botswana tourism authority

17 of the best things to do in Botswana

Oct 16, 2023 • 16 min read

Experience the best of Botswana with this guide to the top things to do © THP Creative / Shutterstock

Botswana is famous for its remarkable wilderness areas.

The Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park – along with some seriously fancy luxury lodges – make it one of the best destinations in Africa for wildlife lovers. The country is a unique playground for amateur anglers and birdwatching enthusiasts, too. It also offers fun experiences for culture-seekers and outdoorsy adventurers.

The stark Kalahari Desert covers much of Botswana, providing an unorthodox stage for an African safari. At first, the desert might seem lifeless and uninhabited, but the dry plains play host to unusual delights that make for a magical travel experience: endless salt pans, ephemeral lakes, islands of baobab trees, friendly meerkat colonies, Neolithic sites that speak to a fascinating past and an oasis of epic proportions in the form of the world's largest inland delta.

Despite being covered by large areas of desert, the miracle of water truly sets this country apart. Fed by rains from the mountainous watersheds of Angola , the life-fueling annual floods create exquisite river systems and replenish the Okavango Delta for the extraordinarily diverse wildlife.

Whether your tastes run to wildlife encounters or elemental desert scenery, plan your trip to include these unmissable experiences in Botswana.

1. Book a classic Botswana safari

Botswana has perfected the art of the safari. Almost half of the country has been set aside for wilderness tourism, as  national parks , wildlife conservancies and game reserves account for more than 40% of Botswana's land allocation.

Chobe National Park is the most accessible wilderness, in part because it sits at the end of a tarmac highway within easy reach of  Kasane Chobe Airport . It also presents an effortlessly rewarding rendezvous with wildlife. This part of Botswana has the world's largest concentration of elephants (roughly 126,000), and the best way to see Africa's elephant capital is to board a boat and cruise the Chobe River's game-rich shores.

Nearby,  Moremi Game Reserve covers one-third of the  Okavango Delta . The Batawana people of Ngamiland created this reserve in 1963, making it one of the first reserves in Africa to be declared by local residents as opposed to colonial powers. Most luxury lodges and camps lie in concession areas rented out by the government to enforce a more responsible high-value, low-volume tourism strategy. The best reserves sit in the swamps of the Okavango Delta and visitors fly in on small bush planes from Maun .

The logistics of reaching these isolated locations inevitably hikes up the price of a game-viewing experience – stays cost a minimum of US$650 per person per night and can reach up to US$4,000 a night – but lower visitor numbers minimize adverse environmental effects on these pristine wildlife areas. It also means travelers are highly likely to have viewings of lions, painted wolves and other creatures all to themselves.

For an even more far-flung adventure, seek out the desert-adapted animals of the Kalahari, an enormous wildlife park that opened to the public in the late 1990s. Black-maned lions, stately oryx antelope and comical ground squirrels all roam the  Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), which covers a staggering five million hectares (12.4 million acres).

The CKGR is also the ancestral home of the San people. Often referred to in Botswana as bushmen, the San traditionally followed a nomadic lifestyle, hunting and gathering only what was needed from the desert, and you can still see glimpses of this life when visiting local communities.

Planning tip: Budget travelers should aim to visit during the green season . In Botswana's summer (November to March), prices can drop by 40%. This is also when most lodges waive the single supplement fee, making it an appealing time to visit for solo travelers. You can also save by driving to some luxury stays in the southeastern delta and Khwai areas, the CKGR and Nxai Pan, or ask about boating access between camps.

2. Feel your heart race on a wild camping trip

If you're intrepid but don't want to shell out for a luxury camp, you can rent a vehicle and drive to simple demarcated campsites throughout the country. You'll need a fully equipped 4WD camper, but these are easy to rent from companies in Botswana or South Africa (many flights to Botswana are routed via Johannesburg) and typically cost US$140 a day. These vehicles come with all-terrain tires, recovery gear and basic camping equipment, such as rooftop tents, chairs, cutlery, crockery and even battery-powered fridges.

Most of Botswana's wildlife parks and camps are not fenced in, and there's no better way to feel the rugged intensity of the wilderness than camping alongside the creatures of the Kalahari. You may well have to dodge spotted hyenas on the way to the bathroom (if there is a bathroom) or wait for hippos to scamper back into the river after a night grazing along the riverbanks. Many campsites in the CKGR require total self-sufficiency, but some in Savuti and Moremi Game Reserve have flushing toilets and hot showers.

The most popular self-drive camping route hits all of the country's iconic wildlife hotspots on one two-week circuit, connecting  Baines' Baobabs in  Nxai Pan National Park with  Third Bridge in Moremi Game Reserve before proceeding north to  Savuti and the Chobe River in the Chobe National Park.

3. Honor San culture with a nature walk

The San have called the Kalahari home for more than 50,000 years, and any trip to this desert area should factor in some time to appreciate their ancient wisdom. Tragically expelled from their ancestral land in the central Kalahari, the San have long been regarded as the original inhabitants of southern Africa, and nature walks with skilled trackers offer culturally sensitive insights into the traditional bushman's way of life.

Entering their world to learn about their traditions helps to guarantee the conservation of this fast-vanishing culture. You can find responsible tours arranged by lodges such as Tau Pan Camp, Nxai Pan Camp and Jack's Camp. Alternatively, visit  Grassland Safari Lodge , where you can also track rhino.

