Botswana safari | Moremi wildreservaat
Botswana is positioned between South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a country of great contrasts, which is illustrated by its semi-desert, swamp land and delta. However, these aspects don't alter the fact that no less than 17 percent of the country comprises national parks and wildlife reserves, which make Botswana Africa's most popular wildlife destination - a destination that you can tailor to be as exclusive as you like. For those in search of varied landscapes of swamps, vast expanses of water and deserts, a safari to Botswana is an absolute must.
A British journalist once wrote that if you were to compare the flatness of Botswana to the Netherlands, the Netherlands would seem like Nepal. This is of course greatly exaggerated, but it's true - Botswana is flat, extremely flat, and its soft green and beige plains are dotted with forests and rivers. The great exception to this are the Tsodilo Hills, the sacred place of the San Bushmen and one of the most important historical sites in the world for the discovery of rock carvings. Botswana looks empty from the air, but appearances are deceiving and large concentrations of wildlife occupy Botswana between the months of July and October. It is also impossible to get a good idea of the ruggedness and beauty of the nature from the air.
When he lived as a refugee in Botswana, Nelson Mandela discovered a much wilder Africa than the Africa he had known in South Africa. On one occasion he watched in stunned amazement as a lion crossed the path in front of him. It's not without reason that Botswana is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Africa. Whether you choose to visit one of the national parks, such as the Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, the salt pans of Makgadikgadi, or Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the concentrations of game you will encounter are extremely impressive. An exclusive alternative to Chobe are the private concessions of Selinda, Savute (Savuti), Kwando and Linyanti. The rain that falls in Angola is dissolved into the vastness of the Okavango Delta.
You may prefer to fly the long distances in order to maximise the time you have to spend viewing the best Africa has to offer, or you may decide to go on one of the overland safaris organized by All Over Tours across the heart of Botswana. Safaris like these involve small-scale accommodation.
A 4x4 is the most frequently enjoyed means of transport used to go on safari in Botswana. However, in some places - such as Okavango Delta - walking safaris are also possible. In addition, safaris are possible in a mokoros (a type of dug-out canoe) in the Okavango Delta, and in the Tsodilo Hills you can even go hunting with the San Bushmen.
The Scottish writer Alexander McCall Smith has put Botswana back on the map for Europeans and Americans in recent years. He wrote a series of books on the first and only detective agency in Botswana to be managed by women. McCall Smith used this opportunity to write about the Botswana that he remembered from when he taught at the university, and he makes no attempt to disguise his admiration for this young democracy in his work. This series is an absolute must for anyone who is keen to gain an impression of this exceptionally courteous population.
The Botswana government actively protects the sustainability and unspoilt quality of the countries natural treasures, keeping the masses at bay by charging high entrance fees to the country's game reserves and national parks. Consequently, no more than two thousand tourists per day will be found in any area of Botswana.
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