Delta channels, salt pans and some of Africa's wildest safaris.
Botswana protects huge areas of wilderness and keeps visitor numbers low. The Okavango Delta floods each dry season into a maze of channels explored by mokoro canoe, Chobe National Park is famous for enormous elephant herds along the river, and the Makgadikgadi Pans and Central Kalahari offer silence, meerkats and endless horizons. The Tsodilo Hills hold thousands of ancient rock paintings.
Travel is mostly by light aircraft between remote camps or by self-drive 4x4 with serious preparation, and the pace is dictated by wildlife rather than the clock. Many visitors combine it with Victoria Falls just over the border. The dry winter from June to September is peak safari season, with animals gathering at water; the green season from December to March is lusher and good for birding.
Best time to visit Botswana
June, July, August, September.
Places to visit in Botswana
Okavango Delta: A vast inland delta of channels, lagoons and islands, explored by mokoro canoe and rich in elephants and predators.
Chobe National Park: A park famous for its huge elephant herds, best seen from a boat on the Chobe River near Kasane.
Makgadikgadi Pans: Some of the largest salt pans on earth, with meerkats, zebra migrations and nights sleeping under huge skies.
Gaborone: Botswana's small, orderly capital, with craft markets, a national museum and a nearby rhino sanctuary.
Essentials
Currency: Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Language: English and Setswana
Plugs: Type D / G / M, 230 V
Driving: Left side
Time zone: UTC+2
Tipping: Tips for guides and camp staff are customary; around 10% in restaurants
Getting around: Light aircraft to safari camps; a well-equipped 4x4 for self-drive routes
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking