January 29

Why Botswana Should be Next on your Bucket-List in 2021

2  comments

January 29, 2020

Botswana is a country of contrasts and one of the few remaining wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Picture a mélange of animals and unspoilt landscapes, with winding waterways fringed by papyrus plants, otherworldly glittering salt pans, and elephant herds as far as the eye can see.

It’s home to a third of the world’s elephants, an impressive big cat population and adorable meerkat mobs. Most importantly, it’s a haven for endangered animals like African wild dogs and black rhino, therefore making Botswana a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

View from the top of the Okavango Delta
View from the top of the Okavango Delta

If you’re looking for the cream of the crop of safari experiences, this is it. Therefore, we’ve hand-crafted the perfect Botswana itinerary for 2021, just for you.

Tour Duration:

9 Nights

Perfect for:

Photography and wildlife enthusiasts, romantic getaways, group travel

Two lion cubs in Botswana
Curious lion cubs.

1. First stop: Victoria Falls, Adventure Capital

Victoria Falls is the perfect stopover on your way to Botswana. Known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ that roughly translates as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, it’s one of those natural wonders that leave you gasping for breath at its sheer majesty.

The largest veil of water in the world, it gushes down with a mighty force, rainbows proudly arranged in its mist. It’s almost as if the world is split open, smoke billowing through the cracks.

But this grand, mystical sight is not all you have to look forward to. Dubbed the ‘Adventure Capital’, you can partake in a never-ending list of adrenaline-fueled activities.

Beautiful Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe's side
The majestic Victoria Falls

Why we love it

  • It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World
  • Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of water in the world
  • Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • There are various activities to partake in. For example, helicopter rides, white water rafting, bungee jumping, swimming in Devil’s Pool on the edge of the falls, and more
  • A great destination all year round

 

Our favourite places to stay in Vic Falls

Les meilleurs hôtels de luxe en Afrique pour une nuit insolite. Le Royal Chundu;
A dreamy setting. Credit: Royal Chundu
Riverside relaxation. Credit: Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma
Jardines interiores donde relajarse
Lush gardens. Credit: Victoria Falls Hotel

Read more about Vic Falls:

10 Reasons Why Victoria Falls is Africa’s Greatest Natural Wonder

Rainbow over majestic Victoria Falls
Majestic Victoria Falls. Credit: Dietmar Temps

2. Next Up: Chobe, Land of Gentle Giants

Immensity and diversity in the name of the game at Chobe National Park, with an abundance of species calling it home.

Known as the ‘Elephant Capital’ of the world, Chobe is dominated by countless elephants as well as many other animals. For example, you can also look forward to seeing the rest of the Big 5, zebra, giraffe, endangered African Wild Dog, civet, hyena, baboon and puku antelope. In addition to these land animals, crocodiles and hippos lurk under the surface of the water.

There are also so many ways to explore this wildlife-rich area. For instance, game drives, photographic safaris, bush walks and boat cruises.

An elephant stands on the Botswana landscape
Botswana’s gentle giants

Why we love it

  • It’s the Elephant Capital. In other words, home to more than 120,000 elephants
  • Chobe National Park is Botswana’s third-largest national park
  • A popular safari destination, in particular for wildlife photographers
  • Endangered animals like the African wild dog thrive here
  • So many activities you can look forward to. For example, game drives, boat cruises and bush walks
  • Home to over 450 bird species, therefore a birder’s paradise
More than 12,000 elephants can be found in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Elephant on safari. Credit: Belmond Savute.

Our favourite places to stay in Chobe

Chobe Game Lodge's suite pool in Botswana
Welcome to paradise. Credit: Chobe Game Lodge
Elephants roaming in front of Savute Safari Lodge in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Elephants coming for a sip. Credit: Savute Safari Lodge
Night view at Belmond Savuti in Chobe National Park, Botswana
A night to remember. Credit: Belmond Savute

Find out more about Chobe here:
Chobe National Park: Welcome to the Land of Gentle Giants 

Drinks as you look at elephants at the Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana
Drinks with a view. Credit: Chobe Game Lodge

3. Next up: Okavango Delta, Nature’s Miracle

‘The river that never finds the sea’ perfectly describes the Okavango Delta as many have scratched their heads over why this Delta floods in the dry months. You can read all about this mystery here.

