Botswana

 With an area of almost 600 000 square kilometers, Botswana is virtually the same size as France or Texas. Situated in the centre of southern Africa and more than 600 kilometers from the nearest ocean, Botswana is surrounded with Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe as its immediate neighbors.                                
The most striking features of the country are its flatness and aridity. With the exception of the eastern part of Botswana where the great majority of Batswana live and where the summer rainfall is slightly higher, three-quarters of Botswana is technically a desert. This is what makes the Okavango Delta even more remarkable. It is a wonderful wetland within a desert, getting its waters from rain falling in central Africa, 1000km away.                                                                                  
Each year floodwater flows into the Okavango from its source in the moist central African highlands over a thousand kilometers away. These floodwaters flow from their catchments southwards and into the Kalahari Desert to create a unique wetland that supports and sustains a huge diversity of wildlife. Apart from year round excellent game viewing, the beauty of this water wonderland is awe inspiring. To the north-east of the Okavango Delta are the Chobe and Linyanti Game Reserves. The many varied habitats within the Chobe and Linyanti parks - such as marshes, waterways, riverine forests, dry woodlands and the world-famous Savute Channel - have created an area renowned for its predators and large concentrations of game, particularly elephant. The grasslands of the Kalahari together with the lunar expanse of the Makgadikgadi saltpans complement and are in total contrast to the verdant, game-rich Okavango and Linyanti regions.

While the emphasis of a Botswana safari is often on large mammals - and there are plenty of these - there are manyother specialized creatures to be seen and enjoyed. As many as 580 bird species have been recorded in Botswana with 75 larger mammal species known to occur and more than 80 fish species identified in the Okavango. But overall it is often the sense of wilderness and pristine functioning ecosystems that has the most significant impact on visitors. Nearly 40% of the country has been set aside as private reserves and national parks!

Botswana Photo Gallery  

 A Discoverer Exploration – 10 nights /11 days - Sample Itinerary

This Journey takes the time to explore Botswana's contrasts and extremes in prime areas where few people travel. Experience a nostalgic camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers. The Great Wilderness Journey takes time to experience and explore Botswana's scenic northern areas: from the blue-green wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the diverse and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems, ending with the world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. Accommodation includes a combination of Wilderness Safaris camps and fully serviced camping, all in private concession areas.

For the full itinerary click the photo to the left to learn more about the journey of a lifetime.