Iconic Animals in Botswana & the Best Places to See Them in 2025
Do you wonder what animals you’ll see when you come to Botswana?
You won’t be disappointed! Botswana is a dream destination for a wildlife safari. Combine this with its incredible landscapes, fascinating cultures and friendly people.
They add up to one of the best destinations in Africa for travellers.
From lions and cheetahs to elephants and giraffes, this country is home to Africa’s most iconic animals. And there’s nothing like seeing them in their natural habitat. And you’re going to learn all about them here.
The Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert are just two of the amazing spots to explore in Botswana, and they’re teeming with wildlife. Botswana is an absolute paradise for any nature lover.
Read for for the skinny on some of the most epic wildlife in Botswana. You’ll also find out the best times and places to see it.
Iconic Animals in Botswana & How to See Them
Grab your binoculars and find an unforgettable journey through Botswana! Lodge, tent, or cabin, you can’t go wrong
Here are 3 top safaris to for seeing the wildlife of Botswana :
1. 12-Day African Safari from Maun to Chobe National Park
2. Amazing 12-Day Safari in Luxury Mobile Safari Camps
3. The 11-Day Wild Camping Safari in Chobe and Moremi Parks
✔️ Epic Botswana Wildlife
The wildlife of Botswana is spectacular! Here are a few of my favourites:
Hippos
One of the most unique of Botswana’s animals is the hippo. They can weigh up to 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs) and usually live in groups of 10-30 individuals.
Hippos spend the majority of their day wallowing in ponds or rivers, but they can also be found grazing on land, especially at night. In Botswana, they can be found in Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.
Contrary to popular belief, hippos are surprisingly fast on land, capable of running at speeds of up to 30km/hr. They also have the incredible ability to remain submerged underwater for up to five minutes at a time.
☞ Botswana Tip: If you’re going through Maun on your trip through Botswana, find the things to do & places to eat in Maun here.
Baby hippos are even born in the water, and have to swim to the surface for their first breath. On the topic of hippo babies – contrary to a popular myth, hippo milk is not pink. It’s the usual whiteish colour. Sorry.
However, hippos do secrete a fluid through their skin that turns pink/red in full sun, and eventually brown. The fluid seems to act as a sunscreen and an antibiotic.
So if you see a hippo lying in the sun, looking a little sunburned, that’s what’s really going on there.
Cheetahs
Cheetahs are one of the fastest animals in the world. These amazing cats can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h and have an incredible acceleration – they can go from 0-60km/h in just 3 seconds!
After a high-speed chase, though, a cheetah needs about half an hour to catch his breath before he is able to eat. They chase after and snack on animals like gazelles, rabbits, and groundhogs.
Cheetahs typically live in open grasslands, savannahs and scrublands. This makes them a perfect fit for Botswana’s unique landscape.
Cheetahs are solitary animals with very specific territorial boundaries. They also have an incredible hunting technique.
They use their powerful vision and agility to surprise their prey before running them down in a quick burst of speed.
In Botswana, the cheetah population is estimated to be around 1,200 individuals. Thanks to conservation efforts, this number is slowly increasing.
Cheetahs a welcome sight in Botswana’s national parks and game reserves!
Wildebeests
Blue wildebeests are an often-seen animal in Botswana, particularly in the grasslands of the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. They are members of Africa’s so-called “Ugly 5”, and can weigh up to 900 kg (2,000 lbs).
Wildebeests live in enormous herds of up to 1,500 individuals. They’re incredibly resilient creatures, often moving in mixed herds with zebras, another grazer.
Travelling together this was results in heightened awareness for both animals of potential nearby predators. And, there are safety in numbers.
Wildebeests are animals that look like a cross between a cow and a horse. Also known as gnu, wildebeests are one of almost two dozen different types of antelope found in Botswana.
Botswana’s Big Five
The “Big Five” animals – lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard, and elephant – can all be found in Botswana. The term was originally coined to refer to the 5 most dangerous animals in Africa to hunt.
Fortunately, today more people appreciate the wildlife of Botswana walking through the beautiful landscapes of Africa than as trophies on their walls.
Each of these creatures is unique and special in its own way. And seeing them in person is an experience you’ll never forget!
Lions
Lions are amazing animals, and Botswana lions are some of the most majestic animals in Africa. Lions are the apex predators in their habitats and play an important role in maintaining the balance of their environments.
They live in prides of anywhere from 3 to 30 individuals, with a complex hierarchy based on age and gender. In Botswana, these prides have been known to range across hundreds of square kilometres.