4. Detour to a contemporary San art gallery in D'kar

A bold community project in the village of D'kar near Ghanzi offers an alternative way of experiencing Botswana's oldest culture. Punchy prints and vivid paintings preserve accounts of the lives of the Naro San people at the  Kuru Art Project . Visitors can see backcountry art studios and find artworks that celebrate botany, wildlife and traditional beliefs. Don't miss  the little museum next door to the art project.

5. Take a canoe across the Okavango Delta

In most parts of Africa, a safari takes place aboard a rattling 4WD vehicle, but Botswana's most iconic safari vehicle offers a more serene means of communing with nature. The Okavango Delta is Botswana's crown jewel, and the best way to explore this wondrous, watery Unesco World Heritage site is on board a traditional mokoro canoe.

The area's first human inhabitants traveled the wild waterways of the delta using these flat-bottomed boats, steered by standing at the back of the vessel and pushing forward with a long pole. Modern visitors do the same – certified professional polers follow paths cleared by herbivore hippos and hungry elephants.

Most luxury lodges in Okavango offer canoe experiences. You'll sit at water level, inches above the surface, and enjoy the river in silence, sharing the channels with gorgeous water lilies, cute Angolan painted reed frogs and aquatic lechwe antelopes. It's how the Okavango Delta has been savored for centuries. You can also do day trips or overnight camping adventures from the town of Maun with the  Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust – a good option for travelers on a budget. Inquire directly at its office or make arrangements via a hostel, such as the  Old Bridge Backpackers or  Delta Rain .

Planning tip: Try to time your trip to catch the  Nkashi Classic , an annual time-trial mokoro race to find the fastest poler in the entire Okavango Delta. The Botswana Wild Bird Trust (a Public Benefit Organization) founded the first competition in Maun in 2018, and polers compete in four categories: female, male, veteran (age 55 and over, any gender) and doubles (two-polers).

6. Hop on a scenic flight to view the Delta from above

To fully appreciate the scale of the swollen swamps that make up the Okavango Delta, you must take to the sky. The serpentine channels reveal themselves in all their glory from inside a small Cessna plane or a helicopter with the doors removed. Lagoons decorate the delta in watercolor swatches of emerald, olive, pea, lime and every other imaginable hue of green, while elephants and buffalo herds pick their way across the landscape.

Okavango Delta Maun Airport is the hub for scenic flight operators, and you can book directly at the offices of companies such as  Mack Air and  Helicopter Horizons .

7. Don't miss a Maun walking (and tasting) tour

A turnstile to the safari world, Maun is the base town used by many travelers to explore the untamed northern regions of Botswana. Make time for an immersive guided walking tour to see the modern face of Maun with  Your Botswana Experience . Walks start with a trip to the town market, where household essentials such as cattle bells, water tap locks, palm-leaf baskets and fat cast-iron cooking pots are busily traded.

Guides will explain the traditional uses of everything in the market before you try your hand at basket-weaving – you'll soon understand why it can take two weeks to craft one of these intricate vessels. Afterward, you'll dig into regional delicacies such as tswi , a water lily stew made from potato-like roots harvested from Okavango waters, served with magwinya , a deep-fried donut-like bread roll.

Detour: Do a horseback tour of Maun. Shorter excursions remain within the confines of the reserve at  Thamo Telele (home to zebras, wildebeests, impalas and gemsbok and a resident herd of 20 sociable giraffes). Longer rides meander through traditional cattle posts before following the placid Thamalakane River further downstream to spy hippos and crocodiles before breaking for a picnic lunch.

8. Sleep on the salt pans after a quad biking adventure

A sprawling network of massive salt flats, the  Makgadikgadi Pans are so immense they can be seen from space. Quad biking across this incredible white landscape with a guide is the most exhilarating way to savor the scale of the landscape, as you drive for miles towards the horizon without ever reaching it. Many finish a trip by sleeping below the stars in the middle of nowhere – if you thought the Makgadikgadi was enormous by day, wait until the Milky Way unfolds in the dome above your pillow at night.

Planning tip: If you can't afford to visit the iconic Jack's Camp (the first lodge to be built in this rather unforgiving landscape) the charming village of Gweta is a good base for booking less expensive excursions with  Planet Baobab or  Gweta Lodge .

9. Catch an African tiger on a fishing trip

Okay, real tigers don't live in Africa, but a menacing toothy fish named after the big cat can be found in the upper reaches of the Okavango Delta. Reached by a short drive along a tarred but pothole-riddled road from Maun, this area is known as the "Panhandle" – the upper segment of the Okavango Delta where the main Okavango River glides south as a single channel before splintering off into separate streams creating the Delta proper. While this region is not as brimming with big game as the swampy floodplains of the lower Delta, it is no less beguiling.

Even amateurs will love fishing up here. When hooked, feisty tiger fish vault into the air with incredible acrobatics, after which they are safely released back into the water.

Planning tip: The "barbel run" is the best time for catching tiger fish; a feeding frenzy occurs when the water levels drop after the winter floods, flushing small baitfish from the papyrus beds where they've been safely feeding into the mouths of waiting barbels (catfish) and tiger fish. The timing varies depending on flood water levels, but the run typically occurs between September and October.

10. Explore sacred legends in the rock art of the Tsodilo Hills

Unesco-listed but off the beaten track, the  Tsodilo Hills protect more than 4,000 prehistoric rock paintings created by Botswana's first inhabitants, the San. Archaeological excavations and stone tools found here date the site back to 500 CE and the well-preserved paintings delicately depict ancient customs from a time when human and animal lives intertwined. You're only allowed to walk this sacred site with a trained guide, who will unlock the secrets of the stones.

