Essential Botswana Budget Explorer

Explore the vibrant local markets in Gaborone before venturing out to Mokolodi Nature Reserve for your first encounter with native wildlife.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Sanitas Tea Garden

   08:00 – 09:00

   Start the day with a relaxed breakfast in a lush garden setting in Gaborone.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   09:15 – 10:30

   Browse local crafts, fresh produce, and handmade goods at Gaborone's central market hub.

3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Mokolodi Nature Reserve Visit

   10:45 – 12:15

   Head out to Mokolodi Nature Reserve for a morning wildlife viewing excursion.

   • entryFree
4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Botswanacraft Restaurant

   12:30 – 13:30

   Enjoy traditional Batswana dishes like seswaa at this popular cultural restaurant.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   13:45 – 15:15

   Return to the market to check out artisan textile stalls and traditional woven baskets.

6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Mokolodi Nature Reserve Visit

   15:30 – 17:00

   Take an afternoon guided tracking walk through Mokolodi Reserve.

   • entryFree
7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   17:15 – 18:45

   Pick up souvenirs and interact with local vendors before evening.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at The Bull & Bush Pub

   19:30 – 21:00

   Relax over a hearty pub meal and local drinks in Gaborone.

Spend a full day toggling between the conservation efforts at Mokolodi and the lively commerce of Gaborone's artisan market stalls.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Mugg & Bean Riverwalk

   08:00 – 09:00

   Fuel up with breakfast and coffee at Riverwalk Mall in Gaborone.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Mokolodi Nature Reserve Visit

   09:15 – 10:30

   Observe rhino conservation programs during an early morning reserve tour.

   • entryFree
3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   10:45 – 12:15

   Explore morning street trade and vendor offerings at the central market.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at The Courtyard Restaurant

   12:30 – 13:30

   Dine on grilled meat platters and fresh salads in central Gaborone.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Mokolodi Nature Reserve Visit

   13:45 – 15:15

   Visit the reptile center and educational facilities at Mokolodi.

   • entryFree
6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   15:30 – 17:00

   Shop for handmade leather goods and regional spices.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Mokolodi Nature Reserve Visit

   17:15 – 18:45

   Watch the sunset over the bushveld from an elevated viewpoint in the reserve.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Rodizio Brazilian Restaurant

   19:30 – 21:00

   Enjoy a lively barbecue dinner in Gaborone.

Travel to the sacred Tsodilo Hills to admire thousands of ancient San rock paintings scattered across four dramatic hills.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe Concorde

   08:00 – 09:00

   Quick breakfast stop before embarking on the Tsodilo Hills expedition.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   09:15 – 10:30

   Begin guided trekking on the Rhino Trail to view historic rock paintings.

   • entryFree
3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   10:45 – 12:15

   Explore the Male Hill section and learn about the local spiritual heritage.

   • entryFree
4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Drotsky's Cabins Restaurant

   12:30 – 13:30

   Savor fresh river fish and classic bush dishes near the Okavango panhandle.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   13:45 – 15:15

   Inspect the famous Van der Post panel and ancient rock shelters.

   • entryFree
6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   15:30 – 17:00

   Visit the on-site site museum to view archaeological artifacts.

   • entryFree
7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   17:15 – 18:45

   Watch the late afternoon sun illuminate the red rock quartzite outcrops.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Shakawe River Lodge Restaurant

   19:30 – 21:00

   Unwind with dinner overlooking the Okavango River.

Immerse yourself in the world's largest inland delta, exploring channels, floodplains, and islands rich with birdlife and game.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Marc's Eatery

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy freshly baked goods and local coffee in Maun before heading into the Delta.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   09:15 – 10:30

   Board a traditional mokoro canoe ride through quiet reed-lined delta channels.

3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   10:45 – 12:15

   Take a guided bush walk on a delta island to spot wildlife footprints and birds.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Hilary's Organic Food & Juice Bar

   12:30 – 13:30

   Healthy, budget-friendly homemade meals in Maun.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   13:45 – 15:15

   Navigate deeper lagoons searching for hippos and African fish eagles.

6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   15:30 – 17:00

   Experience an afternoon motorized boat safari along the main channels.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   17:15 – 18:45

   Capture sunset photography across the delta's open water channels.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at The Duck Cafe Bar

   19:30 – 21:00

   Relax with dinner and drinks in a popular spot near Maun airport.

Combine wetland outdoor tracking in the Delta with visits to surrounding historical and cultural sites.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cappuccino's Maun

   08:00 – 09:00

   Hearty breakfast with coffee in Maun town center.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   09:15 – 10:30

   Early morning birdwatching trip in the papyrus wetlands.

3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   10:45 – 12:15

   Examine heritage exhibits detailing the ancient trade networks of Northern Botswana.

   • entryFree
4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Tanduree Restaurant

   12:30 – 13:30

   Budget-friendly Indian cuisine and local meals in Maun.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   13:45 – 15:15

   Track game along riverbanks where elephants frequently come to drink.

6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Tsodilo Hills Archaeological Site

   15:30 – 17:00

   Review rock art conservation techniques and local community initiatives.

   • entryFree
7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Okavango Delta Exploration

   17:15 – 18:45

   Enjoy a tranquil late afternoon boat return along the Thamalakane river stretch.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Old Bridge Backpackers Bar & Restaurant

   19:30 – 21:00

   Casual riverside dining popular with budget travellers and locals.

Head north to Chobe National Park, famed for having Africa's largest concentration of wild elephants.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Coffee Buzz Kasane

   08:00 – 09:00

   Start the day with warm pastries and espresso in Kasane.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   09:15 – 10:30

   Morning 4x4 game drive along the Chobe Riverfront searching for big cats.

3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   10:45 – 12:15

   Continue driving into the interior teak forests to spot sable and giraffe.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at The Old House Restaurant Kasane

   12:30 – 13:30

   Dine on hearty burgers and local game dishes along the river.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   13:45 – 15:15

   Board a river safari boat to observe elephants swimming across to Sedudu Island.

6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   15:30 – 17:00

   Watch large herds of buffalo and pod of hippos from the water.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   17:15 – 18:45

   Experience sunset over the Chobe River while cruising past riverbanks.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at My3Pots Restaurant

   19:30 – 21:00

   Enjoy authentic local cuisine and stew pots in Kasane.

Conclude your trip with a final Chobe safari drive and last-minute handicraft shopping for local souvenirs.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at The Bush Restaurant

   08:00 – 09:00

   Relaxed breakfast overlooking native bushland.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   09:15 – 10:30

   Final morning game drive catching early predators on the hunt.

3. 10:45|12:15
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   10:45 – 12:15

   Browse market crafts and local woven goods for final trip gifts.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Pizza Inferno Kasane

   12:30 – 13:30

   Wood-fired pizzas and cold beverages in Kasane town.

5. 13:45|15:15
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   13:45 – 15:15

   Afternoon tracking session near river loops and waterholes.

6. 15:30|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Gaborone Central Market Shopping

   15:30 – 17:00

   Final opportunity to pick up handmade jewelry and carved wooden animals.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Chobe National Park Safari

   17:15 – 18:45

   Final golden hour game viewing before wrapping up the expedition.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at The Cattleman's Grill

   19:30 – 21:00

   Celebrate the end of your trip with a classic Botswana steakhouse dinner.