The Unique Top Things to Do in Botswana: Ultimate Bucket List Experiences

Cool & Unusual Things To Do In Botswana

“The Top 10 Unique Things to Do In Botswana: Ultimate Bucket List Experiences. Visit Africa With JimJam Safaris & Tours To Explore Amazing Things To Do In Botswana.”

Explore unique things to do in Botswana, the land of raw, unspoiled beauty, where vast savannahs meet ancient salt pans, and lush waterways cut through desert terrain. It is one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, known for low-impact tourism and high-quality wildlife encounters. From the Okavango Delta’s winding channels to the stark beauty of the Kalahari, Botswana offers a one-of-a-kind journey into nature’s grand theater. It’s not just about game drives, here, safari means mokoro rides, walking with San bushmen, and watching elephants wade past your luxury tent.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time traveler to Africa, Botswana will exceed your wildest expectations. These experiences aren’t just activities, they’re immersive encounters that stir the soul. This is your chance to witness rare wildlife, discover indigenous cultures, and explore UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, all while enjoying world-class hospitality. Our tailored list of things to do in Botswana is the ultimate bucket list guide to experiencing the best of this wild paradise. Explore things to do in Botswana now.

Detailed Guide Of The Top 10 Unique Things to Do in Botswana

“Detailed Things to Do in Botswana For All Travelers”

1. Glide Through the Okavango Delta on a Mokoro Safari

Experience things to do in Botswana with the most iconic landscape, the Okavango Delta, on a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). As you glide silently through lily-filled channels, you’ll get up close to frogs, birds, and maybe even a curious hippo or elephant. It’s a peaceful, surreal way to connect with nature and feel the pulse of the delta. Guided by expert polers, this eco-friendly safari experience offers a fresh perspective on wildlife and is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset when the delta is at its most magical.

2. Witness the Elephant Migration in Chobe National Park

Chobe is home to Africa’s largest concentration of elephants, with over 120,000 of them moving through the park and surrounding areas. A boat cruise along the Chobe River offers intimate views of these gentle giants as they swim, drink, and socialize along the banks. Game drives here are equally rewarding, with lion, buffalo, and sable antelope often seen. If you’re visiting in the dry season (May–October), expect dramatic wildlife scenes and golden sunsets that make this one of Botswana’s premier safari experiences.

3. Explore the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans by Quad Bike

Imagine speeding across a vast, lunar-like desert where the horizon stretches endlessly. A quad biking adventure across the Makgadikgadi Pans is thrilling, surreal, and unforgettable. In the dry season, the salt pans resemble a cracked white sea; in the wet season, they transform into shallow lakes, attracting flamingos and zebras. Travelers often camp under the stars in total silence, making this one of the most otherworldly and peaceful experiences Botswana has to offer.

4. Take a Scenic Flight Over the Okavango Delta

For a bird’s-eye view of Botswana’s natural wonders, a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta is unbeatable. Watch herds of elephants wander through the reeds, see hippos lounging in waterways, and marvel at the complex, green mosaic of channels and islands below. Whether by small fixed-wing plane or helicopter, the flight offers a surreal, panoramic view of one of the most incredible wetlands on Earth, and it’s a photographer’s dream.

5. Walk with San Bushmen in the Kalahari

One of the most enriching things to do in Botswana is to journey into the heart of the Kalahari and connect with the San bushmen, the country’s oldest inhabitants. Through interpretive bush walks, you’ll discover traditional survival skills such as tracking animals, identifying medicinal plants, and lighting fires without matches. This experience goes beyond a simple walk, it’s a meaningful cultural exchange that offers a profound understanding of ancient ways of life and a unique perspective on the stark beauty of the desert.

6. Enjoy a Sunset River Cruise on the Chobe River

There is no better way to end a safari day than with a sunset cruise along the Chobe River. As the sun sets, golden light bathes the floodplains where elephants, crocodiles, and hippos gather. Birds skim the water’s surface, and the cool evening breeze refreshes your senses. With a drink in hand and a camera ready, this tranquil experience combines relaxation and exceptional wildlife viewing in one unforgettable evening.

7. Sleep Under the Stars in the Salt Pans

For the adventurous traveler, a night sleeping under Botswana’s star-filled sky on the Makgadikgadi Pans is a must. With no light pollution, the night sky becomes a dazzling dome of stars, and the stillness is unlike anything else. Many lodges offer mobile camps with simple bedding under the open sky. The silence, interrupted only by distant jackals or owls, creates a meditative, once-in-a-lifetime moment of solitude and wonder.

8. Track Rhinos in Khama Rhino Sanctuary

For those wanting to see rhinos in the wild, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary offers a haven for both black and white rhinos. Located near Serowe, this community-run reserve provides excellent opportunities for close sightings. Join a guided drive or walking safari to learn about rhino conservation and get up close to these endangered giants. It’s a powerful, educational experience that supports local conservation and offers rare, rewarding wildlife encounters.

9. Birdwatching in Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 species of birds thriving in its mosaic of forest, floodplains, and lagoons. From the rare Pel’s fishing owl to vivid carmine bee-eaters and African fish eagles, the diversity is breathtaking. Whether by boat or on game drives, the reserve offers stunning scenery and ample chances to spot both birds and big game in one of Botswana’s richest ecosystems.

10. Spot Big Cats on a Safari in Savuti

One of the top things to do in Botswana is exploring Savuti, located in the western region of Chobe. This area is famed for its intense predator-prey interactions and is a prime location for spotting lions, leopards, and the elusive African wild dog. The periodically flooding Savuti Channel reshapes the landscape, drawing in large herds of prey animals and, consequently, their predators. Game drives in Savuti are among the most exhilarating experiences in Botswana, offering raw encounters with nature, thrilling wildlife action, and incredible photo opportunities.