The lions of Botswana are also some of the most powerful predators on the continent. They can take down prey as large as wildebeest wildebeest and Cape buffalo.
Lions in Botswana’s Okavango Delta tend to be larger and stronger than others due to the time they’re forced to spend in the water, hunting and moving from place to place.
The large numbers of prey animals in the Delta is another reason for their size and strength. That’s a lot of protein!
With their iconic manes, regal poise, and impressive strength, lions remain one of the most beloved and awe-inspiring African animals.
Elephants
Elephants are another one of Botswana’s majestic animals. They can weigh up to 120 tonnes (266,000 lb)! Elephants are herbivores, which means that they eat grass and leaves.
When you consider that an adult elephant will consume from 149-169 kg (330-375 lb) every day – that’s a lot of vegetation!
They live in matriarchal family groups which can range from 5-100 individuals and can travel up to 30 km a day in search of food and water.
Elephants are especially abundant in Botswana’s Chobe National Park. These guys are the largest land animals on the planet. They can reach up to four metres tall and weigh up to 6 tonnes when fully grown.
They’re also incredibly intelligent. Elephants are capable of solving complex problems, recognizing themselves in mirrors, and even mourning their dead.
In addition, elephants have been known to demonstrate a heartwarming empathy for other animals. For example, they’ve been known to form barriers around baby rhinos to protect them from predators.
Elephants are one of my very favourites animals. If they’re yours, too, you even have the opportunity to volunteer with elephants while you’re in Africa.
Leopards
Leopards are one of the most beautiful animals in Botswana. They have spotted fur that is orange or yellow in colour, with black spots that originate in the skin itself.
Leopards are predators, and they hunt animals like impalas, monkeys, and rodents.They’ve also been known to eat bugs and fish – whatever they can get their paws on.
The leopards of Botswana typically live in savanna habitats, but can also be found in forested areas.
These powerful cats can reach speeds of up to 58 km/h and have been known to climb trees over 12 meters tall! Unlike lions, leopards are solitary animals who generally hunt alone and mark their territories with claw marks on trees.
Leopards have specific calls that they use to communicate. Which call they use depends on their purpose. They also purr when they’re pleased, just like domestic cats.
Rhinos
Two different species of rhino call Botswana home: the white rhino and the black rhino. While white rhinos are considered “near-threatened”, black rhinos are critically endangered. And – they’re both grey!
Rhinos are massive animals that can weigh up to 3,500 kg and grow up to 1.8 metres tall. Considering that rhinos are herbivores, and eat plants like grasses and leaves, that’s especially impressive – that’s a lot of plants!
They have thick skin – up to 5 cm thick – that helps protect them from predators. Their horn, made from the same protein as fingernails, is used for protection as well, and also for digging for water and roots.
Sadly, though, their horns are also the target of illegal poaching. To protect them, Botswana has implemented strict anti-poaching laws. They’ve also taken proactive steps to ensure a safe habitat for rhinos.
Thanks to these efforts, the white rhinoceros population in Botswana is estimated to have grown by more than 50% since 1970!
FUN FACT: A group of rhinos is called a crash. This might come from the fact that rhinos can run up to 50 km/h, but can only see about 9 metres ahead. Running in herds, some crashing happens!
Cape Buffalo
Cape Buffalo, one of 4 species of African buffalo, are another great example of the amazing wildlife in Botswana. They can weigh up to 870 kg, (1918 lb)!
Cape buffalos prefer living in swamps and floodplains. They can be found in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Kalahari Desert of Botswana.
They are also very social animals who live in large herds of up to 1,000 individuals. Despite their intimidating size, Cape buffalos have a gentle nature and often form strong bonds with other members of their herd.
However, they can be unpredictable, making them dangerous animals. Especially be wary of Cape Buffalo that you see wandering apart from a herd.
You can tell the difference between males and females by their horns. The male has horns that cover the top of his head, forming a kind of shield called a ‘boss‘.
The female horns extend just from the sides of her head, leaving her without a shield.
Giraffes
Giraffes, another of my favourite animals in Botswana, are the tallest animals that exist. They can grow up to nineteen feet tall. Giraffes are browsers, eating leaves from trees.
These guys sleep only 30 minutes a day – sometimes in short, 5-minute increments.
When a new giraffe is born – with mom standing up – they can walk just half an hour later. They’re able to run at full speed in just half a day.
