Botswana is a beautiful country located in Southern Africa. It is known for its diverse wildlife, national parks, and stunning natural landscapes. Botswana has a rich culture and history that dates back thousands of years. From the San bushmen that inhabited the region in ancient times to the establishment of the British protectorate of Bechuanaland in 1885 which later became the modern Republic of Botswana in 1966, this country has gone through major transformations. Botswana may be geographically landlocked but its people have an open and welcoming spirit. The national motto “Unity, Progress, Self-Reliance” accurately captures the strength and pride of this nation.
Exploring interesting facts and stories about Botswana through riddles can be an entertaining way to learn more about this fascinating country. Below are 58 riddles about Botswana covering various topics such as geography, wildlife, culture, history and more. Each riddle contains clever clues leading to the correct answer. Take the challenge and see how many you can get right!
Geography Riddles
1. I’m a desert that covers much of Botswana, comprised of salt pans and grasslands, What am I?
Answer:
The Kalahari Desert
2. We are Botswana’s main rivers, providing water for people, crops and animals. Our names are the Limpopo, Notwane, and Okavango. What are we?
Answer:
The main rivers of Botswana
3. I’m a 15,000 year old basin in Northern Botswana, known for my vast salt pans and diverse wildlife, especially migratory birds. What landmark am I?
Answer:
The Makgadikgadi Pan
4. Located between Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, I’m the native language of Botswana. Those who speak me are called Batswana. What language am I?
Answer:
Setswana
5. We’re the currency of Botswana with coins called thetana and banknotes called maloti. The ISO code for us is BWP. What are we?
Answer:
Botswana Pula
Wildlife Riddles
6. With large ears and long tusks, I’m the largest land mammal on earth and can be found roaming Botswana. Who am I?
Answer:
The African Elephant
7. I’m the fastest land animal, running at up to 75 mph. My tall, lean body is built for speed. You’ll find me racing across the grasslands of Botswana. What am I?
Answer:
The cheetah
8. I’m one of the “Big Five” animals hunted on safari. I’m very large with distinctive horns and I travel in herds. You can spot me in Chobe National Park. What animal am I?
Answer:
The African buffalo
9. With stripes, claws and a muscular build, I rule the animal kingdom in Botswana. My powerful roar can be heard up to 5 miles away. What fierce feline am I?
Answer:
The lion
10. I have a long trunk, two large ears, ivory tusks and wrinkly gray skin. I’m a gentle giant and the world’s largest land animal. What am I?
Answer:
The African elephant
11. Known for our black and white stripes, my herd and I migrate across the Chobe River in Botswana, an incredible sight to behold. What animal are we?
Answer:
Zebras
12. I’m the national animal of Botswana, known for my humps that store fat, and my ability to thrive in the harsh Kalahari desert. What hardy animal am I?
Answer:
The camel
Culture Riddles
13. I’m a traditional dance of Botswana performed by women during cultural celebrations. I involve coordinated rhythmic movements and fancy footwork, usually accompanied by song. What dance am I?
Answer:
Setapa dance
14. We’re one of the smallest groups of indigenous people in Botswana, known for our unique click language. Many of us still embrace our traditional hunter-gatherer way of life. Who are we?
Answer:
The San Bushmen
15. I’m the main traditional dwelling of the Batswana people, circular in shape with thatched roofs and made of sticks, mud and cow dung. What type of hut am I?
Answer:
Rondavel
16. Regarded as a delicacy in Botswana, I’m a caterpillar that’s harvested, dried and eaten as a tasty source of protein. What worm am I?
Answer:
Mopane worm
17. I’m a traditional blanket worn by the Basotho people of Botswana, featuring colorful geometric designs. I’m often given as a gift at important ceremonies. What am I called?
Answer:
Seana Marena
History Riddles
18. I’m a period of time when this area was ruled by the British Empire as a protectorate before becoming a sovereign state in 1966. What era am I describing?
Answer:
British colonial rule / Bechuanaland Protectorate era
19. I’m an ancient San rock painting site in Tsodilo Hills, showing art and culture dating back over 24,000 years. What UNESCO World Heritage Site am I?
Answer:
Tsodilo Hills
20. We’re an indigenous cattle herding tribe that has long occupied Botswana and established the Botswana Democratic Party in 1962. Who are we?
Answer:
The Tswana people
21. I’m often called the “Father of Botswana” for leading the country to independence in 1966 and serving as its first President. Who am I?
Answer:
Seretse Khama
22. I’m a diamond mine located in Botswana that is the world’s largest producer of diamonds by value. Many consider me to be the most significant diamond mine in the world. What am I?
Answer:
Jwaneng mine
Miscellaneous Botswana Riddles
23. Built in 1897 during colonial times, I’m a major railway hub connecting Botswana to neighboring countries. What city am I?
Answer:
Francistown
24. I’m the longest river located entirely within Botswana, traversing the country from northeast to southwest before joining the Limpopo. What river am I?
Answer:
Shashe River
25. Located near Boteti River, I’m the site of a fascinating natural wildlife phenomenon when zebras and wildebeests migrate across the salty Makgadikgadi Pans. What is my name?
Answer:
Nxai Pan National Park
26. Home to hippos, crocodiles, and a myriad of birds, I’m one of the world’s largest inland deltas and an important wetland ecosystem in Botswana. What am I?
Answer:
Okavango Delta
27. With a nickname meaning “smoke that thunders”, I’m a massive waterfall on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and a popular tourist attraction near Botswana. What am I?
