5 of Botswana's Most Famous Places

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Arguably the most beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Africa, this game reserve lies in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Mopane tree canopies dominate the dry landscapes and the rest of the area is a combination of floodplain grasses, riverine woodland and permanent delta. The reserve supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and includes endangered wild dogs, herds of elephants and the ‘Big Five.’

Kubu Island

Kubu Island is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Botswana and was once described by Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson as the most astonishing place he’d ever been! It’s actually a dry granite rock island engulfed by a white sea of salt in the Makgadikgadi Pan. The island is now protected as a national monument, with visit proceeds going towards helping the local community.

Nxai Pan National park

Nearby this national park consists of Nxai Pan, which is one of the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats. Characterised by sand dunes, vast salt pans, the famous Baines baobab trees it’s a beautiful place which of course offers excellent opportunities to see bird and wildlife. Open all-year round, it’s located in northeastern Botswana so it’s easy to combine a visit with the nearby Okavango Delta and the Chobe.

Makgadikgadi Pan

Another place with an unearthly beauty is the Makgadikgadi pans, the largest salt pans in the world. Located in the middle of the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana, it’s the remains a huge lake which dried up thousands of years ago. The salt-encrusted pans are flat and arid and come complete with a skyline which appears to go on forever. Camping safaris to spot the resident zebra, wildebeest their predators are a good option for more adventurous travellers.

Okavango Delta

Arguably the most beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Africa, this game reserve lies in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Mopane tree canopies dominate the dry landscapes and the rest of the area is a combination of floodplain grasses, riverine woodland and permanent delta. The reserve supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and includes endangered wild dogs, herds of elephants and the ‘Big Five.’

Explore the Okavango Delta

Considered one of Africa's masterpieces, the Okavango Delta offers and insight into one of Africa's truly great wildernesses. A World Heritage Site, this vast and virtually untouched freshwater wetland lies at the heart for Botswana's arid Kalahari yet supports an abundance of wildlife within a setting of dazzling natural beauty!

Highlights of the Okavango Delta:
The variety of flora and fauna means excellent game viewing year round
With such a profusion of life, predators in the form of lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena and wild dog abound
Mokoro excursions offer an authentic and unobtrusive insight into this incredible wetland paradise

Okavango Delta Accommodation:

Camp Okavango
Eagle Island Lodge
Guma Lagoon Camp
Gunns Camp
Kana Kara Camp

For more accommodation please visit our website:
 www.botswana-reservations.com

Moremi Crossing, Okavango Delta

Moremi Crossing is a 16 tent camp built on a palm fringed island surrounded by the Moremi’s game-rich seasonal floodplains and overlooking Chief’s Island. Moremi Crossing is a new style safari camp combining luxury with simplicity. This is a 100% eco-friendly development featuring the latest in solar and waste disposal technology.

The Okavango Delta
The Okavango is an immense river that never meets the sea. Instead, its crystal clear waters spread across the Kalahari Desert, forming Africa’s largest wetland wonder. The Delta is an abundant oasis amid the vast plains and pans of the desert that covers most of Southern Africa. Its waterways are a mesh of meandering and intercepting channels, creating a haven for Africa’s most celebrated wildlife.

Cheetah's in Botswana

Cheetah's are found throughout the wilderness areas of Botswana - even in the arid reaches of the Kalahari.

Best places to see them:
Chitabe in the Okavango Delta, Linyanti (in particular Kwando).

Cheetah have one of the highest success rates when it comes to hunting but of all the predators they are the most likely to have the kill stolen away. They have to eat very quickly once they have killed as other predators are quickly on the scene. Vultures have been known to steal kills from Cheetah.

Personal observations of Cheetah hunts reveal varying methodsof operation. A family group of a mother and her five offspring in the Savute Marsh would often use a flanking manoeuvre during a hunt.

Two individuals would flank a herd of Antelope before revealing themselves in a half hearted chase. The prey would scatter in all directions with at least one heading in the direction where the other three were waiting in ambush.

Although Cheetah rely on speed during a chase a great deal of patience and stalking goes into a hunt. During a chase prey is knocked to the ground in mid stride after which the cheetah suffocates the prey by clamping its jaws on the victim's air pipe.
Cheetah are susceptible to competition from other predators and are the first to move away from an area when competition gets too much. The previously mentioned group of Cheetah in the Savute eventually moved out of the area when Hyenas continually stole their kills.

The Hyenas developed the habit of following the group on a hunt and when a kill was made would move in immediately and steal the food.

Okavango Delta, largest Inland Delta

Botswana’s magnificent Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, is a maze of deep lagoons, large lakes and hidden, meandering channels. 

 During the annual flood season the Delta covers a vast area of over 16 000 km² before shrinking to less than 9000 km² in the dry season. Trapped in a basin of parched Kalahari Desert sand, the freshwater oasis attracts wildlife that depends on the permanent waters of this unique environment.

For more information please contact us at

 res@botswana-reservations.com

 www.botswana-reservations.com

Shinde Camp

Nestled on a lush palm island in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta, Shinde is an intimate, classic camp located on the edge of Shinde Lagoon,  which simply teems with animal and birdlife. The camps unique main area comprises a multi-tiered dining room and lounge which is set under canvas under the shade of ebony and mangosteen trees.

The elegance and historical charm of the iconic Shinde camp has been enhanced by enlarging the eight classic safari guest tents to incorporate a spacious bathroom with a large walk in shower and luxurious fittings.

Shinde can offer both water and land activities year round. Motorboats or Mokoro provide a chance to experience the incredible bird, plant and reptile species found in the aquatic habitat of the Okavango Delta. Game drives are conducted by a personal guide in comfortable, specially designed game drive vehicles. For the more adventurous, guided walks are also available while fishing enthusiasts will enjoy fishing for a variety of species such as tilapia and tigerfish.

For more information please contact us at 

res@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Amazing Sunsets in Botswana

Sunset at Lagoon Camp

Houseboat Sunset Chobe

Sunset at San Camp Makgadikgadi Pans

Sunset over the Okavango Delta

Baines Baobabs Sunset

For more information please contact us at 

res@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Fun Facts about Botswana

The Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world, spanning 17,000km2 – an area almost the size of Wales. Okavango is often considered to be the biggest inland delta in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

None of the water in the Okavango Delta reaches the sea – the large majority of it is either evaporated or transpired, with a remaining 2% estimated to discharge into Lake Ngami.

All that remains of the once immense Makgadikgadi Lake, the Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest salt pans in the world, with an area of about 12,000km2. The area is an important habitat for meerkats, and also for wildebeest, zebra, pelicans and flamingos following periods of rain. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The border between Botswana and Zambia is, at 700m, known as the shortest border between two fully independent countries. It is a riverine border sandwiched between the Zambia-Namibia and Zambia-Zimbabwe borders, all of which run through the middle of the Zambezi River.

 

For more information please contact us at 

res@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Jao Camp in the Heart of the Okavango

 

Providing the ultimate Delta water experience in the heart of the Okavango, luxurious Jao Camp is set in an area where islands fringed with riverine forests meet vast productive floodplains. Shaded by a canopy of trees, the nine spacious and beautifully-designed tents offer en-suite facilities with indoor and outdoor showers. Expansive views from the private sala at each tent make for a sumptuous setting for afternoon siestas.

In addition to the main lounge and dining area, there are two plunge pools and a boma for dining under the stars, complemented by wines from an excellent wine cellar. Jao Camp also has a spa where a wide range of massage therapies are offered and a gym for the more active. The camp itself perfectly mirrors the beauty of the Delta and allows an effortless entry into the wonders of this pristine wetland paradise.

Jao Camp is the epitome of luxury in the most remote, scenically splendid setting, Frequently visited by wildlife, including a gregarious family of mongoose that has made Jao its home.

Jao’s Camp position, amongst waterways and lagoons, yet close to dry Kalahari woodland, means you can enjoy both water and land experiences, depending on the time of year.

For more information please contact us at

res@botswana-reservation.com
www.botswana-reservations.com

In the heart of the Okavango Delta.

The word Pelo means ‘heart’ – a fitting name as, from the air, the island on which the camp is situated is heart shaped. It is also situated pretty much as deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp is completely eco-friendly with no permanent structures and is ideal for the adventurous traveller wanting that classic, traditional Delta experience. 

The main area comprises a tented dining area and lounge situated under impressive wild date palms, jackalberry and Natal mahogany trees. There is also an outdoor boma area and a raised platform built on to an old ant hill.

five spacious guest tents have en-suite bathrooms and a covered front veranda. A zipper door separates the sleeping area from the bathroom which has a flush toilet, as well as running water in the basin. A door leads from the bathroom into an outdoor bucket shower.

Activities focus on mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) excursions in the open, shallow floodplains as well as boating and walking. No game drives take place at Pelo; the emphasis being on getting away from vehicles and the hustle of the modern world; to really feel, smell and touch Africa.

For more information please contact us at 

info@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Wildlife in Botswana

 

The Republic of Botswana is a flat, landlocked country in Southern Africa, 70% of which is covered by the Kalahari Desert. This semi-desert supports more wildlife than a true desert because it offers huge tracts of grasslands for grazing after rains. Besides desert, Botswana has deltas, rivers, grasslands, and savannas.In terms of wildlife, there is a great amount of diversity in Botswana. One of the few remaining endangered African wild dog population and one of the biggest concentrations of African elephants on the planet both call Botswana home. And, the famous Chobe National Park features four ecosystems with the largest wildlife concentration in all of Africa.

 

1.Ostrich

The world's largest living bird occurs throughout Botswana, from the wetlands of the Okavango to the arid reaches of the Central Kalahari.

 

2.Vultures

There are eight species of vulture in Africa of which five are found in Botswana namely Hooded, White-backed, Lappet-faced, White headed and Cape Griffon. Very rare sightings of the Egyptian Vulture have been recorded. Vultures are often the first to arrive at a carcass after a kill or the first to pick up a dead animal. One of the defining images of Africa is that of vultures sitting in trees waiting for a predator to finish feeding.

3. Eland

The world's largest antelope was once widespread across Africa but is now only found in protected areas. Eland herds vary in size although they are known to concentrate in numbers around food sources. There is a hierarchical system with males but unlike other antelope do not defend territories.

 

4.Hippo

The deep grunting of Hippo is one of Africa's characteristic sounds and most people who have been on an African safari will have heard the sound. Although they are grazers Hippos are blessed with massive teeth that are used in territorial fights and displays. These teeth are also used to defend territories from humans.

5. Elephant

Botswana, the Okavango Delta in particular, is where the original Elephant-back safaris started. Today the herd is almost 30 strong with a number having been released back into the wild.

 

For more information please contact us at

 info@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-rservations.com

Abundant Life At The Heart of a Desert

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a facinating and unique wildlife location. It is the worlds largest inland delta and situated in an extremely arid region attracts great concentrations of diverse animals and birds. The climate is at odds with the lush environment and plays an important role in making the Okavango Delta a fantastic safari destination.

 

Major species to be seen:
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile,  rhino 

 

Activities at the Okavango Delta:
Game viewing
Birding and boating
Scenic flight

Safaris:
Okavango Delta hosts a number of safari operators. These operators range from well known international brands to local operators and offer the full range of holiday services.

 

For more information please contact us at
info@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com