Destination

MOREMI GAME RESERVE

This reserve is one of the most beautiful and varied in Africa. Its wonderfully varied habitats and landscape suppport an abundance of wildlife species. Here are great forests of Mopane trees, groves of acacias, grasslands, river frontage, pans, floodplains. Many a wildlife documentaries have been made here and most recently the BBC’s “A dogs life” about the African Wild dogs. It is the best place in the world to see the endangered African wild dogs, the continent’s second rarest predator.

Moremi is unique in that an African tribe realising the need to have a game sanctuary in the 50’s started it. Spectacular scenes of massive herds of buffalo traversing across the open floodplains with lion prides following not so far away, hyenas and vultures watching from shadows and heights are not uncommon in Moremi.

Botswana is a landlocked country in the middle of southern Africa. It shares borders with South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, Zambia to the north east and Zimbabwe to the east. With a mere 1.8 million inhabitants (largely distributed in the east and south of the country) it is one of the least densely populated countries in the world; consequently, it has vast tracts of wilderness. The predominant habitat is Kalahari desert with the world famous Okavango Delta forming a huge and spectacular oasis in the north-west.

We are a multiparty democracy that gained independence from Britain in 1966. At the time of independence Botswana was one of the poorest countries in Africa. The discovery of diamonds at Orapa in 1967, and sound political leadership, transformed the country, promoting the fastest growing economy in the world in the 80’s. Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable non-oil producing countries and has been a shining example of a country dedicated to peace, the rule of law, and the upholding of human rights. Indeed, it has an unequalled record in this respect...

Botswana is a relatively flat country with an average altitude of about 1000 m above sea level. It has shown itself to be a nation with an enlightened conservation policy that has seen 17% of the country (the size of France or Texas) set aside for wildlife conservation and management. A further 21% is private concession areas totalling to a huge 39%. By choosing Botswana you are coming to the last unspoilt wilderness left today. This is the Africa you hoped still existed, the Africa you always wanted to see.

Destinations

OKAVANGO DELTA

The Okavango has its birth in the Benguela or Bié plateau of Angola. Rainwaters ooze from these Angolan highlands into small tributaries and finally into two veins. The Quito and the Qubango. These rivers meet, continue as the Okavango River which travels over a thousand kilometres before its waters come to rest in the thirsty sands of the Kalahari, its host. Tectonic and other processes have slowed down the course of the river shortly after it enters Botswana, causing the establishment of the world’s greatest inland delta (or, more technically, an alluvial fan). It is the best known tourist destination in the country and is one of Africa’s special places, a mosaic of channels, lagoons, dry and seasonal floodplain, papyrus, reeds and exotically vegetated islands. The Okavango Delta wetland is some 15 000 km² in area, but in the past has covered as much as 22 000 km². It provides a unique sanctuary for an abundance of flora and fauna.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Covering Nearly 12000 s km² and tucked in the far northern corner of Botswana, is the Chobe National Park. It borders the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, only separated by the mighty Chobe River which gives it its name. Chobe encompasses a variety of diverse habitats, which are home to the biggest concentration of game in southern Africa.

From the dense riverine forests and swamplands of Chobe and Linyanti, towards the eastern Nogatsaa region, the countryside changes first to mopane and mixed deciduous forest, and then to open grassy plains and rocky outcrops (kopjes) at Savuti in the southwest. Due to the seasonal availability of water across this great terrain, Chobe is the site of a dramatic annual wilderbeest and zebra migration. The elephant populations here are unparalled and are seen throughout the year alongside buffaloes drinking along the river’s edge...

CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE, KHUTSE GAME RESERVE

In the middle of Botswana lies the Kalahari, a vast, flat, dry and largely featureless landscape. But within this monotony a wealth of wildlife exists. This expanse of dryness holds flora and fauna specially adapted to Africa’s harshest climate. Herds of Gemsbok and Springbok are a common feature, in this place. Cheetah and Lion are the dominant predators while the Meerkats and Ground squirrels provide the day’s entertainment as they scurry in and out of their burrows. Jackal, steenbok, brown hyenas, leopard are some of the animals one expects to find in this ancient desert.