Answer:
Victoria Falls / Mosi-oa-Tunya
28. I’m an annual 2-day music festival held around Easter in the city of Gaborone, featuring local and international artists across multiple stages. What’s my name?
Answer:
The Gaborone International Music and Culture Week Festival
29. I’m the driest region of Botswana, comprised of the Kalahari Desert and grasslands ideal for cattle ranching. I’m known for traditional villages, crafts and safaris. What region am I?
Answer:
The Kgalagadi
30. Home to abundant wildlife like lions, elephants, and Cape buffalo, I’m Botswana’s largest game reserve located in the Okavango Delta. What park am I?
Answer:
Moremi Game Reserve
Food and Drink Riddles
31. A staple crop in Botswana, I’m a nutritious grain used to make products like mealie pap and malt beer. Maize is another name for me. What am I?
Answer:
Corn
32. A popular street food in Botswana, I’m meat roasted over an open fire until crispy and served with pap or chakalaka relish. What BBQ delicacy am I?
Answer:
Braai (or barbecue) meat
33. I’m a traditional home-brewed beer made from sorghum or maize, commonly consumed at celebratory events in Botswana. What type of beer am I?
Answer:
Chibuku/umqombothi
34. A staple porridge in Botswana cuisine, I’m made from ground corn/maize and boiled into a thick consistency. Locals often eat me for breakfast. What am I called?
Answer:
Mealie pap
35. I’m a calabash gourd used to serve traditional fermented milk, considered a delicacy in Botswana. What am I?
Answer:
Motogo
36. A refreshing non-alcoholic drink popular in Botswana, I’m made by boiling the bark of the monkey orange tree and adding sugar. What beverage am I?
Answer:
Mafura
37. I’m a stew commonly eaten in Botswana, made with onions, tomatoes, beans or peas, and meat like beef or chicken. What dish am I?
Answer:
Seswaa
38. A type of dried, salted meat that is an important food source in Botswana, especially on long trips. I’m often made from game animals. What am I called?
Answer:
Biltong
39. I’m a crispy deep-fried dough snack sold by street vendors in Botswana. Some say I’m similar to a dumpling. What’s my name?
Answer:
Magwinya / vetkoek
Geography Riddles Part 2
40. I’m the capital and largest city of Botswana, known as the governmental and economic center of the country. What city am I?
Answer:
Gaborone
41. Located in the Tuli Block region, I’m a village in Botswana best known for my namesake nature reserve, home to hyenas, lions, elephants, and more. What am I?
Answer:
Mashatu
42. I’m a village located near the confluence of the Shashe and Tati rivers. I’m an important archaeological site in Botswana, with ancient stonewall settlements. What village am I?
Answer:
Toutswe
43. Home to hippos, antelope, and over 400 bird species, I’m one of Botswana’s most famous national parks located in the Okavango Delta. What park am I?
Answer:
Chobe National Park
44. Along with Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Angola I’m one of the five nations that shares access to the famous Victoria Falls. What country am I?
Answer:
Botswana
45. Forming part of Botswana’s eastern border, I’m a major river that flows through 6 countries in Southern Africa. What river am I?
Answer:
Limpopo River
Sports Riddles
46. I’m the national summer sport of Botswana played barefoot with a molded disc called a ketshe. What sport am I?
Answer:
Diketo/ketshe
47. Played in Botswana since the 19th century, I’m a traditional sport similar to cricket but using a ball carved of wood, not leather. What sport am I?
Answer:
Morabaraba
48. I’m a popular local sport in Botswana that involves two players, each with six pitted stones, that they move around holes etched into the ground. What game am I?
Answer:
Dibeke/omantsho
49. I’m the national football (soccer) team of Botswana that competes in international tournaments and qualifications. What team am I?
Answer:
The Botswana national football team / Zebras
50. As a national sport of Botswana, I’m a traditional bare-knuckle fist fighting competition to display strength and bravery. What am I called?
Answer:
Ditshwanelo/morulaganyi
Famous Landmarks Riddles
51. I’m a nature park spanning across Northern Botswana known for the otherworldly saltpans and grasslands of the Makgadikgadi Pan. What park am I?
Answer:
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
52. Known as the “smoke that thunders”, I’m a massive waterfall on the Zambezi River and one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Africa. What landmark am I?
Answer:
Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-Tunya
53. Located northeast of the Okavango Delta, I’m an island surrounded by rivers and lagoons that is one of Botswana’s premier wildlife destinations. What place am I?
Answer:
Chief’s Island
54. High above Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans, I’m a flat-topped hill that was once a prehistoric lake shore and now has archaeological and ecological importance. What landmark am I?
Answer:
Kubu Island
55. Known as the “Lost City of the Kalahari”, I’m an ancient ruined city built around a natural rock citadel in southern Botswana. Who am I?
Answer:
Great Zimbabwe
56. Located in the Tuli Block of eastern Botswana, I’m a privately owned nature reserve spanning 70,000 acres and home to all major African wildlife species. What am I called?
Answer:
Mashatu Game Reserve
Miscellaneous Riddles
57. I’m the national tree of Botswana, drought-resistant and bearing sweet, edible yellow flowers. What type of tree am I?
Answer:
The camel thorn tree
58. A common last name in Botswana, I mean “people of men” and is the name of Botswana’s main ethnic group. What surname am I?
Answer:
Batswana
