Enquire
Why book with us?

What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

Last Updated: 1 March 2024

Four off-the-grid places in Botswana you need to visit

Megan Warrington Headshot

Written by  Tiffany Bowers

 • Travel Writer

Verified by  Megan Warrington

 •  Africa Safari Expert

Part of the Botswana Safari Collection

While the Chobe river, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta are the most visited and popular destinations for a Botswana safari, there are other intriguing places to visit that talk to the culture and history of this a
ncient land.

We explore four special places you should visit, either on a self-drive adventure or with the help of a reputable travel agency. Take a look:

1. Tsodilo Hills

Tsodilo Hills in the north of Botswana is a sacred place for the continent’s oldest people; the San bushmen. Legend has it that these hills are the birthplace of creation, and the hills have a collection of about 3 500 rock paintings that are believed to date from 800 to 1300 AD. Declared a World Heritage Site, this area is rich in history and the San people consider this area to be a place of worship. In traditional folklore, no death may occur around these hills. Perhaps the most interesting on these rock paintings are the depictions of whales and penguins, suggesting that perhaps the site was used by other people too.

Tsodilo is not a wildlife hub, but there are unique species that occur only in this area such as the Tsodilo gecko and some antelope species. Cheetah are believed to reside here, but are rarely if ever seen. Tsodilo is a great place to visit on a self-drive journey.

 

2. Francistown

Situated close to the Zimbabwean border, Francistown is the second largest city in Botswana, but the oldest. Originally a gold mining town, the height of the gold rush saw Francistown transformed into bustling frontier town. These days, there are still remnants of the mining industry but as whole, this town has blossomed into a relatively modern city. As the entry point to the Makgadikgadi Pans and other top tourism destinations, Francistown is worth a visit, if only to experience an authentic Botswana.

Four off-the-grid places in Botswana you need to visit

3. Kubu Island

Slap bang in the middle of the Makgadikgadi Pans lies Kubu Island. This dry and flat landscape is populated by large granite rocks that give this ancient area its name. Archeological digs have revealed a number of ancient tools that have been dated to the Stone Age and the landmark is of great spiritual significance to the local people. A special trust was established in the 1900’s to protect the landscape from irresponsible tourism.  This is a fascinating area to visit, and there are opportunities for a self-drive and camping adventure.

Four off-the-grid places in Botswana you need to visit

 

Life on Mars? No. Life on Kubu Island, Botswana. Kubu Island is an unusual place: a granite island with giant baobabs and mysterious ruins rising over seemingly endless, white salt flats. Makgadikgadi salt flats are some of the largest salt flats in the world and are located in the site of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. This lake formed in Pleistocene, when the rise of land blocked a flow of an enormous river. Later (10 – 2 thousand years ago) both the lake and river dried out, leaving the salt deposits. Stunning capture by @janregan #africa #botswana #takemetoafrica #kubuisland #baobab #amazing #amazingcapture #photography #photographer #natgeo #nature #natureaddict #naturel #travel #travelafrica #visitafrica #instapassport #passionpassport #wanderlust #wandering #wanderer #adventure #backpacker #backpacking #nightphotography #nightscape #landscape #landscapephotography #beautifuldestinations

A post shared by African Heart (@take_me_to_africa) on Feb 13, 2018 at 12:29pm PST

4. Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Botswana has a legacy of proactive conservation efforts, supported by government in order to preserve the wildlife and history of the country. As a result, endangered species have flourished here. As a safe haven for the critically endangered rhino, this sanctuary is a community-driven conservation centre. In addition to black and white rhino, there are 30 species of animals and 250 species of birds that call this place home. Game drives, an education centre and camping facilities are all available at Khama. This is a great destination for families with young kids looking to learn a bit more about the importance of conserving Africa’s precious wildlife.

You can include these destinations in your tailor-made safari, so please do contact us for more information.

Written by  Tiffany Bowers

 • Travel Writer

Team Member Headshot

Verified by  Megan Warrington

 •  Africa Safari Expert

Megan is an Africa Concierge Expert responsible for compiling travel programs for people in search of their dream safari in Africa.

Discover the African Journey that’s Right for You

Discover Africa Through Travellers' Stories

These stories capture the real magic of Africa – where every journey becomes a chapter worth sharing.

The true magic, though, is with the people. They’re not just staff; they’re my friends, my family.

JJ Towler

United States

Matthys Van Aswegen

JJ Towler's journey was crafted with the expertise of Matthys Van Aswegen

I went to Africa to help my parents check a box, but I returned with a new perspective on my own life. Africa is no longer a "someday" destination for me; it’s a "must-return".

Steven

United States

Vihann Van Wyk

Steven's journey was crafted with the expertise of Vihann Van Wyk

We trusted our guide implicitly as we sat mere metres from elephants, lions, and hippos.

Cathy & Debb

Canada

Vihann Van Wyk

Cathy & Debb's journey was crafted with the expertise of Vihann Van Wyk

The Serengeti offered us sights we had never witnessed before, such as the surreal image of lions lounging high in the trees

Cathy & Nat

Canada

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Safari Bookings review

"Our entire experience was magnificent. Everything was in place and perfectly reliable. We wanted for nothing and were taken care of every step of the way. To use the word "life changing" seems so cliché, but my husband and I both found the whole trip an ama..."

Julie Ferguson, United States03 May 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I have been more than impressed with this entire experience every time. I will continue to use them year after year."

April Harrington, United States18 Dec 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We had a very well-organised itinerary by Chrizaan that suited our needs. It was a truly memorable holiday. Highly recommended."

Isaac, Malta22 Oct 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"This trip was all about making memories, and it did just that. Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Mala Mala Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls, and finally Zanzibar. Our boutique hotels along the way were nothing less than stunning, as was Lanzarac Manor in Stellenbosch. T..."

Angela Dandy, United Kingdom24 Sep 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We just completed our second African safari planned by Megan Warrington, this one to Botswana, and we couldn't have been more pleased with our trip! Megan did a fantastic job of starting us out in the Kalahari (Tau Pan Camp) which was unique in its landscap..."

Darrh, United States09 Sep 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We booked our honeymoon through this travel agency, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish! Every detail was meticulously planned, and we didn’t have to worry about a single thing. All tickets and transfers between lodges were sea..."

Shane Thomas, United States09 Sep 2025

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.