Botswana · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Botswana
These are the places worth your time in Botswana, from Gaborone's monuments and markets to the waterways of the Okavango Delta, Chobe's elephant filled river, the Makgadikgadi salt pans and Francistown's ruins. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers ever see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Gaborone
Arts and Culture
- Three Dikgosi Monument (Central Business District)
Giant bronze statues of the three chiefs who travelled to London in 1895 to keep Botswana free of Cecil Rhodes. - National Museum and Art Gallery (Independence Avenue)
A compact introduction to Tswana history, San culture, wildlife and contemporary Botswana art. - Thapong Visual Arts Centre (Village)
An artists' workshop and gallery in an old colonial house, showing painters and sculptors from across the country. - Maitisong Cultural Centre (Maruapula)
The city's main stage for theatre, music and the long running Maitisong Festival. - Manyana Rock Paintings (Manyana)
Faded San rock paintings under a fig tree overhang, an easy half day trip from the capital. - Livingstone's Kolobeng Mission (Kolobeng)
The ruins of David Livingstone's first mission and the grave of his infant daughter. - Khama III Memorial Museum (Serowe)
The story of the Bamangwato kings and the Khama family in a small museum in Serowe.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mokolodi Nature Reserve (Mokolodi)
A community nature reserve just south of the city with game drives, rhino tracking and bush walks. - Kgale Hill (Kgale)
A short, steep hike with baboons for company and the best view over Gaborone and its dam. - Gaborone Game Reserve (Broadhurst)
A small reserve inside the city where zebra, wildebeest and kudu graze minutes from the traffic. - Gaborone Dam (Kgale)
A wide reservoir where locals walk, fish and watch the sunset over the water.
Shopping and Markets
- Botswanacraft (Main Mall area)
The best single place for San jewellery, Etsha baskets and Thamaga pottery, with a courtyard restaurant. - Main Mall (Central Business District)
The original pedestrian mall, with street traders, cheap snacks and the everyday buzz of the capital. - Riverwalk Mall (Riverwalk)
A popular mall with cafés, a cinema and plenty of shady places to sit. - Game City (Kgale View)
The largest mall in the city, handy for supplies, SIM cards and a cinema night. - Airport Junction Mall (Block 10)
A big mall on the road to the airport, useful for last minute shopping before you fly. - Oodi Weavers (Oodi village)
A community weaving cooperative where women hand weave tapestries showing village life.
Restaurants
- Courtyard Restaurant at Botswanacraft (Main Mall area)
Leafy courtyard lunches of local dishes next to the country's best craft shop. - Caravela Portuguese Restaurant (Village)
Portuguese grills and seafood in a long established, candlelit favourite. - Bull and Bush (Village)
A legendary pub restaurant with a big garden, pizzas, steaks and live sport. - Mokolodi Restaurant (Mokolodi Nature Reserve)
Dinner overlooking a waterhole inside the nature reserve. - Seswaa stalls at the Main Mall (Central Business District)
Plastic chairs, pap and slow cooked seswaa: the way most Batswana eat lunch.
Cafés
- Sanitas Tea Garden (Gaborone South)
A garden centre café among plants and trees, loved by families for weekend breakfasts. - Magwinya stands at the bus rank (Bus Rank)
Hot fat cakes straight from the oil, a classic Gaborone breakfast on the go.
Events
- Maitisong Festival (Maruapula)
The country's biggest performing arts festival, with theatre, jazz and dance each autumn. - Independence Day celebrations (National Stadium)
Parades, music and fireworks around 30 September, when the whole country turns blue, black and white.
Stays
- Avani Gaborone Resort and Casino (Kgale)
A large resort with pools and a casino, a reliable choice for first nights. - Peermont Mondior Gaborone (Central Business District)
Modern rooms in the CBD with a rooftop feel and easy access to restaurants. - Grand Palm Hotel (Molepolole Road)
A sprawling hotel and casino complex with pools and several restaurants. - Mokolodi Chalets (Mokolodi Nature Reserve)
Self catering chalets inside the reserve, with game wandering past at dawn. - Cresta Lodge Gaborone (Samora Machel Drive)
A dependable mid-range hotel with gardens, close to the city centre.