Giraffe groups, called towers – really – are well organized to care for their kids. When mom goes out to feed during the day, she leaves her new bundle of joy in daycare, called a calving pool in the giraffe world.
One of the adults will keep an eye on the calves until their moms return.
African Wild Dogs
African Wild Dogs are one of the most endangered carnivores in Africa. With their striking coats of black, white and yellow, each pattern unique, these incredible creatures can be hard to find.
But it’s absolutely worth it when you do.
They’re fun to watch, and play the way domestic pups do, full of energy and mischief. African Wild Dogs live in packs and communicate using a variety of barks and howls.
They are also incredibly efficient hunters, covering large distances and hunting as a group. Their hunt success rate is around 80%. In comparison, lions have a success rate of 20%.
They are also one of the world’s most endangered animals. This is due in large part to conflict with humans. They are also victims of habitat loss, like many wild animals in the world today.
Plains Zebra
The zebra is the national animal of Botswana, and even appears on the country’s coat of arms. Their black and white stripes represent the equality of all people in Botswana.
A zebra’s striped pattern helps them blend into their surroundings, and provides camouflage from potential predators.
Their stripes are like fingerprints, no two patterns are alike. A zebra mom will isolate herself with a new foal for a few days, so that baby can learn her pattern and her scent.
Botswana’s is home to Burchell’s zebra, also known as the Plain’s zebra. They prefer living in open grasslands and savannahs, making them a perfect fit for Botswana’s particular landscape.
Zebras are also social animals who form close bonds with each other and can be seen interacting and playing together in the wild. They often herd with wildebeests.
Did you know that a zebra herd is also called a dazzle?
Other Favourites
Antelopes
There are almost two dozen types of antelope in Botswana, including the kudu, eland, oryx, and impala.
➣ Kudus are one of the largest type of antelope – a greater kudu bull can weigh up to 272kg (600 lb). Kudu are easily recognizable by their long, spiral horns and the harsh barking sound they make.
➣ Eland bulls, on the other hand, can weigh up to 952 kg (2100 lb). They’re the largest antelope, and the slowest. But their endurance is impressive; they can trot for miles on end.
They, too have curved horns, but they’re shorter than the kudu’s.
➣ A rare sighting is the sitatunga, a medium size antelope that spends most of its time in the waters of the Okavango Delta. If in danger, a sitatunga will completely submerge itself in water.
➣ Impalas are one of the smaller antelopes in Botswana, weighing up to just 45 kg, (100 lb).
They’re sometimes called the McDonald’s of the bush, because so many are available as prey for predators, and they really are “fast food”.
A few of the less common antelope in the area are the roan, red hartebeest, sable, red lechwe, puku, and tsessebe.
Pangolins
Pangolins are a unique and fascinating species found in Botswana. These scale-covered mammals are insect-eaters. They love termites, ants, and larvae, and help keep Botswana’s insect population in check.
They have no teeth, just a sticky tongue that can be longer than their body. These incredible animals have tough scales made from keratin.
The scales cover their entire body and act as a form of natural armour, helping them to protect themselves from predators.
In Botswana, pangolins can be found in the savannahs and woodlands of Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. Very few in numbers, they’re an exciting sighting.
They are nocturnal creatures. They spend most of their time burrowing underground during the day, coming out at night in search of food.
Unfortunately, pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world. Their scales are thought by some to be medicinal, similar to rhino horn.
However, like rhino horns, the scales are made of keratin, like our fingernails. Thankfully, conservation efforts are underway to help protect these amazing animals and ensure their future.
Fun fact: a baby pangolin is called a pangopup.
Bat-eared Foxes
These fuzzy creatures are also fond of ants, termites, beetles and grasshoppers, gorging themselves on these in the wet season, especially.
In the dry season, they fill up on reptiles, mice, and other small mammals.
Those gorgeous ears not only help keep the foxes cool. They can also hear beetle larvae underground as well as potential predators.
Bat-eared foxes are social animals. They live in family groups of mating pairs with their young. These crafty-looking animals are some of the lesser-known wildlife in Botswana.
Aardvarks
Aardvarks are another incredibly interesting animals. They’re nocturnal anteaters and excellent diggers. They can dig burrows that are up to 20 feet long and six feet deep.
These guys are also proficient swimmers and can often be seen swimming in rivers and ponds. They’re very curious creatures, and will often investigate anything that catches their attention.
Their name means “earth pig”, but they’re more closely related to golden moles and elephants. You may also hear them called ant bears.
Aardvarks are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They can be found in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, as well as Botswana.
📩 Join for More Explore Africa in Your Inbox & Get a Travel Planning Checklist
✔️ The Best Places to See Botswana Wildlife
Botswana is a nature lover’s paradise. There are several spectacular parks and reserves throughout the country that you can go to enjoy the wildlife.
Here are the best places in Botswana to see its wildlife:
The Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta was declared one of the Seven Wonders of Africa in 2013. It’s also one of the best places in Botswana to see its wildlife.
The Delta is a stunning natural wonder in northern Botswana. With its sprawling wetlands, grassy plains, and meandering waterways, it’s easy to see why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is so popular with visitors.
Here you’ll find an incredible variety of wildlife including everything mentions above. The Okavango Delta is also home to a large variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi Game Reserve lies in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta. It’s the oldest protected area of the delta, and the first wildlife sanctuary to be declared by a tribe of Africa in their own territory.
Moremi is a mosaic of shallow flood pans, lagoons, and forests. These different landscapes allow for an amazingly diverse array of wildlife.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park, east of the Okavango Delta, is one of the most famous national parks in the world.
It’s also one of Botswana’s oldest national parks, established in 1967, and contains four separate and beautiful ecosystems.
These ecosystems are home to all of the Big 5 animals except for rhinos. The park has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
Chobe is especially known for its sizeable elephant population, with an estimated 50,000 animals.
If you’re lucky enough to be present when a large herd passes by, you could actually feel the earth tremble under your feet.
Nxai Pan region
This is the place to go in Botswana if you want to see meerkats in the wild. These funny, interesting little creatures pay little attention to human visitors in their territory.
This gives you the chance to observe up close and personal. It’s an amazing experience.
The Nxai area, south of the Okavango Delta, is also a great spot to see other animals of Botswana. Cheetahs are plentiful, and it’s a great spot to see critters like ostriches and bat-eared foxes.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of Botswana’s most unique and spectacular wildlife attractions. Spanning over 52,800 km², it is the largest game reserve in the country and the second largest in the world.
It’s also home to some of Africa’s most iconic species such as wildebeest, cheetahs, giraffes and zebras. Not to mention, the Central Kalahari is a haven for birdwatchers as it houses over 250 species of birds.
In addition, this reserve is renowned for its stunning landscapes – from its arid scrublands to its lush grasslands and sparkling salt pans. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve really captures the essence of Botswana’s special wilderness.
🌍 Short on Time? Check out this spectacular 3 Day Safari in the Okavango Delta. Mokoro boats and 4×4 vehicles get you to where the animals are!
Learn More & Book
✔️ Best Time to Visit Botswana for the Wildlife
If you’re looking to get a glimpse of Botswana’s incredible wildlife, the best time to visit is during the dry season from June to October.
During this period, animals are more likely to be seen congregating around water sources – making it easier for visitors to spot them. There is also less foliage to block your view.
Additionally, since many of Botswana’s parks and reserves become more difficult to access during the rainy season, June to October is the best time of year to explore these areas.
With its mild temperatures and clear skies, the dry season offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy Botswana’s incredible wildlife. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable wildlife experience, this is a great time to go!
The Best Time to Visit Botswana for Birds
There are no bad times for bird watching in Botswana. Birding tends to be spectacular here due to Botswana’s protection of several endangered and threatened species.
There are times of year that are better, though. The dry winter months of June – October tend to see large groups gather at remaining water sources.
They take advantage of fish and crustaceans trapped in the mud around shrinking water holes.
However, prime birding months are November, December, and March. These summer months are when migratory birds return for the season.
Related post: Exploring Winter in Africa: From Desert Dunes to Snowy Peaks
✔️ Summing It Up: Iconic Animals in Botswana
Botswana is an amazing country, full of beautiful landscapes and epic wildlife! If you’re looking for an up-close wildlife experience, there’s no better place to go than Botswana.
It’s a stunning destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and diversity of African wildlife. There is no shortage of incredible species found in Botswana’s national parks and game reserves.
Thanks to extensive conservation efforts, the wildlife population in Botswana is healthy and continues to grow each year. Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast or a casual observer, Botswana’s incredible animals are sure to amaze you.
You’ll never forget it!
Happy travels!
Read More About Botswana:
➵ 33 Fun & Interesting Facts About Botswana
➵ Photos to Inspire You to Visit Botswana
➵ 17 Fun Facts About The Okavango Delta
➵ The Best Things to Do in Maun 2023
➵ Find Your Dream Destination in Africa
