Despite recent and surprisingly rapid modernization, Botswana’s cities provide little in the way of tourist attractions. However, what the cities lack in excitement, the surrounding wilderness areas more than make up for in outstanding natural beauty. The country’s primary tourist draw card is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta - the largest inland delta in the world provide a haven for an abundance of African wildlife. 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 large prides of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.
Welcome to Khwai Private Reserve, 440 000 acres bordering onto both the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. It is an innovative community based joint venture partnership that adjoins onto the world famous Okavango Delta eco-system. The Reserve was established to create a meaningful bridge between the tourism industry and local villagers, ensuring significant economic income for local communities, first world environmentally sensitive practices and a superb safari experience. The massive Khwai Private Reserve comprises of some of the most fantastically diverse habitats in northern Botswana, including riverine woodlands, floodplains, open savannah, mopane woodland, rivers and lagoons. This range of habitats results in a range of wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah and of course the eponymous sable antelope.
In the heart of Botswana’s Chobe National Park lies a dynamic wilderness, a sweeping expanse of savannah brooded over by several rocky outcrops which guard a relic marsh and the dry channel that was once its lifeline. This is Savute, where mysterious wet and dry cycles mould the landscape and dictate the nature of its wild inhabitants. Currently it is dry, and wild dogs hunt in the channel where crocodiles swam only twenty years ago. The Gubatsa Hills shelter leopard and klipspringer and rock paintings of early man’s wildlife sightings. During the arid winter months game viewing concentrates on Savute’s resident bull elephants, antelope and lion prides, and black-backed jackal, bat-eared foxes, tsessebe, and kudu, abound. The summer rains bring a feast for lion, hyena and cheetah as thousands of migrating zebra and wildebeest assemble in a chaotic pattern on the marsh. Cape buffalo herds arrive and migrant birds swell Savute’s 300 resident species, thrilling bird-watchers with their spectacular antics.
Kasane is almost part of the Chobe National Park as there are no boundary fences separating the village from the park. In fact, game such as elephant and hippo are often spotted in Kasane. If on the lookout for game in the area, pay a visit to the large, dead trees along the Sedudu Valley Road as they often act as temporary homes for leopards. These aren’t the only enticing trees in Kasane – the village is also the proud owner of an old baobab tree whose tree trunk was once a local prison. Kasane is the main town servicing Chobe and the Linyanti.
A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.
Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi river at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to walk around and makes an ideal base for travellers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or micro lights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself offers some excellent accommodation and restaurant options as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.
