Gaborone - Post Report Question and Answers
What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Regional travel to Cape Town and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe and Zambia). - Dec 2023
The regional trips in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were spectacular. I went to the Okavongo Delta for a trip which was expensive but something you have to do once. I stayed at Oddball's Camp which wasn't too horrendously expensive using resident and off season rates. Being poled around in a mokoro (dugout canoe) from island to island seeing incredible bird life, crocs, hippos, and all the other African wildlife was absolutely incredible. Madikwe which was right across the border from Gaborone in South Africa was the best place for safari. I stayed at Etali Lodge and we would be 20 feet or less from all the big five and lots of other wildlife. I only took one trip to Kruger which was about a 12 hour drive away but it was spectacular. Tuli Block in Botswana is the best place for leopard spotting (5 in 4 days including babies). Chobe is a great place to go (about a 9 hour drive from Gaborone). Stay in a hotel in Kasane and self drive. This will give you a great, inexpensive safari experience. Don't forget to do a boat ride on the Chobe River. It is another incredible experience. I also saw Victoria Falls, Cape Town, and Underberg (Drakensberg Mountains) which were all spectacular. I did some camping in South Africa along the Botswana border and other trips. All of my trips there were great fun. - Jul 2019
There is a lot to see in country and in surrounding countries. The Okavango Delta, Chobe Park, the salt pans, and many other incredible places to see wildlife are all must-see. Victoria Falls is just 50 KM from the Botswana border in Zimbabwe. In South Africa, Cape Town and the Western Cape are very beautiful. - Apr 2017
Clearly the wildlife. There is truly nothing like the extraordinary experiences you can have on safari here. This is a once in a lifetime experience. - Jul 2016
After several months of adjusting to how little there is to do here (it's a "make your own fun" kind of post), we have come to embrace the slower pace and quiet life. It's a nice break from the DC rat-race. No commute, very little traffic, no malaria, no pollution like many other posts. Minimal food poisoning. You can get what you need, food-wise, as long as you're willing to shop at 3-4 different stores. I suppose those are the 'highlights.' We have gone on a few GREAT safaris in nearby Madikwe Game Reserve, and traveled to SA a bit, which were all memorable. - Mar 2015
None. - Oct 2014
The weather is beautiful, the people are friendly and the proximity to so much were my highlights. The ability to go camping on the salt plans, to drive to Kasane and take a river safari, drive over to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Johannesburg is only a 4 hour drive and there are tons of recreational activities there. The other highlights have been just hanging out with coworkers and friends, having braais (grilling). - Nov 2013
The weather. - Jul 2013
Day-to-day living, safari trips, and some regional travel. - Apr 2013
Visitors to Botswana should not miss the country's world-renowned tourist destinations, including the Chobe National Park (in the far northeast, near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe) and the Okavango Delta. Botswana has one of the world's largest populations of elephants, and also has abundant antelope species, amazing birdlife, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, lions, leaopards, cheetahs-- all the wildlife you could ever hope to see on safari are here. There are camping opportunities at amazing parks and nature reserves throughout the country. One drawback for non-campers is that the lodges in Botswana (especially in the Okavango Delta) are VERY expensive and cater to wealthy Americans and Europeans. There are few discounts or incentives for local residents at the high-end lodges. - Jun 2010
