Botswana is one of the largest wildlife destinations in the world and with more than a third of the country dedicated to conservation in the form of national parks and reserves, it is one of the great wilderness areas of Africa. The country covers an area of almost 600,000 square kilometres - almost the same size as France or Texas, but has only 2 million people, compared to 67 million in France. Large areas are unoccupied by people and allow animals to move and migrate naturally, which leads to spectacular wildlife sightings in beautiful, unspoiled landscapes.
It is also a true year-round destination, and although most visitors travel during the dry season from May to October, the green season is magnificent with magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife, and the summer months longer. are the best time to see the zebra migrating between Chobe and Makgadikgadi Pans.
These are our top 5 reasons why Botswana should be at the top of your travel list after locking.
1. It is an intact Africa
After endless weeks at home, what could be better than escaping into the great outdoors of a preserved Africa? Botswana is best known for the Okavango Delta, which is the largest inland wetland in the world, comprising almost 16,000 square kilometres of lagoons, islands and canals. This large amount of water attracts a wide variety of wildlife and game viewing is exceptional, particularly during the dry season from May to October, when the floodwaters from Angola force wildlife to focus on higher ground such as Chief Island.
Botswana has always focused on low impact ecotourism, and as a result, camps in the Delta tend to be quite small (most have less than 10 tent suites) and are known for their exclusivity and service. personalized. This means that although it can be quite expensive to visit the Delta, the region is not as busy with tourists as some reserves in other countries, and it really gives those who are lucky enough to visit a taste authentic from Africa preserved at its best.
2. Mokoro trips across the Okavango Delta
A mokoro is a traditional dug canoe commonly used in the Okavango Delta and is propelled through shallow water by standing or sitting in the back and pushing with a pole in the same way as a boat. It is a gentle, calm and discreet way to experience the wilderness of Botswana's waterways, but tourists are not allowed to splash mokoros themselves as there are many crocodiles and hippos in the waters here.
A trip with an experienced guide really gives a different perspective on this fascinating landscape, and although you don't usually tackle the largest game in a mokoro, you will find that the canoe will drift silently towards birds and small animals without disturbing them.
The high water levels in most parts of the delta occur after the annual rains, so the best time for a mokoro safari is usually between May and August, although you are lucky in March and April depending rains.
3. The huge elephant population in Chobe National Park
Nestled in the far northeast of the country is Chobe National Park, covering an area of nearly 11,000 square kilometres and made up of a variety of habitats, including marshes for waterways, river forests and dry forests. Chobe has the largest population of elephants on the African continent and herds of over 200 elephants at a time can be seen on safaris and river cruises.
Spending a few nights in the Chobe region will allow you to see these magnificent animals in abundance, especially in the water, from your boat, which is a rare and magical experience. Chobe is also home to a variety of lowland game and larger wildlife.
4. Migration of Botswana zebras
While many people know about the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania, the migration of zebras in Botswana is much less known. Migration occurs between Chobe National Park, in the far north of the country, and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, about 150 miles further south.
Thousands of zebras migrate to the Makgadikgadi Pans region as the rains begin in December and January, bringing incredible transformation as normally dry salt marshes become lush with herbs rich in nutrients. The herds will remain in this area until March or April, when the rains stop and the grasses start to die, and at that time the zebra will begin the long journey back to Chobe and the edges of the Okavango Delta at looking for fresh grass again. .
During these summer months in Makgadikgadi, the zebra joins the resident herds of oryx, springbok and impala, and unsurprisingly predators such as lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah are also found in large numbers.
5. It's easy to combine Botswana and its neighbours
While there is certainly plenty to do in Botswana to fill your vacation, it is also incredibly easy to combine a week or 10 days here with time in one of the neighbouring countries.
South Africa is the main transportation hub for southern Africa, so it's likely your travel arrangements will get you there anyway. This could be a wonderful opportunity to add a few nights in beautiful Cape or the spectacular Kruger National Park to your African adventure.
The other popular combination takes advantage of the fact that the main entry point to Chobe National Park is very close to the borders with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
There are a number of houseboats that navigate the Chobe River and moor at night on the Namibian side - these offer indulgent and lazy days of gentle navigation and game viewing on the water from your view of your bed.
Alternatively, the Victoria Falls extends to the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and can be reached in one day from Chobe if you don't want to spend the night at the falls... although with the range of activities offered around the falls , a stay of a few nights would be highly recommended.
