As one of Africa’s premier travel destinations, Botswana offers a high standard of living and it is a politically stable country that travelers enjoy visiting for a number of reasons. It’s no surprise that the most popular activities are the Big Game Safaris, but that’s not all that this gorgeous country has to offer. There are lots of things to do in Botswana, and any list of activities that you read will certainly have great suggestions on how to fill your time there.
Here are our top five favorite things to do in beautiful Botswana.
Get Your Art On in Tsodilo Hills
If the idea of a spiritual outdoor art gallery makes you smile with excitement, consider a visit to Tsodilo Hills, home to more than 4,500 ancient San Bushmen rock paintings. The San Bushmen believe that the creation of man began in Tsodilo Hills, and that this area is resting place for spirits of the dead.
There are over 400 sites in this area, all of which feature traditional hunting scenes, animals, and dances. Some of the rock art in this area dates back to more than 20,000 years ago. Tsodilo is often referred to as the “Louvre of the Desert”, and it’s no wonder that it has received UNESCO World Heritage site status. Archaeologists have determined that people lived in this area as long as 100,000 years ago!
Go on Safari
Because of its massive private animal reserves and beautiful landscape, it’s no suprise that Botswana is known as one of the most famous safari destinations in the world.
The majority of Botswana’s wildlife areas are located in northern Botswana. Okavango Delta, Moremi Gorge, Chobe National Park and Linyanti are all easily accessible and they offer some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet.
Being comprised of mostly desert terrain, Botswana is also a great place to visit if you’d interested in embarking on a desert safari. Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Central Kalahari Game Reserve are two popular destinations for this sort of experience.
Whether you’re searching for a regular safari up north or you’re looking for a startling contrast to the typical African safari, Yellow Zebra Safari offers some spectacular safari tours in areas all over Botswana.
Try Seswaa, Botswana’s National Dish
The traditional cuisine of Botswana is typically based on meat and maize dishes. Botswana’s national dish, Seswaa, is a tasty meat stew served over a thick polenta/porridge.
The stew is made by boiling meat, typically beef or goat, with onions and peppers for approximately two hours. The meat is then shredded and pounded with salt to add flavor. The mixture is pored over a maize meal and served with a leafy green called Morogo. This may seem like a very basic meal, and it is, but it’s important to remember that meat was once considered a luxury that many families couldn’t afford.
Go on a Literary Journey in Gaborone, Botwana’s Capital City
OK, so maybe this activity isn’t particular exciting, unless you’re a bookworm like me. I wanted to include it though, because I love The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, and it’s an unusual way to see some of Gaborone, Botswana’s capital city.
This popular book series has put Gaborone firmly on the map, and since the books have been turned into a popular HBO Series, you can watch Precious Ramotswe’s hometown spring to life before your eyes. A half-day tour features film locations for the books, a drive by Precious’ home on Zebra Drive, and a visit to her office at Speedy Motors.
Image courtesy of Botswana Tourism
Visit Gcwihaba Caverns
Set amongst the rippling sand dunes of the Kalahari Desert, Gcwihaba Caverns are a wonderful option for adrenaline seekers who are seeking something a bit out of the ordinary. The caverns are located in one of the most remote locations in Botswana, and they aren’t easy to get to, but they’re worth every minute of the long journey there. The two-story caves are a maze of linked passageways that are full of stalagmites and stalactites, which have been formed over thousands of years by dripping water. The unusual rock formations and frozen waterfalls are a veritable kaleidoscope of colors. We bet you never knew rocks could be so complex and beautiful!
This completes our list of five things that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Botswana. Have you been to Botswana? What do you recommend doing in Botswana?
Canadian expat Carrie Kellenberger has kept a home base with her husband in Asia since 2003. A prolific traveler, Carrie has funded her travels primarily as a writer, editor, travel blogger and photographer, but she has also worked as an educator, voice over artist, model and nightclub singer. She draws upon her 15+ years of travel experience to write about travel-related issues and the countries she has visited on her award-winning web site, My Several Worlds.
Her photography and travel articles have appeared in both print and online publications around the world, including Travel and Leisure Asia, Unearthing Asia and Hip Compass Escapes.
