Botswana is situated in the Centre of Southern Africa, landlocked Botswana has Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe as its neighbours. With the exception of the eastern park where the summer rainfall is slightly higher, the Kalahari Dessert forms the majority of Botswana. This predominance of arid land makes for a remarkable phenomenon: The celebrated Okavango Delta is a wondrous wetland within a dessert, receiving its waters from rain falling over a thousand kilometres away and sustaining a huge diversity of fauna and flora. In the north –east of the country, the Chobe and Linyati reserves are renowned for their predators and large concentrations of game.
Prior to independence in 1966, Botswana was an explored land visited only by hardy adventures. Then diamonds were discovered and Botswana embarked on an innovative tourism development plan, the second largest export sector after this sought after mineral. The country’s leaders took the view that view that would employ a large percentage of its people still preserving the environment. In this way over 40% of the country has been set aside for wildlife and as a results, Botswana has all the right ingredients to be a top safari destination for the responsible traveler.
The Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of the most exclusive wilderness destinations in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the backdrop to wild Africa’s grand spectacle, presenting unparalleled wilderness experiences in a serene inland delta unlike anywhere else on Earth. A journey to the Okavango Delta – deep inside Africa’s pristine interior – is like no other, encompassing vast wetlands and expansive drylands. Visitors traverse the Delta’s meandering waterways, passing palm- and papyrus-fringed islands, thick woodland, resplendent with lush vegetation, and teeming with rich wildlife.
The largest intact inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta is situated deep within the Kalahari Basin. Fed by the Okavango River, originating in the Angolan Highlands to the north and often referred to as the ‘jewel’ of the Kalahari, the Delta comprises three main geographical areas: The Panhandle, The Delta, and Drylands.
Activities: Game drives, ride in a dug-out canoe, speed boat cruises, sundowners in the wild, relaxation in camp, dinner under the stars,Boma (around the fire setting) night experience, activities differ from camp to camp
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park lies in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and covers four distinct eco-systems. The Savuti Marsh in particular offers some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa year round. Chobe boasts around 120,000 elephants. The park’s vast herds are best seen from the water on a sundown river cruise. The best time to visit Chobe is between May and September when the weather is drier and cooler. Herds of zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe, and wildebeest congregate here at this time of year. Chobe is accessible by car which makes it a little less expensive than some of Botswana’s other parks. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available to suit all budgets. You can even rent a houseboat.
Activities: Game viewing, river cruise, fishing, boat safari, walking tours, village tours, photographic safari, bush walks
