Botswana travel guide

Tucked away in the heart of southern Africa, Botswana is a land of staggering natural beauty and unspoilt wilderness. This is a country where elephants outnumber people in some regions, rivers vanish into desert sands, and the rhythms of nature dictate the pace of life. For those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-track adventure, Botswana delivers in spades.

Home to the legendary Okavango Delta—one of the largest inland deltas in the world—Botswana offers a safari experience like no other. Picture gliding silently through papyrus-fringed waterways in a mokoro (dugout canoe), as herds of red lechwe splash through the shallows and fish eagles call from above. Beyond the Delta, the stark and otherworldly landscapes of the Makgadikgadi Pans stretch endlessly towards the horizon, while Chobe National Park promises some of Africa's most thrilling wildlife encounters, especially its famed elephant herds. In fact, nearly 40% of Botswana's land is protected for conservation—an extraordinary commitment that makes it one of the best places on the planet to witness wildlife in its natural state.

Many international visitors begin their journey in Gaborone, Botswana's capital and largest city. Though not the main attraction, the capital offers a gentle introduction to the country: a relaxed and modern city with leafy neighbourhoods, colourful markets, and a growing arts scene. From here, travellers typically continue on to Maun or Kasane—gateways to the Delta and Chobe, respectively—where the real adventure begins.

Yet Botswana is more than its landscapes and game parks. It's a country defined by its calm confidence, political stability, and deep-rooted respect for the natural world. Visitors will also find a culture that values warmth, community, and tradition. Whether you're swapping stories around a campfire, chatting with a guide in a village, or simply being greeted with a friendly "Dumela" (hello), there's a quiet hospitality that makes you feel instantly at ease.

Indeed, Botswana beckons to those who want to feel the pulse of the wild, to sleep under star-smeared skies, and to experience Africa at its most raw, real, and rewarding.