| If you're heading off on a Botswana safari, there's | | | | covers an area as large as Portugal, is the bed of |
| plenty to explore in this rich area of Southern | | | | a once massive super-lake that covered much of |
| Africa. From art to wildlife, here's an (almost) A-Z | | | | central and northern Botswana. In the rainy |
| of Botswana safari holidays. | | | | season this unique landscape is filled with water |
| Art | | | | and remarkable bird and wildlife. As the last |
| There is a world-renowned tribal art and craft | | | | remnants of a lake that was once the largest in |
| tradition in Botswana, as well as a wealth of | | | | Africa, the various salt pans of this area, dotted |
| ancient rock art. The Tsodilo Hills, west of the | | | | with islands and ancient baobab trees, are a |
| Okavango delta, are the richest rock art site in | | | | reminder of how transient environments and the |
| southern Africa with over 4,000 catalogued | | | | life that depends on them can be. |
| paintings. A sacred site in Botswana, the local | | | | Okavango Delta |
| Stone Age San people say that the gods of old | | | | The most popular area for Botswana safari |
| are still strong at Tsodilo, and there are many | | | | holidays, the Okavango Delta, has a unique |
| legends associated with the area. | | | | ecology and plenty of wildlife and bird species, |
| Birdlife | | | | which can be viewed at close-range from a |
| With almost 600 species of birds, including many | | | | mokoro (primitive dugout canoe). The Okavango |
| unique and rare specimens, a Botswana safari | | | | Delta is a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes and hidden |
| holiday would not be complete without an | | | | channels covering an area of over 17,000 square |
| appreciation of its wonderful bird life. When the | | | | kilometres and the world's largest inland delta. |
| Makgadikgadi fills with the annual rains, hundreds | | | | Okavango is trapped in the parched Kalahari sands |
| of thousands of waterbirds migrate to Botswana, | | | | and is a magnet for wildlife that depend on the |
| adding to the colourful spectacle. Botswana not | | | | permanent its waters. |
| only offers a countless number of migratory and | | | | Tranquility |
| resident birds, but also boasts a bewildering array | | | | Unlike trips to much of Africa, Botswana safari |
| of raptors and other spectacular species. | | | | holidays are safe and secure, with little crime in |
| Chobe | | | | the area and no political unrest. The people are |
| Chobe National Park is a superb wildlife reserve | | | | passive and content, and with a growing number |
| with the largest elephant population in the world. | | | | of successful community based tourism initiatives, |
| Chobe is also blessed with tropical vegetation and | | | | there is a widespread appreciation of tourists and |
| greater rainfall than usually found in this dry | | | | the revenue Botswana safaris bring to the |
| country. | | | | country. Only normal precautions need to be |
| Culture | | | | taken with valuables. |
| Botswana has a rich cultural history, including the | | | | Tuli Block |
| stone wall ruins, patterned pottery and Stone Age | | | | A region that is close to the capital but often |
| tools that litter the countryside. Botswana | | | | neglected on Botswana safari holidays, the Tuli |
| preserves its local traditions and has carefully | | | | Block is a fascinating study in geology and ecology |
| protected its ancient human culture, such as the | | | | as well as one of the prime areas for the mineral |
| Stone Age artefacts of the saltpan areas. | | | | wealth of the country. |
| Kalahari | | | | Wilderness |
| The Kalahari desert, which covers most of | | | | Botswana has one of the lowest population |
| Botswana, is the largest stretch of wind-blown | | | | densities in the world, and with it's exclusive |
| sand on the planet, and hides many remarkably | | | | tourism policies, the wilderness attractions are |
| adapted creatures which can be found in its | | | | largely unspoilt and uncrowded, promising an |
| striking, stark landscapes. Central Kalahari, typical | | | | unparalleled African adventure experience. |
| of the semi-desert conditions that dominate most | | | | Wildlife |
| of Botswana, shows a variety of game in their | | | | Herds of wildlife can be found throughout the |
| natural setting. Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is | | | | country, both in and outside the national parks, |
| wild and remote (and difficult access except for | | | | with growing concentrations in the northern tourist |
| the well equipped), an excellent location for those | | | | areas. Botswana has the largest population of |
| who seek the true wilderness. | | | | elephants in the world and is home to a migrant |
| Makgadikgadi | | | | population of over 120,000 of these massive |
| The flat salt-baked expanse of the Makgadikgadi | | | | creatures. |
| pans which, with the adjacent national park, | | | | |