KALAHARI TRANSFRONTIER, MABUASEHUBE

In the world where man and wildlife have come into fast conflict over space, the inevitable outcome was habitat loss for many of the wild animal species. It is a trend everywhere else in the world. The Governements of Botswana and South Africa, through a vision of the world-beloved son, Mr Nelson Mandela and the Dutch Prince Barnard, established the world’s first peace park. The Kalahari Trans Frontier. It straddles both countries and like the rest of the Kalahari shows little life at first sight,, but is home to many different types of life, hardened over time by the inhospitable climate.

Shadows of Gemsbok, springbok, hartebeest sharing the canopy provided by the ever-gigantic acacias,; lions waiting for nightfall to begin their hunting and patrols; the Cheetah contemplating challenging the springbok to a sprint.- these are memories you take home.

NXAI PAN AND MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARKS

If man ever felt like being on the moon here on earth, it is at Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Once the centre of a super lake in the northern Botswana, the changing of the river’s course saw the lake shrinking, leaving a saline crust that marks much of the surface of these pans.

In the rainy season, flamingos converge here to breed in millions. Thousands of migrating Zebras wander across the open grass plains adjacent to the featureless Makgadikgadi pans and in Nxai Pan National park, following paths left by early explorers who themselves left their signatures on trees as ancient as time, like the charismatic Baobab. Baines’ Baobabs, have stood unchanged since being first drawn by Thomas Baines in the late 1800’s. A trip to the Nxai Pan would be incomplete if you did not visit this magnificent grove of gigantic, grotesquely beautiful trees also called the Seven Sisters..

TSODILO HILLS

There are four individual hills at Tsodilo. The tallest is known as the Male hill, about 1310 m.above sea level. The next is the Female and then the Child hill, Beyond them there is a much smaller, unnamed knoll, which, legend has it, was the Male Hill’s first wife who was discarded when he met and married the taller Female hill.

There is a haunting feeling about Tsodilo hills and the rock art numbering well over 3500 paintings suggesting thousands of years of occupancy, making this one of the most important rock art sites in the world. Guided tour by Tsodilo’s San residents is one the most enriching experiences of all time and not to be missed.

KGAMA RHINO SANCTUARY

In the early 1990’s a sanctuary for the remaining wild rhinos of Botswana had to be created to save them from intense poaching. This little park was therefore founded and land secured near Serowe. Several other species of wildlife are found here:, red hartebeest, ostrich, brown hyena, Leopard, jackal, steenbok, duiker, bat eared fox, caracal and wildcat.

VICTORIA FALLS

Dugout canoes, locally called MOKORO, an ancient travel mode used in the Delta since man has existed here, best explore the Okavango. Floating on the crystal-clear waters offers a great opportunity to enjoy wildlife in quiet serenity, a peace only broken by the grunting of nearby hippopotami and the charming,cries of bell frogs and distant trumpeting of Elephants as they make their way for an afternoon’s thirst quenching at the river.

For nature enthusiast this is paradise indeed.

Mokoros in the Okavango Delta - a must-do experience.

Nxai Pan has a man-made waterhole, which attracts a variety of both big and small game. It is the only place in Botswana where Impala and Springbok exist side by side.

Elephants, Lion, Cheetah, Bat eared fox, Jackal, Ostrich, Springbok, gemsbok are just a few of the wildlife species to be expected in this great thirst land.

When Dr. David Livingstone first set eyes on the falls late in 1855 he wrote:

"Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. The Victoria Falls, so awesome in theirextent and beautiful brilliance, are one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and the sheer power of the thundering waterfalls leave a profound impact on one; it is a place not to be missed by anyone travelling in southern Africa.

The numerous activities at the Falls include white water rafting and bungee jumping for the brave, flights over the falls, elephant rides, walking with habituated lions, the gorge swing, a visit to Livingstone island and craft markets for the souvenir collectors just to mention a few.

Design & Updates by Thomas Perschil