Guides are available at the information center and don't need to be booked in advance; arrive and take your pick from the four walking trails. The shortest and most popular track is the Rhino Route, leading to exquisite rock art of rhinos,  penguins and whales . If you're up for a challenge, you can climb to the highest point in Botswana at 1,489m (4,885ft) via the Male Hill Route.

11. Meet the Makgadikgadi meerkats

Colonies of meerkats that are well habituated to humans occupy the fringes of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, burrowing tunnels into the golden grasslands. These animals are wild but are very used to human presence, and each colony has a dedicated caretaker. Wake early and these curious critters might clamber up onto your head for a better lookout position, all the better to keep a beady eye out for predators! Trips to meet these cute little creatures can be arranged through Planet Baobab or Gweta Lodge, or the operators of San Camp, Jack's Camp or Camp Kalahari.

12. Take a 4WD trip to Kubu Island

Rising like the humps of kubu (hippos) wallowing in water,  Kubu Island is a fitting name for the mounds of rock that poke through the otherwise flat plain of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Operated by the Gaing O Community Trust, a campsite set amidst the baobabs presents breathtaking views of the endless creamy white salt pan landscape.

The waters of the Okavango Delta once filled up this vast area, and attracted by the bounty of this water, humans periodically settled here. Scattered stone walls and pottery shards dating to 1200 CE are still visible dotted around the landscape.

You'll need to be self-sufficient on this adventure and pack everything you need, including water, firewood, fuel and toilet paper. The route is best approached via the village of Letlhakane, a route where there's less chance of getting stuck in the Makgadikgadi mud.

Detour: Get a permit from  Makumutu Safari Lodge and go to the Orapa Game Park to spot rhino and visit the Adrian Gale Diamond Museum. Anecdotes and artifacts chronicle the critical period of gem discovery in the nation's history, tracing the story of Botswana's diamonds, from deep in the earth to treasured heirlooms, through excellent exhibits across five halls.

13. Explore Gaborone with a local

At first glance, Botswana's capital city of  Gaborone doesn't seem to have much to divert attention, besides looking at a handful of statues or wandering through shopping malls, so it's not typically on the list for first-time visitors. However, an immersive tour with female-run  Happy Soul Adventures reveals the layered life lived by ordinary citizens.

Explore the surrounding sprawl of villages on a bicycle ride, following scenic dirt roads through a pastoral landscape, and engage with rural communities by crafting pottery, learning how to cook local dishes or singing karaoke in the bars of Gaborone.

Planning tip: Fans of Mma Ramotswe, the main detective in the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency  series, can see Gaborone through a literary lens on the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Tour with Heritage Adventures Botswana. Stops include "Zebra Way" and the Anglican Church where Trevor Mwamba worked.

14. Witness the extraordinary zebra migration at Nxai Pan

The national animal of Botswana is the zebra, and you can see them in the thousands after nourishing rains spill over  Nxai Pan National Park between December and March each year. These herds make an arduous journey from the Chobe region, searching for sweet grasses, and a safari to this less-visited park is a monochrome spectacle.

Detour: If you don't want to travel in the rainy season between January and March, the  Boteti River hosts massive numbers of zebra and wildebeest during the dry season.

15. Track rhinos on a walking safari

Rhino tracking is a memorable way to check off one of the top animals from the Big Five list. The government reintroduced 138 white rhinos into northern Botswana between 1967 and 1986, but an aerial count in the early 1990s found the population had declined by 80%, largely because of poaching. In response, the government moved the remaining rhinos to refuges where they could be closely monitored, including the  Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Serowe and  Mokolodi Game Reserve in Gaborone.

Walking safaris can be booked directly at Mokolodi or the Khama sanctuary, but set aside a full morning. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to five hours to locate a rhino safely on foot, aided by two expertly trained field guides. These modestly-sized reserves are also home to giraffes, zebras, warthogs and kudus, so you'll see plenty besides endangered rhinos when setting out on a walking safari.

16. Float under the world's only quadripoint

There is only one place on the planet where the corners of four nations come together, but it's more a theoretical point on the map than a physical travel destination. The Kazungula Bridge, which opened in May 2021, connects Botswana with Zambia and Zimbabwe and overlooks Namibia. A trip here is the best way for geography nerds, architecture appreciators and travel nuts to tick off the quadripoint as visited.

Boat trips to the confluence of the Chobe River and Zambezi River can be booked from most riverfront accommodations, including  Chobe Safari Lodge . Bring binoculars to keep track of the lively kingfishers and colorful bee-eaters you'll spot on the way here.

17. Visit an elephant-friendly brewery

Designed and launched with human-wildlife co-existence in mind,  Okavango Craft Brewery produces unique, award-winning beers worth sipping. It's northern Botswana's first microbrewery and it operates in partnership with local NGO  Ecoexist , which works with farmers in the Okavango Panhandle.

Millet grain is described as a climate-smart crop that requires less rainfall and the brewery buys it at an above-market price to reward small-scale farmers. In return, farmers follow elephant-aware practices that Ecoexist champions. Examples include preventative crop-raiding methods such as using chili pepper smoke as a deterrent and planting away from elephant corridors.

The elephant-friendly millet is carefully malted and worked into every recipe at the Okavango Craft Brewery, from IPAs to draught-infused ice cream. To find your favorite, don't miss the mokoro (a tasting paddle of Irish-style stouts, pale ales and lagers). These beers are also available at some Maun cafes and luxury safari lodges. Check social media for upcoming events, such as live music and conservation talks.

