Things to do & places to visit in Central District, Botswana

Central District #3 destination in Botswana 2023. The average rating score is 4.27 based on 972 traveler reviews, of 20 attractions. Timezone: Africa/Gaborone, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 1:51.

Top things to do (22)

Top places to visit (20 attractions)

5.0 Cycle Mashatu (15 reviews)
- Phenomenal Experience
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Safaris • Bike Tours • Eco Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

As a non cyclist I joined our group for the Experience. I hired a great bike and then the fun began. The guides Mario and Frans were always on point and I felt very comfortable throughout trip. The food and service was of a world class standard! We also encountered so much game and saw elephant, lion , cheetah, giraffe , zebra and so much more. For all cyclists and non cyclists I highly recommend and looking forward to going back. See more..
5.0 Tswehe Wildlife Reserve (1 review)
- Outstanding
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Walking Tours

What a spectacular place!!! Not only is the location so great being not far from the border but u are completely out in a midst the wilderness with such a sense of peace. Digital detox is their aim and wow do u get to relax. No rushing around to game drives and meals. Just what the Dr ordered. The hospitality is incredible and the lodge has just the right mix of luxury and rustic to suit all your needs. I can't wait to return and couldn't recommend it more highly. Book soon!!! I am sure once this gem is discovered it will be fully booked. See more..
4.5 Makgadikgadi Salt Pan (238 reviews)
- A must see experience.
Nature & Wildlife Areas

These are one of the largest salt pans in the world. It was our first jeep excursion during this trip. We saw so many different animals just driving and walking through the pan. At one point we got stuck in the salty sand and another jeep of our group pulled us out. Even though I have gotten stuck with a jeep before (in Dubai): What an experience this was for my wife! You should definitely come here and bring a lot of time and a camera!!! See more..
4.5 Kubu Island (140 reviews)
- Magical Place Far from Civilization
Islands • Geologic Formations

Kubu Island’s granite rock surface is stained white with fossilized bird droppings and riddled with other prehistoric artifacts and stone ruins. The entire island is a national monument. See more..
4.5 Baines Baobabs (83 reviews)
- Best kept sectet
National Parks

Camp site Nr 2 at Baines baobabs, 2 nights. Second visit. This place is not an easy drive, quite thick sand, need a good 4x4. We towed a trailer and got stuck, but the detour much easier than the old track. 3 campsites, about a km apart each. Nr 1 best view on boababs with spectacular sunsets. A primitive bucket shower and toilet is provided, but no water or electricity. You need to be fully self sufficient. But the reward is absolute solitude, sunsets and stars to die for. Will I be back, I want to keep this for myself and come back every year! See more..
4.5 Moremi Gorge (48 reviews)
- Wonderland
Canyons

Most beautiful gem in the hills of Botswana. A little Eden hidden away in a gorge. Lovely walk and scenery. See more..
4.5 Old Palapye (2 reviews)
- Interesting enough
Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
The ruins of the church are interesting, the others few and not so much. There is an entry fee now. The small gorge in the same enclosure, 5 km further, is very nice but not so much as the one on the north side See more..
4.0 Khama Rhino Sanctuary (277 reviews)
- Great game experience, average accommodation.
Nature & Wildlife Areas

We stayed at the Rhino Sanctuary for two nights en route to Kubu Island. There is a lot of game in this reserve - well worth driving around, especially to the various pans. We really enjoyed this aspect of the reserve. The accommodation in the chalets is extremely basic, it consists of beds, a small bathroom and a table. The upper part of the walls on the A frame is made of netting, so one is unable to "close" this area up. This resulted in all of us being absolutely freezing during the night. We ate at the restaurant and found the food to be satisfactory, although somewhat excessively priced. The service was also very slow due to what seemed like minimal staff. We assumed this was as a result of Covid. See more..
4.0 Nata Bird Sanctuary (142 reviews)
- Visit the salt pans
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Took an afternoon self drive with my parents and some friends. Made it to the watch tower very easily and enjoyed a lunch there whilst overlooking the salt pans. They are currently full of water so you cannot go onto them. Saw some pelicans but flamingos are not yet there due to water being too high. Also saw some wildebeest. Lovely day trip and well worth the visit if you’ve never been before. If you don’t want to drive there yourself or do not feel your vehicle will make the dirt road you can book a trip with Nata Lodge and you can go in one of their vehicles See more..
4.0 Khama III Memorial Museum (10 reviews)
- Bostoe Bus en Selt Ry 4X4 Toere Pieter Marais
History Museums

It was hard to find the place. If signposts were more clearly we could have spend more time with the well knowledge guide who took us through the museum a well informative place and well stocked with historic articles. The guide also took us to the Royal cemetery where we could have entered the locked area. If you think you can save money by not paying for a guide you waste your time. Go for full house and experience to the next level. A must do! See more..
3.5 Planet Baobab (7 reviews)
- Great place to stop
Amusement & Theme Parks

We showed up without a reservation and the very nice and helpful staff were able to get us a family hut as well as get us in on a half day excursion the next day (that was already fully booked but somehow they were able to figure it out). The hut was cute and cozy. Half board is included and food was good. Meerkat and pan excursion was excellent - we also saw elephants, zebras and jackals. Kids loved the pool. Baobabs around the lodge are very impressive. Super nice staff all around. Great place to stop if driving between maun and nata. See more..
3.5 Cheno Travel & Safari Tour (3 reviews)
- A wonderful adventure !
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Safaris • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Photography Tours

My wife and I have just returned from our amazing trip to Mashatu reserve and we just wanted to send our warmest thanks to Boitumelo and his fantastic staff of Cheno travel and safari tour. Thank you David, our guide, for the most impressive experience with wild animals. With your knowledge we learned not only about the wildlife but also about the diversity of flora and the rich tradition of your country. It was so much fun to share this experience with you. Thanks also to all the rest of the team, so thoughtful. Every single arrangement you made during this 10 days went perfectly and each moment was unique and wonderful thanks to you. The accommodation and cars were also very comfortable and the food amazing ! We highly recommend this safari, Mashatu and Tuli camps are superb, the wildlife is everywhere, at each corner in the bush… all aspects exceeded our expectations. It was a life-changing journey ! Keep up the good work, we will see you again soon ! See more..
3.5 Stevensford Game Reserve (2 reviews)
- BUSH CAMP ON THE LIMPOPO
Nature & Wildlife Areas
You can stay in really attractive chalets or at one of two campsites on the river bank. The new owner has refurbished all the facilities and restocked the ranch with game - mainly antelopes and giraffe. They offer game drives and fishing and restaurant facilities. All the chalets are now electrified and really comfortable. There is drinking water, but rather salty. Otherwise you must bring your own provisions. Access by 4x4 is needed in the rainy season as the main road can flood See more..
3.0 Menateng Casino (1 review)
- Restaurant is attached to the hotel
Casinos
On the main route to the northern delta, approximately 400km from Gaborone, is the Sun International Menateng Casino. The casino is part of the Cresta Bosele Hotel which has 50 rooms, a restaurant, pool, bar, and conference facilities.The lively casino has a total of 50 completely cashless slots including Universal, Sigma, IGT, Aristocrat and Bally machines. The biggest jackpot is the Mystery Jackpot and players can often win a motorcar if they hit the jackpot.Slots denominations range from 25 thebe (cent) to 5 Pula (rand). The exchange rate is approximately 1 Pula per R1.60. Selebi-Phikwe has two banks namely, Barclays and Standard Chartered. Major credit cards are generally accepted. See more..
2.0 Letsatsi Casino (3 reviews)
- The sun
Casinos
The latest addition to the Botswana Group, The Sun International Letsatsi Casino is situated in Palapye. The town Palapye is more or less midway between Gaborone and Francistown and a mere 100km from the South African Groblersbrug border post. The casino is located next to the Cresta Botsalo hotel with 51 rooms, restaurant and conference facilities for up to 200 delegates.The casino itself has 50 slot machines and operates completely coinless. Machines are a mix of Aristocrat video reels, Aruze stepper reels and Sigma video poker all with a variety of games. Denominations start from 2 thebe (cent) right up to 5 Pula (rand). The biggest jackpot is also the Mystery Jackpot, players can often win cash and a motorcar if they hit the jackpot The casino has a popular bar that services players.Palapye has three banks namely, First National, Barclays and Standard Chartered. All major credit cards and Visa cards and FNB and Barclays ATM cards are generally accepted. See more..
Massage Envy Spa Sherwood (0 review)
Spas
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Serene Sky Adventures (0 review)
Friday: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM Parasailing & Paragliding

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The Tour Guy (0 review)
Walking Tours

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Segaigai Farm (0 review)
Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

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PhotoMashatu (0 review)
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Paint & Pottery Studios • Photography Tours

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