Botswana
Botswana is one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations. This magical country is blessed with an astonishing variety of landscapes where wildlife roams free. Yet the country has turned its back on mass tourism, choosing instead to focus on conservation and sustainability policies. As a result, a luxury holiday to Botswana promises spectacular wildlife viewing and exclusive eco-friendly lodgings.
Known as the Jewel of the Kalahari, Botswana is roughly the size of France, but the majority of this sparsely populated country is reserved for national parks and wildlife reserves. Its landscapes are incredibly diverse, ranging from the shimmering waters of the world’s largest inland delta to the arid desert of the Kalahari.
Visible from outer space, the Okavango Delta is a highlight. This vast watery landscape is one of the great natural wonders of the world, and home to iconic African wildlife. Glide through the waterways on a mokoro – a traditional dugout canoe – or ride on horseback for an intimate safari experience.
The arid lands of the Kalahari Desert cover the majority of Botswana, creeping into neighbouring Namibia and South Africa, and providing a home to black-maned Kalahari lions and Africa’s second largest migration of wildebeest and zebras. The landscapes of the Makgadikgadi saltpans are also found here, with their magnificent birdlife and spectacular sunsets.
If you want to witness huge herds of elephants, head to Chobe National Park, home to 50,000 Kalahari elephants. Keen birdwatchers will love the Selinda private concession between Linyanti and the Okavango Delta.
