Premium Botswana safaris by sundownersafaris.com: Botswana possesses one of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. It’s an incredible wildlife sanctuary and home to many bird species. With so many sceneries to explore, there’s something for any outdoor enthusiast. If you’re not outdoorsy, there are other ways to enjoy the gorgeous country. The locals are also welcoming and accommodating to all visitors. However, it might not be easy to narrow your options for things to do in Botswana as there are so many unique things to experience. We hope our list of the best things to do in Botswana will help you decide what activities to engage in your coming tour in Africa. If you need assistance with planning a Botswana vacation, or a trip to Zimbabwe, Zambia, or Rwanda, get in touch with our team here at Sundowner Safaris and we will help you plan an unforgettable trip. See additional details on Botswana safaris.
While Nxai Pan and Nxai Pain National Park is open to visitors and wildlife lovers all year round, the rainy (wet season – November to April) is undoubtedly the best time to visit this majestic part of Botswana. In addition to the annual zebra migration, visitors are more likely to witness vast herds and a wide range of wildlife during this time of year, including lions, giraffes, kudu, springbok, impala, wildebeest, ostriches, jackals, bat-eared foxes, to mention merely a few of its wildlife highlights. Not to mention the incredible variety of birdlife you’ll encounter. As the Nxai Pan National Park is located in the north-eastern part of Botswana, you can easily combine your visit with a trip to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, which reaches into the park.
Kasane is situated between the Four Corners of Africa; where Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zamibia meet. It is a great spot to stay for visits to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Botswana’s own Chobe National Park. The town’s own attractions include a huge Baobab tree that was once used as a prison due to its trunk that is so large a human can enter. There is also a snake park that houses around 50 snakes from 17 different species. Kasane is also wonderfully situated for exploring the Chobe River.
The Tsodilo Hills is undoubtedly one of the top tourist attractions in Botswana. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, Tsodilo Hills is famed for its religious significance and is comprised of rock paintings, shelters, depressions, and caves. Often referred to as a spiritual outdoor art gallery, Tsodilo Hills showcases more than 4,000 ancient San Bushmen rock paintings, with over 4,500 cave drawings being found throughout the site. You will also find around 400 sites depicting hunting scenes, ritual dances, and typical safari animals. It is said that some rock art dates back more than 20,000 years and archaeologists have ascertained that people lived in this area as far back as 100,000 years ago. The San Bushmen further believed this sacred area to be the site of the first creation of man and a resting place for spirits of the dead. When visiting the Tsodilo Hills in Botswana, you can expect to hike the three main hills (especially if you’re looking to experience the full Tsodilo Hills exploration journey), with the assistance of local guides. There is a basic campsite and a small but informative museum on site.
Built on the richest diamond mine in the world, the name Jwaneng literally means the place of small stones; these small stones are far more valuable than your average pebble however. In just one year the mine produced over 13 million carats from a whopping 10.5 million tons worth of ore. The town has amenities such as guest houses and restaurants. The mine here also supports the nearby Jwana Game Park which recently introduced two white rhinos.
Unlike most river deltas the Okavango River empties onto open land, flooding the savanna and creating a unique and ever-changing inland delta. The Okavango Delta is affected by seasonal flooding, with the delta floods covering over 6,175 square miles/ 16,000 square kilometers every year. The Delta’s peak flood season takes place during May – October (with water levels being at its highest during June – August). The Delta’s peak flood season coincides with Botswana’s dry season, which in turn coincides with great migrations of plains game from the dry hinterland. During the Okavango Delta’s dry season, around 260,000 mammals are estimated to congregate around the delta, resulting in pristine wildlife sightings and encounters. The Delta is also known as a world-famous stronghold for predators and an exceptional birding site, home to approximately 530 bird species.
The Republic of Botswana is in the heart of Southern Africa. In the years before its independence from the British in 1966, Botswana was one of the poorest and least-developed states in the world, but the discovery of massive diamond deposits and investment into a strong tourism industry has turned it into a shining success story. For travelers with limited time, wilderness safaris in Botswana is a great option as you can easily be transported via light aircraft transfer from one camp to another in between game drives. Most Botswana-only safaris start in Maun or Kasane, but many of our clients opt to add Victoria Falls or Cape Town to a Botswana safari. See more information on https://www.sundownersafaris.com/.