Detour:  Elephant Havens is a one-hour drive north of Maun. Through habitat protection, community outreach, and the emergency rescue of baby elephants under dire stress, this orphanage provides refuge, daily care, and companionship for orphaned elephants until they can be reintroduced into the wild. Visiting hours are 9–10 a.m. and 4–5 p.m. seven days a week and timed with feedings.

This article was first published July 2022 and updated October 2023

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11 reasons to visit Botswana

One of the best travel destinations in Africa, Botswana is known for its great safaris, incredible wildlife, exciting adventures, picturesque landscapes, stable economy, and unique culture of it's people. Botswana is a paradise for travellers who wants to experience true essence of African safari.

1. Stunning Okavango Delta

One of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world, the Okavango Delta gives entrance to the spectacle of wild Africa such as dreams are made of – the heart-stopping excitement of big game viewing, the supreme tranquility and serenity of an untouched delta, and evocative scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.

2. Conservation of endangered species

When it comes to protecting Africa's endangered wildlife, Botswana leads the conservation pack.

The conservation of rare and endagered wildlife species is an intergral part of the Policy of the Department of wildlife, National Parks and Tourism.

3. Vibrant tourism industry

Experience the stunning beauty, the unimaginable vastness, the isolation and worldliness, the astoundingly prolific wildlife of the best kept African secret.

4. Economic Stability

Botswana's economic freedom score is 64.8, making its economy the 61st freest in the 2022 Index. Botswana is ranked 3rd among 47 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, and its overall score is above the regional and world averages.

5. Rich Cultural Heritage

Every one of the many ethnic cultures in Botswana has its own heritage of myths, legends, rituals, values and traditional artistic norms. However, the overlapping similarities between the different components create a homogenous culture, giving a rich and colorful patchwork of the diverse whole.

6. Warm spirits of Batswana

Warm and friendly people who are open, respectful, humble and welcoming to guests at all times.

7. Home of the Big Five

Okavango Delta knows such a high diversity of ecosystems – flood plains, forest, dessert, saltpans, savannah – a wide range of animals can be spotted, whether you venture out with a vehicle, boat or by foot.

The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the rare rhino) can all be crossed off the bucket list in the Okavango Delta. Spotting these impressive animals in their own habitat is something you will never forget.

8. Home of KhoeSan

Sometimes known as Bushmen , the KhoeSan are the indigenous hunter-gatherers people of Southern Africa.

The uniqueness of their lifestyle, culture, and language have long fascinated people around the world.

9. Unforgettable Safari Destination

Botswana is a land of dramatic contrasts. From the crystal-clear waters of the Okavango Delta to the large elephant herds in the Chobe National Park and the unpredictable Savute Channel, Botswana is an unforgettable safari destination.

10. Local Cuisines

Come dine to the most unique, spice free traditionally prepared cuisines

Tswana style dishes

Tswana chicken

Traditional brew & More

11. Picturesque Landscapes

Discover the landscapes and topography of Botswana. Inland Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, Salt pans, Seasonal wetlands, The Kalahari Desert, Semi-arid region, The Okavango Delta Swamps, The Tsodilo Hills and the savanna.

For more information and to book your travel.

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Botswana Travel Guide

With its standout safaris, luxury lodges and the cosmopolitan capital of Gabarone, Botswana has a lot to offer the discerning business traveller.

Botswana’s wild landscapes attract nature lovers from around the world. Visitors are captivated by its dramatic vistas, from the undulating dunes of the Kalahari Desert to the lush Okavango Delta. Clusters of ancient baobab trees and shimmering salt plains also draw in the crowds. A landlocked country slightly larger than France, Botswana shares borders with Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Over a third of its land is reserved for wildlife parks and game reserves. Botswana boasts an abundance of wildlife, including the black-maned lion and Cape buffalo. As a result, it’s one of Africa’s top safari destinations, renowned for its luxury tented camps and lodges.

While English is the official language, most Botswanans speak Setswana. Over 20 languages are in use, including Afrikaans, Kalanga and Kgalagadi – an indicator of the country’s ethnic diversity. Botswana is also a country steeped in traditional culture and folklore. The Maitisong Festival is a major cultural arts festival in Gabarone. But the country’s most legendary event is the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race – an adrenaline-fuelled car race spanning a thousand kilometres of the Kalahari Desert. With its warm climate, luxurious accommodation and breath-taking landscapes, Botswana is an inviting tourist destination.

THE BUSINESS END

In the 1960s, Botswana was a British protectorate known as Bechuanaland. It was one of the world’s poorest nations. But its independence in 1966 sparked the beginnings of rapid economic growth. In 1967, diamonds were discovered in the town of Orapa, which became the largest diamond-producing mine in the world. This allowed the government to invest heavily in primary and secondary infrastructure ­­– it also improved social services and education. Between the 1960s and 1990s, Botswana had the highest rate of economic growth in the world. The per capita GDP has increased almost elevenfold since independence. Botswana’s consumers now constitute a high net worth market.

Today, Botswana is Africa’s most long standing democracy. It is renowned for its lack of corruption, political stability and low crime rates. The economy continues to expand, with half of all government revenue coming from diamond exports. Tourism is also big business in Botswana. In 2018, the travel and tourism economy exceeded $2.5 billion, and the sector supports 84,000 jobs. Around 96 percent of tourists were travelling for leisure, with the remaining four percent visiting for business reasons. The government are keen to promote Botswana as a business destination. The capital, Gabarone, is an up-and-coming MICE hub with conference centres, upmarket hotels and restaurants. 

