Botswana is well known for having some of the best wilderness and wildlife areas on the African continent. With almost 40% of its land area devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas you can travel through many parts of the country has the feeling of moving through an immense Nature wonderland. The first – and most lasting impressions – will be of vast expanses of uninhabited wilderness stretching from horizon to horizon, the sensation of limitless space, astoundingly rich wildlife and bird viewing, night skies littered with stars and heavenly bodies of an unimaginable brilliance, and stunning sunsets of unearthly beauty. Experience here the stunning beauty of the world’s largest intact inland Delta – the Okavango; the unimaginable vastness of the world’s second largest game reserve – the Central Kalahari Game Reserve; the isolation and other-worldliness of the Makgadikgadi – uninhabited pans the size of Portugal; and the astoundingly prolific wildlife of the Chobe National Park. Botswana is the last stronghold for a number of endangered bird and mammal species, making your safari experience even more memorable, and at times you will feel simply surrounded by wild animals.
The amazing foresight of Chief Moremi created one of the world's most famous reserves, conserving part of the Okavango Delta and the plains to its east. The reserve covers more than 4871 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and thick forest. This diversity supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, and lion, cheetah and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on the Botswana national bird list.
As previously described
Lying in the middle of the largest expanse of sand on earth the Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most amazing, sensitive and complex environments supporting a spectacle of wilderness and wildlife. Unique as one of the world’s few inland deltas, the placid waters and lush indigenous forests offer a safe haven for innumerable bird and wildlife species. The Okavango Delta offers a number of activities for the visitor; game viewing, birding and fishing are all on offer. One can experience this magical world of islands and waterways from land, air and water. Highlights include the elusive Sitatunga antelope which has found refuge in this pristine wetland ecosystem, while birds such as the African fish eagle, Pel's fishing owl and many others provide a spectacular display.
Botswana is well known for having some of the best wilderness and wildlife areas on the African continent. With almost 40% of its land area devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas you can travel through many parts of the country has the feeling of moving through an immense Nature wonderland. The first – and most lasting impressions – will be of vast expanses of uninhabited wilderness stretching from horizon to horizon, the sensation of limitless space, astoundingly rich wildlife and bird viewing, night skies littered with stars and heavenly bodies of an unimaginable brilliance, and stunning sunsets of unearthly beauty. Experience here the stunning beauty of the world’s largest intact inland Delta – the Okavango; the unimaginable vastness of the world’s second largest game reserve – the Central Kalahari Game Reserve; the isolation and other-worldliness of the Makgadikgadi – uninhabited pans the size of Portugal; and the astoundingly prolific wildlife of the Chobe National Park. Botswana is the last stronghold for a number of endangered bird and mammal species, making your safari experience even more memorable, and at times you will feel simply surrounded by wild animals.
As previously described
Situated in the northwestern area of the Okavango Delta, the Panhandle is a stretch of the Okavango River that follows a more-or-less straight course for approximately 70 kilometres before entering the wetlands. This deep channel serves as the main water source feeding the delta and offers excellent tiger and bream fishing, while the surrounding woodlands and the river’s shallow waters teem with a myriad of birds. The Okavango Panhandle is dotted with several villages and serves as a gateway to the scenic Tsodilo Hills, some 40 kilometres west, with their various tribal cave paintings, some dating back as far as 20 000 years. Visitors can enjoy excellent fishing, first-class birding, boating on the Okavango River and game viewing in the Mahangu National Park.
The Linyanti River forms the Northern border of Botswana with Namibia. The entire frontage comprises Wildlife Management Areas, and includes a small portion of the Chobe National Park. The Chobe Park and the Linyanti WMAs are renowned wildlife areas and are home to what is probably the highest density of elephants in Africa. Chobe Park alone is estimated to host over 50,000 of these great pachyderms.
Situated on the eastern reaches of the Linyanti river, the secluded Linyanti reserve comprises a 20 km section of river frontage reminiscent of the Okavango Deltaʼs permanent swamp with reed fringed lagoons, small islands and a fringe of towering riverine trees. This is backed by Mopane and Acacia sandveld that hosts elephant, kudu, impala and bushbuck as well as occasional roan and sable antelope.
Lion, leopard, wild dogs, hyena and all the smaller predators also occur. Herds of buffalo, zebra and sometimes eland migrate into the Reserve in the late winter to spring dry season from the far south of the Chobe National Park, seeking the cool permanent water and lush marsh vegetation of the river.
As previously described
Situated in the northern corner of Botswana, the Selinda Spillway connects the ancient waterways of the eastern Linyati Swamps and the western Okavango Delta. The spillway can flow in two different directions and along its course, you will find the game-rich floodplains of the Selinda Reserve, one of the country’s most famous wildlife concessions. This area is off the beaten track, which allows for prime game and bird viewing opportunities. Commonly spotted wildlife include: lion, hyena, jackal, leopard, buck, cheetah, large herds of elephants and the rare African wild dog. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including game drives, guided bush walks, and canoeing safaris.
