Hiking in Botswana
Places in Botswana. On the map.
The vibe
Walking here is an exercise in total immersion, where you move through vast, unfenced landscapes rather than following manicured paths. The dry winter months are the only time to consider this, as the heat and tall grasses make trekking impossible for much of the year. You will almost always be accompanied by a professional guide for safety, making the experience feel highly curated and secure.
park entry permit
Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Deception Valley)
Ghanzi District
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Hike across ancient fossil river valleys and semi-arid grasslands in one of the world's most remote reserves. Guided walks reveal resilient desert flora, fascinating animal tracks, and immense starry skies.
Access. Requires a self-drive 4x4 expedition with fully self-sufficient camping gear, or fly-in access to luxury Kalahari camps.
Notes. Extremely remote with no facilities; permits and advance booking through DWNP are essential.
Chobe National Park (Riverfront Trails)
Chobe District
diego_cue / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Scenic nature walks along the Chobe River floodplains allow hikers to experience rich riverine ecosystems. Trails provide fantastic birdwatching and quiet immersion in elephant territory.
Access. Guided walking excursions are arranged through authorized safari lodges situated near Kasane and the Chobe riverfront boundary.
Notes. Strictly guided walks only; encounters with elephants, buffalo, and predators require constant vigilance and adherence to guide instructions.
Makgadikgadi Pans (Kalahari Desert Trails)
Central District
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Trek across the vast, blindingly white salt flats and fossil beaches of the Makgadikgadi. Accompanied by San trackers, hikers experience traditional desert survival skills and vast, silent horizons.
Access. Accessed via 4x4 transfer from Gweta or Planet Baobab lodge camps on the edge of the pans.
Notes. Avoid the wet season when the clay pans become impassable mud flats. Extreme heat and lack of shade require careful preparation.
Mashatu Game Reserve (Land of the Giants)
Central District
Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Traverse the rugged riverbeds, sandstone hills, and open savannahs of the Tuli Block on foot. Multi-day walking trails and bush-camp treks bring hikers into intimate contact with baobab trees and diverse wildlife.
Access. Fly-in or drive to Limpopo Valley airfield from Johannesburg, or access via the Pont Drift border post with 4x4 transfer.
Notes. Trails require moderate fitness and are led by armed trails guides and trackers.
Okavango Delta (Chief's Island Walking Trails)
North-West District
DMSDMS215 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Explore the untamed floodplains and palm-fringed islands of the Okavango Delta on foot. Guided bushwalks offer close encounters with big game, tracking wildlife through pristine wilderness.
Access. Accessible via light aircraft charter from Maun to private airstrips, followed by boat or mokoro transfer to luxury lodges or mobile tented camps offering walking safaris.
Notes. Walks are conducted exclusively with armed professional guides due to dangerous wildlife. Best during the dry season from May to October.
Tsodilo Hills (Rhino and Cliff Trails)
North-West District
Tony Rebelo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hike the rocky paths of the Tsodilo Hills, a sacred UNESCO World Heritage site rising dramatically from the Kalahari sands. Trails weave among ancient rock art sites and rugged quartzite ridges.
Access. Reached by 4x4 vehicle from Shakawe in northwestern Botswana, roughly a 40-minute drive on unpaved roads. A local community guide is mandatory for the trails.
Notes. Temperatures can be extremely high in summer; carry plenty of water and start early in the morning.