Best Landmarks in Kalahari Desert
Planning a trip to Kalahari Desert? Discover the best landmarks in Kalahari Desert with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best landmarks in Kalahari Desert
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- A–Z
33 landmarks
-
National park4.6★1,012 reviews
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Experience the raw beauty of the Kalahari at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a vast conservation area shared by Botswana and South Africa. Famous for its red sand dunes, diverse wildlife, and stunning sunsets, it offers a unique safari experience.
-
River4.6★797 reviews
Chobe River
The Chobe River, forming the northern boundary of Botswana's Chobe National Park, is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse wildlife. Renowned for its large elephant and buffalo herds, the river offers exceptional game viewing and birdwatching opportunities via boat safaris.
-
Lodge4.4★726 reviews
Elephant Sands Lodge
Elephant Sands Lodge, located 53km north of Nata, Botswana, offers a unique wildlife experience. This unfenced bush lodge and campsite allows elephants and other animals to roam freely, providing guests with unparalleled close encounters at the lodge's natural waterhole.
-
Nature preserve4.6★551 reviews
Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi Game Reserve, located in the eastern Okavango Delta, is a diverse and breathtaking wildlife sanctuary. It combines mopane woodland and acacia forests with floodplains and lagoons, offering a range of habitats for a variety of species. It's home to nearly 500 bird species and a vast array of wildlife, making it a must-see for safari enthusiasts.
-
Animal park4.3★604 reviews
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary, established in 1992, is a community-based wildlife project in Botswana dedicated to protecting the endangered black and white rhino and restoring the area's natural wildlife populations. Covering 8,585 hectares of Kalahari sandveld, the sanctuary provides a safe haven for over 30 mammal species and 230 bird species.
Daily 6:00–18:00
-
National park4.6★400 reviews
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park, Botswana's first national park, is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Renowned for its massive elephant herds, diverse ecosystems, and stunning riverfront scenery, Chobe offers an unforgettable safari experience. Explore its varied landscapes, from lush floodplains to dense forests, and witness the untamed beauty of Africa.
-
Wetland4.8★363 reviews
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Botswana, is a unique inland river system that spreads into the Kalahari Desert, creating a lush oasis teeming with wildlife. It's a dynamic landscape of lagoons, islands, and waterways, offering unparalleled safari experiences.
-
Indoor lodging4.0★350 reviews
Planet Baobab
Nestled near Gweta, Botswana, Planet Baobab offers a quirky and unique experience on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. With its traditional huts, ancient baobab trees, and access to desert adventures, it's a memorable stop for those seeking something different.
-
National park4.5★238 reviews
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, in northeastern Botswana, protects a vast and otherworldly landscape of salt flats, grasslands, and seasonal wetlands. The park is known for its dramatic scenery and unique wildlife, including the zebra migration.
-
National park4.3★221 reviews
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is a vast protected area in the heart of Botswana, offering a remote and unparalleled safari experience. Established in 1961, it's the second-largest game reserve in the world, characterized by seemingly endless horizons, diverse wildlife, and a profound sense of solitude.
Island Safari Lodge
Island Safari Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Thamalakane River just 10 km from Maun Airport, offers a tranquil escape with lush surroundings and abundant birdlife. With a history dating back to 1973, this lodge provides comfortable accommodations, a restaurant with river views, and easy access to Okavango Delta excursions.
Nxai Pan National Park
Nxai Pan National Park, situated on the northern edge of the Makgadikgadi basin in Botswana, is a unique landscape of grassy pans, acacia islands, and ancient baobab trees. Known for its seasonal wildlife migrations and stark beauty, the park offers a tranquil safari experience with diverse wildlife and stunning scenery.
Baines Baobabs
Baines' Baobabs are a cluster of seven ancient baobab trees in Botswana's Nxai Pan National Park, made famous by a painting by Thomas Baines in 1862. These iconic trees stand as a testament to nature's resilience in the harsh Kalahari Desert.
Makadikadi Basin
The Makgadikgadi Basin, one of the world's largest salt flats in Botswana, is a mesmerizing landscape of vast open spaces and unique wildlife. Once a super-lake larger than Switzerland, it offers a surreal safari experience, especially during the zebra and wildebeest migration.
Leroo La Tau
Leroo La Tau, meaning 'lion's paw,' is a luxury safari lodge perched on the Boteti River's western bank, bordering Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. It offers stunning views and exceptional wildlife sightings, especially during the zebra and wildebeest migration.
Sua Pan
Sua Pan, also known as Sowa Pan, is a vast, shimmering salt flat in Botswana, part of the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt pan systems in the world. This expansive landscape transforms into a seasonal lake, attracting diverse wildlife, especially flamingos, and offering surreal, breathtaking views.
Khutse Game Reserve
Escape to Botswana's Khutse Game Reserve, a tranquil wilderness on the southern edge of the Kalahari Desert. Established in 1971, this 2,500 sq km reserve offers a serene safari experience with diverse wildlife, picturesque pans, and vast grasslands. Ideal for self-drive adventures and camping under the stars.
