Botswana, officially known as the Republic of Botswana is situated in the southern part of Africa, just above South Africa. Botswana protects some of Africa’s largest areas of wilderness. Almost 70 percent of the flatland is covered by the Kalahari Desert, and is sparsely populated. Botswana is famous for its game reserves; areas like Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Okavango Delta have very high concentration of wildlife. Okavanga delta region during rainy season is a maze of waterways, islands, and lakes.
Botswana's main airport is Sir Seretse Khama in Gaborone. Most flights into Botswana arrive from Johannesburg, South Africa. Flights from Cape Town, Harare and Nairobi are also available. Maun also has limited number of flights from Cape Town and Windhoek. Maun is pretty much a tourist attraction because of its proximity to many national parks.
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, Okavango Delta is a huge inland delta formed when the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough in the Kalahari. It is an oasis in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Also a World Heritage Site, it is a vast area of virtually untouched freshwater wetland. The delta supports an abundance of wildlife within a setting of dazzling natural beauty. Odd climatic conditions and lush environment makes the Okavango delta a fantastic safari destination.
ACCESS :The delta is accessible from Maun. You can take a flight from Gaborone to reach Maun or travel by road, Maun is about 900 kms from Gaborone. Most travelers start from Maun in their own vehicle. One can also hire a safari jeep to enter the park or go on a tour with one of the flying-safari operators.
SIZE :The delta covers an area of almost 16,000 sq km
WILDLIFE:The delta is brimming with wildlife. Almost every possible animal native to the African continent is found in the delta. That includes African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippo, Lechwe, Wilderbeests, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lions, Cheetah, Leopards, Hyenas, Rhinos, Zebra, Warthogs, and many more. The delta also has over 400 species of birds. The majority of large mammals in and around the delta are not year-round residents. They leave with the summer rains to find renewed fields of grass to graze on and trees to browse, and then make their way back as winter approaches.
ACTIVITIES:Wildlife Safaris, Boat Safaris, Canoe trips, guided island walks, flying safari.
Chobe National Park is located at the north-western part of Botswana, with Chobe River forming the park’s northern border. The park has a varied landscape with floodplains, swamps and woodland. The most accessible and frequently visited of Botswana’s national parks, Chobe riverfront is famous for its large herds of African Elephants and Cape buffalo. They converge upon the river during the dry season. Another unique feature of the park is the river cruise, the best way to experience wildlife up close.
ACCESS :The park can be accessed from the northern side by Kasane, the entrance gate lies immediately west of Kasane. It can be accessed by conventional vehicles. One can catch a flight to get to Kasane from Gaborone. Another entry point is in the south from Maun. You can take a flight from Gaborone to reach Maun or travel by road, Maun is about 900 kms from Gaborone. But due to mud and flooding you will need a high-clearance vehicle to enter the park.
SIZE :10,566 sq km
WILDLIFE:Chobe has the highest concentration of African Elephants of any park in Africa. They can be seen in a group of hundreds close to the river in the dry season. Lions, Leopards and Buffalo can also be seen in the park, and very rarely a Rhino. You can get up and close to Hippo, Crocodile and a mind-boggling array of water birds.
ACTIVITIES:Walking Safaris, Safari Boat Cruise, and Charter boat cruise.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the second largest game reserve in the world covering an extensive area of 52,800 square kilometer, most of which is quite remote and inaccessible. Not many visitors visit this huge reserve; it gives you an impression of unending space, like having the whole reserve to yourself. The Bushmen, or San, have inhabited the lands for thousands of years since they roamed the area as nomadic hunters. But since the 1990s the government has tried to relocate the Bushmen from the reserve. The reserve makes up to be one of the best places for wildlife viewing.
ACCESS :Visitors to the Central Kalahari can enter the reserve through three main points of entry, namely Khutse in the south, Xade in the west and Matswere in the northeast. The majority of the game animals are found in the northern regions of the reserve making the Matswere entrance the most popular entrance. The closest airport it Maun airport, from Maun visitors can drive to the various access points. From Maun visitors can also arrange a chartered flight into the Central Kalahari. The flight from Maun to Deception Valley takes 45 minutes.
SIZE :52,800 sq km
WILDLIFE:A variety of wildlife is found in the reserve. Cheetah, Leopard, Lions, Giraffe, Wildebeests, Hyena, ostrich and Wild Dogs are found all over the park in good numbers.
ACTIVITIES:Wildlife Safaris, Self driven wildlife safari, Horse riding game view, Rhino tracking.
Tailor-made holidays & tours for the discerning traveller
Probably the greatest wildlife spectacle on planet with over 1,245,000 wildebeest, 200,000 Burchell’s zebra, 18,000 eland and 500,000 Thomson’s Gazelle filling the entire stretch of the landscape.
Aberdare National Park and Masai Mara, internal flight included.
Enquire