TOURISM INSIGHTS: BOTSWANA TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Botswana Tourism Organisation was established in 2009. Its mission: to develop Botswana into a popular tourist destination, thereby increasing the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economic growth. The organisation is committed to sustainable tourism and collaborating with local and international communities. We spoke to the CEO, Myra Sekgororoane, about Botswana Tourism Organisation’s past development and future goals.

Q&A WITH MYRA SEKGOROROANE, CEO, BOTSWANA TOURISM ORGANISATION

Since inception, how has Botswana Tourism Organisation developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

Myra Sekgororoane (MS):  Botswana Tourism Organisation was set up by the government to market tourist products, grade tourist accommodation and promote investment in the tourism sector. The organisation has successfully managed to introduce high standards and develop tourism strategies that exceed customer expectations, while building customer confidence around the world. The organisation aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to Botswana’s economic growth. It does so by promoting Botswana as a destination of choice at both regional and international exhibitions, such as World Travel Market London. 

How would you say Botswana has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

(MS): Botswana has experienced significant growth in the business travel sector. This is largely due to major developments in infrastructure, such as improved conference facilities, airports and roads. An increase in hosting major events is a second contributing factor.

Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Botswana?

(MS): Botswana is one of Africa’s top tourist destinations. This is thanks to its rich culture, stable democracy, biodiversity and varied landscapes. In Botswana you will find one of the world’s largest inland deltas, vast rivers, grassy plains, deserts and salt pans.

Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend?

(MS): Botswana is renowned for having some of the best wilderness areas on the continent, such as the stunning Kalahari Desert and the lush Okavango Delta. Sites of historic interest include the Tsodilo Hills and Goo Moremi Gorge. In recent years, cities such as Gabarone have improved the quality of their services, offering high-end hotels, restaurants and bars.

What are the best ways of getting around the country?

(MS): There are various ways you can explore Botswana: by air, rail and road. Our national carrier is Air Botswana, which operates a scheduled network between Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane. You can also take small 6-12 seater planes to more remote camps in the Delta, Kalahari and Chobe regions. These are normally organised by private tour operators and depart from Maun and Kasane. We also have a growing rail network. Many tourists elect to drive in Botswana. The country has a good road network, especially in towns and between major cities.

What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Botswana at present? How are you responding to these trends?

(MS): China is the leading generator of outbound travel in both figures and expenditure, with many destinations vying for a portion of the market. Botswana is no exception to this emerging, lucrative trend. Plans are under way to intensify entry and penetration of the Chinese market. We have already participated at the International Travel Expo (ITE-Hong Kong) and are conducting market research into what Chinese consumers look for from a destination. We are also interested in attracting the millennial travel market. Since many millennials organise their travel online, developing web-based strategies to optimise the market is crucial. We are also committed to developing inclusive tourism so that people of all ages, abilities and sexual orientation will enjoy visiting Botswana. Finally, we are proponents of sustainable tourism, responding to demands from tourists themselves.

How do you see Botswana developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years?

(MS): The events industry is a dynamic and fast-growing sector with obvious synergies with tourism. Events planning has over the years proved to have the potential to grow the tourism economy, provide media exposure, promote development, and stimulate infrastructure developments. The Botswana Tourism Organisation has therefore successfully hosted events to help grow the tourism industry, as part of a broader strategy.

Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that you wish to highlight?

(MS): In a bid to diversify and expand the tourism industry, the Government of Botswana has established the Dams Initiative. The project will diversify Botswanan tourism and improve the economic livelihoods of local communities through the development of lodges, campsites and outdoor activities. The communities around these projects are expected to actively participate and directly benefit from the dam tourism initiative, which will be carried out in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. 

Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Botswana?

(MS): The Government of Botswana is committed to growing the tourism industry as part of its economic diversification strategy. Tourism plays a significant role in the national economy, creates jobs and exhibits enormous potential for future growth. The future is positive for the industry in Botswana – we seek to expand tourism in the country by adding more products and increasing geographic spread.

GABORONE IN FOCUS

Botswana’s capital city, Gabarone, is a laidback metropolis with a population of 232,000. Construction began on the city in 1964, and was completed three years later. The country’s government buildings are all located here, alongside universities, shopping malls and upmarket hotels. Gabarone has a growing number of conference centres and business hotels, and good transport links to the rest of the country.

The city centre is characterised by Main Mall, a pedestrianised strip of shops, restaurants and other amenities. Many of Barone’s bars and restaurants are located in indoor malls dotted around the city. Business travellers will discover plenty to entertain them.

Despite its modern appearance, Gabarone is a great place to learn more about the country’s traditional culture. Botswanacraft is the country’s largest craft emporium, selling handicrafts made by Botswanan and African artisans. Gabarone’s most well-known landmark is The Three Digkosi Monument, bronze statues of the three chiefs who pleaded with Britain for independence. Gabarone is surrounded by nature reserves, including the Molokodi Game Reserve, and is home to animals such as giraffes, ostriches and wildebeest. It’s also an ideal jumping-off point to explore the vast Kalahari Desert. 

