Botswana

There are few countries in Africa that can compete with Botswana for safari exclusivity and luxury, as well as abundant wildlife and diverse landscapes. With a population of roughly 2 million, the country is slightly larger than France and slightly smaller than Texas, yet 40% of its land is dedicated to parks and wildlife.

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Botswana’s government has prescribed a high income, low volume, low impact, ecotourism policy meaning fewer tourists and better protected natural wildernesses. In addition, they have dedicated their army to anti-poaching; one of the reasons the country is a haven for wildlife. In wilderness areas like the depths of the Okavango Delta and it’s surrounds, not only are the safari camps and lodges more ecologically minded and more symbiotic with their environment, but their owner’s efforts and the government’s policies are helping to preserve the country.

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Botswana is a great destination for a safari due to its unique landscapes and abundance of wildlife. The Okavango Delta is a 6,177 square mile wetland wilderness in northern Botswana. This is one of the largest inland deltas in the world teeming with wildlife, and with its floodplains, waterways, and ilala palms, offers a unique safari experience unlike any other in Africa. Moremi Game Reserve, adjacent to the Delta, is known for its leopard sightings.

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The best known and most frequented part of Chobe National Park is the Chobe Waterfront in the northern area of the park. High, tropical trees offer shade to numerous animals. In the Linyanti region “swampy” areas are found – this “little Okavango Delta” is known for its remoteness and more exclusive tourism. The area around Savute is famous for its elephant hunting lion prides. During the dry season the wildlife is forced to come to the watering holes, thus guaranteeing excellent game viewing. Chobe is home to around 130,000 elephants.

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Makgadikgadi Pans for those who prefer solitude and silence, this is paradise, as even during the high season people are scarce here. The pans are surrounded by open grasslands, which attract the largest zebra migration after Tanzania. During the rainy season from December to March, large herds of zebras, oryx, wildebeests, impalas and springbuck roam the northern part of the Nxai Pan National Park. They then trek south into the Makgadikgadi National Park where they feed on green pastures and make use of the many small water holes from June to November.

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Botswana’s approach to tourism contributes to its appeal as a safari destination. Tourism is regulated through private concessions in the Okavango Delta, which ensures that each concession accommodates only a handful of bush camps and there are strict regulations enforced regarding the type of structures permitted and the number of people who can stay in one area. This results in a better experience for tourists and less disturbance to wildlife.

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The country is also famous for its diamonds. As of 2023, Botswana is the world’s largest producer of diamonds by value and second largest producer of diamonds by volume. Some of the world’s largest diamonds have been found here.

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