Botswana
Welcome to this wildlife haven of desert & delta.
In the heart of Southern Africa is a peaceful land with a profusion of wildlife that is unexploited and unexplored. Adventure abounds.
On the extreme Northeast corner of Botswana lies the Chobe Reserve, Linyanti, Savuti and Selinda Spillway teaming with some of the densest concentrations of elephant, lion and zebra of anywhere in Africa, with its huge herds of Elephants, migrating Buffalo, where zebra and wildebeest abound, along with ever present predators.
The mysterious waters of the Okavango Delta is a great floodplain fed by the Okavango River rising in the Angolan Highlands and emptying into Botswanas’ vast delta. Glide thru these crystalline waters in mokoro canoes to experience the profusions of bird, fish and game with some of the best safari experiences on the continent.
The harsh wilderness of the Kalahari and wild vast saltpans of the Makgadikgadi & Nxai is semi desert covering much of the land area of Botswana and an intrepid wilderness isolated and raw. Dazzling white saltpans under baobab trees with stretches of savannah hosts plentiful game with the indelible imprint of the original San inhabitants, some of whom still live in the desert today.
Demarcating the southeastern border, the Tuli Block forms a fascinating frontier to arouse the explorer with curious geographical features where private game reserves in the ‘Land of Giants’ dot the landscape with abundant game.
Sample Itineraries:
Key Facts
Geography
Roughly the size of France, covering 581,730 sq km., its neighbors are South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The country is 80% covered by the Kalahari, based on sand, though much of the area is grassed, scrub or lightly forested.
Currency
The Pula is divided into 100 Thebes. Notes are P100, P50, P10 and P5. Coins are P5 or less.
Entry Requirments
A valid passport which is good for at least 6 months after arrival is required. Visitors from the European Union, most Commonwealth Countries and the USA do not require visas.
Health
Malaria is a serious problem especially in the north of the country. Get medical advice on what Malarial tablets to take before leaving home. Blharizia is endemic and swimming in untreated water is dangerous. Tick bite fever can be a problem when walking in grass. Travellers should be aware that the incidence of AIDS is high throughout southern Africa including Botswana. Bottled water is suggested for drinking. All immunization against tetanus, typhoid and yellow fever should be completed before departure to Botswana.
Climate & Best Time to Travel
Autumn and winter (April through August) are good times to visit Botswana, as the days are pleasant and the wildlife never wanders far from water sources. The summer season begins in November and ends in March with higher temperatures and it is also the rainy season. The winter season begins in May and ends in August. This is also the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas, especially in the southwest.
The in-between periods - April/early May and September/October - still tend to be dry, but the days are cooler than in summer and the nights are warmer than in winter.
Electricity
A valid passport which is good for at least 6 months after arrival is required. Visitors from the European Union, most Commonwealth Countries and the USA do not require visas.