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

CHIEF’S ISLAND

“The combination of reed-fringed waters, grasslands and light woodlands makes for game viewing that can feel like a BBC wildlife documentary brought to life. Not surprisingly, the island is home to some of the most exclusive lodges and tented camps in Africa” –  Lonely Planet

MAKGADIKAGI NATIONAL PARK

“The shimmering salt pans of Makgadikgadi along with the Nxai Pans are believed to be the largest in the world. Most of the time they appear as glaring, white, endless plains. During the rainy season they are one of the most important wetland areas in Botswana – when they transform and come alive into stunning grass-plains” –  Siyabona Africa

BAINES’ BAOBABS 

“Located in the south of Nxai Pans National Park are the seven baobabs known as Baines’ Baobabs or the Sleeping sisters. This stunted cluster of Africa’s most iconic tree was immortalized by the paintings of Thomas Baines, a British landscape artist commissioned by the Royal Geographic Society” –  Discover Africa

GCWIHABA CAVES

“Certainly one of the wildest and most remote destinations in Botswana, Gcwihaba is a fascinating underground labyrinth of caverns and pits, linked passages, fantastical stalagmite and stalactite formations, and beautifully coloured flowstones that appear like waterfalls of rock” –  Botswana Tourism Board

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

Ranked fourth in the country,  Botswana International University of Science and Technology  (BIUST) specialises in engineering, science and technology. It occupies an ecologically diverse 2,500-hectare site near Palapye. It boasts well-equipped faculty buildings, modern halls of residence and sports facilities, including a football pitch and gymnasium. BUIST is driven by a mission to contribute to Botswana’s economic development by using education to facilitate a move towards a knowledge-based economy. It aims to conduct pioneering and innovative research, and hopes to attract more local and international researchers in the future.

University of Botswana

Imperial School of Business and Finance

New Era College

Ta Shebube   consists of two lodges located in the undiscovered Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Take a safari between the encampments, traversing vast savannahs and red-gold dunes. Look out for herds of oryx and wildebeest, as well as predators like the black maned lion. Spend your evenings in comfort, watching dramatic sunsets give way to starry skies. The Rooiputs camp consists of luxurious thatched chalets with ensuite bathrooms. There’s a spacious bar and dining area. Polentswa may look like a camp from a bygone era, but it has all the mod cons. Each private tent has an ensuite, a private veranda and an outdoor shower.

Deception Valley Lodge

Planet Baobab

Air Botswana

Blue Sky Airways

South African Airways

Air Namibia

EAT & DRINK :

The Courtyard Restaurant @ Botswanacraft

Caravela Restaurant

Bull & Bush Pub

Dusty Donkey Café

Machaba Safaris  has three safari camps located in Botswana. One of them, Machaba Camp, won the 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards for the best luxury tented safari camp. With its lavish tented accommodation, private swimming pool and onsite spa therapist, it’s easy to see why. But these luxurious camps also offer a world-class safari experience. You’ll be taken on morning and afternoon game drives, nature walks and trips in dugout canoes. You can take a self-drive safari between the camps, while the Machaba Blue Safari couples a Botswanan safari with a seven-night trip to the Seychelles.

Kalahari Safari

Chobe Boat Cruises

Tawana Self Drive

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

There are few direct flights to Botswana outside South Africa. Most international visitors will have a stopover at Johannesburg Airport or Windhoek Airport in Namibia. Botswana’s main airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, located 11 kilometres from the capital, Gabarone.  

Botswana has invested heavily in transport infrastructure, making it possible to explore the country using various modes of transport. The national air carrier, Air Botswana, flies between the four largest towns: Gabarone, Francistown, Maun and Kasana. Charter flights operate out of Maun and Kasane, taking passengers to safari lodges and camps located in the Kgalagadi Desert and the Chobe River. These are often organised by tour operators.

Tourists can also travel the country by rail or road. A railway runs from Lobatse to Francistown, passing through several towns including Gabarone. There is one service a day from each station, which departs in the evening and arrives the next morning.

A variety of buses connect Botswana’s main towns. They are an inexpensive way to travel, often used by locals. Taxis and minibuses are the best way to travel within towns and villages. Self-driving is also popular in Botswana. The roads are in relatively good condition, although you’ll want a 4×4 if you’re planning to visit more remote locations.

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A NATIONAL TOURISM STRATEGY AND MASTER PLAN FOR BOTSWANA

The Government of Botswana wishes to review and update its national tourism development strategy to build upon the Tourism Policy of 2021. As a result, the Botswana government has embarked on a plan to produce a national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy by July 2022.

Tourism is recognized as one of Botswana’s key growth sectors capable not only of generating valuable foreign revenues and providing substantial employment, especially in rural areas, but also able to act as a catalyst of socio-economic change.

‘Tourism’ is the term used to describe the travels of people to a place outside their normal environment, for any purpose (business, leisure or personal, including visiting friends or relatives, medical, study etc.) and not directly connected with their everyday employment or activity. As a result, when people undertake this travel, they are categorized as ¨visitors¨.

In Botswana, the tourism sector has come to be seen as over-reliant on the high value/low impact approach that has created a valuable international reputation for sensitive wildlife and environmental conservation but resulted in a low average length-of-stay among foreign visitors and a lack of product diversity. One of the key objectives in tourism development therefore is to diversify the product offering to attract a broader diversity of markets, increase the average length of stay and expenditure, create more jobs and provide better opportunities for local communities to share in the economic benefits of tourism.

The production of national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy has resulted in the UNWTO which is contracted to undertake countrywide research consultative process. The consultations involve a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders in Gaborone and across the country, in person or remotely.

