Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas characterised by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains. The country’s primary tourist drawcard is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. These natural wonders provide a tranquil haven for an abundance of African wildlife to thrive. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains, which host a significant pride of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.
The Khwai Concession, often referred to as the Khwai Community Concession or Khwai Private Reserve, is a significant wildlife and conservation area in northern Botswana. It is located near the northeastern boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve and adjacent to the Okavango Delta, one of the world's largest inland deltas and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The concession covers approximately 1,800 square kilometers and is managed by the local Khwai community through the Khwai Development Trust. The area features diverse habitats, including riverine forests, floodplains, grasslands, and mopane woodlands.
The Khwai Concession is renowned for its abundant and diverse wildlife, making it a prime destination for safari enthusiasts. Key species include large herds of elephants, predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs, herbivores like buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and various antelope species, and over 450 bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Visitors can engage in various activities designed to provide close-up wildlife experiences and appreciation of the natural environment. These activities include day and night game drives to see nocturnal animals and predators, guided walking safaris for an intimate experience with nature and wildlife, traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions for exploration of the waterways and close encounters with aquatic life, and cultural experiences through visits to the Khwai village to learn about the local community and their way of life.
The Khwai Concession is a model of community-based conservation, where the local community directly benefits from tourism and wildlife management. The Khwai Development Trust oversees conservation efforts, ensuring sustainable use of resources and preservation of the ecosystem.
Encompassing the vast majority of Botswana territory, the sprawling wilderness of the semi-arid Kalahari Desert is characterised by endless open plains, shimmering salt pans, picturesque orange sands and relics of ancient riverbeds. In the heart of the country lies the world's second-largest game reserve, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, its magnificent expanse surpassing the size of the entire country of Belgium. The region offers some of the best wildlife viewings in Africa and is home to abundant roaming wildlife, including rhinos, black-maned lions, and desert-adapted elephants. Keen birdwatchers can spot the secretary bird, pale chanting goshawk, ostrich, black-breasted snake eagle and other species. For the culturally curious, an encounter with the San, the indigenous people who have resided in and around the area for thousands of years, is not to be missed.
