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Top 6 Activities in Botswana
Botswana is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. There is so much to see and do within every crevice of this bountiful land. The south and east offer the captivating Kalahari Desert and lunar-like pans at Nxai and Makgadikgadi. The north and west consist of the jaw-dropping water worlds of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River Ecosystem.
This diversity in terrain lends itself to an array of activities to suit virtually anyone with an interest in the outdoors. Whether it’s your first trip to Botswana or your 10th, there is always something exciting to experience in one of Africa’s friendliest countries.
1. Mekoro Safaris in the Delta
A mokoro safari is a serene experience where guests are transported through the crystal waters of the Delta. Historically, these mekoros were made from hollowed-out sausage tree trunks. Nowadays, lighter, faster and more environmentally friendly fiberglass mekoros are used at all lodges. It’s the Okavango Delta’s quintessential game viewing ‘vehicle’ and allows you to get closer to animals in ‘the Venice of safari’.
2. Hang out with Meerkats
This perfect for families or first time safari travellers. We know that Meerkats are cute and fluffy but they are also extremely intuitive and fearless in the ecosystem in which it inhabits. Because they’re so fearless, they very soon become habituated to humans and, in fact, begin using us as convenient lookout posts! Head to the Kalahari – meerkats like drier, sandy conditions for burrowing – for one of the best family-friendly things to do in Botswana.
3. Meet the San Bushmen
Synonymous with the Kalahari, the San people are indigenous hunter groups that are the first nations of South Africa. Conquering this challenging terrain about 20 000 years ago, developing skills of survival over generations, watching history unfold with cultural tours is a wonderful way to encapsulate yourself in the beauty of Botswana. Join the San clans on guided walking tours while learning about their culture, way of life and their knowledge of medicinal and poisonous plants.4. Experience Birding Like no Other
Before getting to Botswana, many people say that they are not into birds, however once they are met with the excitement of spottling the Pel’s Fishing Owl in a distant tree or the perfect shot of a Fish Eagle taking off, they are easily convinced! To enjoy optimal birding, we would suggest going in the summer (November to March). Enjoy fantastic sightings of Kingfishers, Oxpeckers, Black Egrets, giant Eagle Owls, stunning carmine bee-eaters, Ground Hornbills and Lilac Breasted Rollers.
5. Hot-air Balloon Safari Over the Delta
Do you have the courage to defy gravity and soar above the earth in a hot air balloon, the oldest form of flight known to man? Well, then hot-air ballooning over the Okavango Delta should be on your bucketlist! The beauty of ballooning is that you get a true sense of how large the Okavango is. It’s one thing to fly over it in a light aircraft; it’s quite another to float serenely above its ox-bow lakes, counting the hippos, elephants and buffaloes below.6. Sunset Cruises on the Chobe River
Situated up north in Chobe National Park, the Chobe River is often where safaris to Botswana end. The classic way to crown your day is with a sunset cruise where you can spot fish eagles, crocs, hippos, myriads of birds and even water monitors from the boat. A bonus of boat-based game viewing is the unique angles it offers for wildlife photography. But the absolute showstopper is always the crossing of elephant families from one bank to another.
We hope that this list inspires you to book your next bucketlist Botswana adventure. With so many things to see and do for all sorts of travellers, Botswana and its many regions offer an array of experiences. Our experts at Your Perfect Africa can help you curate the perfect Botswana Safari and who knows where else this epic journey could lead you! After all, as Rudyard Kipling once said, “one cannot resist the lure of Africa.”