest city, visit the rhino sanctuary to learn about conservation. There are several natural water holes in the Serwe Pan, a grass-covered depression in the Kalahari Desert. The sanctuary offers basic campsites and chalets for accommodation. There are game drives and walks to view the many animals in the area (other than rhinos). 

Number 6. Moremi Game Reserve

There is a very high density and variety of wildlife in Moremi, a small reserve. The area is located in the eastern Okavango Delta near Chobe National Park. You can admire over 500 species of birds through your binoculars here. Visiting July through October is the best time to see the abundant wildlife, and 4×4 safaris are combined with mokoro trips on the water. Besides wild dogs, reintroduced black and white rhinos are also regularly spotted here, as well as the Big Five. The park has a few camps, some of which are exclusive to fly-in safaris. 

Number 5. Mokolodi Game Reserve

Mokolodi is a great day trip from Botswana’s capital Gaborone. When you visit Mokolodi, you won’t be surprised to see schoolchildren on field trips because it is a private reserve dedicated to conservation education. Because many Africans cannot access game reserves due to prohibitive costs, Mokolodi deserves your patronage in order to continue its programs. White rhinos can be spotted at Mokolodi, one of the few places in Botswana where you can track them. In Botswana, a successful breeding program has prevented the extinction of the white rhinoceros.

Number 4. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

This park is a wonderful place to visit during the rainy season (January – April) and offers salt pans and Kalahari sand dunes. However, it is not easy to get there, especially from Botswana. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park covers an area of 38,000 square kilometers/14,670 square miles. Previously, the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Gemsbok National Park in Botswana were separate parks. A large number of predators and raptors are drawn here by migrating herds of wildebeest and other antelope. 

Number 3. Tuli Block

The Tuli Block lies along the Limpopo and Shashe River confluence in eastern Botswana, bordering South Africa and Zimbabwe. It was once a private farm, but a few decades ago it made more economic sense to turn it into a wildlife sanctuary. In addition to Mashatu Game Reserve and Northern Tuli Game Reserve, the Tuli Block includes several other reserves. There are several rivers, riverine forests, savannahs, and massive baobab trees in this beautiful area. A large number of elephants roam the area, as do lions, leopards, and even cheetahs.

Number 2.  Kubu Island

Kubu Island is one of the most beautiful places in Botswana to visit. Kubu island is a dry granite rock island that provides breathtaking views of the Makgadikgadi pan and its authenticity has made it one of the Botswana landmarks and a national monument. Kubu island’s long and bumpy drive will make you think that you are the only one there, but its beauty has made many tourists decide to go there. In addition to the panoramic views and beautiful sunsets, Kubu Island has a variety of large Baobab trees, making it one of the most beautiful Botswana tourist attractions.

Number 1.  Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi is the largest salt flat pan in the world, located in the middle of a dry savanna in northeastern Botswana. A thousand years ago, a large Makgadikgadi lake that covered an area larger than Switzerland dried up leaving a large dried-up salt pan covering approximately 3900 kilometres. In the Mkgadikdai pans, safari drives create the illusion of a never-ending skyline.

Botswana is truly the best place to vacation in the world. It has all the luxuries of a modern city but with the added charm of untouched nature. It is a pristine destination with some of the most amazing natural beauty.