Botswana has become synonymous with some of the most scenic landscapes and wilderness experiences in the world. A number of travel blogs put it at the top of their travel hot-lists as the African must-go-to-destination. From its breathtaking landscapes to its fascinating history and exciting capital of Gaborone, here are 15 reasons why Botswana should be on your radar this very moment.
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1. Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is Botswana’s very own oasis – a place fondly referred to as the ‘jewel of the Kalahari.’ Fed by the Okavango River, the Delta is home to a series of grasslands that rise and fall with seasonal flooding. Here, nature enthusiasts are treated to the sights and sounds of an outdoor haven. Tour the region in a traditional style, guided by a professional oarsman in a “mokoro” – the local form of a canoe.
2. The wildlife
Thousands of wildlife species thrive in Botswana’s hot climate. Indigenous fauna includes the African buffalo, elephants, duikers, lions, gemsbok and 593 reported bird species. This prolific wildlife has given rise to three national parks and seven game reserves – each with their own unique tourist offering.
3. The Bahurutshe Cultural Lodge
The Bahurutshe Cultural Lodge is a piece of lovingly preserved history and tradition – the perfect way to experience local culture. Visitors will be exposed to traditional living and stay in thatched rondavels crafted out of moulded bricks. The lodge itself is a recreated Hurutshe village. Visitors are treated to the traditional Botswana music and dance performances as well as an array of authentic cuisine. Typical dishes include wild chicken, seswaa (pounded beef), maize meal, flat cakes and beans.
4. Adventures
If a sense of adventure and discovery are essential components of your holiday experience, then there are plenty of opportunities to get your fix in Botswana. Sports fishing season culminates around the “Barbel run” in the months between August and October. Thousands of small fish travel from shallower, receding waters into the main channels where a feeding frenzy of Barbel, Sharp-tooth Catfish and Tiger Fish awaits. For adrenaline junkies, quad biking over the Makgadikgadi Pans is another fun way to take in the wide expanses. Camping safaris and adventure tours alongside the Okavanga Delta are perfect for group travel. For thrill-seekers, walking safaris provide pure exhilaration. Take the trip on horseback for a stroll through Botswana’s natural environment. Alternatively, guided game drives will keep you informed as you go.
5. Traditional food
In Botswana, the main meal is generally eaten at lunchtime, so for an authentically traditional experience, head over to a restaurant at midday for a hearty meal. Seswaa is the national dish of Botswana. It consists of meat that is thoroughly boiled, pounded and shredded to make a stew, which is then served with pap or polenta. This dish is often served with a leafy green called morogo. With the assimilation of Afrikaans culture into local culture, braais and dishes such as vetkoek have also been introduced. If you’re keen to try something more daring, mopane worms are considered a delicacy in the cities. They are served dry and crunchy, like crisps or cooked and drenched in sauce.
6. The annual Maitisong Festival
Every year, towards the end of March, the Maitisong Festival takes place in Gaborone. If you want to experience the musical culture of Botswana, this is the festival to attend. As the country’s largest performing arts festival, this event hosts theatre performances, marimba bands and choirs as well as non-stop gospel, kwaito and afro-pop groups. For visitors who are in Botswana near the end of August, the Gaborone International Music and Culture Week is an event that’s not to be missed. During this week a number of music performances as well as comedy, poetry and theatre acts are showcased. A percentage of the proceeds are donated to local NGO’s.
7. Fusion Fashion
Fashion in Botswana is where traditional wear and globalised Euro-centric style meet, in a clash of colour and eclectic design. Young, emerging designers are using their creativity to produce ranges that represent the limitlessness of African talent. In between more commercial brands, are shopping gems – boutique fashion stores where you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces that will wow the crowds back home. Two of Botswana’s lauded fashion labels are Black Trash Clothin’ and MAKAY La DIVA. Characteristic traits of local fashion include German print, which is called Leteise in Tswana culture, as well as African patterning. Female design lines boast puffed sleeves, embroidery on the front of the garment and a circular wrap-around skirt shape. For the Motswana man it’s all about felt formal jackets and trench coats known as Mohlangoma.