It also involves desk research into all available statistical data, research studies, tourism strategies, legislation, and other relevant documentation. It also a regular consultation with the Department of Tourism and her colleagues. There was an extensive field trip to all main tourist areas, involving interviews with local officials and stakeholders, including Tsabong, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tswapong Hills (Moremi Gorge), Selebi-Phikwe, Tuli Block, Francistown, Nata, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Panhandle (Shakawe, Mohembo Bridge, Tsodilo Hills) and Ghanzi. Similarly, the Chobe District had been explored in detail for the Kasane-Kazungula Master Plan project. The UNWTO also visited several community trusts and community tourism projects in rural areas consulting them on the proposed national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy. A full day consultation workshop in Maun and Gaborone with local/regional tourism and hospitality stakeholders were conducted. Finally, written surveys of private sector stakeholders were also received.

The provisional recommendations take heed of national strategic objectives, namely product and market diversification, the need for greater citizen and local community engagement and the desire to grow the domestic leisure market. These sit alongside the ever-present goals of how to increase foreign revenues and create more jobs while protecting and conserving Botswana’s invaluable natural and cultural assets. It is from this background that the UNWTO team of ten (10) consultants should produce the Botswana Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Strategy by July 2022.

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Lessons from Botswana’s progressive tourism policies

Africa-Press – Botswana. At the just-concluded African Tourism Leadership Forum, which was held at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), an African president took the high net worth audience from a level of knowledge to a higher and exemplary one.

For Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, tourism is beyond the gathering at that plush venue; it is real business, it is economy booster, it is the live of the people, it moves the world, and should be taken seriously.

Of course, the excited president, whose country hosts the Southern African Development Community (SADC), recognizes the important place tourism occupies in his country and in turn, his government is giving tourism the priority it requires to grow, attract more foreigners willing to spend their hard currencies, create jobs and make more of his people happy as well as boost the economy.

To that end, the president was bold to offer insights and his efforts at making tourism count in Botswana. Some of these insights were heard for the first time by most of the well-travelled audiences at the ATLF 2022.

To aid faster recovery of tourism from the impact of the pandemic and to grow the sector in the country, the president and his team formulated enabling policies in 2021.

The policies were with human face, as the citizens have been encouraged to participate actively or increase their levels of participation to boost tourism’s gross impact on livelihoods, and the economy.

“In 2021, we announced a new tourism policy that promotes active citizen participation in the tourism sector. Botswana’s tourism adaptation of the Value Chain business is underpinned by the principles of Citizen economic empowerment, job creation, tourism product diversification and investment growth as espoused in the Botswana Tourism Policy of 2021,” the president said in his address at ATLF 2022.

“This policy emphasizes product development and diversification as a key driver of growth within the tourism industry, and views the promotion of adventure and cultural tourism as an opportunity to attract more arrivals locally, regionally, and globally to complement our traditional wildlife tourism offering.”

The policies were targeted at six major areas of impact; events tourism, cluster development, cultural tourism development, community project development, community projects and dams Tourism.

Today, the policies have aided product development and diversification, which has resulted in improved tourist traffic into the country.

The development has also aided the faster recovery of tourism from the impact of the pandemic in Botswana.

A boost to the president’s action is the fact that if you engage in more tourism products development, it implies that more hands will be engaged, more skill developed, more money made and more people happy.

Apart from diversifying the offerings and opening a plethora of attractions to choose from, some tourism experts argued that a policy that allows more participation of the citizens will increase productivity, resulting in economic diversification.

Moreover, the move towards increased activity, according to him, will play a positive role in the economy and creating employment in varied geographical locations.

But, there is need for collaboration to ensure that the policy thrives hence he said, “All these can only be achieved through forums like this one, characterized by collaborations between governments, our citizens, the private sector, and our friends from around the world who are providing new skills and innovation for the tourism industry in Africa to thrive.”

To truly create new tourism products, President Masisi noted that Botswana tourism should bear in mind the shift in the industry, occasioned by new thinking and unique desires by today’s tourists.

The shift, according to him, implies that developers of new tourism products should latch onto technology and all the trendy devices to lure, grow and retain tourist traffic in Botswana.

The president concluded by calling for the need to adapt to the changing tourism world, saying,“Industries are looking to adopt strategies to future-proof their business and to navigate rapidly changing technological landscapes. I, therefore, urge you to take this time to have an in-depth analysis of the trends and forecasts influencing travel patterns, and how you can take advantage of the opportunities that they bring to us in the tourism sector.”

The gathering applauded him for the insight, especially Kwakye Donkor, CEO, African Tourism Partners, the organisers of ATLF 2022, for showing example for his colleagues across Africa to emulate, at least encouraging their citizens to participate more in tourism based on their various capacities.

Meanwhile, Philda Kereng, minister of Environment and Tourism, Botswana, is making concerted efforts, alongside her team members at the Botswana Tourism Board, to ensure that Mr. President’s new policy on tourism development, starting from domestic end is actualized.

A big lesson to learn by those who want tourism to count in their country as it is counting in Botswana today.

For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press

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CEO of Botswana Tourism Organization reveals plans to increase international arrivals in 2023

On the back of a great year for Botswana’s tourism, the country is devising strategies and taking initiatives for more successes for the industry next year. The country has already set its sights on new international tourism markets and is hoping to build a more vibrant MICE sector.

The Southern African nation saw the return of its biggest tourism and travel event, the Botswana Travel and Tourism Expo (BTTE) in November this year. Earlier in October, the country hosted the 5th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards. Both events attracted hundreds of participants and boosted confidence in Botswana’s tourism industry while giving a strong indication that it is an emerging destination for the events and meetings sector.

