A true African success story which has gone from strength to strength since independence from Britain in 1966. After fifty years of stable democracy and sustained economic growth, Botswana today is a peaceful nation with vast areas given over to protecting its wildlife, and as such is home to some of the greatest remaining herds of wildlife on the continent.
Botswana is a land of contrasts, with the dry plains of the immense Kalahari desert brilliantly interrupted by the glittering jewel of the Okavango Delta, a mosaic of islands, floodplains and crystal-clear streams and rivers, watered by rivers which never reach the ocean but instead spread out to create a wetland so important that it was this year declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Botswana is home to immense herds of elephant, and some of the most important populations of predators such as lion and wild dog. It offers myriad unique experiences, from silently exploring the hidden channels of the Okavango in a traditional dug-out canoe or mokoro, to learning tracking skills from the San people of the Kalahari. Not to mention safari quintessential safari moments: sundowners watching elephants coming down to drink at a waterhole, or morning coffee around a camp fire with a leopard calling from a nearby tree.
Large concessions without fences allows one to experience the true wilderness of Africa – exploring these remote areas on game drives and walks whilst watching the wildlife roam freely, enjoying the incredible birdlife, learning about the traditions and cultures – with over 40% of its land set aside as wildlife areas, Botswana is a top safari destination and a true success story for eco-tourism.
