Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

16 May 2026

4-minute read

For someone who’s never been to Botswana, Ml Muhammad Suliman, a native of this Southern African country, says that it is a “preferred travel destination” and offers high value for travel enthusiasts. Although not a typical beach-resort holiday, it is ideal “for people who want raw wildlife” that is some of the best on the continent with vast open spaces and a distinct sense of quietness.

Botswana is best accessed by air or by road via its neighbouring countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. There are direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Gaborone, Kasane and Maun. Those from the SADC countries travelling by road to Botswana do not require a visa but are required to fill in a form at the border.

The best time to visit for safari-viewers are during the peak season from May to October, when the weather is warm and the risk of malaria is low, and animals concentrate around waterholes and rivers. The Okavango Delta is also in full flood from June to September, and the night skies are clear. Budget travellers can consider visiting in the “green season” between November and April when costs drop by 30-35%. However, these months are extremely hot, and one is likely to experience thunderstorms in the afternoons.

Once you’re in Botswana, it is possible to use a normal car to get from one place to the other along the main routes. Within the game reserves, there are numerous game drives on offer. However, if you are doing a self-drive, the realistic way to move around on the sand track roads within the national parks or the Delta would be with a 4×4, as you are likely to get stuck with an ordinary vehicle, says Ml Suliman.

Must-see sights and natural highlights for tourists in Botswana include the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Chobe National Park, about a day’s drive from Gaborone, is famous for Africa’s largest elephant population and offers a sunset river cruise along the river where one can watch the spectacle of hundreds of elephants, buffaloes, hippos and other animals.  Within the park is the Savuti area where predators are kept and where the Zebra migration can be witnessed. The Moremi Game Reserve which makes up a third of the Okavango Delta, and the central Kalahari Game Reserve are also excellent for game viewing. For bird lovers, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are a sight to see when the pans are “full and flooded with flamingos” during the wet season.

For Muslim travellers, there are masaajid and salaah facilities in the main centres, and it is relatively easy to find halal food in places like Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, and Kasane. Halal catering can also be outsourced to the local Muslim people. Botswana is also famous for their excellent quality beef and lamb meat, as the air is pure and the animals feed on the salt pans. Hunting is also popular in the region, but there are some stringent laws related to hunting, so do check those first before planning an expedition.

Whether you’ve been to Botswana before or are braving your first trip there, you will not be disappointed by the abundance of unique travel experiences this African country has to offer.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Ml Muhammad Suliman here.