How to best experience the culture in Botswana
Look hard and there are some fascinating cultural experiences in Botswana.
One of the most interesting groups for outsiders to visit are the scattered groups of hunter-gatherer people that we would refer to as Bushmen, or the San.
The San lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle, with a culture that's very different from most other African tribal groups. Several camps offer fantastic Bushmen walks, with authentic San trackers, happy to share their wealth of knowledge about the bush with you. It's a great opportunity to get a real insight into the zoology, geology and anthropology of the places they call home.
If you want more, then ask us about a luxury mobile safari that enables you to spend much more time with bushmen and experience their culture and traditions, living near to them in their village.
Botswana's only World Heritage Site is well worth a visit. The Tsodilo Hills have one of the highest densities of Bushmen rock art in the world, dating back at least 100,000 years. This rocky outcrop, rising 1400m from the rolling plains of the Kalahari, is little visited, but is definitely worth the effort, once described as “The Louvre of the Desert”.
African Jacana Safari
7 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$7,540 - US$11,910 per person
Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari offers a fascinating and authentic walk with Bushmen, which we consider to be one of the best on cultural experiences in Botswana. You'll go out with Bushmen guides, looking at the surrounding flora and fauna, and hearing about their traditional culture.
Khwai Lediba
Guests at Khwai Tented Camp who would like to experience a bit of Botswana culture may visit the nearby Khwai Village. This is an ordinary village, many of whose inhabitants are from the Bayei group, sometimes referred to as river Bushmen. A visit could well add a social perspective to your safari, but we stress that it's not a “tourist attraction”.
Aardwolf Safari
5 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$4,400 - US$7,660 per person
Machaba Camp
Machaba can arrange excursions to meet local villagers, so you can see what life is like in this fairly remote corner of Africa. This takes time, but can be fascinating and always varies depending on what's happening in the village when you visit.
Steenbok Safari
9 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$6,720 - US$11,410 per person
Machaba Camp
Machaba can arrange excursions to meet local villagers, so you can see what life is like in this fairly remote corner of Africa. This takes time, but can be fascinating and always varies depending on what's happening in the village when you visit.
Red Lechwe Safari
9 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$10,800 - US$25,210 per person
Jack's Camp
Jack’s Camp offers an insightful and authentic walk with Bushmen. Going out with Bushmen guides, you’ll learn about the flora and fauna integral to their lifestyle, and hear about their culture. We consider that this is one of the best such walks on offer.
Porcupine Safari
11 days • 4 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
US$9,300 - US$14,450 per person
Machaba Camp
Machaba can arrange excursions to meet local villagers, so you can see what life is like in this fairly remote corner of Africa. This takes time, but can be fascinating and always varies depending on what's happening in the village when you visit.
Sable Self-drive Safari
12 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$5,990 - US$8,120 per person
Nxamaseri Lodge
Botswana's first World Heritage Site, the Tsodilo Hills, are easily accessible from Nxamaseri Lodge, which offers guided and catered day trips here. Get a taste for this ancient culture, see the amazing density of historic San rock paintings and take in the stunning views.
Nkasa Lupala
Set within the Wupara Conservancy in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge offers a cultural visit to the homestead region of the conservancy. This tour takes in a local school and – where possible – a traditional authority.
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
US$14,320 - US$18,190 per person
Mountain Gorilla View
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has strong ties with the surrounding communities and supports a local 'Intore' dance troop who perform at the lodge each afternoon. The word 'Intore' means warrior and bands of sisal on headbands portray dancers as fearsome lions.
Rock Hare Self-drive Safari
20 days • 12 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$5,100 - US$7,270 per person
Nxamaseri Lodge
Botswana's first World Heritage Site, the Tsodilo Hills, are easily accessible from Nxamaseri Lodge, which offers guided and catered day trips here. Get a taste for this ancient culture, see the amazing density of historic San rock paintings and take in the stunning views.
Kazile Island Lodge
For a break from exploring the Bwabwata, embark on a cultural visit to a local homestead from Kazile Island Lodge. A local guide will talk to you about the day-to-day life of the residents of the village and about the unchanged traditions of the Mbukushu and Lozi cultures.
Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari
18 days • 10 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$5,400 - US$8,730 per person
Nxamaseri Lodge
Botswana's first World Heritage Site, the Tsodilo Hills, are easily accessible from Nxamaseri Lodge, which offers guided and catered day trips here. Get a taste for this ancient culture, see the amazing density of historic San rock paintings and take in the stunning views.
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Cultural experiences elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Cultural experiences in other countries.

Kenya
Kenya offers a rich variety of cultural experiences with plenty of involvement with local villages...

Malawi
Almost any travelling in Malawi can offer insights into the country's culture and traditions - ...

Mozambique
Mozambique can offer really unique African cultural experiences - which have their roots in its ...

Namibia
Namibia is one of our favourite places for cultural experiences in Africa. Despite having one of ...

Rwanda
Rwanda has a rich and well documented cultural history. Far from being clearly distinct tribes, ...

Tanzania
Tanzania offers many contrasting African cultural experiences. With a population of around 50 million, ...

Zambia
Zambia's safari camps are notable for their small scale and often excellent community ties, leading ...

Zanzibar
Simply staying on Zanzibar is a cultural experience in itself. The exotic, vibrant atmosphere of ...

Zimbabwe
Despite its troubled recent history, Zimbabwe is a vibrant and beautiful country, with some excellent ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,821 sightings from 3,469 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
1,809 sightings from 3,852 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
32% SUCCESS
939 sightings from 2,926 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
821 sightings from 2,578 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,001 sightings from 3,669 observations

Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
227 sightings from 1,415 observations

Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
22% SUCCESS
84 sightings from 383 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,383 sightings from 3,723 observations

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,368 sightings from 2,867 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,237 sightings from 3,761 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,470 sightings from 2,764 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
570 sightings from 1,871 observations

White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
448 sightings from 1,046 observations

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,234 sightings from 1,763 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
48% SUCCESS
1,321 sightings from 2,765 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
23% SUCCESS
446 sightings from 1,928 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
22% SUCCESS
423 sightings from 1,931 observations

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
18% SUCCESS
57 sightings from 313 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,289 sightings from 3,413 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,552 sightings from 4,218 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
50 sightings from 3,094 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
67 sightings from 3,114 observations