Open 24 hours
Meno-A-Kwena Tented Camp
Meno-A-Kwena Tented Camp offers an authentic safari experience on the western edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana. Perched on a clifftop overlooking the Boteti River, this camp provides exceptional views of wildlife drawn to the water, combined with access to the vast landscapes of the Kalahari Desert.
Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari, nestled on Brown Hyena Island in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, offers a unique and adventurous safari experience. With its traditional Meru-style tents and a range of activities, it's an ideal base for exploring the stunning desert landscape and encountering its fascinating wildlife.
Deception Valley Lodge
Escape to Deception Valley Lodge, a luxurious retreat in the heart of Botswana's Kalahari Desert. Experience the tranquility of the wilderness, encounter unique wildlife, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of the San people.
Kubu Island
Kubu Island, or Lekhubu, is a unique granite island rising from the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans of Botswana. Adorned with ancient baobab trees and Stone Age relics, it offers a surreal landscape and a glimpse into the area's prehistoric past.
Kalahari Plains
Kalahari Plains Camp offers a luxurious and remote safari experience in Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Situated on the edge of a vast pan, the camp provides stunning views and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and cultural interaction with the San Bushmen.
Bahurutshe Cultural Village
Experience the vibrant traditions of Botswana at Bahurutshe Cultural Village, a living museum in Mmankgodi. Engage with local artisans, witness captivating performances, and savor authentic cuisine, immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Bahurutshe people.
Evolve Back, Kalahari
Evolve Back, Kalahari, also known as Gham Dhao Lodge, offers an immersive experience in Botswana's Central Kalahari. Situated on an 11,000-hectare private game reserve bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, this luxury safari lodge introduces you to the Kalahari's famed night skies, unique wildlife, and the ancient culture of the San people. With tented accommodations ensuring privacy and intimacy, it's a gateway to an unexplored region.
Manyana Rock Paintings
The Manyana Rock Paintings, near Mmankgodi, Botswana, showcase art crafted by the Khoikhoi or San people between 1100 and 1700 AD. Depicting animals, humans, and abstract designs, these paintings offer insights into ancient rituals and daily life. The site, now a protected National Monument, provides a glimpse into Botswana's cultural heritage.
Nwetwe Pan
Nwetwe Pan, a seasonal lake in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, offers a tranquil escape into nature, characterized by shimmering waters during the rainy season and vast salt flats in the dry months. It's a haven for birdwatchers and those seeking solitude amidst stunning landscapes.
Tau Pan Camp
Tau Pan Camp is a remote and exclusive safari camp located within Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Overlooking the vast Tau Pan, it offers incredible views and a chance to experience the Kalahari's unique beauty and wildlife.
Kolobeng (Livingstone's Third Mission)
Explore Kolobeng, David Livingstone's third and final mission station, established in 1847 near Mmankgodi, Botswana. See the remnants of his church, school, and home, and learn about his efforts to convert and assist the local Bakwena people.
Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00
Thamalakane River
The Thamalakane River, a vital waterway in Maun, Botswana, is formed by the confluence of the Boro and Gomoti rivers, shaping the landscape and supporting diverse recreational activities. It offers scenic boat trips, birdwatching, and tranquil spots for picnics, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike.
Nxai Pan
Nxai Pan National Park, located in northeastern Botswana, is a captivating landscape of vast salt flats, open grasslands and iconic baobab trees. This unique park offers a seasonal spectacle, transforming from a seemingly barren expanse into a thriving ecosystem with abundant wildlife after the rains.
Deception Valley
Deception Valley, located within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, is a unique landscape known for its deceptive mirages and rich history. Once a riverbed, it now attracts diverse wildlife to its grassy plains, offering visitors a chance to experience the stark beauty and surprising abundance of the Kalahari.
Tau Pan
Nestled in the heart of Botswana, Tau Pan is a breathtaking lake that offers a tranquil escape for tourists seeking nature's beauty. Ideal for birdwatching and photography, this serene location is surrounded by stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
paysage culturel des ǂKhomani
Discover the ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape, a vast expanse within the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, where the ancient ǂKhomani San people have thrived for millennia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site protects their unique culture, ethnobotanical knowledge, and deep connection to the harsh desert environment.
Explore Kalahari Desert on the map
A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Kalahari Desert, mapped for you.
More about Kalahari Desert
Kalahari Desert travel guide
Explore Botswana’s Kalahari Desert for red sands, San heritage, remote wildlife reserves, wide skies and quiet wilderness journeys.
Tell me more about Kalahari DesertMore to explore in Kalahari Desert
Explore more

Explore more of Botswana
Explore Botswana: A land of stunning contrasts, rich wildlife, and cultural heritage. Discover the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, and immerse in sustainable tourism.
Explore Botswana
Getting your guide ready…
We are putting together a fresh copy of the Kalahari Desert guide. This can take up to a minute.
This can take a few moments. If your browser asks, choose Allow so the download can start. You'll find the guide in your Downloads folder.
Nothing happened? Download it again
Sorry, the guide is taking longer than usual. Please try again in a minute, or get it by email instead.
