From the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari
Seemingly endless expanses, the wild beauty of almost untouched nature, and an impressive abundance of animals - welcome to Botswana! The landlocked country, whose name is derived from the Tswana people, lies embedded between South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia in southwest Africa.
During your Botswana safari you can look forward to beautiful landscapes such as the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta, and the largest continuous salt pans in the world, where countless wild animals live. Botswana is considered Africa's safari paradise par excellence, whether on land or water. Become an explorer and be enchanted! Less
On the national holiday, September 30, Botswana has celebrated its independence from the United Kingdom since 1966. Since the country is no longer run as a colony, the president is the head of government. On the annual President's Day, which is celebrated in July, the people of Botswana express their respect for this important office. On July 1 of each year, the day of Sir Seretse Khama is even celebrated as another Presidential Day, dedicated to the first democratically elected head of state ever. On these three holidays, you can look forward to exuberant atmosphere with traditional dances and music throughout the country.
Many camps - especially in the Okavango Delta - also offer bush walks, which are very impressive, especially in the dry season, and allow very good wildlife observations on foot. You will be accompanied by rangers who are very well trained and know when to keep your distance and when to get closer to certain animals. Did you know that the carrying of weapons is prohibited in the national parks in Botswana (even just for protection)? The senses of the rangers are therefore especially trained and alert.
The Chobe Riverfront is best known for having the highest concentration of wildlife in Botswana. Especially during the dry season, the animals crowd here close together. On the Chobe River, you can undertake numerous river safaris. Also in Momeni Game Reserve, game drives by boat are a great way to explore the beautiful landscape.
A fly-in safari in Botswana is definitely one of the most luxurious safari options. With the bush plane, you fly from camp to camp - you fly in, hence the term "fly-in." During the flights, you can get a bird's eye view of elephants, buffalo, or hippos. A flight over the Okavango Delta is especially impressive, as you get an excellent view of the branched canal system and the abundance of water in the region from the plane.
A flight in a hot-air balloon is also a very special experience. Get to know, for example, the Okavango Delta with its ramified rivers, lagoons, islands, and water points from a new perspective and enjoy the absolute silence. Less
Shortly after Botswana's independence, Chobe National Park was founded in 1967 as the country's first national park. Since 1975, no people have lived in the park, which is now over 100 square meters in size. Chobe is the home of many herds of elephants. But also lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, and greyhounds call the park their home. Likewise, you can observe zebras, giraffes, hippos, and warthogs as well as different kinds of antelopes during your deerstalking journeys and hikes with some luck. The Chobe River, which gives the park its name, meanders through the entire park, inviting you to exciting boat trips. Best time to travel: dry season from April to October.
The Okavango Delta awaits you in the north of Botswana with an incomparable natural beauty. It is not for nothing that it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Geographically it belongs to the Kalahari Basin and is therefore also called the jewel of the Kalahari. The life-giving labyrinth of rivers, lakes, and lagoons is home to the Big Five, i.e., lion, rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard, and elephant, as well as all kinds of antelopes, reptiles, and about 400 bird species. Explore the area with a traditional dugout canoe, a mokoro, or go on game drives with our experienced guides. A very special experience awaits you when you get to know the area from a bird's eye view during a sightseeing flight in a small airplane or a hot-air balloon. Best time to visit: dry season from April to October.
Near the Okavango Delta is also the Tsodilo Hills. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also called the Louvre of the Desert, because more than 4,500 rock paintings adorn the hills, which are considered sacred by the locals. Various circular trails lead through the 10 square kilometers of the area and invite you to go hiking. Best time to travel: dry season from April to October.
Botswana's oldest nature reserve, the Moremi Game Reserve, is located in the heart of the Okavango Delta and makes up about one-third of its area. In the 19th century, the wildlife was decimated by a plague and, as soon as the animal world had recovered, uncontrolled poaching led to a further decline. The widow of tribal leader Moremi III declared the first parts of this region a nature reserve. Today you can look forward to all kinds of African wildlife here again. Best time to travel: dry months from April to October - from June to August unique animal sightings are guaranteed! Less
TourlaneCare