The largest inland delta in the world, it comprises winding waterways snaking through a maze of thousands of little islands. This water wonderland lures a wealth of animals to quench their thirst, splash around, or to hunt down their prey. Moreover, crocodiles and hippos also patrol the water, waiting for their moment to pounce.

The Okavango Delta is a dream-like destination for anyone who loves Mother Nature and her inhabitants.

stunning okavango delta
The Okavango Delta water wonderland

Why we love it

  • It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa
  • It was declared the 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage Site. In other words, it’s a pretty big deal
  • An incredible diversity of animals. As a result, you can expect unbelievable sightings
  • An ever-changing landscape, therefore you won’t see the same thing every day
Elephant cross the Delta
Elephants cross the Okavango River

Our favourite places to stay in Okavango Delta 

Duba Plains Camp, Okavango Delta
Dining under the stars. Credit: Duba Plains Camp
Room with a view at the Machaba Camp in Botswana
Room with a view. Credit: Machaba Camp
Nxabega camp at sunset
Nxabega camp at sunset

Read more about the Okavango Delta here:

Mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta.

3. Last Stop: Makgadikgadi Pans, Shimmering Salt Pans

Spanning across 16,000 square kilometres, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the largest in the world, roughly the size of Switzerland. However, don’t let this moon-like isolation fool you as it’s anything but lifeless and home to a variety of desert-adapted species.

As a result of the different seasons, the pans look completely different throughout the year, transforming from parched plains to lush wetlands when the rainfall finally brings relief, subsequently luring animals from afar with predators close on their heels.

One of the best ways to experience the Makgadikgadi is to head back to a simpler time before 4×4 vehicles and planes were invented and to make your way across the vast plains on horseback.

Breathtaking Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans
Horseback riding through the vast Makgadikgadi Pans.

Why we love it

  • It’s the largest collection of salt flats in the world
  • You can witness the second-largest zebra migration in the world here
  • Kubu Island is a national monument
  • Home to adorable meerkat mobs
  • You can spend the day with local bushmen. For example, learning how they hunt, cook, etc.
  • Stargazing is exceptional here
A zebra roaming the isolated Makgadikgadi Pans
A zebra roaming the isolated Makgadikgadi Pans

Our favourite places to stay

Camp insolite en Afrique : un des plus beaux hôtels de luxe.
In the middle of nowhere. Credit: San Camp
View over the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana from the Meno a Kwena Tented Camp
Incredible views from Meno a Kwena Tented Camp. Credit: Natural Selection
Sunset in Botswana at the Makgadikgadi Pans
Sunset safari. Credit: Leroo La Tau

Find out more about the Makgadikgadi and surrounding attractions here. 

The Enigma of the Kalahari Desert: Top 5 Attractions

meerkat jacks camp botswana

Why you’ll love this tour

  • We all need a Digital Detox from time to time from the headaches of everyday life in the digital age. Therefore, this is the perfect place to go
  • Incredible wildlife, therefore, making it one of the best photographic safari destinations in the world
  • High-quality but low-impact tourism model
  • Untamed terrain in its truest form
  • Exclusive airstrips and luxury accommodation
  • Guides who know the area like the back of their hand. Therefore, you can expect excellent safari experiences
  • Diversity of safaris. For example, game drives, mokoro, houseboats, bush walks, quad biking and horseback safaris

Are you ready for Rhino Africa to take you on the Botswana trip of a lifetime?

Follow us this way for an obligation-free quote so that we can start planning!

Map of Botswana country in Africa
Map of Botswana, Africa.

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About the author 

Tania de Kock

Tania has always been an avid reader, which ultimately led to her life-long dream of becoming a best-selling author. She loves travelling, super spicy food, South African wine, and cats! When she's not reading with a glass of wine, you can find her at the nearest beach or camping, running or hiking in the mountains.

    • Hi there 🙂

      Thank you so much for your lovely message. Botswana is one of a kind and is what Bucket-List-Dreams are made of!
      We hope that many many people get to experience it if they haven’t already.

      Sunny regards from beautiful Cape Town,
      The Rhino Africa Team

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