Botswana is a country of seemingly endless landscapes, and although it’s almost the size of France it only has a human population of 1.6 million people. Fortunately for Botswana this is one country where animals don’t face stiff competition for land and as a result the country offers some of the most sort after safari experiences in the world. Due to the countries diamond wealth the government is under no pressure whatsoever to promote itself as a mass tourism destination and due to this Botswana is now rated as a high class tourism destination.
There are however regions of the country such as the Tuli Game Reserve that are more readily accessible by the average visitor to Botswana. These parks are also privately owned but have much more accommodation for visitors which gives them a similar safari experience to that of many Tanzania and Kenya excursions.
Botswana is dominated by the Kalahari Desert which occupies 84% of the land mostly in the north, west and central regions but it’s not like the Sahara or the Namib Desert. Whilst there is the occasional sand dune the majority of the desert is completely flat and featureless similar to the Nxai Pan.
Botswana is also home to the second largest wildlife reserve in Africa, the Chobe National Park which is located in the north east of the country. The park occupies 10,560 square kilometres which is highly renowned for the sheer number of elephants in the region which is estimated at around 80,000. Elephants in the region have flourished since the late 1970’s when poaching was at an all-time high in the region, but since then there has been both conservation and protection schemes set in place which has seen a boost in elephant numbers.
The best time to head to Botswana on safari is the dry season which runs from April – October when it’s easy to spot the majority of the regions wildlife all gathered around various waterholes. Whilst day temperatures are usually very pleasant, night temperatures here can fall below zero, especially in the more exposed areas of the countries south west.
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