Teeing Off Amid the Wild: Golf and Safari Adventures in Botswana and Beyond
All Square 4min read •
16 Jul
For those who crave the call of the wild but also find peace in the swing of a golf club, Botswana offers a rare fusion of untamed beauty and refined leisure. Known for its pristine wilderness, abundant wildlife, and commitment to low-impact, high-quality tourism, Botswana is fast becoming an unexpected gem for golfers seeking an African adventure like no other.
A Golfing Landscape with a Wild Heart
While Botswana isn’t widely known as a traditional golf destination, it has quietly nurtured a handful of remarkable courses that sit in or near some of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. Gaborone, the capital city, is home to the country’s main golfing venues. The Gaborone Golf Club, founded in 1951, offers a scenic 18-hole course just minutes from the city center. With its tree-lined fairways and views of the Kgale Hills, the course provides a tranquil contrast to the urban bustle and is a popular gathering spot for both local and visiting players.
Another standout is the Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort, located just 15 km from downtown Gaborone. This 18-hole championship course is surrounded by upscale accommodations, a driving range, and a clubhouse with panoramic views. Designed to international standards, the course provides an oasis for golfers, complete with zebra and antelope sightings along its fairways — a subtle reminder that Botswana’s wilderness is never far away.
The Ultimate Pairing: Golf and Safari
What truly sets Botswana apart is the opportunity to pair your time on the green with the unparalleled thrill of a safari. Within a short flight or drive from Gaborone, golfers can immerse themselves in the raw majesty of Africa’s best wildlife reserves.
Start with Chobe National Park in the northeast, renowned for hosting one of the largest concentrations of elephants on the continent. Take a break from your scorecard and embark on a river cruise along the Chobe River, where hippos, crocodiles, and herds of elephants gather at the water’s edge.
Further west lies the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic safari destinations in the world. Here, you can swap golf carts for mokoro canoes and glide silently through the reeds while tracking lions, leopards, and rare birdlife. Luxury safari lodges like Abu Camp and Sanctuary Chief’s Camp offer a blend of world-class hospitality and intimate wildlife experiences, making them ideal extensions to a golf holiday.
Regional Gems: South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia
Botswana’s central location also makes it an ideal launchpad for regional golf and safari adventures. A short hop south takes you to South Africa, arguably the continent’s golf capital. Courses such as Leopard Creek, adjacent to Kruger National Park, allow players to enjoy immaculate greens with the potential to spot buffalo or giraffes just beyond the rough. Johannesburg and Cape Town, meanwhile, offer a vibrant mix of championship golf, fine dining, and urban exploration.
To the west, Namibia surprises with its lunar-like landscapes and a few hidden golf treasures, such as the Rossmund Golf Course near Swakopmund — one of the world’s only desert courses that remains green year-round. Namibia’s safari options are less dense but equally unique, with chances to see desert-adapted elephants and the eerie shipwreck coastlines of the Skeleton Coast.
Meanwhile, to the north, Zambia beckons with natural wonders like Victoria Falls and the Elephant Hills Golf Club, situated just across the Zambezi River in neighbouring Zimbabwe. Here, it’s not uncommon for warthogs and monkeys to roam the fairways, adding a wild twist to your game.
Luxury Travel Meets Wild Africa
What makes this combination of golf and safari so irresistible is the seamless blend of luxury and adventure. Botswana is home to some of the most exclusive lodges and tented camps in Africa, many of which cater to high-end travellers looking for comfort without compromising the authenticity of the experience. Helicopter transfers between safari camps, private guides, curated wine cellars, and spa treatments under the stars are not just extras — they’re part of the norm.
Travellers can even arrange bespoke itineraries that combine multiple rounds of golf with photographic safaris, cultural experiences with the San people, and scenic flights over the delta. Tour operators increasingly recognise the appeal of this niche travel experience, offering packages that include everything from green fees to game drives.
A Golf Safari Like No Other
Botswana may not yet rival the likes of Scotland or South Africa in golfing fame, but what it offers is arguably far more profound: a chance to play the game you love in a setting that stirs the soul. Whether teeing off under an acacia tree or watching a herd of elephants on your way to the 18th hole, this is golf in Africa — raw, beautiful, and unforgettable.
