BOTSWANA
Botswana is known for the water landscape of the fascinating Okavango Delta, where savannah, bush and swamps coincide. The diverse fauna and flora is a hallmark of this country and can best be experienced from a bird’s-eye view during a fly-in safari. This is also the way to gain access to the secluded islands of the inner delta as well as other exceedingly impressive areas of the country.
Why Botswana
What to expect
Okavango Delta
This unique ecosystem in the northwest of Botswana is a huge oasis in this usually rather dry region. The Okavango River offers in this delta one of the biggest and wildlife dense wetlands in Africa, therefore it is perfectly suited for safaris. Since 2014 it is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Linyanti Game Reserve
Be enchanted by the beautiful landscape of the Linyanti Game Reserve, which is situated on the eastern border of Chobe National Park. Should lady luck be on your side, you could even spot the rare African wild dog. Both here and in the Okavango Delta you could find yourself in the middle of waterways and water lilies observing hippos at a safe distance and listening to their impressive concerts.
Makgadikgadi Pan
This collection of salt pans in the northeast of Botswana spans over an area of more than 8.400 km². In the local summer this area is wet and the pans are filled with water, which offers the perfect opportunity to observe flamingos and huge herds of zebras. Furthermore there is the possibility to catch a glimpse of the rare and shy brown hyenas or to get up close and personal with meerkats. In winter when the area is dry again, there is the possibility of a different kind of safari on so called quad bikes.
Special Information
For discerning families we recommend the Zarafa Dhow Suite in the area of the Linyanti Game Reserve, which offers every thinkable comfort. Here it is customary to also observe the African wildlife directly from your terrace.
For the culturally interested it is particularly impressing to go on an excursion with the San Bushmen. This would also give you fascinating insights into their way of life, their sustainability habits as well as showing the interesting survival techniques of these hunters and gatherers.
Did you know…
Botswana has a gigantic plant kingdom to show? Many thousands species are native here, most notably the baobab tree, which can grow up to 800 years old and can also reach a massiv trunk diameter. Here you also find the sausage tree, from which Mokoros (dug-out canoes) are built. The name refers to the long, grey, sausage like fruit that hang down from branches on long flexible stems and can weigh up to 7 kg. It is therefore understandable that, according to an old African saying, the worst place to sleep would be under the sausage tree.
Insider’s Tip
My favorite place in Botswana is the Selinda Private Game Reserve. Apart from professionally guided excursions, boat trips and safaris you can also participate on a walking safari. Explore the flora and fauna from a new perspective and be mesmerised by the smaller peculiarities of this landscape. If you are fortunate, you could get very close to some of the wild animals. Being on foot, this is a most exciting experience!
Tours
In Botswana we purely arrange fly-in safaris. Should you wish a memorable experience, we may even be able to offer you a special transfer by helicopter between certain lodges you are staying at. We could most certainly also arrange a scenic helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta. As a special highlight the doors can be taken out of the helicopter, giving you the possibility to see and take photos of the wildlife and the scenery from a bird’s-eye perspective.
A stay in Botswana can ideally be combined with a visit of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Should you prefer to spend some time by the ocean at the end of your safari, we could gladly organise a stay in Mozambique for example.
We gladly send you our latest tour samples for inspiration to discuss your individual expectations and are looking forward to being your professional partner for the organisation of your travel arrangement to Africa.
ABOUT BOTSWANA
Official Name:
Republic of Botswana
Currency:
1 Pula (BWP) = 100 Thebe
Capital:
Gaborone
Total land surface:
581.730 km² (World rank 45), thereof 46% forest, 2% farmland, and 32% pasture land
Expansion:
West-East and North-South respectively 950 km
Population:
1,597 million
Official Language:
English
Largest Cities:
Gaborone (156.803), Francistown (75.678), Selebi-Pikwe (42.350), Molepolole (41.730), Kanye (34.233)
Climate:
Generally Botswana can be visited throughout the year. The best season depends on the focus for your safari. Directly after the rainy season, the dry months April to August have pleasant day temperatures but very cold nights, especially in the coldest months June and July. In the Okavango Delta the water level rises during those months and the long grass makes game viewing a bit more difficult. The dry and hot months September and October are especially good for safaris in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. The animals venture close to the camps. Most spectacular wildlife encounters happen during this time. The rainy season from November through to March is characterised by hot day temperatures accompanied by rain showers as well as high humidity. The rain showers do not occur daily, but vary regionally and are mostly quite brief. Vegetation becomes green and lush. Game viewing is best done in the Kalahari region this time of the year.
