Botswana is known as one of the most developed and prosperous countries in Africa, yet it retains a truly wild character! It’s one of the few places where you can spot elephants and giraffes by the roadside during a casual drive, and it’s renowned for its extraordinary natural treasures.
The most famous and unique of these is the Okavango Delta, where the Okavango River “spills” into the Kalahari Desert and essentially vanishes. Every few months, the Okavango area floods, creating fascinating and impressive phenomena that you can see up close on a local canoe trip called a ‘mokoro.’ Additionally, there are the Makgadikgadi salt pans, where you can witness endless white expanses and perhaps spot meerkats (like Timon from The Lion King) that have made the desert their home. In the north of the country, you can enjoy a safari in Chobe National Park, home to the largest herds of elephants in Africa.
Botswana is often seen as a ‘luxury’ destination, catering primarily to the high-end market, but if you’re a backpacker, don’t let this deter you – like everywhere, Botswana has options for every budget.