In a conversation with VoyagesAfriq, the CEO of Botswana Tourism Organization, Ms. Tshoganetso Carl-Ponoesele posited, “2022 has been quite an eventful year for our tourism sector in Botswana, and I must say that what really came out strong was the events and the conferences. For the first time in Botswana, we managed to host with finance international events of a stature that has amazed our patrons and our counterparts regionally.”

Source: VoyagesAfriq

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Welcome to Botswana

Botswana is located in southern africa and is bordered by south africa, namibia, zambia and zimbabwe. it is roughly the same size as france or texas, with a surface area of 581,730 sq km..

Botswana uses the pula (BWP) as its national currency. The pula is divided into 100 thebe. The pula is freely traded and there are no currency restrictions. It is one of Africa’s strongest currencies. Notes are P200, P100, P50, P20 and P10. Coins are P5, P2, P1 and thebe 50t, 25t, 10t, and 5t.

Summer is from December to March. High temperatures average 30C to 35C with lows around 18C and rain particularly in December and February. Winter is June to August. Daytime temperatures around 23C with night-time lows averaging 5C.

The official languages of Botswana are Setswana and English.

Botswana is on Central Africa Time (CAT), which is GMT+2 hours.

The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana(HATAB) was formed in 1982 and over the past 38 years ,the association has helped to improve and promote the tourism industry which is the second-largest contributor to the country’s economy. In addition, HATAB ensures that high standards are maintained throughout the industry.

HATAB is a non-profit organization which represents the various sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry including:

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The association has an annual publication This is Botswana which acts as a membership directory. Click on the cover to browse the guide online.

HATAB’s vision is to ensure that each and every visit to Botswana is positive and that each visitor feels compelled to return after a fantastic experience.

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Botswana Tourism extends invitation to participate in World Travel Market Africa

Botswana Tourism extends invitation to participate in World Travel Market Africa Photo by Secret Travel Guide on Unsplash

Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) has extended an invitation to all licensed tourism enterprises based in Botswana to register for participation in the upcoming World Travel Market (WTM) Africa.

The event is scheduled to take place from April 10th to April 12th, 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CITCC) in Cape Town, South Africa.

With an array of attractions ranging from wildlife safaris to cultural experiences, Botswana aims to captivate the global tourism market at WTM Africa.

This strategic initiative aligns with Botswana’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the global tourism landscape and fostering fruitful collaborations within the industry.

They encouraged to seize this opportunity to promote Botswana’s diverse tourism portfolio and forge valuable partnerships with stakeholders from around the world.

“BTO wishes to invite Botswana based and licensed tourism enterprises to register for below stipulated fairs for World Travel Market (WTM) Africa that will be held on the 10th – 12th April 2024 in Cape Town International Convention Centre (CITCC), Cape Town – South Africa,” the company wrote.

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• Trade Statistics January 2024: Total Imports in million Pula = 7,545.3 Total Exports in Million Pula=4,849.9 Trade Balance in Million Pula = (2,695.4)
• March 2024: Inflation Rate= 2.9%
• Total GDP Q4 2023 = P 61,783.5 million
• Index of Mining Production Q4 2023 = 101.8
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Currently only arrivals into and departures from the country data is compiled under tourism statistics. The data is derived administratively from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship arrival/departure forms, which are completed by non-citizens at points of entry and exit. The data is analyzed by month of entry or departure, demographic characteristics, purpose and point of entry, country of residence and nationality, mode of travel etc. The information derived from this data is useful to inform policies, planning and decisions on the development and management of the tourism sector in Botswana, also in monitoring and evaluation for demand and supply considerations within the sector. Other users include research institutions, private sector, domestic and international organizations and the general public. The data serves a variety of purposes, including for marketing and investment decision making.

The Services part measures services transactions between residents and non-residents of the economy and classification of these will be carried out in stages as soon as the section becomes operational.

Indicators compiled include:

• Tourists by country and continent of Residence
• Tourists by Purpose of Visit
• Total arrivals by Country/Residence and Sex
• Total arrivals by Country of Residence/Nationality and Purpose of Entry
• Arrivals by Purpose of Entry and Age Group as a Percentage of Purpose of Entry  
• Total Arrivals by Nationality and Month
• Total arrivals by Residence and Month
• Total arrivals by Border Post and Month of Travel
• Total Arrivals by Mode of Travel
• Total Arrivals by Month and Quarter for Years 2000 - 2015
• Total Departures by Border Post and Month
• Total Departures by Month and Mode of Travel

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Following are Statistics Botswana web-based data platforms used for organising, storing and presenting data in a uniform way to facilitate data sharing.

Each of these portals has a dedicated database system, modelled for specific data types (microdata and aggregate data).

The portals provide interactive access, metadata and web services for automated data sharing.

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Promote environmental based projects for the conservation and protection of the environment in order to increase the effectiveness with which natural resources are used and managed so that the beneficial interactions are optimised and harmful environment side effects are minimised.

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Manages and promotes sustainable tourism development through formulation, monitoring and implementation of policies and strategies that ensure sustainable tourism development.

Charged with conservation, protection and management of vegetation resources in Botswana and ensures that these resources are used sustainably for the benefit of the present and future generations.

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Email: MENT_PR [at] gov.bw

Toll free Number: 0800 600 734

07:30 – 12:45 & 13:45 – 16:30, Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays.