11 Most Common Botswana Animals: Honestly, you just can’t go wrong with Botswana! It’s got gorgeous natural scenery, super friendly folks, and an amazing variety of plants and animals. Take a little time to explore this incredible country, and you’ll find yourself captivated by its serene beauty and the peaceful vibe it offers. Many travelers head to Botswana all year long to experience its amazing wildlife.

Check out our list of the 11 animals you’re most likely to spot in Botswana.

1. Elephants

Elephants have a pretty organized social structure. The females stick together in family groups for their entire lives, hanging out with their mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and daughters. Elephants are the gentle giants of the wilderness, and they’re a huge favorite among travelers!

These amazing animals often hang out in large groups and enjoy being near water sources where they can cool off and take a bath under the hot African sun. Elephants are definitely one of the iconic Big Five, aren’t they?

 

Did you know some cool things about elephants?

Did you know that elephants are the biggest land mammals on our planet? They can weigh as much as 6000kg (6.6 tons) and reach heights of up to 3.3m (10ft) at the shoulder. Elephant trunks are super versatile! They can smell, breathe, feel vibrations, suck up water, grab grass and branches, and even help take care of their little ones.

Elephant tusks serve a bunch of purposes, like digging, foraging, fighting, and even providing a spot for their heavy trunks to rest.

If you’re looking to spot elephants in Botswana, here are some great places to check out:

Chobe National Park is well-known for having the largest herds of wild elephants in the world. You can definitely spot them easily in the Okavango Delta.

2.  Giraffes

Did you know that giraffes are the tallest mammals on the planet? Pretty cool, right? These amazing, long-necked animals are perfect for wildlife photography and don’t seem to mind when you get a bit closer.

 

Here are some cool facts about giraffes:

Did you know that giraffe legs can be around 1.82 meters long? And when they really get going, these amazing animals can sprint up to 56 kilometers per hour for short bursts! A giraffe pretty much spends its whole life on its feet! They even give birth and catch some Z’s while standing up.

Did you know that giraffe calves can actually stand up and start walking just an hour after they’re born? That’s pretty impressive, right? Did you know that a giraffe’s spots are kind of like fingerprints? It’s pretty cool because no two giraffes have the same pattern!

If you’re looking to spot giraffes in Botswana, here are some great places to check out:

You can spot giraffes all over central and northern Botswana, particularly in places like the Central Kalahari, Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta.

3. Wild Dogs

Wild dogs have a unique way of deciding when to start a hunt—they actually vote by sneezing! And let me tell you, they’re super efficient at it too. These endangered animals have a brindle-like coloring and really resemble domesticated dogs, but don’t be fooled—they’re fierce predators. Wild dogs are super strategic and almost always succeed at catching their prey.

Here are some cool facts about wild dogs:

Did you know that female wild dogs are actually larger than the males? Plus, they tend to be better hunters too! In pack dynamics, it’s typically just the alpha pair that gets to breed, while the rest of the pack helps take care of the pups.

Wild dogs are pretty interesting with their unique coats and rounded ears. And did you know they have four toes on each foot, which is different from other dogs? Did you know that wild dogs can reach speeds of up to 44 miles per hour? That’s pretty fast!

So, where can you spot wild dogs in Botswana?

You can often spot wild dogs in Moremi Game Reserve and throughout Northern Botswana, including places like the Okavango Delta, Linyanti, Savuti, Kwando, and Selinda.

4. Wildebeest

Wildebeests face quite a few natural predators, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. That’s why you’ll find wildebeest coming together in groups of about 150 when it’s time for breeding and calving season. If you see a wildebeest, just know that zebras are usually hanging out nearby too!

Wildebeest means ‘wild beast’, and that name comes from how they look and their grumpy attitude. Wildebeests are known for living and traveling in big herds, which helps keep them safe. Both the males and females have these impressive horns that really stand out.

Here are some cool facts about wildebeests:

You’ll usually spot wildebeest in places like thick bushlands, woodland floodplains, and wide-open grasslands. So, when they hit about a year old, the males usually split from the herd and team up with a bachelor herd instead. So, after around three or four years, these males really start to get territorial and tend to leave the group.

Female wildebeests typically give birth to a single calf, and they usually do it right in the middle of the herd. Did you know that wildebeest calves can stand up completely just six minutes after they’re born? That’s pretty impressive!

So, where can you spot wildebeest in Botswana?

You can definitely spot wildebeest in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and the Okavango Delta.

5. Rhinos

Rhinos are facing serious threats because people are hunting them for their horns. So, a lot of rhinos have been relocated from South Africa to Botswana due to the risks of poaching.

In Botswana, conservation and anti-poaching efforts are really making a difference in keeping these majestic creatures safe from harm.

Here are some cool facts about rhinos:

Did you know that rhino horns are actually made of the same stuff as our skin and nails? Pretty interesting, right? Rhinos are often seen covered in mud, and that’s actually their way of using it as sunblock and keeping pesky insects at bay. Did you know that a group of rhinos is called a crash? Pretty interesting, right?

So, where can you spot rhinos in Botswana?

You can definitely catch a glimpse of rhinos in the areas around the Okavango Delta.

6. African Buffalo

African buffalo can weigh between 300 kg and 860 kg, and they have horns that can grow as long as 1.5 m. You can find African buffalo wandering around in big herds all over Botswana. Watch out for these fierce predators when you spot a herd, as they’re a favorite target for lions!

Buffalo are part of the famous Big Five, and they really draw in safari fans from all over the globe.

Here are some cool facts about buffalo:

Did you know that buffalo have an amazing memory? Plus, they’re four times stronger than an ox! Pretty impressive, right? When predators are nearby, buffalo gather in a circle to protect the young, old, and weaker members of their herd. Buffalo might not see or hear very well, but they definitely make up for it with an amazing sense of smell.

Hey, do you know where I can spot buffalo in Botswana?

You can spot African buffalo pretty easily while on safari in Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta.

7. Zebras

Zebras, while related to horses, have quite the wild side. They’re known for being more aggressive and can be pretty dangerous too. You’ll definitely see zebras all over Botswana since they’re the national animal of the country! With their stunning black and white stripes, they can appear as a bit of a blur when you see them from afar.

This clever camouflage can really throw off predators trying to hunt them in a group.

Check out these cool facts about zebras:

Did you know there are three different species of zebra? You’ve got Grevy’s zebra, the mountain zebra, and the plains zebra. Zebras, just like donkeys and horses, belong to the Equidae family. Zebras can really pick up the pace, reaching speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour! When they’re being chased by predators, they tend to run in a zigzag pattern to throw them off.

Did you know that newborn zebra foals can start running with the herd just a few hours after they’re born? That’s pretty impressive!

If you’re looking to spot zebras in Botswana, here’s where to go:

You can catch zebras migrating to the Makgadikgadi Game Reserve when the rainy season rolls around, but they also hang out in places like Chobe National Park, Savute, and the Okavango Delta.

8. Hippos.

Hippos really don’t like sharing their space in the water. They really pack a punch with their bite, ranking as the fourth most powerful in the world! Even though they can be pretty dangerous, hippos typically hang out in groups with their buddies, though some do prefer to go solo.

Male hippos can show off their dominance, but often they get kicked out of the herd since they’re seen as a threat to the other males. Hippos really love hanging out in the water! Sometimes they’re so deep that all you can see are their eyes and nostrils poking out.

Here are some cool facts about hippos:

Did you know that hippos really like to hang out by the shoreline most of the time? They produce this oily red stuff that might resemble blood, but it’s really just a moisturizer for their skin and a bit of sun protection. Did you know that an adult hippo can hold its breath underwater for about three to five minutes? Pretty interesting, right?

When hippo calves are born, they typically weigh around 45 kilograms, and they have this cool ability to suckle underwater by shutting their nostrils. Did you know that hippos can spend around four to five hours each day just grazing? They can munch on as much as 70 kilograms of grass in a single night!

If you’re looking to spot hippos in Botswana, here are some great places to check out:

You’ll spot plenty of hippos hanging out near the water in the Okavango Delta and along the Chobe River.

9. Lions and Lionesses

A lion’s role really revolves around showing who’s in charge and taking care of those little cubs too. In Botswana, you can find plenty of lions and lionesses roaming around. Seeing a lioness go in for the kill is something truly unforgettable if you get the chance. It’s quite the sight!

These big cats love to chow down on buffalo and impala, but when they’re not on the hunt, you can usually catch them lounging under a shady tree or wandering around their territory. Lions and lionesses, with no real competition around, are often called the kings and queens of the African bushveld.

They’re part of the Big Five and hold the title of the second-largest cat on the planet.

Check out these cool facts about lions and lionesses:

Lions usually focus on defending their territory and keeping an eye on their cubs, while the lionesses take care of most of the hunting. Lions and lionesses can chill out for about 16 to 20 hours a day, just sleeping or resting.

People say that a male lion’s darker mane is more appealing to lionesses. It seems that those with darker manes usually have higher testosterone levels. Lions really don’t mind where they are as long as there’s plenty of food around.

If you’re looking to spot lions and lionesses in Botswana, here are some great places to check out:

You can spot lions in various spots across Botswana, whether it’s around the edges of the Okavango Delta or in the drier regions close to the Kalahari Desert.

10. Leopards

Leopards are pretty much lone wolves, spending a lot of their time keeping an eye on their own turf. If you manage to catch a glimpse of these tricky creatures, you’ll be in for a treat with one of the wild’s most charming and camera-ready animals.

Leopards are definitely one of Africa’s iconic Big Five! You can usually spot them hanging around rocky hills or in thick riverine bush. They typically come out in the late afternoon or at night to hunt.

Here are some cool facts about leopards:

Did you know that leopards are the third largest cats on the planet? They typically weigh around 60 to 70 kilograms! Leopards usually prefer to sneak up on their prey or set up an ambush instead of chasing it down like a lioness or a cheetah would.

Leopards are pretty impressive! They can haul animals that are way heavier than they are and often take their catch up into tall trees. This way, they keep it safe from scavengers like hyenas.

So, where can you spot leopards in Botswana?

You can spot leopards just chilling in the branches of a shady tree, wandering around the sandy stretches of the Kalahari, or exploring the depths of the Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta. You’ll also find them hanging out by the banks of the Chobe River, which is the only permanent water source in Chobe National Park.

11. Meerkats

Meerkats are seriously adorable, measuring just 50 cm long (tail included!). You’ll definitely find them to be one of the cutest animals in all of Botswana. If you happen to stumble upon a colony of meerkats, you’ll notice at least one of them standing on its hind legs, keeping an eye out for any predators nearby.

Meerkats are super social animals. Don’t be shocked if one hops up onto your shoulders—they’re always on the lookout for a better view.

Here are some cool facts about meerkats:

Meerkats hang out in family groups known as mobs or gangs. So, these gangs have an alpha pair at the top, and the alpha female really takes charge as the most dominant one in the group. Did you know that meerkats are pretty clever? They can actually eat snakes and even poisonous scorpions!

If you’re looking to spot meerkats in Botswana, here are some great places to check out:

You can easily spot meerkats in the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana.