What are the Top National Parks in Botswana?

A small group of zebras walks in single file through shallow water surrounded by grasses and vegetation in a wetland area, showcasing the natural beauty found in the best parks Botswana has to offer.

BOTSWANA

The Top National Parks in Botswana

The Ultimate Guide to Botswana’s Best National Parks for Safari

Often considered Africa’s ultimate safari destination, Botswana has something for every traveler. In the north, experience exhilarating drives through the savannas of Chobe and Moremi, mokoro canoe excursions along the Okavango Delta, and journeys across the Nxai Pan’s grasslands and Makgadikgadi Pans’ salt flats. In the south, embark on excursions to the wildlife-rich, semi-arid plains of the Kalahari. With a sparsely populated and beautifully open and airy countryside, Botswana has dedicated more land for national parks and wildlife reserves than any other African country.

best parks in BOTSWANA

Okavango Delta

Known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari,” the Okavango Delta lies at the northern edge of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. It’s where the Okavango River meets the desert and diverges into a maze of waterways the size of Switzerland, before disappearing into the sand and never reaching the ocean. This UNESCO World Heritage Site teems with wildlife, and seasonal flooding makes it one of Africa’s richest ecosystems.

When to Go

June to October

Reasons to Visit Okavango Delta

Explore by mokoro canoes. “The river that never finds the sea,” the Okavango’s 800-mile length ends in the Okavango Delta, a maze of channels, streams, lagoons, and tributaries. On WT adventures, take a scenic boat ride to the delta’s remote western corner, the perfect spot to explore by mokoro—a shallow, narrow canoe navigated by a skilled poler.
Witness the wildlife bounty created by seasonal flooding. The delta’s seasonal flooding creates a fountain from which diverse wildlife cascades. A float along the river often features sightings of crocodiles, hippos, swamp antelope, white-necked otters, fantastic birdlife, and perhaps even buffalo and elephant.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Botswana Wildlife Safari | Botswana Okavango Safari | Ultimate Namibia & Botswana | Botswana and Victoria Falls Private Safari

A group of spotted hyenas, including adults and pups, gather on dry, grassy ground with sparse trees in the background—an iconic scene in the best parks Botswana has to offer.

best parks in BOTSWANA

Moremi Game Reserve

Located in the northeastern corner of the Okavango Delta, Moremi is the first reserve in Africa to be established by local residents. Its diverse ecosystem features forests, lagoons, floodplains and islands, which yield rich wildlife, like tsessebe, Burchell’s zebras, ostriches, and spotted hyenas.

When to Go

June to October

Reasons to Visit Moremi Game Reserve

Track endangered species. Moremi Game Reserve is one of the most biodiverse areas on the continent, home to some of Africa’s most endangered and sought-after mammals, including African wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs.
See scenic Okavango Delta landscapes. Located within the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve has a picturesque diversity of aquatic landscapes, made all the more dramatic by its seasonal flooding. This dynamic mix yields incredible wildlife-ecosystem interactions: imagine spotting elephants in lagoons and leopards in dense forests.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Botswana Wildlife Safari | Botswana: Okavango Explorer

Two zebras stand on hind legs and spar while others graze nearby in one of the best parks Botswana has to offer; antelopes and birds complete the lively scene along the grassy riverbank.

best parks in BOTSWANA

Chobe National Park

Named for the deep blue river that runs through it—a spectacle in and of itself—Chobe National Park boasts some of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephants, buffalo, and birdlife, and it’s a classic destination for Botswana safaris. There’s nothing like embarking on an unforgettable boat safari along the Chobe River, which passes through lush floodplains, dense forests, and small towns.

When to Go

May to October

Reasons to Visit Zambezi National Park

Track large elephant herds. Chobe National Park has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa—its healthy elephant population is estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000. Chobe’s elephants are Kalahari elephants, known for their large herd sizes, and on WT safaris you’ll enjoy game drives among these megafauna herds.
Safari by boat along the Chobe River. There’s no other experience quite like an afternoon river cruise on the Chobe River during which you’ll see creatures come drink at the river’s edge before nightfall or see as elephants splash in the water alongside buffalo making their crossings.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Botswana Wildlife Safari | Botswana: Okavango Explorer | Great Elephant Migration Safari | Botswana and Victoria Falls Private Safari | South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana Private Safari

Aerial view of a cluster of large baobab trees casting shadows on dry yellow grassland, with a dirt road and a parked vehicle nearby—scenery typical of the best parks in Botswana.

best parks in BOTSWANA

Nxai Pan National Park

A vast ancient lake bed, Nxai Pan is famous for its expansive grasslands, acacia islands, and iconic Baines’ Baobabs. During the rainy season, the region transforms into a hotbed of activity as massive herds of migrating zebra and springbok arrive to graze, followed by predators in search of their next meal. Other grazers include giraffes, elands, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, and gemsbok.

When to Go

November to March

Reasons to Visit Nxai Pan National Park

Discover Baines’ Baobabs. Nxai Pan is home to a famed cluster of seven bulbous baobab trees, otherworldly in shape and age—they’re believed to be over 1,000 years old. Named after a naturalist called Thomas Baines, they dot an acacia island amid the salt pans, making for a surreal sight—and photo opportunity.
Witness the zebra and springbok migrations. For most of the year, the Nxai Pan is an arid savanna dotted with dry trees. But during the rainy season from December through April, one of the best times to visit Botswana, the moisture transforms the pans into a landscape of fresh vegetation and watering holes. Tens of thousands of zebras and other large mammals like springbok migrate to the lush region to give birth—hotly pursued by predators.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Botswana Kalahari Safari: Zebra Migration

best parks in BOTSWANA

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

A lunar-like landscape of what looks like a shimmering sea, the Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest salt pans in Africa and host one of the continent’s biggest zebra populations. During the rains, they transform into seasonal wetlands attracting all kinds of wildlife, from every kind of grazer to thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds.

When to Go

November to March

Reasons to Visit Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Be awed by surreal landscape. Imagine glistening expanses of white as far as you can see, where herds of zebras and elephants appear as if a mirage and baobab-dotted islands crop up out of seeming emptiness. On WT’s journey to the Makgadikgadi Pans, travelers enjoy a special “sleep out” among these landscapes under a brilliant night sky.
Witness the flamingo migration. As one of the largest flamingo breeding grounds in the world, the Makgadikgadi Pans welcome hundreds of thousands of flamingos who come to breed during the wet season, before leaving behind mud nests when the pans dry up. Seeing a sea of pink reflected against the mirror-like salt pans is an incredible experience.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Botswana Kalahari Safari: Zebra Migration

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