Dreaming of a tropical gateway spent spotting unique wildlife, hiking around a jaw-dropping rock formation, and trekking through the verdant rainforest? Then set your sight on Botswana. Located in the southwest part of the continent, this African Paradise holds several world records, including the world’s largest inland delta and the shortest border.
Botswana can be overwhelming, as there’s so much to see and do everywhere you turn. From Chobe National Park, Kalahari Desert, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Chobe National Park to the picturesque Okavango Delta. Botswana rarely disappoints!
You will be amazed at how many different types of travelers revel in Botswana. Adrenaline junkies can participate in all kinds of heart-pumping activities, like mokoro safaris, quad biking, and helicopter rides. And photography enthusiasts can snap breathtaking pictures of the setting over the Kalahari region. Fitness buffs, meanwhile, have access to hiking trails at Kgale Hill, which is ideal for climbing. If you would rather have a more quintessential Botswana vacation, visit national parks and reserves like Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Moremi Game Reserve to watch the world’s heaviest flying bird, Big five, zebra, giraffes, wildebeest, and elephant.
Botswana Capital: Gaborone
Major Cities: Francistown, Molepolole, Selebi-Phikwe, and Maun
Population: 2,351,627 people
Area 600,370 km²
Major Religion: Christianity
National Language: Setswana
Official Language: English
Climate: Botswana summer is also the rainy season, although usually for a short time. The winter season begins in May and ends in August. Thus, the best time to visit Botswana is from May to September. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks.
Dialing code: +267
Botswana Currency
Currency: Pula
Symbols: P
Tribes: 8 tribes
Emergency Numbers: 999 for police, 998 for Fire Brigade
DESTINATION AND CULTURE
Botswana’s rich cultural heritage expresses itself in an evolving modern art that is still rooted in deep traditional values.
Botswana Traditional Music and Dance
Drums and wind instruments such as whistles and lepatata (made from kudu horm) are occasionally employed to add to their performance. You would not want to miss any of their mind-blowing dance forms, especially if you are a party freak!
Botswana arts
Botswana is synonymous with the subcontinents’ most beautifully woven baskets, made of leaves from a fan palm called mokolwane – made mostly by the Hamnukushu and Bayei women from the north-western regions of the Okavango Delta. For culture enthusiasts, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Botswana Cuisine
Botswana is a hotbed of hospitality with diverse restaurants serving different food across the globe – at some of the best prices.
Notable traditional foods include; Morogo, Vetkoek, and Seswaa, and Braai meat. Any backpacker who has traveled through Botswana will have tried Botswana’s favorite dish … Seswaa – which is made of chicken or beef. The taste of the Seswaa is incredible. You will probably be in heaven.
Chobe National Park
Located in the north of Botswana, Chobe National Park is famed for its largest concentration of elephants. It is a guarantee that you will have some great elephant sightings on a visit to Chobe National Park. Your bucket list is not complete unless it has Chobe National Park in it!
Moremi Game Reserve
When you are thinking of the Okavango Delta’s famed wildlife population, you are probably thinking of Moremi. This masterpiece was rated one of the most stunning game reserves in Africa. Game viewing is excellent year-round, expect to encounter and sight endangered wildlife such as buffaloes, zebra, elephants and, as well as predictors. No matter what it is, you keep your eyes glued to the sight to capture most.
Okavango Delta
Okavango Delta is rightfully Botswana’s head turner and wildlife rules here. Throughout the Okavango Delta, it is possible to spot rare predators like cheetahs, leopards, and African wild dogs, as well as endangered white and black rhinoceros. Taking a flight in a hot air balloon will allow you to view the animals that are out in the open. Believe it or not, a bucket list is not complete unless it also has Okavango Delta in it!
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
If desert-scapes, remoteness, solitude, and the sound of lions roaring in the night are your thing, then Central Kalahari Game Reserve could become one of your favorite places in Africa. A trip here would truly leave you mesmerized and account for a lot of wow moments, particularly the black-maned lion of the Kalahari.
Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is a vast semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa. The desert holds all three African big cats – cheetah, also the famous black-maned Kalahari lions, and leopard.
The Kalahari Desert will also give you an insight into San culture – just a quick peep, “the hardiness of the San allowed them to survive the harsh conditions of the Kalahari Desert.” Kalahari desert is a must-visit if you consider yourself an adventurous traveler or culture enthusiast.
Nata Bird Sanctuary
A quarter of Botswana wet season birds and fabulous flamingos call the Nata Sanctuary home. Make it here, and you have earned your swathe!
How to get a visa to Botswana
- Fill out and sign the application form. Attach your passport (2 coloreds) or travel document valid for at least six months on entry with one blank visa page. Also, hold proof of onward/return airline tickets, and documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit to Botswana!
Helpful Travelling tips
- Book through an agent directly to save costs. Since OTA’s takes commissions
- Currency and Banking. The currency of Botswana is Botswana Pula (BWP). There are approximately 0.092BWPto $1.
- You need to bring an unlocked smartphone with you. You can get a sim card for your stay, which will allow you to add minutes and be able to call your family or friends.
- Dress Modest