Things to Do
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary (Serowe)
A community sanctuary where white and black rhino are easy to see, a few hours north of the capital.
Places to Visit in Maun
Things to Do
- Mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta (Boro and Delta channels)
Glide through papyrus and water lilies in a dugout poled by a local guide. - Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (Maun Airport)
A short flight that shows the Delta's channels, islands and herds from above. - Helicopter Horizons (Maun Airport)
Doors off helicopter flights over the Delta for unbeatable photographs. - Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (Boro)
Book mokoro trips through the community trust so the money stays with local polers.
Nature and Outdoors
- Moremi Game Reserve (South Gate)
The Delta's protected heart, famous for wild dogs, leopards and big cat sightings. - Thamalakane River (Maun)
The river through town where you can watch hippos and birds from the lodges. - Tsodilo Hills (Ngamiland)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site holding thousands of San rock paintings, called the Louvre of the Desert. - Okavango Panhandle (Shakawe)
The narrow northern Delta, loved by anglers and birders for tigerfish and Pel's fishing owl.
Arts and Culture
- Nhabe Museum (Maun)
A small museum and craft shop in a former military building, telling Ngamiland's story.
Restaurants
- Hilary's (Mathiba I Road)
A garden café beloved for homemade breads, soups and generous breakfasts. - The Duck Café (Airport Road)
A busy café opposite the airport, perfect before or after a bush flight. - Old Bridge Backpackers bar and restaurant (Thamalakane River)
Riverside dinners and a sociable bar where every safari story gets told. - Maun market food stalls (Old Mall)
Seswaa, pap and grilled meat where locals eat, cheap and filling.
Shopping and Markets
- Maun Old Mall (Old Mall)
The town's original shopping street, with banks, supermarkets and craft sellers. - Etsha 6 basket weavers (Etsha)
Villages where Hambukushu women weave the Delta's famous palm baskets.
Stays
- Riley's Hotel (Old Mall)
Maun's historic hotel, now a comfortable base by the river. - Old Bridge Backpackers (Thamalakane River)
Riverside camping and tents with a famous bar, the social hub of Maun. - Audi Camp (Shorobe Road)
A friendly campsite and tented camp that books mokoro and Moremi trips. - Island Safari Lodge (Thamalakane River)
A long running riverside lodge with chalets, campsites and a pool. - Thamalakane River Lodge (Thamalakane River)
Stone chalets right on the river, peaceful and romantic. - Xigera Safari Lodge (Okavango Delta)
A celebrated luxury lodge in the heart of the Delta with art from across Africa. - Mombo Camp (Chief's Island)
One of the Delta's most famous camps, on an island known for big game.
Places to Visit in Kasane
Nature and Outdoors
- Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)
The densest elephant gatherings in Africa, best on a late afternoon drive. - Savuti (Chobe National Park)
A remote corner of Chobe famous for lions and the strange, returning Savuti Channel. - Linyanti (Northern Botswana)
Private concessions with wild dogs and big elephant herds far from other vehicles.
Things to Do
- Chobe river sunset cruise (Chobe River)
Elephants swimming, hippos yawning and buffalo on the floodplain, all from a boat. - Photographic boat safari (Chobe River)
Boats with swivel camera seats for close, low angle wildlife photographs. - Victoria Falls day trip (Kazungula)
Cross into Zimbabwe or Zambia for a day at one of the world's great waterfalls. - Kazungula Bridge (Kazungula)
The striking bridge where four countries almost meet on the Zambezi.
Arts and Culture
- Kasane Prison Baobab (Kasane)
A huge hollow baobab once used as a holding cell, now a curious roadside landmark.
Restaurants
- The Old House (Kasane)
A riverside garden restaurant with pizzas, curries and cold drinks. - Mowana Safari Resort restaurant (Kasane)
Dinner on a terrace built around a giant baobab by the river. - Kasane market stalls (Kasane)
Grilled meat, fat cakes and fresh fruit from local vendors.
Bars and Nightlife
- Chobe Safari Lodge bar (Kasane)
Sundowners on a deck above the river, popular with every kind of traveller. - Chobe Marina Lodge bar (Kasane)
Riverside drinks with hippos below and a relaxed evening buzz.
Stays
- Chobe Game Lodge (Chobe National Park)
The only permanent lodge inside the park, famous for its all female guiding team. - Chobe Chilwero (Kasane)
A hilltop lodge with sweeping views over the river and floodplain. - Chobe Safari Lodge (Kasane)
A big, friendly riverside lodge with rooms, camping and its own boats. - Thebe River Safaris (Kasane)
Affordable riverside camping and chalets with park trips on offer. - Mowana Safari Resort and Spa (Kasane)
A large resort on the river built around a famous baobab. - Ngoma Safari Lodge (Ngoma)
A quieter lodge on the Chobe's western edge with wide floodplain views.
Places to Visit in Makgadikgadi Pans
Nature and Outdoors
- Nxai Pan National Park (Nxai Pan)
Wide grassland pans with springbok, giraffe and lions at the waterhole. - Baines' Baobabs (Kudiakam Pan)
A row of ancient baobabs painted by Thomas Baines in 1862 and barely changed since. - Kubu Island (Sua Pan)
A rocky granite island of baobabs rising from the white salt pan, magical at sunrise. - Nata Bird Sanctuary (Nata)
A community sanctuary where flamingos and pelicans gather in the wet season. - Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (Boteti River)
Riverside zebra and wildebeest during the dry season migration along the Boteti. - Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Deception Valley)
A vast reserve of fossil valleys, black maned lions and true desert silence.
Things to Do
- Meerkat encounters (Ntwetwe Pan)
Habituated meerkats that stand around you, using you as a lookout post. - Quad biking on the pans (Ntwetwe Pan)
Ride across the salt crust and sleep out under the stars in the dry season.
Stays
- Jack's Camp (Ntwetwe Pan)
A legendary camp of vintage canvas and Persian rugs on the edge of the pans. - Camp Kalahari (Ntwetwe Pan)
A relaxed tented camp offering meerkats, San walks and sleep outs. - Planet Baobab (Gweta)
Quirky huts among baobabs with a fun bar, a pool and pan trips. - Meno a Kwena (Boteti River)
Tents on a cliff above the Boteti River where zebra come to drink. - Elephant Sands (Nata)
Simple chalets and camping where wild elephants drink beside the bar. - Gweta Lodge (Gweta)
A village lodge that is a practical, friendly base for pan trips. - Nata Lodge (Nata)
Chalets and camping near the bird sanctuary on the road north. - Deception Valley Lodge (Central Kalahari)
A lodge on the reserve's edge with San led walks and Kalahari stars.
Restaurants
- Planet Baobab bar (Gweta)
Cold drinks and simple meals under a giant baobab.
Arts and Culture
- D'Kar Kuru Art Project (D'Kar, Ghanzi)
A San artists' cooperative famous for colourful prints and paintings.
Places to Visit in Francistown
Arts and Culture
- Supa Ngwao Museum (Francistown)
A small museum on the region's gold rush history and Kalanga culture. - Domboshaba Ruins (Domboshaba)
Stone walled ruins linked to the Great Zimbabwe culture in quiet countryside.
Shopping and Markets
- Francistown Central Market (City centre)
Fresh produce, phane and everyday goods in a busy local market.
Stays
- Woodlands Stop Over (Tati River)
Shady camping and chalets just outside town, a classic overland stop. - Cresta Thapama Hotel (City centre)
A dependable hotel with a pool and restaurant in the middle of town.
Restaurants
- Seswaa at Francistown bus rank (Bus Rank)
Hearty local plates of pap and meat for travellers passing through.
Nature and Outdoors
- Shashe Dam (Shashe)
A big reservoir south of town where locals picnic and watch birds.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- National Botanical Garden (Gaborone West, Gaborone)
Quiet paths through Botswana's native plants, from baobabs to Kalahari succulents. - Thamaga Pottery (Thamaga, Gaborone)
A village pottery workshop making the earthy, hand thrown pots sold across Botswana. - Rodizio Restaurant (Riverwalk, Gaborone)
A Brazilian style meat feast that suits big groups and big appetites. - Embassy restaurant at Avani Gaborone (Kgale, Gaborone)
Hotel dining with views towards the dam and the hills. - Gaborone Yacht Club (Gaborone Dam, Gaborone)
Sundowners on the water's edge at the dam with a relaxed members' club feel. - Sky bar at Masa Square (CBD, Gaborone)
City lights and cocktails from one of the tallest buildings in town. - Toyota Kalahari Desert Race (Jwaneng area, Gaborone)
Off road racing in the Kalahari sand, with a famous party atmosphere among the camps. - Lake Ngami (Sehithwa, Maun)
A shallow, seasonal lake that fills with flamingos and pelicans in wetter years. - Gcwihaba Caves (Northwest Botswana, Maun)
Remote dripstone caves in the Kalahari, also called Drotsky's Caves, for real adventurers. - Thamalakane River Lodge restaurant (Thamalakane River, Maun)
Dinner on a deck above the water with hippos grunting in the dark. - Dusty Donkey Café (Maun, Maun)
Cakes, coffee and a cheerful garden, a favourite with pilots and guides. - French Connection (Mophane Street, Maun)
A shady café serving crêpes, salads and strong coffee. - Sports Bar (Shorobe Road, Maun)
A long standing local bar with pool tables and big screen sport. - Riley's Garage bar (Old Mall, Maun)
A no fuss bar near Riley's Hotel where safari crews unwind. - Kalahari Kavango Gallery (Maun, Maun)
Local art, baskets and photography, an easy stop for meaningful gifts. - Sitatunga Camp (Shorobe Road, Maun)
A campsite with a crocodile farm next door, a quirky Maun stop. - Oddballs' Enclave (Okavango Delta, Maun)
A simpler Delta camp focused on mokoro trips and walking safaris. - Maun Festival (Maun, Maun)
A spring festival of music, dance, crafts and food celebrating Ngamiland's cultures. - Seboba Nature Trail (Kasane, Kasane)
A short riverside walk with birds and views of the rapids. - Chobe Enclave villages (Kachikau, Kasane)
Rural villages between the park and the river, with traditional life and baskets. - Coffee Hut (Kasane, Kasane)
Breakfasts and good coffee in town before a game drive. - Kasane craft market (Kasane, Kasane)
Baskets, carvings and beadwork sold by local makers. - Kubu Lodge (Kazungula, Kasane)
Wooden chalets in shady gardens on the river's edge. - Kasane Sunday market (Kasane, Kasane)
Local produce and crafts on market days in town. - Chapman's Baobab (Ntwetwe Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans)
The remains of a giant baobab once used as a postbox by explorers. - Kuru Dance Festival (D'Kar, Ghanzi, Makgadikgadi Pans)
San communities from across southern Africa gather to dance, sing and share stories. - Domboshaba Cultural Festival (Domboshaba, Francistown)
An annual celebration of Kalanga music, food and heritage at the ruins. - Galo Shopping Centre (Blue Jacket Street, Francistown)
A central mall for supplies before heading north. - Diggers Inn (City centre, Francistown)
A simple hotel named for the town's gold mining past. - Barbara's Bistro (Francistown, Francistown)
A long standing restaurant with a garden setting near the river. - Tati River walk (Francistown, Francistown)
Riverside strolls along the sandy Tati, often dry, full of birdlife.