What to do in Botswana

Okavango Delta & Chobe River Boat Cruise

Many Botswana safaris will see you spending some time on the water and an Okavango Delta or Chobe River boat cruise is arguably one of the most popular things to do in Botswana overall. The best places to enjoy a boat safari are the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, both located in the north-eastern part of the country. Depending on your travelling companions and preferences, you can set the focus of your boat trip: do you want to enjoy a sundowner cruise with some cold drinks and snacks, a photographic cruise accompanied by a professional photo guide or spend the night on the water and set up camp on one of the houseboats? There are many different ways to experience a boat safari in Botswana and it is yours to choose.

Mokoro Safaris

One of the most iconic images that will come to mind when thinking about what to do in Botswana and rightly so: a mokoro excursion, with a poler navigating one of the traditional dug-out canoes through the labyrinth of waterways in the famous Okavango Delta, dotted with water-lilies and framed by tall reed grass, colourful birds flying across the water’s surface. At some water-based camps in the delta you will be able to join a Botswana mokoro safari year-round. However, mokoro trips are most widely offered during the dry season from May to October when the water levels are high. Enjoy this unique experience that will change your perspective on how you see the world around you.

Walking Safaris

There is nothing quite as humbling as stepping out of the safari vehicle and entering the world of Botswana’s wildlife on foot. Your heart is sure to skip a beat when you realise that you have now crossed into the hunting grounds of lions and habitats of elephants. From our experience, most walking safaris and bush walks are not quite as adventurous though and luckily so. With a bit of luck you will meet zebras and giraffes, wildebeest and yes, even elephants while walking under the guidance of your armed ranger. You will learn about the local ecosystems, smell leaves and flowers, inspect prints and droppings, listen to bird calls, feel the sun in your face and the wind in your hair. A Botswana walking safari is one of most exciting things you can do in Botswana’s private conservancies, just outside the state-run national parks.