Surrounded by land, Botswana’s geographical size is somewhat same as that of Kenya or France, but smaller than Texas. Much situated at an average height of 1000 m above the seal level, the country comprises of an extensive and sand-filled basin featuring savannah occupied by shrubs. The famous Kalahari Desert that is a semi-arid area holding sandy valleys occupies approximately 85 percent of the landscape of Botswana taking the complete central and southwestern areas.

I had come to Botswana to meet my one of the friends who stays there in the north. From his home, I planned to visit the following main attractions here with him, as he knew much of the place taking a 4WD.

Tourist Attractions in Botswana

Kasane & Kazungula

Kasane is located in the beautiful riverside where two natural elements meet – four countries and two rivers. I felt it amazing to be at the junction of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe and view the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. With a population of just a few thousand people, this town is the hub of all activities in the northern region of the country.

Then, I headed towards the east, where I came across the miniature hamlet of Kazungula that holds the border of Zimbabwe. Here, I felt lucky to see the border of any nation for the first time and the exciting Kazungula ferry that can take you to Zambia. From here, I opted to go the Chobe National Park.

Chobe National Park

This is the home to Botswana’s most varied wildlife. I entered through the northern park entrance that is instantly west of Kasane where usual vehicles can take you there too. However, I noticed that to go ahead through the park or reach from Maun, there is an inevitable need of a high-clearance 4WD.

The wildlife habitat survives here because of the continuous supply of water from the riverfront along the northern row. What pulled me was the wonderful Savuti Marshes of the Mababe Depression in western region of the park that is also the home of key wildlife and bountiful water birds. Next, I visited Ngwezumba, which is a rarely-visited area but its worth to visit due to its pans and mopane forests. Lastly, the northwestern corner of the park offers the captivating Linyanti Marshes.

Kindly bear in mind that that Savuti Marshes might not be opened from January to March because of mud and flooding.

Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park

Comprising of extensively grand salt pans – Sua, Ntwetwe, and Nxai; there is no comparison to this landscape in the entire world. This is just unique in its own way that made me felt to be the lucky one to see so. The time I came here was late winter days when the stark pans seems to turn ghostly, imaginary lakes tends to vanish, ostriches take off, and stones converts themselves like suspended mountains in the air. In the suitable period, flocks of wildebeest, zebra, and other mammals come here every year hunting for perennial water and food.

I went ahead to visit the wonderful Nata Sanctuary that cost me $5 including camping as the entrance fee and timings being from 7.00 a.m. to 7 p.m. Situated at 15 km southeast of Nata, I spotted different birds, antelopes, and other grassland animals. I recommend not to take a 4WD in a dry season, but a high clearance should be present.

Then, I took my 4WD to reach the Kubu Island besides the southwestern corner of Sua Pan. For camping, I registered with the Game Scouts at the camping ground with a donation of US$6 per group. The island is enclosed by salt and occupied by ethereal baobab trees and Iron Age relics. I camped along with the other visitors on the salt. However, there was not a single drop of water here.

Remember, if you wish to discover any of the salt pans individually; do carry a 4WD, a good map, and a GPS system. As a tip, drive on the paths of other vehicles only and on to the edges of the pans.

Maun

This was my ghostly visit but considered as the friendliest town in the country to which I would say it is true. Seeming as a mental phantom of donkey-drawn carts, Maun (Mauoon) is actually famous for its starting and ending points for the Okavango Delta. So, even I started from here to reach the delta region that I heard is a must see tourist destination.

Okavango Delta

The attractive gem in the northern Botswana is the crown of the Okavango Delta. This delta is formed due to the soaking of the Okavango River into the desert’s sand dunes after flowing from Namibia. During the wet times, this delta view is breathtaking as it extends miles through the desert that provides a ray of hope to the bird and animal-life.

I actually came to know later that the Moremi Wildlife Reserve here is also worth visiting. Due to the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River supplying water throughout the year, you can be lucky enough to see all southern African mammals in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and Chobe National Park.

Best Time to Visit Botswana

Botswana spans across the Tropic of Capricorn and has extreme temperature and weather. Winter lasts here from late May through August wherein days are clear and sunny with nights being cold. Sight seeing is safer in winter as wildlife hardly go away from water sources. In summer that is from October to April, wildlife watchers would have to really struggle to spot their favorites and further the rains can cancel your trips by making the sandy roads inaccessible.

Botswana Accommodation

You can opt for lodging and boarding options at Kasane, Kazungula, and Chobe National Park. At the park, there are only four and five stars luxurious lodges and camps, while in the towns of Kasane and Kazungula; you have different lodges of different budgets.