Botswana

Snaking its way mysteriously through a large clice of Botswana is the legendary inland waterway, the Okavango Delta, an area of indescribable natural beauty, beyond, imagining. Millions of litres of water reach this part of the Kalahari Desert, enriching a habitat that is mind-blowing in the number of diverse species of mammal, fish and bird life that it supports. For visitors, a light aircraft flight over the Delta is not only scenically arresting, awe-inspiring for game tracking and viewing but in certain cases, the single means of reaching the remote camps. Some capes are water based, others offer both wet and dry game viewing so a slow meander through the watery corridors in a traditional canoe or mokoro, is balanced against the open safari vehicle, land-based game viewing experience.

The Delta may be Botswana’s best known asset but the country boasts two of Africa’s finest game reserves: Moremi, famous for its vasts herds of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and antelope; and up north, Chobe with a reputation for the highest concentration of elephants worldwide. In Chobe, a sunset cruise is a thrilling end to a day as hundreds of dusty elephants jostle at the river’s edge to quench their thirst.

Within Chobe lies the Linyanti Region where, in the dry season, the concentration of game makes it possible to witness huge numbers of buffalo in their thousands, followed by sizeable prides of lion. The Savuti Channel is a unique part of Chobe and was once home to the legendary Bushmen and their legacy of native paintings is still visible centuries later.

The Makgadikgadi salt pans of the Kalahari in the south of Botswana also lay claim to wonderfully preserved Bushman artwork. Game viewing in this remote region is the complete opposite to the lush water ways and grasslands of the Delta. Here, sand dunes and vast dry pans are best enjoyed by quad bike.

Location

Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. To the south is the Republic of South Africa, to the north and west is Namibia and to the east is Zimbabwe. At Kazungula, four countries - Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia - meet at a single point mid-stream in the Zambezi River. The Kalahari Desert stretches west of the eastern hardveld, covering 84% of the country. The Kalahari extends far beyond Botswana's western borders, covering substantial parts of South Africa, Namibia and Angola. In the north-west, the Okavango River flows in from the highlands of Angola and soaks into the sands, forming the 15,000 sq. km network of water channels, lagoons, swamps and islands. The Okavango is the largest inland delta system in the world a bit smaller than Isreal or half of Switzerland.

Highlights

Botswana attracts visitors for the outstanding game view opporunities and some of the highlights of this country are:

- Watch thousands of elephants converge on the Chobe River
- See Wild Dogs while game view in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve
- See lions in abundance at Savuti
- View prolific birdlife in the world renowned Okovango Delta whilst being gently poled along in a mokoro
- Go on a game / nature walk in the delta

Currency

The currency of Botswana is the Pula and is subdivided into 100 thebe. In Setswana, the word Pula means rain. As rain is scarce in Botswana, it is considered valuable. The Pula is also considered to be one of the strongest currencies in Africa. Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club, are accepted widely. Most hotels and lodges accept foreign currency or travellers' cheques.

Visas

British passport holders can normally gain entry to Botswana as a tourist without a visa. Full details and requirements can be discussed when you make your travel enquiry.

Remember, the traveler is solely responsible for ensuring they have the valid travel documents to gain entry to any country they travel to.

Power

There are generally two types of plug socket in Botswana. One of the types is identical to the UK standard of two flat parallel pins with a ground pin. The other type is the three round pins arranged in a triangle