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Botswana was a British Protectorate named Bechuanaland until 1966 – having been administered as such since 1885. At the time of independence it was one of the poorest countries in the world and if the truth be told, the British were glad to be rid of it! However, the discovery of diamonds a year later catapulted the young Republic into the spotlight and it now stands proudly as the world’s biggest producer of gem-quality diamonds.

The country is also a shining example of stable governance, possibly assisted by the fact that the total population of less than 2 million is very much homogenous, with most of the people being of Bantu origin, having migrated into present day northern Botswana from Zambia during the 1750s.

Tourism to Botswana suffered as a result of South Africa’s isolation during the apartheid era because Johannesburg is the regional hub for international flights, and as such the industry is still very much within its infancy.

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Attractions in Botswana

Wildlife

Botswana is essentially a semi-arid country but is blessed with a wide diversity of animal species. The country is often punted as one of the last great wilderness areas of Africa and with very few people and vast areas dedicated to wildlife, this is certainly the case!

The northern areas are home to the largest contiguous elephant population on the continent and predator populations are also healthy – including the highly endangered African Wild Dog.

Black and white rhino have been reintroduced to the northern Okavango Delta (although they are still rarely seen) and this enormous wetland area is also one of the most important bird areas in southern Africa.

The premier game-viewing areas are the central Okavango Delta (including Moremi Game Reserve), Chobe National Park (including Linyanti, Selinda and Savuti), Nxai Pan National Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Cultural

This form of tourism has, until very recently, been under-developed.

Tours to the Capital to take in local cultural hot-spots (thanks to exposure in the best-selling book series ‘Ladies No1 Detective Agency’) and some rural villages in the north of the country are now becoming part of itineraries to remote areas (mostly overland safaris) but are, for the time being, not close enough to remote wilderness camps to be readily accessed.

*Note – Botswana, as with most of southern Africa, does not generally have the ‘tribal village scene’ (some genuine and some contrived) that is very much part of a safari to parts of Kenya and Tanzania, with most rural folk being quite westernised with no ‘traditional clothing’, etc. so it is best NOT to come with glamorised ideas for such a visit!

Scenic

Botswana is a remarkably flat country with very few topographical features of note (from a photography perspective) and lacks beaches and diverse landscapes and is, as such, NOT a landscape photography destination.

It does, however, have wonderful water landscapes in the Okavango Delta and some of the desert landscapes and riverfront in the north can offer some rewarding photographic opportunities, especially when large clouds build up during the summer months.

What we consider to be HIGHLIGHTS of a visit to Botswana

• Okavango Delta anytime outside of the peak flood season because of the limited traverse available at this time (rather visit September – May)
• Chobe waterfront in September and October
• Zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi Pans (April – May)
• Exploring the Makgadikgadi Pans on a quad-bike (winter only)
• Spending time with the meerkats (suricates) in the Makgadikgadi
• Open space and solitude of the Central Kalahari
• Helicopter flight with doors off over the Okavango Delta

Best Seasons to Travel to Botswana

Any time of year. Rain season is from November to April but this does not have a negative bearing on tourism.

Contrary to popular belief, the rain does not fall incessantly for days but usually takes the form of a thundershower in the afternoon or evening that is over within an hour.

OUR FAVOURITE MONTHS
Okavango Delta: September – Januar
Rest of country: May – November

Safari Areas in Botswana

• Okavango Delta / Moremi Game Reserve
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Mombo Camp, Chief’s Camp, Kwando Kwara and Little Kwara

• Chobe National Park
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Chobe: Chobe Chilwero, Zambezi Queen
  Linyanti / Savuti: Kwando Lebala, Kings Pool, Savuti Camp

• Selinda
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Zarafa Camp, Selinda Camp

• Makgadikgadi Pans
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Jack’s Camp

• Central Kalahari Game Reserve
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Kalahari Plains, Tau Pan Camp

FastFacts

• Capital: Gaberone
• Population: 1.8 million
• Government: Multi-party democracy
• Head of State: President Ian Khama
• Length of term: 5 years
• Maximum terms: 2
• Currency: Pula (meaning ‘rain’), divided into 100 thebe
• Exchange rate: USD 1 : P 6.5
• Dominant religion: Christianity
• Major Industries: Diamonds, beef, tourism
• Literacy: 83%
• Urbanisation: 60%