8. Thousands of years of history
Also known as “Mountains of the Gods,” Tsodilo Hills in Botswana is a site that encapsulates a local sense of spirituality, immortalised in over 4500 San rock paintings. Revered as one of the region’s most sacred sites, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local guides will take you on a hiking journey over three major hills, pointing out the proud features of this outdoor gallery. Recent excavations in the Serpent Cave unearthed stone artifacts that date back 70 000 years.
9. Sanctuary Chief’s Camp
Rated one of the top safari camps in Botswana by Condé Nast, the Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is where a wellness retreat begins. The spa is situated on an island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, on what is the former royal hunting reserve of Chief Moremi. Africology spa treatments, massages and specialist body rituals that include a tropical immunity-boosting body wrap: all these luxurious treatments are available. Keep fit while you travel at the spa’s onsite gym, equipped with all the basics including weights and yoga equipment.
10. The Gcwihaba Caves
Gcwihaba Caves – one of Botswana’s wildest and most remote destinations- is a labyrinth of caverns, passages and pits lined top to bottom with fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations as well as dazzling coloured flowstones that look like waterfalls of rock. Fossils and archaeological findings in the caves suggest that it was home to foraging people. You can choose how far you’re willing to go for a sense of discovery – duck into small caverns, squeeze through crevices or crawl through tunnels. This natural wonder is worth exploring.
11. Ecotourism
Sustaining the country’s biodiversity is a top priority for Botswana’s conservationists. The National Ecotourism Strategy, which was formalised in 2002 has positioned Botswana as one of the most prominent sustainable tourism destinations. All tourism service providers are assessed according to more than 240 performance standards and graded to support responsible travel. Check in at each wildlife reserve to learn more about their policies on eco-sustainability.
12. Nightlife
Botswana has its fair share of night-time entertainment venues where you can go for a good party. Night clubs showcase the sounds of emerging local DJs who get the crowds dancing to house and hip-hop. Another popular genre is kwaito-kwasa, which combines kwaito music with the African version of the rhumba – a style called kwasa kwasa. If you fancy a good dance, some popular clubs include Zoom in Gaborone as well as United Lounge and DROS Upstairs. Gaborone pubs are known for their jovial atmosphere and friendly crowds. You may even get to experience a shebeen, where you can have a drink in Motswana style and sample home-brewed beer. Shebeens are located at somewhat secret locations in residential areas – find yourself a local guide and you’ll be able to make your way to the wilder side of Botswana’s nightlife.
13. Museums
Botswana’s National Museum is situated in Gaborone, and is the place to visit if the cultural and natural history of the country piques your interest. The museum serves as an effective showcase of the diversity of life in Botswana as well as the talent of local artists. The museum displays an array of traditional arts, craftwork and paintings. There are also a number of smaller museums that are worth experiencing. These include the Phuthadikobo and Kgosi Sechele I Museums.
14. Inspiring sceneries
A majestic sunset foregrounded by the waters of the Chobe River. The twisting tributaries of the Okavango River. A panoramic view of the expansive landscape of the Gaborone Game Reserve. There are a number of different ways to experience the scenic beauty that Botswana has to offer. Helicopter rides take off from Maun on a daily basis, giving tourists a bird’s eye view of the major attractions. This way you can make sure you don’t miss anything. Hot-air balloon rides are also a great way to capture Botswana from the air. If you prefer a more “grounded option,” you can take a river boat cruise along the Chobe River.
15. Traditional handwoven baskets
Every August, The National Museum and Art Gallery hosts the national basket show, showcasing the handiwork of crafters as well as tapestries and pottery. Watching the process of basket making is fascinating – it involves hand weaving palm leaves that are stripped into strings. The bodywork of these baskets is designed to portray elements of nature and is augmented and are organically dyed using natural dyes.
