Botswana

Botswana is a landlocked country roughly the size of France, but hosts a population of just 2 million people. With 45% of the country set aside for wildlife areas, Botswana’s well-run government has placed huge emphasis on preserving the nation’s rich natural spoils and promoting low impact tourism.

Although the country is mostly covered by the sands of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta in the north is one of the world’s great natural wonders. The channels and floodplains of this massive inland delta are filled with crystal clear water during the southern hemisphere winter, flowing into the delta from rainfall in the highlands of Angola. The delta boasts wet and dry parts, providing a unique mix of water and land-based safari activities, and an exceptional variety of game, including most of Africa’s iconic mammals, 400 species of birds and 71 fish species.

In the middle of the dry savannah in north-eastern Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans are amongst the largest salt flats in the world. Following good rains, the pans are transformed into flat lakes that attract big game and hundreds of thousands of flamingos.

Safari for Real’s Botswana itineraries encompass these and other spectacular destinations such as the Linyanti Swamps and the Savuti Channel.

Must-Sees

The Okavango Delta, where you can enjoy boat cruises and traditional mokoro trips along the palm tree and papyrus fringed channels, game drives through the lush savannah and spectacular game viewing.

Kalahari Desert landscapes, meerkat interactions, walks with the San bushmen and special surprises at Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi.
Day and night game drives, boat trips and high concentrations of game (particularly elephants, wild dogs, hippos and crocodiles) in the Linyanti Swamps and Savuti.

Victoria Falls, although not in Botswana, is often also a popular extension to a Botswana safari.