Top Destination: Botswana
Looking for an outdoor safari destination outside the comforts of civilization? Botswana promises to offer the nature lover just that, if not more, of the outdoor safari adventures of the wild.
A landlocked country in the southern part of Africa, Botswana is essentially a world of the wild; an out of the conventional destination. For the adventurer seeking the thrill of an excursion in the iddle of a wilderness, a luxury safari camp with the wild or a game drive in some of the most scenic reserves, breath-taking Botswana is just the place to be.
It boasts of landmarks such as the Okavango Delta, the world’s biggest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kalahari Desert, as well as boasting of the largest elephant population in Africa. It is also one of the best places to view the spectacular big five, giraffes, hyena, and wild dogs, among others.
Things you need to know about Botswana:
1) Most of the sight-seeing areas of Botswana are in the heart of the wilderness, inaccessible by road, or are areas surrounded by swamps and waterways. Far from being a setback however, this only increases adventure as the opportunity then arises to traverse the waterways through traditional dugout canoes. Light aircraft transfers are also incorporated for visitors wishing to move to different locations.
2) Kalahari Desert covers about 80% of Botswana. This means that the climate there is mostly semi-arid, with rainfall occurring mainly in summer (October – February). In the dry season however (April – October) is when it is easiest to spot game.
3) The Okavango Delta, an oasis known for its abundant wildlife sightings, is created by the Okavango River that runs through the Kalahari Desert. On the banks of Okavango River is Chobe National Park, a popular tourist attraction site and home to the largest elephant population in the Africa.
4) Botswana is also home to the richest diamond mine in the world, and thus has a relatively high standard of living for a country in third-world Africa.
Things to do in Botswana:
Among the activities that could be undertaken in Botswana are:
1. AN EXCURSION ON THE OKAVANGO DELTA
Popular for a myriad of activities that you could engage in, this inland delta should probably be your first stop off on your safari. The delta is home to Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, both major tourist destinations to go for a game drive to spot the Big Five, go for powerboating and birdwatching, among other activities. The delta is also the place to spot
the endangered African wild dog, antelopes, the blue wildebeest, the Nile crocodile and the brown and spotted hyenas, among others. One can also go on a hot-air balloon safari over the delta, floating over the scenic lush oasis, with the breath-taking views topping it off.
Access to Okavango Delta is through scheduled charter flights from Maun, the country’s
tourism capital, and then via boat to the various luxury safari camps.
“Everyone needs a safari adventure at least a couple of times in their lives, and where better to go on one, than the ultimate bush safari destination, the beautiful land of Botswana!”
2. A KALAHARI DESERT TOUR
The Kalahari Desert covers most of Botswana and parts of Namibia, Angola, Zambia and South Africa as well. Its sand dunes compose the largest continuous expanse of sand on earth.
Considering that these are a few of what define the Kalahari Desert, it is definitely the place for an ideal game drive and a day in the wild safari. The Kalahari is home to a number of game reserves, among them the famous Central Kalahari Game Reserve (the world’s second largest game reserve), Khutse Game Reserve, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Go on a game drive in the Kalahari to view all three of the big African cats; the cheetah, leopard and the black-maned Kalahari lions. Other wildlife to spot is the meerkat, bat-eared foxes, the kudu, springbok, and Oryx, among others.
3. GO QUAD-BIKING ON THE SALT PANS OF THE KALAHARI BASIN
Pans on the basin forming the bed; the bed of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. Far from the dishes and bed at home that it reminds you of, the salt pans in the Kalahari are the perfect muse of nothingness one can find, on a stretch far as the eye can see. The Kalahari salt pans were once part of the great Makgadikgadi Lake which dried up thousands of years ago, and form the largest network of salt pans in the world. These pans, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nxai Salt Pans, Sowa Salt Pans and the Ntwetwe Salt Pans form an ideal landscape for quad- biking; racing into a void and nothingness, a timeless adventure arriving at nowhere.
Accommodation near the pans is in tented safari camps that give you a greater safari in the wilderness experience, and offer luxurious accommodation, with private museums, pool pavilions, shops, and relaxed sitting areas. The pans are accessed either by road, as they are
located about 160 km from Maun city, or by chartered planes, which are also convenient during wet seasons.
How to get there:
The country’s national carrier is Air Botswana that operates most domestic flights. Most visitors to Botswana would have to go through South Africa in order to get a direct flight. The country’s main airport is the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, but it is however more common for travellers to travel to Maun Airport that serves as the main gateway to the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve.
Small charter flights, usually booked through tour operators, are used to travel between parks and to get to remote areas not accessible by road, like the Okavango Delta and/or safari camps in the wilderness areas of Kalahari Desert.
Accommodation (per night)
Accommodation on this ultimate safari destination ranges from luxury safari camps to single unit lodges and B & B’s.
On average, the luxury safari camps around the safari destinations range from as low as 600$ per person sharing to 1,800$ per person sharing for lodges with modern amenities and luxury facilities. These prices are inclusive of accommodation, all meals, selective drinks and activities such as game drives, quad-biking, birdwatching and bushmen-guided walks.
A single unit lodge costs about 150$ for accommodation only, while a bed and breakfast costs an average of about 130$ per person sharing.
Prices only serve as a guideline and may be subject to change.
For the ultimate African safari, book a trip to Botswana through any of our custom made packages. Talk to us!
