With the launch of direct flights between South Africa and Botswana, there’s never been a better time to dust off your passport for your next African adventure.
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It’s never been simpler to discover what makes Botswana so special. The country delivers the kind of soulful safari experience that’s hard to come by. Here are must-visit locations for South African travellers looking to experience the best of Botswana.
Okavango Delta
There is truly nowhere quite like the Okavango Delta. It is a lush paradise in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Fed by seasonal floods, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a magnet for wildlife and birdlife. Must-do activities include gliding silently through the Delta’s channels in a mokoro, sleeping in a remote lodge and exploring the site on foot with San guides who reveal secrets of the bush.
Chobe National Park
The Chobe National Park is a must for any wildlife lover. You can see some of the largest elephant herds in Africa, including lions, buffalo and birds. The safari in the park is an unforgettable experience. You also have the option of cruising the Chobe River at sunset to see elephants, hippos and crocodiles lurking. Don’t forget to visit to Kasane, the border town where Botswana meets Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans offer one of Botswana’s most surreal landscapes, flat and spilling with white sands. Once an ancient lake, these salt flats stretch further than your eyes can see, dotted with baobab trees. There are accommodation options that give you the choice to sleep under open skies. You can also visit a playful meerkat colony and take a quad bike ride to Kubu Island, a spiritual site for the San people. It’s a place that feels calm and sacred.
Tsodilo Hills
The Tsodilo Hills is a place that locals call the “Mountains of the Gods.” This sacred site hosts more than 4,500 ancient San rock paintings, some dating back over 20,000 years. According to San belief, the four hills represent a family turned to stone at the dawn of creation. Take a walk with local guides to learn the legends etched into the rock with a stop at the museum.
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Gaborone
Gaborone is more than just a transit to your final holiday destination. It is a capital worth slowing down for. It has a relaxed energy that is a great intro to the country. You can hike or climb Kgale Hill for clear city views. Don’t forget to stop by Botswana Craft to browse locally made baskets, carvings and textiles.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
This is a recommendation for the travellers who like their adventures more remote and wild. The Central Kalahari is one of the largest game reserves in the world, known for its endless horizons, stargazing and wildlife. A must-do is camping wild in Deception Valley and learning ancient tracking skills from San communities who still walk in the footsteps of their ancestors. This game reserve is wild, full of heart and entirely unforgettable.
Travel Tips for SA Visitors
The new direct flights between South Africa and Botswana make it simple to explore our beautiful neighbour to the north. Whether you’re leaving from Johannesburg or Cape Town, you’ll touch down in Botswana in under 2 hours. There is no visa required for South Africans.
Currency: Botswana Pula (BWP). Credit cards accepted in most towns and lodges.
Documents: Valid passport, visa-free for 90 days.
Best Time to Visit: May to October (dry season, great for game viewing).
Driving: If you’re hiring a vehicle, a 4×4 is recommended for national parks and remote areas.
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