There’s a country in Africa whose very flag speaks volumes about its civilization: the black and white stripes juxtaposed against the blue of the sky reveal that indigenous people and European settlers have always lived in harmony here. In short, Botswana is a miracle! Though nestled between South Africa and Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), two states that for a century pursued racist and violent policies, the hatred hasn’t transcended borders. So Botswana has remained an oasis of peace and beauty. Booking a safari here is even more thrilling.
When and how to go to Botswana
The best time for a safari in Botswana is the season from May to October, “our” summer. The dry climate favors both tourist and animal travels; both gather near the Okawango River – a weird river that does not flow into the sea but rather disperses into the Namibian deserts, dried out by the intense heat. Due to the heavy rainfall, it is not recommended to visit between January and April. However, itineraries can already be booked through local agencies in this period, already.
Botswana is accessible by air, with connections from the main international airports in Southern Africa. You can find flights to the capital’s Khama Gaborone Airport from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT).
What will you see
Botswana has only two cities. The rest of its vast territory is dotted with small towns and rural villages. Notable tourist destinations include the capital, Gaborone – in the south, and Francistown, in the northeast. We can also add Mogoditshane, a rapidly growing town located a few kilometers from the capital, and Maun, the largest municipality in the North-West District and a hub for all safaris heading to the Okawango River.
Gaborone is famous for its many services, the historic architecture, and monuments such as the Statues of the Three Chiefs, the Sri Balaj Temple, the Jamia Mosque, as well as its Botanical Gardens and a small nature reserve, Mokolodi, which offers a taste of the wild nature you’ll see on safari. Francistown can be explored in a few hours, passing from the elegant Soldier Memorial to the Thapong Art Gallery, the historic San D’Kar district and the Copper Mining History Museum…
But when you come to Botswana, nature is the real draw. Perhaps there aren’t the vast national parks of Kenya and Tanzania, nor the volcanic landscapes of the Eastern Africa… but along the uneven banks of the Okavango River, you’ll experience unforgettable emotions!
Safari in Botswana
The must-do safari in Botswana is the one to discover the wildlife of the Okavango. This long, incredible, landlocked river is home to hundreds of birds and hippos and attracts herds of elephants, zebras, buffalo, wildebeest, and giraffes in search of water. The greatest thrill is traveling the Okavango aboard traditional boats, the mokoro; but you can also go on excursions on foot or even (for the wealthier) by helicopter.
Magical places for a safari in Botswana include the Moremi Nature Reserve and Chobe National Park – which follows the course of the Chobe River, a natural border between the country and neighbouring Namibia. People go along the Chobe River mostly to admire birds of all species and elephants, but it’s not uncommon to encounter lions and hyenas as well. Among the natural wonders of this vast country, don’t miss the Makgadigadi Salt Pans, which rise on a salt plateau (once a lake fed by the Okavango River, before it was diverted by natural faults). The Kalahari Desert deserves a special mention. It covers two-thirds of Botswana, alternating between grasslands and acacia forests, and is home to thousands of spectacular African animals. During certain periods of the year, it fills with fresh grass for a few days, becoming an immense expanse of green. In the heart of the desert lies Deception Valley, where mirage phenomena will surprise you almost everywhere, just as they did with the explorers who gave it its name.
At the northern border of Botswana, shared with Zimbabwe, lies Africa’s most beautiful natural monument: Victoria Falls. The Zambezi River, which plunges into a deep rift with a drop of between 70 and 100 meters, produces a constant thunder and an eternal cloud of vapor full of splendid rainbows!
Why choose Botswana in 2026
Because it’s one of the hottest destinations right now, but also because… this country is always a perfect safari destination. On a small scale, it boasts all of Africa’s wildlife species, is well-organized in terms of managing its national parks, and above all, it has a population that lives in harmony – very little crime and zero political and social tension. The magic of wild Africa is too precious an experience to be marred by external anxieties: experiencing it in a land that guarantees peace and serenity like Botswana is ideal!
