Listly by Joanna James
The land of remarkable wilderness, home to the Big Five — wildlife lovers for sure need no introduction to the nature-rich Southern African nation. Nevertheless, culture-seekers, outdoorsy adventurers, and travellers with varied interests, Botswana lets no soul down, for it’s a land of abundance.
The Southern African nation is truly a land blessed with diversity, lending itself to a diverse set of leisure activities, more than just safari. Nonetheless, there would be no Botswana experience with no safari on the holiday programme, especially given that almost half of the country has been set aside for wilderness tourism. The sprawling Chobe National Park easily tops the list of safari destinations in the country renowned for wildlife safari and is, with good reason — easily accessible wilderness and the world's largest concentration of elephants being just two among many others. Moremi Game Reserve is also an equally incredible contender that puts Botswana on the map for sensational wildlife experiences.
For the truly intrepid, take safari up a notch by going wild camping, setting up camp under the night alongside the creatures of Kalahari, and experiencing the rugged intensity of the wilderness in its true essence. Rent yourself a fully equipped 4x4 camper, popularly known as an overlander, which is basically a tiny home on wheels with all-terrain tires, recovery gear, and basic camping equipment, everything you need to spend an adventurous night in the rugged wilderness.
Craving a bit of adventure in adventure-rich Botswana? Channel the intrepid adventurer in you and embark on an exciting expedition, canoeing across the crown jewel of Southern Africa, the serene Okavango Delta. Hop aboard a traditional mokoro canoe and meander down the placid waters as you indulge in the untouched nature that awaits you on verdant banks. The watery UNESCO World Heritage is truly a sensational wonder of nature and an unmissable experience on your Botswana getaway.
To truly admire nature's splendour, that is, the Okavango Delta, take to the skies by taking a scenic flight over the serene delta. Hop aboard a small Cessna plane or a bush helicopter with its doors removed and enjoy a bird's eye view of the delta from up above the azure blue. Keep your camera ready, as the opportunity for drool-worthy Instagram snaps is plenty.
The capital city of Gaborone isn’t exactly the most favoured holiday destination among most tourists to Botswana, but a tour of the bustling metropolis sure is worth your while. Things to do in Gaborone offer an interesting glimpse into authentic local life away from the country’s renowned wilderness and makes for a day’s worth of delightful city exploration. Vacationing tourists could also find a slew of fine hotels and resorts in the city, including the likes of Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino.