Last checked: November 2026.
What Are the Best Places to Visit in Botswana?
The best places to visit in Botswana are the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, the Moremi Game Reserve, the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Tsodilo Hills. The Delta and Tsodilo are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most visitors choose two or three of these, because distances are long and the best camps are remote.
Water and Wildlife
The Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a large inland delta in the north-west, and UNESCO inscribed it in 2014 as a natural site. The annual flood arrives during the dry season, when water levels are highest. That’s why June to September is often called the best time for boat and mokoro (traditional canoe) trips. Allow three to four nights, and expect to fly in to a camp from Maun.
Chobe National Park
Chobe is known for elephants along the Chobe River. They gather there from about May as inland water dries up, and herds are largest in September and October. Kasane is the usual base, and boat and game-drive trips are the main activities. Allow two to three nights. Victoria Falls is nearby if you want to add it.
Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi covers part of the Okavango Delta and combines dry land with water. It’s usually described as best from July to October, when water is high and game viewing is at its peak. Many visitors add it to a Delta stay. Allow two to three nights.
Savuti and Linyanti
Savuti and Linyanti are best in the dry season. Linyanti is known for predators and for elephants along the Linyanti River, with the biggest gatherings in September and October. Zebra foal around Savuti in November. These areas suit visitors who want a quieter, more remote safari. Allow two to three nights each, and check access with your operator.
Desert and Open Landscapes
Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan
These salt pans in the north-east are best in the green season, from about December to March, when zebra move onto the fresh grass. In the dry months, activities such as quad biking are offered on the pans. Allow two to three nights.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
This is a remote semi-arid reserve for travelers who want space and quiet. The green season, from about December to April, is usually the best time. Allow three to four nights, and travel with an experienced operator or in a well-equipped vehicle.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
This park in the south-west is shared with South Africa and is a drier safari option. Wildlife viewing isn’t strongly seasonal, so most guides suggest April to May or September to October for milder temperatures. On the Botswana side, facilities are basic, and the park is suited only to convoys of two or more 4×4 vehicles. It needs a long journey from Gaborone, so it suits a separate trip, not a quick add-on.
History and Culture
Tsodilo Hills
Tsodilo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2001. It’s in the north-west, and UNESCO describes it as a cultural landscape with a long record of human settlement. There are over 4,500 rock paintings. Allow half a day to a day on site, and plan the transport in advance, since it’s remote. The UNESCO listing has background.
Gaborone
Gaborone is the capital and has about 246,000 residents, according to the 2022 census. Most visitors pass through for flights and business. Spend a day for museums and city sights if you have time, and check hours on official sites first.
Which Place Should You Choose?
- Choose the Okavango Delta if you want water-based safaris and the classic Botswana experience.
- Choose Chobe if elephants and an easy link to Victoria Falls matter most.
- Choose Makgadikgadi if you want the zebra migration and wide open landscapes.
- Choose Tsodilo if rock art and archaeology interest you more than big game.
Table: How Long to Spend
| Place | Best for | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Okavango Delta | Water safaris, remote camps | 3 to 4 nights |
| Chobe National Park | Elephants, river trips | 2 to 3 nights |
| Moremi Game Reserve | Mixed land and water game viewing | 2 to 3 nights |
| Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans | Zebra migration, desert scenery | 2 to 3 nights |
| Central Kalahari | Remote semi-arid reserve | 3 to 4 nights |
| Tsodilo Hills | Rock art | Half a day to a day |
Passes and Tickets
Park and camping fees, permits and opening hours change, so we don’t list them. Check with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and with your camp or operator before you go. Many camps include park fees in their rates, but confirm what’s covered.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to visit the Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari in one short trip.
- Booking too late for June to October, when camps fill up.
- Choosing a park for the wrong season. The Pans are best in the green season, and the Delta flood is best in the dry months.
- Leaving camp on foot at night. Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
Best Places in Botswana FAQs
What is the most famous place in Botswana?
The Okavango Delta is the best-known place. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the 1,000th site on the World Heritage List, inscribed on 22 June 2014. Chobe National Park is also very popular, especially for elephants.
Can I visit Botswana’s parks without a guide?
Some parks allow self-drive visits in a suitable vehicle, but many camps and remote areas need a guide or an operator. Road and track conditions change with the seasons, so check access before you go.
Is the Okavango Delta worth it in the green season?
Yes, for some visitors. Water levels are lower in many channels, and mokoro trips may not be possible, but rates are often lower and the landscape is green. Wildlife viewing and activities differ from the dry season, so ask your camp what to expect.
How do I reach the Tsodilo Hills?
The hills are in the north-west, near the Namibian border. Most visitors arrange transport through a tour operator or a camp. Confirm the route, road conditions and any guide requirements before you travel.
To reach these places once you arrive, see our guide to getting around Botswana, and read our Botswana visa guide before you book.