BOTSWANA

Jewel of Africa- Photo Courtesy: Kwando Safaris Mark Tenant

Botswana – “ Jewel of Africa”

Situated in the center of Southern Africa this land locked country has the largest inland freshwater delta in the world. The Okavango Delta aptly referred to as the “Jewel of the Kalahari” is practically surrounded by the Kalahari Desert. Within the Okavango Delta one finds the Moremi Game Reserve. The Kalahari Desert is still one of the last frontiers of the San tribe (bushmen). Another fascinating desert area is the Makgadikgadi Pans

North East of the Okavango delta one finds the Linyanti/Kwando region. East of this region is Savuti situated within the Chobe National Park. This park is home to the largest population of African Elephants and the best place to see them is by way of a boat cruise along the Chobe River.

Over 17% of Botswana’s land has been set aside as national park and game reserves, if one adds the conservation area’s in private hands the figure is higher.
Botswana's climate is semi-arid. Though it is hot and dry for much of the year, there is a rainy season, which runs through the summer months. Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. Often a heavy downpour may occur in one area while 10 or 15 kilometres away there is no rain at all. Showers are often followed by strong sunshine so that a good deal of the rainfall does not penetrate the ground but is lost to evaporation and transpiration.
Due to the remoteness of the camps/lodges the best way to experience Botswana is by charter plane. It must be mentioned that Maun (Gateway to the Okavango delta) and Kasane (Chobe) is connected to Johannesburg by a good tar road. Daily flights from Johannesburg with Air Botswana complete the travel picture.